“I’m sorry Selene. They somehow knew that you had been chosen by our goddess as our next warrior. They have specifically asked for you, to join their team. We can not afford to jeopardize our pack’s safety, and say no. If we refuse, and we break our agreement, we will be forcing them to break our treaty of peace with them If, you don’t go, they will have the right to overtake our land. We have to keep our
part of the deal, if not, who knows the dangers our pack may go under? We will be exposed to other creatures, and roaming rogue’s. I know it’s a lot to ask of you but our pack, is in your hands at the
moment, we need you to cooperate.”
My heart raced, I fought back the tears in my eyes. I suddenly became quite fond of this pack! my pack! Including each and every member that was in it.
Hazel kept trying to merge through to speak, she was running in circles, and whimpering. I can feel her sadness and frustration. She nipped at me to let her out.
“Please Selene, you are our only hope to keep the government away from our land. Our pack’s safety is in your hands at this moment. ” Luna Christy implored
“But what about Ty? Why can’t we send him instead? We can ask for a new agreement treaty with them, debate the obvious with them. He’s so much stronger and he’ll be a better warrior then she can be?” Mother implores, hoping for a way out for me. To get me out of this mess and not have me leave. I can sense the frustration from each of them.
Before they could break into an argument, I decided it was for the best for me to answer. For my pack, for my family.
“No, it’s ok mom. I will go, Alpha. If that will be all, may I have permission to leave?”
Alpha Brock nods, pursing his lips giving me a sympathetic smile.
I began to stand, getting ready to leave. “Question, though Alpha if you don’t mind.”
“Of course not, what is it?” Alpha Brock responds.
“It’s just, still have a few months left before the school year ends. I’m supposed to graduate this year, will I not be allowed to graduate high school? Can there be a way for me to call Ty and congratulate him on our eighteenth birthday, or call home?”
He takes a long sigh. “Selene dear, our contract with them will consist of a five year leave. You will attend classes there, and receive your diploma there. While you are training, you will receive a rushed introduction to a career of your choice. Before coming home, you will receive your bachelor’s degree.
While you are out there, you must not contact anyone. No one must find out where you are. No one must know of when you are leaving, besides us, everyone will think that you are away at college, is that Understood?”
“Yes Alpha.”
“Selene?”
“Yes?”
“No one. Not even Ty.” He warns.
I steal a glance at mother, her eyebrows narrowed as she tries to fight back tears, and my father with his gaze down towards the floor.
“Understood Alpha,” I say as I stand to take my leave. I slowly make my way to the door. Cringing my hand to the braced knob, feeling the cold grasp of the copper colored metal; I swallowed deep, inhaling rapidly before I close my eyes and turn to alpha.
“Alpha? One more thing if I may?”
“Yes Selene? ”
“May I go for a run? to clear my mind before I have to pack?”
“Very well, but be back before the ceremony. I want every member there to welcome and receive Blake, as our new alpha.”
“Yes sir.” I open the door, my mind is a complete bliss of utter frustration, and anger, entangled in every inch of my being.
It’s for the good of the pack…. even if I can’t stand most of them… they are still my pack… and I must protect them.
I take a long sigh, making my way out of our pack house. The warm rays of the sun caressing my skin, as I feel a graceful and warm breeze flowing through my hair. I will miss this place after all.
I make my way out towards the trees I sprint a good distance in. I take off my shirt and pants; I can
hear the twist and break of my bones that last only but a few seconds before Hazel appears in my place. I let Hazel take over, as she starts to sprint out, not wasting time to have her run.
****
Hazel
I can feel the soft earthed soil between my paws. I let loose as I run as fast as my paws can take me. Running through the many branches, bracing past them, scattering them about as they fall on the ground. The gush and whizz of the wind, and many trees as I pass in seconds. I can smell the beauty of the forest. The wind whistling about, the trickle of the water a mile away, and the love song of the birds chirping about.
I stop just a few miles before the end of our land. The silence of the day interrupted by the many sounds of the forest undeniably peaceful and quiet.
“Selene ” a silent whisper is heard in the distance.
“Hazel? who’s there?” Selene and I wonder around trying to see who is calling. We gaze from one side to another. But Nothing is seen but the beauty of the forest.
“Selene?”
“There it is again! Haze?, who’s out here? Who is it?” Selene asks.
“I- I don’t know! There’s no one out here.”
“But I can feel someone’s presence. there has to be someone else here with us.”
I feel utter frustration as I try and make out who it is. I shift back to human form, and let Selene take over.
My body is completely naked at the moment, as I wonder about trying to make out who is out here with us.
Everything becomes a blur. Again, my body feels its energy being drawn away. I begin to loose sight, as I see the same beautiful woman with am angelic resemblance come to view, her face so beautifully, and a white aura so strong it makes me feel completely at ease.
“I’ve seen you before. who are you?”
Everything goes blank. I wake up minutes later, completely alone. I gather my things quickly and sprint back to our pack.
*****