Damon could hear the bear catching his breath now. He couldn’t stop right away. He knew he already angered the bear too much. If he stops now, the bear won’t hesitate to tear him apart. No one wants that. As for him, he was panting too. The chase and the way he’s wearing the bear out requires his full energy. Asher and Norton could only observe him. The former was alert in case Damon would call him to hop in. Norton was on edge. He was hiding behind a huge board, didn’t want the bear to see him. “Anytime now… look at the bear, he’s slowing down…” – said Asher, pointing to the bear“Are you sure?” – Norton asked, couldn’t see what Asher was pointing at“Yes. I can attack now if Damon would allow me.”He was on alert. Anytime now, if given the signal, Asher’s ready to jump on the bear and wrestle with it to the death. He got himself a pointed dagger from the weaponry. Again, close contact. It’s what he needs to have and the beast is his. He just needs to have a close contact with it
Marion cleared his throat and instantly, everyone in the roundhouse quieted. Instantly, all of their attention was directed to him.“Welcome, everyone. To my dear Virgo wolves, you are here to witness for the last time, the toils of our brothers-to-be. They have bravely and boldly conquered the two challenges set before them. They have hurdled enough and they deserve to be here. For the last time, we will test them. And with that test, it will determine if the moon goddess wants us to take them to our family. One last fight for a lifetime of being a Virgo.”Everyone clapped. Except the men. All they were thinking of the moment is how to fight off a giant bear.“Damon, Norton and Asher… for your last challenge, we want you to work as a team. A single unit. With any weapon you want to use. The bear is starved for three days, and that meant it will try all its might to tear you limb by limb. By that, you have to work as one mind. Attack the bear while also trying to protect yourselves an
They didn’t waste any more time. As soon as they were given the permission, the three of them went to sleep early that night.“Good night, boys. Don’t forget to wake up at 4 am tomorrow morning, okay? We have a long way ahead of us.” - Damon said and closed the door to his secluded room. He didn’t wait for the response of the boys anymore. Surely, they would only affirm what he said“Congratulations today, Damon. You did great out there.” – said Asher“You both did great. I’m so proud.” – said Norton, blushingDamon smiled at the other side of the door. He heard them say that, luckily the walls and doors of the conjoined rooms weren’t soundproof. He stopped eavesdropping on the other room when he heard Asher talk Norton out of his insecurity. It was out of his business so he didn’t listen any longer. Instead, he crashed on the bed. His whole body aches, including the cut he obtained on his right leg. Thankfully, after that short welcome ceremony Marion did in their honor, he was cure
“You’re saying the moon goddess herself went to your room to talk to you?”Damon could only nodded. There’s nothing else to say. He has said the important words, and now he could only wait for Asher to either laugh at him or take him seriously. Hopefully, it would be the latter. It would be great to have someone who would believe it so he could say something more.“I… I think that would be possible. You have the ring of strength.” – Asher saidThat brought up light to Damon’s eyes.“Exactly! That’s what she told me. She said I need to discover what I can do with this special ring.”Asher looked amazed.“Wow, and she told you that NOW?”“I know.”“MAN! It could’ve been easier if she told you about it before our initiation rites!”I nodded… but now, in retrospect, I got the moon goddess’ point. I got the fact that she wanted us to play fair and square with the initiation rites. She also wanted us to be accepted here in the Virgo using our own skills. Not with a magic ring or whatever.
Damon knew what to do the moment they arrived in the city. He chose to get down at the nearest school supply center at the end of the road. Asher and Norton were curious on why they stopped there rather than the usual bus stop towards the city. “I need to write a letter to Marion. Now that we’re brothers, we can count on the pack to defend us. If what Anthony said is true, and that they’re coming to the city as we speak, we have no specifics on what and where they are now. Who knows? They might be just around the corner.” – Damon explained as they walked briskly to the store“Yes, but that would take a day before the letter reaches them.” – Norton answered“I know… it’s only a risk. They’re going to be the backup plan. But we’re the main defenders.” – clarified Damon“Anthony is with Harper now, correct?” – Asher askedDamon answered with a nod.“That means Brayden already knows something is up. He now knows that Anthony was an insider.” - Asher pointed outDamon figured that out th
Harper didn’t say anything to Damon though. Or at least not yet. However, she’s certain she’s seen that ring before in her life. She has seen it in her childhood, worn by her mother herself. That only meant it belonged to her family. The question is how did it come into Damon’s possession?She knows that it wasn’t the great time to ask it so she kept her mouth shut. That can wait. Perhaps later when there’s only her and him on a room or something. There are a lot of questions in her head that needs Damon’s answer anyway. Later, later. “This Marion you’re talking about… where did he come from? Why did we only hear about him now?” – Anthony askedDamon cleared his throat before answering. He already expected there will be a lot of questions that will be asked of them. And it’s justified. Though he knows he has to tell him about the initiation rites he has to undergo before being a part of the Virgo. The initiation rites for men alone.“He’s friends with my father, he said. They came a
Harper chose to trust, to at least rely on her guts and take a leap of faith. There’s no guarantee that Damon’s plan would work, not to mention that they’re doing it in the city. It’s not only an issue of safety, they’re also risking their exposure to the humans. For all she knows, some have already noticed what’s happening now. Wolves chasing after a black car on a highway street. It would look crazy on the headlines. “Do you trust me, Harper?” – Damon askedThe three men on the back seat has already prepared themselves, only waiting for Damon’s signal to jump off. Asher was holding the door on the right side while Anthony was on the left. This has to end. This has to be over as soon as possible.“Of course, I do, Damon.” – This isn’t an issue of trust. It’s the possibility of death and exposure that scares her.Damon gave her a sad smile.“Nothing’s going to happen with you and Hector. I’ll make sure of it.”Harper chose to believe him. Or at least just to calm her drumming heart.
“I know the world’s fucked up with you in it… but you, with your father makes it a living hell. I cannot just stand on the side and watch that happen. I have to interfere. I have to make sure nothing like the Great Rebellion happens again.”This time, Brayden laughed. Hysterically. Was Damon laughing? Hasn’t he realized it’s too late to wish for that now? After all, this is what is happening. Which part of all these does he not get as a preparatory for war?“Are you for real? What do you think’s happening now then? All of this stuff? Don’t you think this is war enough?”Damon was silenced. Perhaps denial of what’s obvious would make the impending truth disappear. Or not. “I see what you’re doing, Brayden… but know that waging war requires a huge casualty. You don’t want that, do you?”“Why wouldn’t I?” And then Brayden got enough of the foreplay. He has waited too long to play this game with Damon that he couldn’t wait for it. He did the first strike, jumping at him with his full s