~ Seven ~

Zaiden was still standing quite a distance from Lyall and Eira. He watched them silently. Lyall should have turned into a monster and Zaiden was wary of that. But nothing happened. He heard Lyall's heartbeat which was still beating faster than normal. But not as fast as before.

"What's wrong? Has he changed?" asked Theon who had just arrived.

"Uhmm... I don't know. I don't understand. He should have changed by now, seeing his condition earlier. But this is strange.." Zaiden was silent for a moment. "Wait, what are you doing here?"

"I thought you needed help."

"No Theon, you could get hurt or die."

"Then you don't?" Theon looked at Zaiden then sighed. "Two is better than one. And beta is on his way here. While alpha is out of town but beta has informed him."

Zaiden nodded. "For now, let's just watch."

"Wait, that's... Eira." Theon said while pointing at Eira.

"Eira? Who is she?”

“The third child of the Lurvine couple.”

“Lurvine? That name sounds very familiar. Where have I heard it before.” Zaiden seemed to be thinking.

“Lurvine, the guardian of the supernatural.”

Zaiden looked at Theon with an expression full of surprise.

“Her? That child?”

“More precisely her parents. But her parents are dead, and now no one knows who holds the book. They must get it and extend the agreement, so that they are protected.”

Zaiden fell silent again and watched Lyall and Eira.

While Lyall was still silent, he waited for his wound to heal completely and then immediately left. Meanwhile Eira was busy looking for something in her bag. She took it out and showed it to Lyall. A long, rolled bandage. Eira smiled.

“Usually I would bandage the wounds of animals that I found injured. But since you are big, this will take a roll! Is that okay?”

Lyall growled harshly. Of course he didn't want anyone to touch him, especially the weird girl in front of him. What if she did something to him. Stupid thinking for a wolf twice the size of an adult.

“I just wanted to help.” Eira looked disappointed, her head lowered as she stared at the roll of bandages in her hand.

‘No, I shouldn’t feel sorry for her. Especially a weird girl like her. No, no.’

Lyall growled and stood on all fours.

"Whoah you are so big!" Eira looked enthusiastic. “What kind of wolf are you? Dire? Ferir?!”

‘What a strange girl! She should be afraid of me. Look at her, she looks happy. I should stay away from her immidiately.’

Lyall growled harshly at Eira and glared at her, as if he wanted to pounce on her. Lyall opened his mouth, showing his teeth while still growling. Lyall’s growls grew louder and louder.

“W-what’s wrong?” Eira looked nervous. “Y-you won’t hurt me, right?”

‘Huh! What a stupid question. I’ll tease her.’

Lyall growled even louder, ready to bite her. Eira was shocked and sat on the ground. A look of fear was clearly visible on her face. Eira stared at Lyall’s red eyes. Yes, she knew, the wolf in front of her could attack her at any time. For a moment she blamed her curiosity. She went to the forest because she was fed up with her two brothers’ quarrels. Moreover, she also had to feed the wolves she kept in the forest. She and her father had kept the wild wolves since they were small. Now her father was gone, so she was the one who had to feed them.

But the wolves suddenly left and seemed scared of something so Eira went to find out why and found the big wolves fighting. Stupidly, she felt sorry for the black wolf who looked in pain. If her best friend, Karina, was here, she was sure Karina would have scolded her for being too stupid. And look at her now. The wolf in front of her would eat her anytime.

'Oho.... She's starting to get scared...' Lyall with his million mischievousness

'Seriously? Are you going to mess with her?'

Lyall turned to Zaiden who was already shaking his head. Lyall snorted in annoyance then looked at Eira and prepared to jump. Eira slowly backed away sitting on the ground while staring warily at Lyall's wolf. Lyall jumped high right above Eira. Eira closed her eyes and tried to protect her head with her hands. Lyall landed smoothly on the ground far from Eira and immediately went as far away as possible from Eira. Zaiden ran after Lyall. Eira was still silent in the same position for a while until she realized nothing had happened to her. Eira opened her eyes and looked around then let out a sigh of relief. She thought for a moment that she was going to be eaten.

