I sprint into the darkness of the forest, my heart pounding with each step as my wolf takes control. My head vibrates intensely, surrendering completely to the wolf’s instincts. I charge through the underbrush, determined to reach my destination before daybreak.
The man didn’t disclose the name of the pack house he belongs to, so I’ll need to identify it myself. He only mentioned it would be the first one I encounter upon exiting this area.
As I continue my frenzied journey through the bush, causing leaves to rustle and trees to sway, I approach a new environment. However, my progress abruptly halts as I become ensnared in a large net. My wolf relinquishes control, and I’m grateful for the intervention, realizing the net prevented me from wasting more time.
Now in my human form, I retrieve the clothes nearby and hastily dress myself. I notice someone approaching and quickly intercept them.
“Please, is this a pack house?” I inquire, even though I’m certain it is. He shrugs dismissively and glares rudely at me before walking away. Annoyed, I smack his head as he departs. He shoots me a fierce glance before continuing on his way, perhaps wary of causing trouble or alarming the pack house about a stranger.
Finally reaching the front of the pack house, I confirm that it is indeed a pack house. The stringent security measures in place are a testament to the dangers lurking in these secluded areas.
Unlike in a city with accessible emergency services, there’s no guarantee of assistance in remote pack houses. They are often isolated from one another, leaving inhabitants vulnerable to threats.
As I approach the security guard stationed at the gate, I wave to get his attention. Once he notices me, he stands at attention, eyeing me suspiciously.
“What does this rogue want?” He questions, as more guards emerge from the pack house, ready to confront me. They open the gate and move to apprehend me for questioning.
“Hold on!” I shout at them, disregarding their numbers and potential power to harm me where I stand.
“I came here to ask a few questions about your pack house. If you answer them to my satisfaction, I’ll consider joining you.” I explain, but they remain unimpressed, challenging my expectations.
“You can come in and present your request. Remaining outside and stating your intentions will only waste time.” The head security guard advises me. I sigh in resignation and follow them inside, refusing to be manhandled. I am not a criminal and will not act like one.
“Where is your Alpha?” I inquire, but one of them silences me. As I observe the calm atmosphere of the pack house, with only background noise indicating activity, I realize they are larger and more organized than my father’s pack.
“You cannot see the Alpha, but you may speak with the Beta.” They inform me. “Shall we summon him, or will you continue to be detained?”
I chuckle at the options presented to me but quickly refocus my attention. Instructing them to summon the Beta, I reflect on Thompson’s visibility within his pack. He often emerges unscathed due to his adeptness at deception and secrecy. Now exposed, he’ll face swift consequences without hesitation.
The Beta arrives accompanied by five formidable soldiers wielding menacing instruments. Observing their eye color change, indicating their ability to shift, I realize they’ve identified me as a fellow wolf. Had their eyes not changed, I might have met a grim fate.
“I’ve come to ask a few questions of the Alpha. Please bring him here.” I feign courage and request.
“He won’t be available immediately.” The Beta replies politely. “But I am here to assist you. Let me address your concerns.”
“Okay. Can I… uh… work in your pack house and bring my squad?” I inquire, immediately feeling foolish.
They exchange glances, silently deliberating my request.
“You need your squad as a newcomer here? That’s not feasible. However, regarding employment…” The Beta begins, trailing off with a sigh. “I’m sorry, but we currently have a full staff. We’ll reach out to you if any positions become available.” He concludes officially.
I exhale deeply, disappointed by the outcome.
“Thank you for your time, dear Beta. I simply wish to contribute to a pack house. I have the potential to train wolves and lead, but not as a tyrant. I hope you’ll reconsider.” I express, clarifying my intentions to prevent any misconceptions.
“You’re welcome. Please ensure she leaves the pack house premises completely. We cannot allow her to remain as a rogue or intruder.” The Beta commands, gesturing for his soldiers to escort me out. They follow him back to his official quarters.
Curious about the Beta’s strictness, I inquire of those leading me back to the gate.
“Why is he so stringent?” I question.
They laugh at my inquiry, but one of them eventually decides to respond. “You should have gone for it. The Beta is indeed a serial killer. Never attempt to return here. You’d be disposed of within seconds. Consider this a gentle warning preceding a painful death.”
I remain silent for a moment, processing their words. Before they shut the gate, I muster the courage to reply. “I am not human. I am a wolf as well. I came here peacefully. Why would I have gone for it?” I boldly challenge.
“When you return to your pack house, assuming you belong to one where you aren’t functioning properly, ask your Alpha or one of your weak wolves about who a serial killer is and whether they should provoke one. You have fifteen minutes to vacate this vicinity. If you hesitate, you’ll face consequences. No one apologizes for anyone’s death; we only issue warnings.” They assert firmly.
Feeling unsupported and disheartened, I reluctantly depart, filled with sadness and a sense of unfulfillment. I consider seeking out a different pack house, but the thought of approaching them and asking for directions seems daunting and abnormal.
The head security officer continues to gesture wildly, attempting to intimidate me with his words. I simply roll my eyes at his antics and retreat back into the bush. Glancing back momentarily, I catch sight of a menacing wolf within the pack house, towering and fearsome in appearance. However, I realize it’s confined within the premises, a feeble attempt by the security officer to scare me.
