The hecate

A wolf without a throne

Willow

He took me outside to meet his pack.

The village was small, bright, and warm.

If I had come across this village. I would be ready to clear out the whole place before I could realize that creatures like me inhabit it.

I could hear the steps of two wolves, attention to sneak up on me from behind; one black, and the other white.

Then just as expected__ they jumped, both their claws holding onto me. Expecting a reaction, they kept quiet, and so did the whole village for some reason. Connor's eyes widened.

The black wolf transformed. “ A valiant young woman you have here, Connor.” He lifted his hand and then faced me. He has blonde hair, blanched skin, and drooping eyes, like he spent all night running the wild. “ I'm Jae.”

“ I'm Zelda.” The white wolf with dusky skin said, also transforming. “ It's a pleasure to meet you.” Her eyebrows lifted at my lack of hospitality to the people who had saved my life.

I swallowed. I shouldn't be arrogant to these people__ whoever they are.

“ I'm Willow.”

Connor cleared his throat. I rolled my eyes, so hard I could feel it aching.

“ She's a coastal wolf.”

This clawless half-pelt alpha.

“ Yeah, she is,” I added.

“ Pardon Connor, he might be our Alpha here but he's rather very repulsive,” Zelda said, still standing next to Jae.

They all looked at each other, slightly nodding, like they were planning to ambush me.

“ We would like you to be in our pack, Willow,” Said the fangless alpha.

Blood flushed to my claws in an instant.

“ What?” I scoffed. “ I never said I wanted to be in your pack.”

Another wolf came rushing in, panting. He bowed and faced Connor.

“ Someone broke into the Valley. The chains and the border have been cut off.”

Connor looked over to me, a disgustingly arrogant look glistened in his eyes.

“ Do this with us and you'll be in. A pack hunt.’

He transformed and then blew away into the mountains before the rest of us could catch up.

“ Come on Willow.” The others said in unison.

I can't believe I would ever think like this__ but, I want to stay out of trouble.

At least till I find my pack.

Nestled in a green valley, the wolf village thrived with life. Thatched dens lined the dirt path, smoke curling lazily from chimneys as packmates hauled wood, carried water, and tended to animals.

Pups darted between haystacks, yipping with joy, while hunters rode past on horseback, their armor glinting in the fading sun.

The air was rich with the scent of earth, fire, and fur—a place where strength and family pulsed in every breath, bound together under the watchful shadow of the surrounding mountains.

My home, compared to this, was always afloat, never stable, and always cold.

And I had always wondered why I was the same.

The atmosphere was now cool and eerie.

The others were all in the same stance.

Feet spread firmly, knees bent, one palm open toward the earth and sky, the other hand clenched at the chest. Their body was grounded, almost like a rooted tree.

While I __ for some reason was in an unfamiliar position. Without a thought, my knees would've been bent like a crouch. But no matter how much energy I put into correcting it, it tumbles back__ like a leaf denying its branch.

On the spur of the moment, a piercing wind surrounded us. Filling our space with fog.

A resonant voice called out from above, sharp and striking. They all turned towards the voice growling.

“ A new member”

Then blew behind us. Their heads turned again.

“ I underestimate you, Connor.”

I shook my head. I didn't hide the repulsion in my voice. “ It seems this is just an unwanted guest. It's not as big as it seems.”

They all kept quiet at the same time, their eyes drooped. Connor transformed back into his human self, pulling out his sword.

“ Why do you all seem disappointed?” I asked.

His voice sagged. “ What do you want, Melvin?

“ I'm on a hunt. Not that it's any of your business.” The booming voice replied, sounding much farther than earlier. My skin crawled.

“ You're in my territory, you fangless i***t!!”

Finally, someone can get on this guy's nerves.

“ It was supposed to be a quick tour.” The wind swooshed to my other side. I quickly turned and the fog cleared__ meeting an unfamiliar face. “ But I got caught. Rather unfortunate.”

My heart skipped a beat. And my fists hardened. Before I knew it__ I clawed out. But he dodged it and appeared on my other side.

His voice deepened. “ Who are you?” His eyes speared deeply into mine __ glistening with curiosity.

He looked as though the wind itself had carved him—wild hair tumbling like a storm untamed, shadows playing over a body built for war. His smirk was dangerous, the kind that dared you to strike just so he could enjoy it.

Tattoos coiled across his skin like secrets inked in blood, and the glint of iron at his throat told me he was no stranger to chains—whether worn or broken.

Connor came closer, drawing his sword at his neck. “ She's Willow, and she's not who you're hunting.”

“ How are you so certain that I'm hunting who? I could be hunting ‘a what.’” He chuckled, vibrating.

“ The Hecate, that's who you're on a hunt for.”

As Connor slammed what seemed to be a hard truth, a long silence lingered.

Melvin spiked away his sword with the tip of his finger and turned to him with his eyes darkened.

“ In SAGA tonight, there's a Run.”

“ I would rather be skinned by humans than take heed to your invitation.” He said, his nose flaring. Probably still angry at his disgraced blade.

“ Don't be embarrassed dude. Let's talk more privately.” He placed a hand on his shoulder, gnawing directly at me. “ And she's invited.”

With a smirk and an icy wind, he transformed. He tired across the ground, muscles coiled and uncoiled with each stride.

Claws dug into the earth, flinging dirt behind him as he disappeared into the wind.

Every inch of him reeked of arrogance, yet there was something sharper in his eyes. A weight. A story I hadn’t heard but could feel pressing against me, like thunder rolling before the storm.

We all turned to each other, eyes and shoulders lowered. Zelda pulled in her sword.“ That was Melvin. Let's say… he's the mysterious prince.”

“ The abandoned prince,” Connor added.

Abandoned. Mysterious. Whoever he is. Why do you seem so interested in me?