"Eira?"

A voice startled her. Eira turned and saw Theon had come to her.

"What are you doing here?" Theon asked.

"Ah uhm... (standing up and dusting his pants and shirt from the dirt that stuck to them) walking around." Eira tried to smile at Theon.

"Alone?"

Eira nodded. "Yes."

"You... saw something?"

"Well... Them?" Eira pointed at some of the dead Rogues.

"Don't worry, they've been taken care of. My father is taking care of the animals." Theon explained. His father was the sheriff in town, so he could use his father as an excuse.

"So... They killed the villagers?"

Theon nodded. "Possibly. We're investigating it."

Eira nodded.

"So I beg you, for the time being, don't go into the forest alone. Bring your brothers or Karina or if possible, don't go into the forest for a while. Until we are absolutely sure that the animals have been chased away or killed. We don't want any more residents to become victims."

It had become a hot topic in the city about the attacks by wild animals. Several residents had become victims. Of course the werewolves knew it was because of the Rogues.

"I understand." Eira smiled slightly.

"Eira!" Karina ran to Eira. "Are you okay?" Karina checked every inch of Eira's body.

"I'm fine. I just—aakhh!! Why did you hit me?" Eira was surprised by Karina's sudden punch on her arm.

"I told you before, don't go into the forest alone. It's fucking dangerous, you know! Stubborn."

"Yes, yes, sorry. I'm just worried if they aren't fed."

"Damn Eira! They're wild wolves! They can find their own food. Besides, they're not babies anymore!"

"They're still babies to me."

Karina snorted in annoyance and rolled her eyes, annoyed.

“Let’s do it this way.” Theon began to speak. “I’ll feed them until all this attack stuff is over. How about that?”

“But they don’t like new people. I’m afraid they’ll attack you.”

“Oh no, they won’t attack me.”

Eira frowned. “Why are you so sure?”

“Because I also take care of naughty wolves, much naughtier than yours (pointing to the young wolves standing not far from where they were. The young wolves waved their hands) trust me. Your wolves are easier to take care of.”

Karina smiled amusedly, especially seeing the young wolves pouting.

“My brother is right. Let him take care of them. Only until the situation is completely safe.” Karina supported the idea. Karina was Theon’s only sister. She was also a werewolf of course. But Eira didn’t know that.

Eira nodded in agreement. “Okay.”

“Good.” Theon smiled.

“Can’t you have a normal pet? A dog? A cat? A guinea pig? A rabbit? Why they have to be wolves? I’m sure if there were lions here, you’d have one too.”

Eira pouted.

“Okay, okay. Now you guys go. Take Eira home. Maybe you can share the pie you made with her.” Theon suggested.

“Ah! Right! I made a pie earlier. Do you want some?” Karina pulled Eira’s hand away from the location.

“It’s not poisonous, right?”

“Hah! You’re so cruel!”

Karina and Eira walked away. Theon ordered his two Omegas to guard them until they got home.

“Theon!”

“Beta!”

“What’s going on?” beta Ron looked around.

“Rogues. They attacked, again. Well, more precisely attacked Lyall.”

“But why?”

“I don’t know, beta. Probably because Lyall was at the same time and place as the Rogues arrived.”

“Alpha is on his way here. But why is there a human?” Beta Ron had time to see Eira.

“Yes, it was an accident. Eira happened to be here. And she is Lurvine.”

“Has she been confirmed as the successor?”

Theon shook his head. “Not yet. But they are one family.”

“That’s right. But one of Lurvine’s three children must hold the book first.”

“I…. Didn’t know that.”

“Your sister is her close friend. Tell her to find out.”

“Okay, beta.”

“Okay, now let’s get rid of these Rogue corpses before any more humans see them. And alpha will hold a meeting tonight.”

“Okay, beta.”

***

“Okay, now you have to explain it to me.” Zaiden tried to get Lyall to talk about what happened earlier. Lyall just kept walking home without saying anything. “You can’t keep quiet, Lyall.”

“That’s the problem. I don’t know. I kept quiet because I didn’t know. Okay? I don’t know what happened or why it happened!” Lyall stopped walking and looked at Zaiden. He tried not to scream and become a spectacle for others.

