Loved By Danger

Chapter 20

    Both Aden and Jo stood there in the shadows trying to catch their breath hoping that they weren't being followed anymore.  They couldn't believe the monstrosity they had both just witnessed from Mr. Terrell's hidden base.  But what was killing Aden the most was the fact that they saw Creed in the thick of everything.  He was the Lycan that was plaguing the streets and killing both wolves and humans alike.  But they were also breeding those monsters.  Why would they ever stoop as low as to create something so menacing?  Aden punched a tree and rubbed his hands through his head out of frustration.  Jo stood there silent not sure what to say because her family was the reason for all of this madness.  Another worst part about all of this is the fact that still, nobody knew Creed was the Lycan and Aden had to find a way to tell everyone and get them all to safety.    

    Aden turned because it seemed as if everything went quiet...way too quite, he couldn't even hear Jo's heavy breathing anymore. Then he was wet, he touched his clothes and looked at his hands.  There was blood, heavy and thick blood looking around on the floor there were piles of bodies all slashed up and limbs torn off but large teeth. He saw his father, his mother, Elder...everyone that was in the pack was lying beneath his feet. There was a low whisper and he looked at Jo who was also covered in blood and he could see her soul starting to drain from her eyes, but she also had a large smile spread across her face. She let a loud howl, almost screeching loud and everything went black.

                                                                                            #

    Aden jumped up and his entire body was soaked with sweat. He was breathing hard as he looked around and realized this place wasn't familiar to him.  He sniffed around the cold and dark room and nothing familiar filled his senses until there was a knock at the door and Baxter poked his head inside, "Oh the young alpha is awake finally.  It took you long enough, you had been out for a couple days."

    "What?  Where is everyone?"

    "One thing at a time...what's the last thing you remember?"

    Aden couldn't really think at the moment because all he was seeing was crimson everywhere in his mind, "Blood...a lot of it."

    "Yeah well, I heard that once you become alpha some of the previous alpha's last memories get's transferred to you.  Memories and emotions."   

    "So...you're saying that my father id dead?"

    "Afraid so, he held on for as long as possible but your mother...she had to do what she had to do, or the hunters would've taken him and probably done far worse things then him dying in his own bed."

    "Where is she?"

    "She's here, just not time for you to see her just yet. She hasn't really came back from her mind. But you on the other hand, people were afraid that you also wouldn't live. But now you're up and you have a new title." Aden could feel a mixture of emotions that wasn't his own and nothing was positive, "The thing about being the alpha is that it might be all well and great but nobody understands the cost. I always thought you were a whinny little runt, not wanting to take it, but not because you didn't want it but because you had the luxury of not wanting it.  When I was your age I couldn't wait to be alpha.  When I got what I wanted, I hated every moment of it. The job of the alpha is the be the packs living and physical burden. The pack is only as strong as it's alpha. You're probably feeling all of their emotions of that night mixed in with your own. And you always thought your father didn't love you...no he just didn't have the room to feel only for you."

    Aden could feel the overwhelmingly sadness that plagued his thoughts, small images flashed in his head and he got a searing headache, "You will have to learn how to control everything though. That's why your father was so adamant about the training you were supposed to do.  Only the alphas and potential alphas are allowed to know these secrets because the ancient ones felt as though if the packs knew the cost, nobody would want this position.  I'm living proof of that." 

    "What about the pack?" Aden dreaded to answer that question but he would rather be told now then walk out and find out everything on his own.  He didn't know how he would react.

    "To the point, it was a m******e. Some of us made it out but then again, it's still a small number. Your mother is here, but if I were you I wouldn't see her just yet. Her mind kind of cracked a little bit, sadly to say."

    "That's what he said it would be like."

    "Who?"

    "Creed," Aden explained what Creed told him. How he wasn't quite werewolf from the beginning.  That he was bread to infiltrate the pack from the very beginning. What made his best friend so dark? It had to be what was put inside him because not all of his years within the pack was bad. He had someone, he had Aden even if nobody else wanted him there.

    "And some of you thought it was me, no offense taken though.  I did come from another pack and not many of you know exactly who I was. For now we are out of the fire. We're at the city of the council. But soon you will have to get your s**t together because there is a war coming. We all can feel it in our bones."

    "Where are the two girls that was with me?"

    "Amy and the Terrell girl are here.  They're outside the walls until we can get permission for your little girlfriend to come inside. Don't worry I have a human companion of my own, you saved her from being ripped apart. Nobody knows, and I think we should keep it that way. The council isn't too fond of mating with the humans. It's not uncommon, but it's also tabooed still. If I were you I would put on some clothes and take a walk around so that the pack can see that you are well. I'm to report to the council once you had awoken. Get some food in your system and stretch your legs.  You have been out for a few days."

