The pack’s new name, inspired by the fearless aura of my Ghost Friend, is now “Captured And Caged.”
“Hey Thompson!” A sudden interruption halts his howling. His wolf reacts instantly, tension evident as veins strain beneath his skin. Growling, he makes squelching movements, eyes shifting between me and the one signaling. After three intense glances, he becomes silent, gradually descending to the ground, shifting back into his human form with a slow, deliberate motion.
“Hello Clarissa.” A guy greets, waving as he approaches, feet seemingly moving through the air. “Hello.” I whisper, watching him move like a spirit. Meanwhile, Dad transforms back into the normal Alpha Thompson, though he stays on the cold ground.
“It’s Alex.” He pouts, smiling, and beckons with his palms for me to come over. Without hesitation, I approach him. Suddenly, I recall the name “Alexander” encrypted on the sword Dad threw at me. Glancing back at the sword, I see it levitating and heading toward Alex.
“Alex?” My eyes widen in disbelief as his name matches the one on the sword.
“Yes. Your friend. The one who visits you every day you feel bored.” He says, inviting me for a hug.
“Wow! So you’re Alex? But you never told me your name.” I say, maintaining a cautious distance in case of deception.
“Back off.” Dad commands, pulling my hair from behind as I land near a tree, causing pain in my ears. Touching them, I feel cold liquid – blood.
“How are you able to come in human form again?” Dad questions Alex, who remains silent, his gaze fixed on me. To handle the situation, I signal to Alex with a wink, and he nods. Subtly, I aim to throw a stone at Dad from behind, but reconsider. Shifting seems like a better plan. Alex makes a cross sound, signaling approval. I face forward, squat, and as Dad looks back, unsure of Alex’s gestures, I initiate the shift.
“I will kill you again if you come near me.” Dad threatens.
“But, now, I’m not in my form, and I promise you, I will kill you and your entire generation.” Alex retorts, his anger evident.
“Oh.” Dad mocks him. “You can’t wipe us out. That doesn’t seem feasible at all. Because if you must do, then you must kill my daughter too.”
I gasp in shock at Dad’s statement but regain composure to maintain my stance.
“She is my mate.” Alex confesses. “I’m coming to this world again to be with her.”
“I don’t want that.” Dad replies. “If she must be your mate, that’s none of my business; she’s a waste after all. But for you to return to this world doesn’t thrill me.”
“It doesn’t have to.” I interject, eliciting smiles from Alex and a frown from Dad.
“What… what the hell did you just say?” Dad fumes.
“You can ask that again.” I reply, stretching my arms and yawning. “Now I know, and now I’m lucky that a very big defender is my mate.”
“You can’t get mated to him.” Dad protests. “Don’t ever dream about it.”
“Because you’re the moon goddess?” I ask him sarcastically.
“After the moon goddess, I’m the next to sign the contract.” He replies, smirking.
“We are still on that fact. We are killing you tonight.” I declare. “Right, Alex?”
“Oh!” Dad reacts, pretending as though hot liquid has seared his throat. “That was what you have been saying? My goodness! My daughter wants to make league with a ghost to ruin me.”
“Exactly. Now you know. I’m ordering you now. Go on your knees as I decapitate you.” I chuckle inwardly, winking at Alex. He responds with a wink and claps his palms, urging me to hasten.
“Dad?” I ask, feigning fury. “I said, go on your knees! Your damn knees!”
Dad lifts his eyes, staring at me wickedly.
“Will you consume me then?” I roll my eyes. Alex claps his palms again, yelling since he can’t mind-link me. “Run. Now. Don’t stay any longer.”
Initially, I consider it a joke, but then I witness him levitating, and Dad transforming into an unfamiliar being. My feet scurry as I dash to the other side of the bush with human speed, reluctant to shift to avoid hunters or let Dad catch up, perplexed by the urgency a ghost has conveyed.
“If you can hear me, please help.” I mutter, gasping while running through the bush. I stop abruptly when I see various illuminations dispersing around me, both in front and behind. Blinking twice, my vision clears, revealing the monstrous figure-Dad. He splits into three bodies, leaving me in shock.
“Alexander, I need you best now.” I call, scanning for any sign of him. Dad lifts his head and charges toward me with growls and squelching sounds. I shift to the other side, causing him to lunge at the air instead.
Now I understand his fearlessness-he’s not just an Alpha but a monster. Only a Monster can kill a Blue Wolf and be free for a while. I resolve to end him tonight for being a cruel wolf.
“Can you murder a monster?” A voice asks, and my brain identifies it as Alex. Yet, I reconsider; we’re plotting to kill Dad, not endorsing his power or letting him go free.
“Yes, I can.” I reply after a few minutes, observing Dad still in pain. Echoing howls from a hungry wolf grow louder, signaling its approach. Dad, now in his half-monster, half-human form, reaches out to me for escape, but I intentionally back off and sprint away.
Having been in the pack house for years, I discover Dad has killed a forbidden wolf, keeping his monster side a secret. Behind me, an old hut shelters injured and runaway wolves, its entrance a one-way passage due to pack rules. But rules don’t matter now.
I swing open the door, and before Dad can enter, I slam it shut, leaning against it. Inside, various wolves groan and writhe in pain. I shake my head, glancing at the window.
“Go peep.” My wolf speaks for the first time. I confirm the locked door and step away, standing in front of the window, observing Dad preparing to face the approaching hunter.
“What time is it?” I inquire from the man in control of the hut, but he stares at me, perplexed.
“You’re not injured yet you came in. Why?” He counters with a question.
“Just tell me. What is the damn time?” I exhale heavily. Since he remains silent, I tilt my head, and my bones snap. He blinks, moving back as I advance toward him at a quicker pace. Cautiously, he crawls, attempting to open the door, but I pull him back.
“Tell me. What time is it?” I demand, sitting on his stomach.
“It’s 9 pm.” He mumbles. “You can now get down.”
“Thank you.”
Thunder rumbles, diverting my attention as I head back towards the window. There, I witness two monsters fighting. Dad. And… who is that?
I slowly creak the door open, but a hand touches me from behind, making my fists clench instinctively, ready to attack.
“No, it’s me.” The man insists. “Don’t move out now.”
“Why not?” I inquire, realizing the second monster is Alexander. It’s time to be saved!
“No!” The man yells. “Once you get in, you can’t get out.”
“You must be joking.” I scoff.
“Wanna see crazy?” He clenches his fists and lands a punch on my neck. Pain shoots through, making it difficult to hold my head properly.
“You idiot. I’m also Thompson. You want to escape?” He suddenly asks, leaving me sprawled on the ground.