“You said you're going to turn into that monster.”

“That’s right. I can’t control my body anymore, I’ve also seen some changes in my body!”

“Then why didn’t you change?”

“Oh for God’s sake, Zaiden. If I knew I would tell you. But I didn’t know! And shouldn’t you be happy that I didn’t change? What kind of reaction is this?” Lyall started walking again.

“Confusion reaction, I guess.”

“Welp it’s not just you. Everything changed when I looked into that weird girl’s eyes.”

“Weird girl? Do you know her?” Zaiden tried to keep up with Lyall’s fast walk.

“Of course I know her. I mean… I’ve met her a few times.” Lyall’s words made Zaiden frown. “It’s not what you think. She’s my classmate.” Lyall said quickly after seeing Zaiden’s expression.

“So... After seeing her eyes... You haven't changed.” Zaiden tried to emphasize Lyall's words. Lyall rolled his eyes.

“Yes!!”

“Is she your mate?”

Zaiden's question made Lyall stop his steps and stare at Zaiden in disbelief.

“Are you crazy?”

“That's possible, right? You didn't change after seeing her.”

Lyall took a deep breath and continued walking.

“Hey, Lyall. Just think. (walking after Lyall) there's no way you didn't turn into that monster. You said yourself that you would change. But after seeing that girl you didn't change.”

“But I don't feel anything! (stopping his steps again) I don't feel anything that father ever told me before.”

“Not even a little bit?”

Lyall shook his head. “No. She's not my mate and... Eww.. Never!”

Lyall walked back. Zaiden was silent in his place. This was really strange

***

Several people had gathered in a meeting room at Alpha Carl's house. Everyone was silent with their own thoughts. No one spoke or chatted with each other.

A door opened and alpha Carl entered and immediately sat down on the empty chair.

“Tell me.”

“He didn’t change.” Beta Ron started the meeting. There were Lyall’s mother and beta Dan and also Zaiden.

“Lyall can control it?” asked alpha Carl.

“No alpha. You can explain it Zai.”

“Okay beta. Lyall said because of that girl.”

“Girl?” alpha Carl looked confused.

“There was a girl with him earlier, when he was about to change.” Zaiden explained.

“Then that girl is his mate?” asked Alpha again.

“Lyall said no, alpha.”

“Are you sure Zai?” this time Lyall’s mother asked hopefully.

“Lyall said that, luna.”

“Is it possible he’s lying?”

“I’m sure not, luna. He’s not lying.”

“This is weird. Then why would he change? Just because he turned into a wolf and fought some Rogues? That’s what triggered it?”

“I don’t think so, alpha.” Zaiden was silent.

“Then?”

“Just tell the alpha everything, son.” Dan asked. Zaiden looked at his father and nodded.

“There is one Rogue, who looks different.”

“Different? What do you mean?”

“That Rogue has silver fur with orange eyes. Lyall fought that Rogue and after that he suddenly changed.”

“Suddenly?”

“Yes, because I’m sure Lyall wasn’t in a high state of emotion. I’ve known Lyall since he was little. He’s still young but his fighting ability is very good. Moreover, Lycan’s power makes him heal faster than us. But after fighting that Rogue, he couldn’t control his body.”

Alpha looked at his betas and gammas. “Did you track their whereabouts?”

“Yes, alpha. But they disappeared without a trace. We even tracked them outside of RaClaws territory. Nothing.” Beta replied.

“This is strange. (staring at Lyall’s mother.) I’m sorry Stella. This happened when I was out of town.”

“It’s not your fault, Carl. Besides, Lyall is safe. No one was hurt. That's the most important thing."

Alpha Carl nodded. "That's right (looking at beta Ron) tighten the guard at the border immediately. We're already starting to be overwhelmed by Rogues attacking ordinary humans. We can't be careless this time."

"Okay alpha."

"And who is that girl?" Alpha Carl looked at Zaiden. Zaiden looked at Theon who was also in the room.

"Lurvine. Eira Lurvine." Theon answered.

"Oh shit."