Revelation

Freda’s P.O.V

The air felt husky, and my throat was as dry as a dessert. I’ve never gone this far without water, so it was a very strange feeling. Yet, I widened my eyes, and I held my knife the way Craig had taught me, while my gaze slowly moved to those that had suddenly surrounded us.

They were five this time, and I had a feeling it would be difficult for Craig to beat this group all alone. I might have only learnt about swinging my knife, but I would rather die than watch him fight alone.

One of the wolf, who was slightly dressed up than the others, stood upright – the others maintained a fighting stance – and addressed us.

His gaze moved slowly from Craig to me, but this time not in lust, but something like curiosity. His gaze stopped at Craig as he questioned, “Who are you?”

Craig, ever the guarded guy, frowned at his question, “I could ask you the same.”

The guy chuckled, “You’re on my territory. And no one passes through here without answering to me.”

I looked around. There was no difference from this bush and the one we slept in last night. No sign they were people living here, and it amazed me to see this guy laying claim over a forest.

Craig, however, felt different, “I mean no harm. I’m just passing through this route to a different location.”

The guy looked back, then made a signal that made the other stand and released their fighting stance, “There’s no road here. You’re at a dead end.”

Craig shook his head, “That’s what they want us to believe, but I have more confidence in my map.”

His eyes widened, “You have a map…” and he looked at Craig with hooded eyes, “Only royals are liable to have such. Who are you?”

Craig hissed, “Just a guy searching for his identity. For now, I am a rogue.”

The guy nodded, “I like you. You can abandon this quest of yours and join us. We’ll protect you from the powerful packs.”

“No. We’re not doing that.” I haven’t meant to say that out, but the thought of abandoning my quest to seeking my identity was forbidden.

I needed to know who I am; if I truly am a Sliver pack wolf or if this was just a curse.

The guy finally focused on me, “I wasn’t talking to you. You can leave if you want to.”

I wanted to argue with him, but Craig beat me to it, “Don’t bother. We’ve more important things to do. And she’s mine. I go wherever she goes.”

My heart skipped a beat; then started running at an alarming rate. I fear the people surrounding us would hear it.

I knew he was lying, but his word stuck to my eyes, and it was all I repeated, “She’s mine.”

The guy looked at me again, as if he needed to know my worth by that, then he shrugged. “You’re welcome to dine with us and rest. You don’t look fit to continue your journey, especially her.”

Now that I know they are no threat to us, I sheath my knife.

Craig looked back at me before turning back to the guy and nodded. “The name is Damien.” He said.

The guy looked at me before responding, “I’m Ben.”

Craig pointed at me, “That’s Flora.”

I frowned at him. Why did he lie about our names? But I made no effort to ask him, as I felt too tired and needed that rest.

Ben said few things to the others, and soon they led us towards a closed place. It was covered with more grass than the others as if it had been made so intentionally. Ben waved some of the grass away, and we were in an open place.

I looked around; everywhere was filled with thatched roof houses, and few wolves sat outside, staring at us openly. Some stared at us strangely, but no one uttered a word. I have never heard of any wolf living in the forest, and Craig’s map didn’t show any indication that a pack lives here.

Although all houses were countable like this place was more of a refugee camp than where a whole pack could be staying.

I moved closer to Craig, “Is it really safe for us to stay here?” I whispered to him.

He looked around, and I could see his hand at his waist – where he kept a small knife – but he nodded at me, “We will die from exhaustion if we don’t take this chance.”

I don’t feel safe, but somehow, I was coming to trust Craig.

Ben led us to the last thatched roof house. The rest had left us along the way, and I guess they went to their houses.

“This is my place.” He announced.

He went in first, and we followed inside. The place was empty apart from a small bed in the middle, which also served as a chair. He asked us to sit.

Immediately, I sat down, I asked out of curiosity, “What’s this place?”

He looked around as if he was trying to see his place in a stranger’s view.

“This is a refugee pack for wolves that lost their home.”

I frowned. “You mean, you guys just trust anyone and bring them to your places.”

He stood up and moved to a corner I haven’t expected earlier. He fetched us cups of water and placed them before us. “Drink first before I tell you more about this place.”

My gaze slanted at the cup before me.

What if it was more dangerous to drink this water? What if they were just trying to make us feel at ease before doing something to us? My head was filled with the ‘if’s scenario’, but Craig already drank his water, cleaning his mouth off.

“I see you have trust issues.” Ben picked my cup and drank it all at once.

Immediately, I regretted that I doubted him.

“Unlike you, Fiona, we take chances. Most of us here were once stranded in parts of the wood. We were lonely and needed a place to come home, and we believe they are still wolves like us out there that we are willing to help.”

“What if those wolves end up being a threat to this place?” I questioned again.

Ben shook his head at me, “We don’t just bring anyone here. And we bring those we actually think are in need of our help here, just like you two.”

I nodded, but my gaze moved towards the corner he had brought the water from, and my throat perched. I couldn’t hold the need for water anymore. “Please, can you give me little water?”

He looked back at the corner, sighed, and stood up.

When he brought the water and gave me, I felt relieved. My body felt relieved and alive. I thanked him before he returned the cup.

“Like I was saying, I’m the leader of this small group, and that’s why no one said a word when you guys came in. If you want, you can change your mind to start living her, or you can decide to continue on your journey. Although, you are welcome here anytime you want. I’ll ask someone to bring you a meal. Feel free.”

And then he left.

I turned to Craig, who felt comfortable on the bed, “Hello, Damien, why am I Fiona again?”

He moved around in the room, checking every hidden place. “Precaution. Our correct name might alert something in them. Who knows if there’s a bounty on your name from your pack?”

I never thought of that, but it was what Adrian could do. He was persistent and would do anything to punish who he wanted to. And I am the mate that brought disgrace to him. I shudder at the thought of going back there.

Soon, I heard footsteps, and we both settled on the bed like we haven’t been snooping around. She dropped a tray of food in front of us, and my stomach grumbled at the sight of good food.

Apart from the snake we had eaten, we have been eating only fruit for a while. I was already getting tired of eating that and had a feeling I would soon get sick of it. So, it’s a blessing to see good food. We thanked her.

Just as she set to move, the hand of her top rose up, and that was when I saw it.

I lost my appetite instantly and focused on her hand. I was instantly filled with anxiety. “Wait.”

She turned towards me and blinked in confusion.

Craig hadn’t seen it, but he also stopped to stare at us.

“What?” The lady asked. “Do you need any other thing?”

I was too shocked to say anything, so I nodded.

She sighed, “What else? Water?” She pointed to the corner Ben had given us water, “There is water in that bowl.”

I nodded, but this time, my eyes didn’t shift from her hand. I swallowed before taking deliberate steps towards her. I held her hand and touched the mark. The same mark that had turned my life around. “Where did you get this mark?”