Reflecting on my failed endeavors to seduce my father and recruit my squad from his pack house, I feel disheartened. It seems impossible to sway the loyalty of most members, who adore my father above all else.
Contemplating my next move, I consider identifying individuals within the pack who harbor doubts or grievances against my father. Perhaps they could be persuaded to betray him in exchange for something they desire.
Shifting into my wolf form, I dart into the woods with agile grace, the wind whipping past me as I navigate the dense foliage. In mere minutes, I arrive back at my father’s pack house, landing on a high vantage point before tumbling down the hillside. Despite the discomfort of landing on a rock, I suppress a chuckle, finding a strange satisfaction in the sensation.
As I attempt to rise, a helping hand extends towards me, offering assistance.
I’m taken aback when I realize someone has helped me up, my hand still clasped around theirs. I widen my eyes to get a better look at the person, recognizing him as the same man I encountered earlier. Is he purposefully wandering around here, or is it merely coincidence? I refrain from probing further, knowing a thief will never reveal themselves as such.
“Thanks for saving me again.” I express my gratitude, pressing my palms together in appreciation. He offers a rough smile and clears his throat.
“Did you manage to get your questions answered?” He inquires.
“Yes, I did, and I received the answers I needed.” I reply cheerfully, hoping to deflect any suspicion about the earlier confrontation.
“That’s good!” He remarks, giving me a thumbs-up. I briefly ponder his apparent naivety before dismissing the thought.
As I begin to distance myself from him, he calls out to me in a flat tone, a stark contrast to his previous demeanor. It feels as though I’m being scolded. Slowly, I turn back to face him, wondering if he’s transformed into someone else entirely. Yet, upon facing him, I see no change in his appearance.
My lungs welcome the fresh air as I breathe in deeply, feeling more at ease. I stride back towards him, curious about why he called me back.
“Why did you call me back? I was about to attend to something important.” I inquire, aiming to keep the conversation brief.
“I suspected that you’re the Alpha’s daughter.” He says bluntly.
“Here at this pack house, or at your own?” I inquire calmly.
“Here, at this pack house.” He confirms.
“I’m actually not, but I bear a resemblance to her. She’s not present.” I lie.
“I had a feeling about that. I wanted to assist her with a difficult situation. I didn’t realize it wasn’t you. I apologize for stopping you earlier.” He explains, preparing to depart. I wrestle with the decision of whether to admit my lie or let him leave without further explanation.
“Sir!” I call out, halting him in his tracks. He turns back, his expression now somewhat ominous, and waits for me to speak, leaving my mind racing with uncertainty.
Feeling a surge of defiance, I ignore my initial instinct to hurry back to my pack house and instead decide to fabricate a story.
“I was actually scared of you! I’m the Alpha’s daughter.” I reveal, deciding to play along. His response is nonchalant.
“Impressive.” He remarks before turning to leave. I rush to catch up with him, urging him to share whatever he had wanted to say.
“Sir, you didn’t mention anything you wanted to discuss.” I remind him.
“I was just joking. I simply wanted to confirm if you were the Alpha’s daughter.” He explains casually. His dismissive attitude infuriates me, prompting me to lash out and kick him to the ground.
“Struggle to get up then. Silly man.” I curse, seething with anger as I leave him behind and return to the pack house. Despite the satisfaction of not succumbing to my initial hesitation, I feel a lingering frustration at his deception. If I had returned to my pack house, I would have regretted not uncovering his secrets, fearing he was sent to provide crucial information. Now, I’m glad I acted on my impulse, even if it meant kicking him to the ground. He deserves it for his deceitfulness.
As I approach the pack house, I notice soldiers stationed at every corner, their faces stern and unwelcoming. Despite my efforts to locate a friendly face, none of them seem approachable. I summon courage, and mentally encourage myself to push forward towards the pack house.
Instead of a security wolf or a familiar warrior, my father emerges to confront me. His demeanor is intimidating, his face bearing a fierce and fiery expression. A sense of dread washes over me, fearing retribution or punishment.
“Where did you go?” He demands, leaning against the gate and scrutinizing my face with intensity. His gaze flickers to my lips, a gesture that fills me with unease.
“I need to speak with you. I’m not sure if you’ll be allowed inside.” He adds, his tone serious and devoid of any hint of jest. His grave demeanor dispels any notion of this being a prank.
“I went to relax.” I retort tersely.
“Just relax? That’s a blatant lie.” He scoffs. “The Alpha’s strength has increased, and our warriors have grown in both number and power since you left.”
“That’s impressive.” I remark casually, attempting to deflect his scrutiny. “Can I enter now?”
“I’m not certain. We now have a Luna who will bear the Alpha’s daughter. There will likely be conflict between you both over the title of the Alpha’s daughter. It’s best for you to leave this area altogether.” He informs me coldly.
“You would do this to your own daughter?” I ask, pretending to choke back tears.
“You tried to kill me. Which action is more dangerous and wicked?” He counters.
“Let your Luna give you a daughter, and I’ll take my leave.” I declare, hoping to end the conversation. He grants me entry without another word.