Hidden Among Wolves

It’s quiet, too quiet. "Amari, what the hell do you think you're doing here?" I practically jumped out of my skin as my dad's voice thundered from behind me. I watched, somewhat in awe, as the door nearly came off its hinges when he entered. Of course, he hardly even noticed his brute strength. It wasn't that I feared him; I had just been caught completely off guard. It took a moment for me to regain my composure. He was intimidating, no doubt, but not intimidating enough to break me. Arthur Albright is my father, the first general of the Kingdom of Brenin. He was renowned for his toughness and a reputation that no one dared to challenge. He was built like a tank, but not the slow-moving kind. He had the agility and power of a motorcycle on steroids. His presence alone could command respect and obedience from soldiers and civilians alike. His voice was like thunder, and his gaze could pierce through the strongest armor, instilling a sense of discipline that was unmatched. Despite his formidable exterior, he was fiercely protective of his family and those he cared about, a testament to the complexity of his character. "It's been over a year..." My voice remained calm and collected as I addressed him, but he cut me off anyway. I understood that any attempt to reason with him was futile. He had made his stance clear, and nothing would change his mind. The tension in the room was palpable, the weight of our unresolved issues hanging heavy in the air like an unspoken challenge. "We are going home right now!" My father's voice rang with authority, his deep sapphire gaze attempting to pierce my soul, as if his goal was to instill fear in me. However, I had not only been raised by him but also trained aggressively for moments like this. His attempts to intimidate me were in vain. Realizing he did not affect me, he took an aggressive step forward, closing the distance between us in a single stride. As he left the doorway, a familiar face appeared behind him, one I had thought I had successfully avoided. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the sight of him. My reaction had been unintentional, and I hoped that my perceived disrespect towards a superior had gone unnoticed. "Of course," I replied casually, my gaze shifting to Doctor Kodama, who stood in the background. Immediately, the surrounding sounds caught my attention again—or rather, the lack thereof. It was quiet, too quiet. It struck me as strange that the hospital corridor, which was usually bustling with activity, was now eerily silent, devoid of any sound. "Amari," he greeted me with a slight tilt of his head to the right. He always pretended to be so amicable around me, but I knew the truth behind his facade. His smile never quite reached his eyes, and there was an underlying tension in his presence that belied his friendliness. “Captain,” I straightened my posture as I addressed a superior. I was not on duty, but still, I could not bring myself to speak to him in a friendly or familiar manner. Naturally, my father held a position of authority over me as well, but he is my father. It's a different dynamic. With him, there was a blend of familial love and discipline that softened the edges of our relationship. Captain Kodama is a superb military trauma surgeon, my father’s closest friend, and the father of the love of my life. Unfortunately, this man was the bane of my existence. He hated me and I didn’t know why. For years, I yearned for his approval, but after realizing I would never receive it, I stopped trying. The constant pursuit of his favor had become a futile endeavor that only left me feeling defeated. "No," I retorted, turning back to face my dad. "I'm almost twenty; you have no right." I knew better than to use my age as a motive to go behind my father's back, but I had no choice. I needed answers, and I was tired of taking the back seat and waiting to see what happened. "Amari, this is not up for discussion," my father's voice boomed throughout the hallway. I had no doubt that everyone in the building had heard him. Even with soundproof walls, I wouldn't be surprised if everyone in a mile radius heard his voice. His authoritative tone left no room for argument, but I couldn't just let this go. "I am moving out," I declared, locking eyes with his royal gaze. At nineteen, I was already the top warrior in my division. Some would even argue that I was the best in the kingdom. I earned a decent salary for my service, not because of who my father was, but on my own merits. The determination in my voice matched the fire in my eyes as I asserted my independence. "Over my dead body," he growled, reaching for my wrist. Before he could make contact, I leaped back, my heart pounding. "I can't do this anymore," I confessed, letting a tear well up in my eye. "I don't understand, why are you and Mom so opposed to this? It doesn't make any sense." This was my life, and I had to live it on my terms. "Not now, Amari," my father replied tersely. "Then when?" I challenged him. He stood there in silence. "I am not leaving, and you cannot make me," I asserted with unwavering determination. I angled both my feet and knees to the side, adopting a subtle bend in my knees. With determination, I raised both my hands to my chest, one positioned slightly below the other. My stance reflected my resolve, willing to risk everything for the answers I sought. Amari?" My father raised an eyebrow, his expression unyielding. We had sparred countless times over the years, and eventually, I had reached a point where I rarely lost. His expression softened, and he let out a heavy sigh. "Amari, this is not the way to go about it," he finally said, his voice tinged with frustration. "We'll talk about this, but not here and not like this." "We will talk now," I asserted, tightening my grip on my hands, a silent yet forceful reminder of my determination. “This is how serious I am,” now I faced my father in the middle of an exam room ready to destroy everything around us in a matter of seconds. Despite my below-average stature of only five feet six inches, I had taken down larger foes than him, including shifted werewolves. This was a battle he did not want to risk. “Luke, please.” He turned to Captain Kodama, who promptly retreated from the door frame without uttering a word. The doctor's presence had almost slipped my mind in the heat of our argument. “Amari, please sit.” My dad made his way toward the stool in the corner. I quickly leaped at the door, not to run away but to confirm my suspicions. The floor was empty, not a soul stood in any direction I looked in. “Amari, please.” He waited patiently for me to return. He no longer held that piercing determination to remove me from the premises in his eyes. Instead, his gaze carried a hollow sadness that seemed to weigh heavily on his shoulders. A sudden burn of sorrow overwhelmed me as I followed his gaze, making me regret everything that led me to this day. Maybe I just didn't need to know the truth.