    A strange feeling crept over Aden, something like pins and needles all over his body, "Baxter...I was wondering if you could be my delta?"

    "I don't know I kind of like the position I'm in right now."

    "Please...I'm not sure I can trust anyone else."

    Baxter looked out the window to the morning sun, "Sure thing kid.  It was your father's wish after all. Before you see the council you need to go see Elder.  Yeah his crazy ass survived. He's so old but you should've seen him in action." Baxter finally left Aden alone again and he hurried to get dressed.  He wasn't sure if he could be by himself for too long. He has heard stories of the city that was a safe haven to the werewolves but his father didn't want that for his pack. There were a number of packs here and sometimes there was conflict.  He figured that he only wanted his pack to deal with the humans and not their kind.

    Stepping outside of his door the stories weren't nothing compared to seeing the real thing. Everything was earthy, not like the human cities where everything was shinning and metallic. Werewolves are in tune with nature and it would make sense for their home to be as well. All around him he could see different packs and families.  They gave off a different scent then his own. Now that he was alpha all of his senses seemed to be at a times ten. It was a bit overwhelming. But he tried to compose himself and took a stroll until he saw a few of his pack members. Most of the pups was able to make it out, they all played as if nothing happened.  The mothers though, when they saw Aden they all smiled but he could still see and feel their sadness. The there she was, sitting all alone near a large oak tree was his mother.

    Aden couldn't move from his spot as he looked at her from where he stood.  Baxter said to leave her be for a moment because he mind had somewhat broke.  He could tell because she wasn't moving or saying anything as everyone walked up to her trying to talk to her.  His father was really gone now and he was now the pack leader. His mother was a strong woman, but that was when his father was alive because it seemed as something was missing from her, like part of her soul had died. Aden felt a hand on his shoulder and there was Elder, he seemed to be the only one who hadn't changed.

    "It's tough I know...come on lets take a walk.  I don't think she would know who you are right now. At least give her some time." They both walked away and still his mother didn't move from her spot, "Welcome to where it all supposedly began.  I say supposedly because I have read our species has started elsewhere but who listens to a crazy old man like me. So for now, for arguments sake lets just say this is our motherland. You are supposed to be alpha now and with that comes great responsibilities, I love that movie reference. I'm surprised it traveled through the ages. When you meet the council you are to tell them who you are and what you saw at the mansion.  i heard it wasn't natural. Not to mention the Creed part.  Hopefully they won't bring that part up because then they will think your father was weak and incompetent and they're firm believers that the apple doesn't stray far from the tree."

    "Why am I on trial?"

    "Because it's possible they might disband the entire pack if they think you aren't fit to lead."

    "How can they do that? It's not up to them."

    "It is up to them in their minds.  They're their own pack and yet there are those who decided to follow them because they think that they're the saviors of our race when it's nothing but fear. I don't know when the lives of our species became political but when that happened, it was the worst idea. I mean sure they have a decent stronghold but I have seen packs outlive theirs for centuries. My old bones hurt like hell. What did you see, I heard from the humans what they saw, but I need more information. From the eyes of one of us."

    Aden remembered the room and the smell. It was by far the worst thing he has ever seen in his life, "It was horrible. They're taking us away and doing things to our bodies. Turning them into whatever Creed is. Now I know for years we have been calling this thing a Lycan, but the Lycan are still natural part of us, whenever we go rouge. But that thing is not a werewolf or a Lycan. It's blood smells of nothing but chemicals and the closer you are the odor burns the inside of your nostrils and all of your senses are cut off.  I couldn't do much against it.  It's stronger then we all are including Baxter. If it took my father down, I don't think any of use have a chance if the hunters are using them for combat."

    Elder pulled out a pipe and started to smoke it, "You know this is a human practice and I have been yelled at about this since I been here. I don't know if it's because its unhealthy for someone like me or if it's because it's so human. We all have some human in us.  That's why our form shifts into a human and not something like a bear or a bird. But nobody wanted to think about such thoughts. I am over two hundred years old and still don't understand what the damn problem is. But one thing I will tell you, some advice to take with you before you go to the council...remember who you are and what you love.  Remember what you have always seek for yourself ever since you was a little ball of fur. Your pack loves you and we will follow you to wherever you go.  If I were you I would seek out some of the strays around here.  Your father didn't like the idea of a wolf being alone.  It's a sad journey to have the instinct of family and nobody would allow you into their home like you were a disease. That's why he brought in Creed and Baxter. I would take sometime to relax and get to know the area because I doubt they will want to see you this soon.