Hidden Among Wolves

Chapter 6

Amari’s POV

It was the gentle caress of the sun's warmth that coaxed me back from the precipice of my thoughts. A delicate blanket of sunshine waltzed over every inch of exposed skin, soothing my restless soul. As I withdrew my hand from the rugged cliff's edge, a mere touch sent a shard of dirt tumbling down, a soft murmur in the silence. The hollow plop of soil meeting the calm lake waters below echoed my inner hollowness.

Before I could sink deeper into self-pity, my attention was diverted by the ripples that danced across the lake's surface. They swirled and shimmered in the distance, an exquisite distraction from my momentary shortcomings. It was in this enchanting interlude that an unexpected glimmer of hope emerged.

In all its glory, a blue-feathered moonbird made its way into the heavens. Its sheer size was unbelievable as it reached its wing's full expansion. These magnificent creatures possessed feathers of royal grandeur, strong enough to rival a thousand men, stretching over an impressive twenty-five feet in length on each side. Their beaks, sharp as a hundred black gators, were ready to pierce through any surface. Despite their predatory prowess, their beauty was undeniable.

Yet, the moonbirds had not always been the fierce predators they had become. Once, they had been hunted to the brink of extinction. It was then that the moon Gods intervened, shaping them into the majestic creatures they now embodied.

Their emerald feathers glistened like rare, precious gems in the dappled sunlight, each one reflecting a vivid hue that spoke of vitality and beauty. The wings, in particular, were a striking feature, with the edges adorned in a regal, deep blue that evoked a sense of majesty and grace.

The sheer elegance of this avian marvel ensnared me before I even realized that my presence had been detected. The raptor executed a seamless mid-air pivot, its piercing eyes locking onto mine, and I marveled at the shimmering silver spot adorning its belly, a divine gift bestowed by the moon Gods themselves— a reflection of the moon itself.

Since the brink of their extinction, these majestic creatures had grown fierce and unforgiving, instinctively wary of any potential threat to themselves or their offspring. Even though I posed no danger to this extraordinary bird, I understood that she could not afford to take chances.

Before I could regain my footing, I felt a rush of wind behind me, a palpable gust that made me acutely aware of her landing just a few feet away. Her presence was a living testament to nature's resilience and the moon Gods' benevolence, a reminder of how even the most imperiled of beings can be transformed into powerful and awe-inspiring forces in the face of adversity.

The sweet tropical smell of mango gently floated into my nostrils, confirming she was a female. With a deliberate turn, I caught a fleeting glimpse of her fierce silver eyes. Yet, in the depths of her gaze, only tranquility resided. A sense of honor came over me as I had only heard tales of this majestic creature. Of course, I had always hoped it would be from a distance, but nothing can be done to change the circumstances now.

As I locked eyes with her, I was acutely aware that ending her life was not an option I could consider. However, the unyielding truth remained—she would not relent until I ceased to exist. My fate was sealed by the actions of my ancestors, who had hunted the moonbird all those years ago. The weight of that history now rested heavily on the shoulders of the new generations, a haunting legacy that now played out before me.

Although I have been faced with fierce opponents before, none have ever been blessed by the Gods. As I considered my options, I noticed the gentle movement of her head. Unsure of what to expect, I stood motionless waiting for her to make the first move. With nothing but a long drop behind me, my options were limited. My only choice was to make it past her and into the dense forest behind her.

It wasn't until the top of her head angled downwards, her regal form bowing with grace, that I grasped the magnitude of the moment. Time itself seemed to suspend, and in that singular instant, the world fell away, leaving only us and the profound gravity of the gesture before me.

It was strange, for it was widely believed that this majestic creature only bowed to the divine. I could not begin to explain the slew of emotions that overwhelmed me. Mostly I was confused, to have such a stunning presence before me. Uncertain about my next course of action, I instinctively mirrored the gesture, offering a bow in return. Before I could lift my gaze, she had already taken to the boundless skies, her departure swift and silent, leaving me to ponder the enigmatic encounter and the secrets it held.

As I observed her graceful flight over the shimmering Silver Lake, a sudden, intense light burst forth, momentarily blinding me. When my vision gradually adjusted to the transformed scene, I realized she had vanished from sight, leaving me alone with a sense of bewilderment. Only then did I release the breath I had unconsciously held and allowed my body to collapse on the ridge.

Lying flat, my gaze fixed on the endless expanse of the heavens above, I meticulously replayed the enigmatic events that had just unfolded. I couldn't make sense of what had occurred, but before I could delve deeper into contemplation, a sudden, unexpected thought began to crystallize in my mind.

The events that culminated in Queen Annabelle's passing transpired more than two decades ago. This stark revelation compelled me to grapple with an unsettling reality—my parents were not, in fact, my biological parents. I was also closer to twenty-one years old than I had initially believed. However, their love for me remained unwavering.

I lingered on that ridge for quite some time, knowing Jay would make his way around to me. The ridge I stood on was the only place that overlooked the Lake so effortlessly. This was one of my favorite spots, but after today it was at the top of the list.

It was a mesmerizing sight, especially when the moon began its ascent. At the moon's highest peak, the moon cast a silver radiance upon the lake's surface, causing every ripple to shimmer and dance with ethereal light. It was during these moments that the lake lived up to its name, a sight of unrivaled beauty and serenity.

