Veil of Deception

i. epigraph ❝what happens when a human becomes the queen of the wolves?❞ ii. introduction Through the very cold town that is called Sabourn, there is an isolated piece of land that is owned by werewolves. No human had ever seen the place where these werewolves lived, as they were always afraid to venture into the forest—terrified of getting eaten or hunted by these big majestic wolves. Humans who had lived through time never knew that werewolves existed in their small little town, but was well fully aware that wolves linger around the thick forest that surrounds the place. Everyone had always thought of them as guardians, protecting the forest and the town from those who seek nothing but violence and threats. You would think that with the constant howling at night and the number of spotting wolves, everyone would be afraid to even step foot on the land. However, that was not the case. A man who just turned 19 named Ernesto had heard stories about the wolves from his relatives. He did not mean on killing them or taking one of them—he wanted to have something from them. You see, his parents always say that the wolves were never normal ones. They would grant wishes to those who are in need as they were the sole protector of the place. Ernesto, being a desperate soul to save his mother, ventured into the forest all on his own. He was on a hunt to search for someone who could offer him aid. “Please, help me! I need some help! I heard you help people for a price! I will do everything, just save my mother!” Ernesto screamed for hours, walking through the forest with nothing but the hope of salvation. Through the thick mist and some covered trees before him, there was someone whom he had caught the attention of. It was a little witch, only a few years younger than him. She had never seen a human before, let alone someone who was desperate enough to linger through their very dangerous land. “Mother,” she spoke, pointing to the man, “He needs help. It’s cold and he is wearing nothing to cover his skin. Aren’t humans frail?” The woman that she called mother simply frowned, already making her aware that her mother does not like the little critter. Adding actions to her reply, she then shakes her head, “You must never listen to their cries, Agatha. They will ask for more and sooner or later—people will come destroying our lands just to have their wishes.” “But mother, look,” Agatha protested. The man had stopped in his tracks, his voice never stopping the wails of nothing but desperation but it was getting to the point where his voice was too low and Agatha could feel that he was slowly losing the very heat that humans had called life. Even with her mother trying to stop her from helping someone who seemed so desperate enough to sacrifice his own life, she had jumped out from where she was hiding and walked towards the human. “Please, help me…. I need some help…. I heard you help people for a price…. I will do everything… Please save her…” He continued on rambling those words even when his eyes were shut tight. It was as if even if his body had failed him, his mouth never did. His heart was golden, and Agatha knows that. As a witch who is bound by the rules of the Mage of Nature, it was always her job to give help to those people whose heart is made of nothing but gold. Like this little kid was. “Agatha, I have told you several times that humans—” “Mother,” she spoke, carefully dropping her hood to look at the whimpering man, “He is a kind man who only seeks solace for his slowly dying mother. Can’t we show compassion and save the people he cared about?” There was exasperation in her mother’s eyes. Agatha was set to rule the Kingdom of wolves, seeing that she was the mate of the future Alpha of the land. To be able to rule the Kingdom of wolves, she was teaching her daughter to show strength and dominance. It was needed, as the wolves are always dominant and harder to rule with a very forgiving Queen. However, Agatha was not learning. Even with her future in hand, she is still the clear descendant of the Mage of Nature—her compassion would always be the one shining before her. “Fine,” she agreed, looking at the man with a sigh. Agatha smiled as she saw her mother pulling off her glove to provide a small circle of heat to the man. Her mother was a descendant of the Mage of Fire—she should not have kids of her own as she had grown to be a little devil. However, the Mage of Nature had given her someone to protect, her little Agatha. “You are getting great at that, Mother.” She scoffed, smiling at her, “Child, I have always perfected my power. Shut your mouth.” “Yes, Mother,” she teased. It took some time before the man woke up, seeing the beauty of the female before him. He understood that she was not like what he had expected—for when his parents told her that they were different; she failed to tell him that they were not human, and they seemed like someone who would mimic a divine. The two women before him were beautiful, and he can appreciate that. However, they were not really afraid to show him their true appearance. The woman who was wearing a thick cloth all covered in black had dangerously red hair that is paired with red eyes. She has soft skin but has some markings on her eyes. Then there was the other woman—who was wearing all white as if the very contrast of the dangerous one. She has blonde hair and soft emotion, her appearance mimics what seemed like an angel that was traveling on Earth. “Young man, what do you seek in this forest?” Her mother asked with a voice suited for someone who is a daughter of the Mage of Fire. He jumped from where he was gawking; bowing deeply into them, “P-please help me save my mother! She is about to die and we do not have any ways to save her! She has so much to live for!” “I would be grateful to help,” Agatha chimed. “However,” her mother stopped her before she could take one step forward, “Please bear in mind that our help requires sacrifice from you. We do not hold what that is, but it would mirror your requests. It is something we needed to do, I hope you know this.” “Mother—” Ernesto could feel his determination soaring, “I will do everything! Our family had helped nourished your exposed part of the forest, and we would do almost everything to please you.” Agatha frowned, it seemed like the poor man had misunderstood what her mother wanted to convey. Her hands lifted, showing some light to the man as he lifted his head. There was a small smile from Agatha as she offered him to take a stand. “You had misunderstood,” she uttered, very careful not to keep her voice swaying so he would not be distracted, “Your ancestors had asked for your crops to grow a few years back—their sacrifice was to mend our forest. It was a fair trade.” Ernesto frowned, “And my request to save my mother?” “A life for a life. It is how my power will suffice your wish. If you are willing, I will be able to give you an antidote,” Agatha informed him. It was only fair for the gentleman to know what he is about to commit. He nodded almost immediately, “I will give my life for my mother.” Her mother had smiled, fully knowing that her daughter was right. This kid was really something else; he was not like the others who had asked for their help just because he wanted to get something he should not have. He was a pure soul. “Oh no, we do not take lives,” Agatha denied, shaking her head. “Then…” “The sacrifice you need to have is your firstborn child.” Ernesto blinked, fully knowing that he was under deep stress. There were only a couple of days before his mother will die—and he just learned that he needed to sacrifice his firstborn child to them, the protectors of the town. Agatha frowned, “I am sorry if this had made your feelings waver. I understand that children are very important to their parents.” “What will my child live for?” he asked, looking at them in desperation, “My child will not die, right? I will only offer my child to you but whoever my child is—you would take good care of it? It will not suffer?” Astrid—the mother—only smiled, “No, Ernesto. Your future child will not suffer, the child will be safe and in the care of the protector of this land. Your child will not face any harm. We will make sure the child is safe.” “If you assure my child’s safety, I will be willing to do it.” Agatha smiled, “I can assure the safety of the child, for I will soon rule this land.” Ernesto bowed, showing her the respect that she needed. During that time, Ernesto had sworn to give his firstborn to the witches that he had seen in the forest. He understands that it would be painful for him and his wife, but it was needed. He knew that the child will be safe and judging by their slowly decreasing money to even feed themselves—he knew that the witches would save his child from starvation. For him, it was a good thing. “Here,” Agatha beckoned, giving him a vial and a necklace, “The liquid inside the vial will make your mother heal from any sickness. She needed to drink every single drop of it.” Ernesto nodded, holding the necklace, “And this, your majesty?” “That is for your payment. It will protect the child from any harm. Your child will carry my protection, you can ease your worries.” Ernesto shed tears, thanking them for everything that he had got. They had not only saved his mother—but the future of his child. He knew that he had things to explain to his wife, but she will understand. No matter what happens, even if they did not ask for it, he will make sure that he will cherish the forest more than anything in his life—especially since it will be the home of his future child. He will always be grateful for those who saved his family from its demise.