The Price of Love

Chapter 1

Sapphire

    Today was a special day, it was the day I finally get to leave my home on the moon. Don't get me wrong, Helenia is amazing, but as a growing teenager, one can't help but to yearn for more. We always want what we don't have.

    Earth is amazing, there are so many people talking, laughing and walking about. The stalls and food are amazing. As I continue my carefree stride, my eyes can't help but linger on the wolves that aren't laughing along with their pack. Oh! They must be called rogues. Rogues, I mused, as my tongue played with the name, such an imposing name for rather unimposing people. The punishment is a bit too harsh, many of them are making an obvious effort to talk and socialize with pack-members. So I skipped over to a large group of them and chirped a rather enthusiastic hello. They stared dumbly back at me, I don't think a lot of humans or wolves would approach them, much less a seemingly indefensible eighteen year old girl. 

One finally stepped forward and murmured a shy "hello." 

I gave her a grin and raised my hand for a handshake."Sapphire."

"Sapphire... who?" Another asked rather rudely might I add.

"Last names are unnecessary and a waste of time. Why would I want to be known for who my parents are or what they have done." I scoffed, "no, it is much more admirable and respectable to live without mummy and daddy holding your hand the entire time."

They all cracked a grin, one stepped forward and brought my hand to his lips. "Storm. The name's Storm."

Yes! I am finally getting somewhere with them. Hel was right, rogues are pitiful creatures who are rarely given second chances. Well, I'll change that soon enough.

    After meeting Storm and the others, I was ecstatic. So far my stay on Earth has been great. Serena, my gumiho, yipped in agreement. A gumiho is a nine-tailed fox, she's my constant companion, I was born with her and she's the animal representation of me. Humans may think that having a voice in their head would be a constant headache, but the real headache is all of the voices in my head arguing. That's right, voices. As in plural, more than one. I have seven voices in my head excluding mine. Obviously Serena my gumiho, there's JJ, the reptile spirit, Valeria, the mammal spirit, Pogo, the fish spirit, Kolo, the bird spirit,  Mel, the invertebrate spirit, and Freddo, the amphibian spirit. Yeah, there's a lot of them out there, but notice I said the. The six spirits were the original type of animals while Serena was especially made for me. I heard a clearing of throat that snapped me out of my reverie, it was Storm. 

"Earth to Sapphire," he grunted, "What's on your mind?"

"My future" I replied as I winked mysteriously at him.

"Oh," he raised an eyebrow, "And whatever might that be?"

"Building a million-dollar empire, find more rogues and offer them a better life, find different species offer them a better life, influence humans to gravitate towards peace, and more." I listed off.

"And more,!" he exclaimed, "that's already a lot." 

"Eh," I shrugged, "Ever heard of Kombada Enterprises?"

"The multi-billion dollar comapny?" He asked.

"That's the one," I said while playing around with my hair, "Guess who owns and built it!"

"You!" He startled, rather surprised. 

None of my spirit animals like that and began growling and throwing predatory gazes. JJ hissed, he doubts us again, I have permission to poison him, Yesss? All of the spirits seemed pretty content with that idea,  "No!," I snapped, "He's innocent." I don't know how long I've been quiet, but it seems my silence answered Storm's proclamation. 

"Do," he hesitated, "Do you think I'll be able to be included in your group of rogues that you offer a better life?"

"Don't forget about us!" chimed another rogue. Some were staring at me doubtfully and other looked at me with hope.

  What do ya say guys? Help the rogues out.  Valeria, the mother of the bunch spoke up, "We have the resources to provide for them. Their wolves aren't anywhere near evil, their desperate. I say we give them a home." 

"What did they do to get them kicked out?"The grump, JJ, asked.

I relayed his question to whole crowd of rogues.

"Alpha," Storm, probably the leader of the group Kolo, the most observant of the group, whispered, "Our rogue pack has only tried to bring justice to our pack. A good friend of ours was killed and we killed the killer in return. However, the killer turned out to be the Alpha's daughter so we were banished and exiled, cursed to forever wander the world without a home."