I had been up here for a couple of hours after my sudden encounter with the moon bird when I heard a gentle rustle behind me. Swiftly, I scanned the surroundings, my eyes narrowing in on a sizable shadow that was steadily advancing through the dense thicket of trees. For a moment I thought it could have been Noah, but the footsteps were heavy with a long stride. Even with a bulky frame, Noah walked as light as a feather. The frame was too large to be Jay, so he was out of the question. While I wasn’t able to sniff out the intruder, I had other ways of identifying the shadow.

“Tim?” I questioned as the shadow made its way to me. He was still quite some distance away but, of course, he could make out my words. Stealth and invisibility are two of the main focuses of our company. Tim is the only one who did not possess that skill.

“Amari, hi,” he hollered back. By this time, he reached the edge of the forest, where the trees began to thin out. He had his usual broad smile, and his familiar, quirky demeanor shone through the trees. I have always remembered Tim to be rather shy and nervous. When we were younger, right before his sudden growth spurt, he'd been a target for the larger, more intimidating kids in school. Back then I was too weak to do anything, of course, it did not stop me from trying. Luckily for me, Jay always came to the rescue. Now, times had changed, and nobody dared to mess with him.

"What are you doing here?" I inquired, my gaze fixed on him as he ran his hand through his lush, long brown locks. From time to time, I couldn't help but envy the volume of his hair. As he moved closer, it was apparent that his frame had grown as substantial and imposing as Noah's. Nevertheless, neither of them intimidated me in the least.

"I thought you might need some company after what happened, especially since the new captain won't be coming," he replied. I often found myself pondering Tim's motivations, but being a bit unconventional in his ways didn't necessarily make him a bad person.

"Tim, thank you, but there's really nothing to worry about, and you shouldn't concern yourself with Jay," I replied, my tone unwavering. Despite Jay's friendly disposition toward Tim, it was evident that Tim held some reservations about him. The emphasis he placed on Jay's name indicated a less-than-positive sentiment. However, I didn't pay it much mind, given that most of the she-wolves perceived me as more of a threat than a friend.

“I didn’t mean to offend you,” he hesitantly took a step back.

"No, it's fine. I just need some space," I reassured him, attempting to ease the tension that had been stirring within me. I tilted my head thoughtfully, pondering how Tim might react if he ever discovered the truth—that I was nothing more than a human.

"Alright," he said, taking a couple of steps back, granting me the solitude I needed.

"He tried to leave, didn't he?" I inquired, my question more of a fleeting thought than a genuine concern. It wasn't as if I wanted Jay to abandon his duties. Perhaps, in some inexplicable way, I had allowed myself to believe Tim when he had mentioned that Jay wouldn't be arriving. But I knew better.

“Yes, the General would not allow it.” I caught a hint of distaste in his tone.

“Good,” I replied abruptly.

If I were him, I would have defied a direct order." His words took me by surprise, but suddenly, everything fell into place. How I hadn't noticed his feelings towards me before was a mystery. Before I could respond, he closed the distance between us, sealing his lips over mine. The taste of bitter apple lingered on my lips, and I couldn't stand it. Tim had wrapped one hand behind my shoulders and another firmly over my head. He was significantly stronger than me, and a mere battle of strength wasn't going to work.

I swiftly reacted, pulling my right leg back and delivering a powerful kick aimed directly at his knee cap. Simultaneously, I bit down on his lip with a force that made me taste the metallic tang of blood. The searing pain made him release his grip on the back of my head, and he clutched his bleeding lip in agony. Though he still tried to maintain his hold on my shoulders, his balance faltered, causing him to tip to his left side. In that momentary release of pressure, I seized the opportunity to grasp the top of his head with my hands.

Despite his height advantage, I possessed the agility to jump a wall taller than him. With every ounce of my strength, I thrust his head toward my knee. An audible crack emanated from his nose upon impact. Before he could regain his composure, I rapidly threw myself to the ground, using my forearm to brace against the earth. Swiftly, I executed a roundhouse kick to the back of his knees, forcing him to topple backward onto the ground, landing flat on his back.

“Don’t you dare do that again?” I roared as I stood directly over him. I could hear him grunting under his breath as he tried to catch his breath. When he opened his eyes, I stared fiercely, unafraid, into his vibrant green eyes.

"Why, you little..." he began, but his words were cut short by the intensity of my glare, leaving the rest of his sentence unspoken.

“It seems to me that you want to go again,” I pressed my boot firmly into his chest once more.

"Fine," he grunted, yielding to my unspoken demand. I took a deliberate step back, allowing him the space to rise to his feet. Without a further word, he staggered his way back into the depths of the forest, leaving me in silence.

“Well, that was unexpected,”I mumbled to myself as his footsteps gradually faded into the distance. I remained there standing in the emptiness of the trees, completely shocked by the events of that day. I had been so lost in thought that I had not noticed two birds flying into the sky beside me several meters out.

Amari?" Jay's voice, laced with concern, appeared beside me. He immediately began to sniff the surroundings, piecing together the scenarios presented to him. "What happened here?" he questioned, conducting a thorough examination of the area.

Oh boy.