Bewitching Waters

Chapter 6: The Weight of Legacy

Chapter 6: The Weight of Legacy

The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the Alpha’s home, a sturdy cabin nestled deep within the woods. The wooden walls were adorned with trophies of past hunts, remnants of a time when the pack was at its peak. Inside, the air was thick with tension as Oscar and Thomas, two werewolves weathered by time and experience, paced the spacious living area, their fur in wolf form was graying and in some places almost completely white. This was true in their human forms as well, but their spirits undiminished.

“I thought the old Hunter was dead, or at least would have long died by now,” Oscar rumbled, fixing his eye patch as memories of the fight with two of those witches on that farm flickered through his mind. His voice was low and gravelly. “What kind of witchery keeps a man of his age alive?”

Thomas, or Tom as he preferred, scratched at his chin, grey sideburns lined a firm jawline, a habit that had grown more pronounced with age. “It ain't just any witch from what you said. They were two from that old covan. He married one of their strong ones - surely, he couldn't have known. A union born between a group of Hunter’s and that Covan... it was from bloodshed and bitterness. It’s a miracle he’s still standing, or perhaps a curse of old age.”

Just then, a youthful figure burst through the door, his gait confident yet cautious. Tommy, Tom’s only son, despite having two daughters, stood before them, his blonde hair was no longer tied up and was tousled by the wind from walking to the pack alpha's house. The hair bobble was a small black line around one of his wrists. Tommy's eyes, metallic grey, were bright with a mix of eagerness and anxiety.

At sixteen, he was on the cusp of manhood, but the weight of his heritage pressed heavily upon him. For a young werewolf who hadn't turned yet, he had more confidence and a better build that most - his prospects in the future and in the pack were good.

“Tommy!” Old Tom called out to his son, straightening up, “Did you speak to Alpha Bryce?”

Tommy nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat. “Yes, Father. He wasn't convinced at first until I showed him the photos of the old man on my phone, the ones from last night."

Oscar, in his old age, was also not the most patient anymore, "What is the young Alpha going to do about it?" Bryce wasn't young. He was close to 40, but compared to Oscar and Tom's senior ages, Alpha Bryce was still young.

"He’s called for a gathering in the main hall. We need to discuss the Hunter’s return.” Tommy then began putting his sandy blonde hair back up in a bobble. Something he did when the situation was more serious.

Old Tom chuckled softly, “A young wolf like you getting summoned after an audience with and by the Alpha, before his turning? That's a badge of honour, boy.”

Tommy’s cheeks flushed, but he held his ground. “It’s being taken very seriously by Alpha Bryce, Oscar. Bryce said we, and specified that he meant me, need to keep an eye on the old farm. It was just assumed it was run by a young human girl, the one that bred horses - it was assumed the farm was sold and being a human, the girl was never paid any attention to. Since horses aren't something we need. They say the Hunter might be using it to re-gather Hunter strength in a new time and grow their numbers and allies.”

Tom's expression hardened, the grey eyes he shared with his son, flicking to Oscar.

Who nodded in agreement. “That place, that time, the Hunter’s and the deviststion they brought...is a relic of our past and a darker time for the Bloodfang Pack, Tom.

The old men began conversing between themselves, "Remember, the old witches cast a barrier before Harold killed them, after they killed the Beta and another that night..."

"None of us can step foot on that land without facing dire consequences?”

Shaking his head, Oscar replied, "We just can't step food on it."

“Then... what am I supposed to do?” Tommy asked, chiming in with frustration creeping into his voice. “Just stand at the edge and watch?”

“Precisely,” Oscar said, his tone serious. “You’ll need to monitor from a distance. Especially since that is the Alpha's order to you."

Tom cut in then. Trying to bolster his sons spiritsand determination, "It’s a chance to show them what you’re made of, but it’s also a test of your patience and cunning. We can’t afford to underestimate the Hunter, especially this one, that has long been allied with an old and troublesome witches. They, the Hunter’s working with them, decemated our pack before Harold decided to end it himself.”

Tommy felt the determination rise with more grit within him than before. “I can do this. I won’t let you down, dad, or the Pack! I’ll show them I’m ready and I'll be better for my first shift with it.”

“Just be careful,” Tom replied, his voice softening. “The Hunter is not just a man; he’s a symbol of all the struggles we’ve faced. He’s dangerous, especially with the old witches magic at play.”

The three of them fell silent for a moment, the weight of history hanging heavily in the air. The flickering light from the fireplace danced across their faces, casting shadows that mirrored their worries.

“Let’s head to the hall,” Oscar finally said, pushing himself off the couch. “We need to hear what Bryce has planned. The pack will need to rally together if we’re to face whatever this Hunter brings.”

As they made their way through the Alpha’s home, the walls seemed to hum with memories of past gatherings of laughter and camaraderie. Time's long forgotten from the older generation of the pack.

When they entered the main hall, they found Alpha Bryce standing tall at 6ft 8, his presence commanding with a leaner build than his father had.

As he surveyed the gathered pack, his eyes landed on Tommy as their group entered the old long hall. Bryce dark brown hair flowed like a river down his back, and his ruddy eyes gleamed with authority.

The whispers and chatting in the room hushed as he raised a hand. There were around 50 in the room but no children, other than Tommy.

The Luna also wasn't present.

“Bloodfang Pack,” Bryce began, his voice steady, “we stand at a turning point. The Hunter who allied with witches... you all know the story; a dark time and relic of our past has resurfaced. He’s allied with the witching coven, a union that, if allowed to rebuild, could spell disaster for us all. We will not let this pass without action.”

The pack stirred, murmurs of concern drifting through the air like leaves in the wind.

Bryce continued, “Tommy," The rooms eyes shifted to look at the young wolf the Alpha was addressing.

"You brought me this information and so with proof that cannot be ignored. IN trust I’m assigning you to watch over that old farm. You’ll need to keep an eye on it from a distance. This is your chance to prove your worth, even before your first shift. Stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity - we will have members checking in with you regularly. We can not underestimate the power of our enemies, especially with the strange barrier cast by the witches protecting the farm even after their deaths. We do not know enough to act rash.”

Tommy’s heart raced as he stepped forward, a mix of pride and trepidation coursing through him. “I won’t fail you, Alpha. I’ll protect my pack and uncover the Hunter’s plans. Reporting anything that I can.”

“Good,” Bryce said, a glimmer of approval in his eyes. “We need young blood like yours. The future of our pack relies on the strength of our unity and your resolve.”

As the meeting concluded, those in thr room left in the groups they first arrived in.

Tommy felt the weight of responsibility settle upon his shoulders. He exchanged glances with his father and Oscar, their expressions a blend of encouragement and concern.

The night deepened, and as the pack had dispersed back to their homes and families.

Alpha Bryce with his Beta Luke went over the details and logistics of the operation with Tommy.

They accepted he was young and had yet to shift and knew it would be soon. However as a young wolf, he still had better strength, hearing and all-round senses than humans.

Tommy lingered in the Alpha's house as he considered the magnitude and importance of his task, for this moment, staring into the flickering flames of the fireplace.

He could feel the pull of destiny calling him, and he vowed to rise to the challenge and opportunity.

Whatever awaited him, he would face it head-on and do his best for the sake of his family, his pack, and the legacy of the werewolves that had come before him.

With a final determined breath, he turned towards the door leading back into the moonlit woods, ready to embrace the trials that lay ahead, knowing he would protect his pack from afar. Knowing he was meant to just be gathering intel helped ease most of any concern.

Even as he arrived at the forest edge that met the farmhouse.

The barrier loomed like an unseen shadow over the edges old farm. It didn't look out of the ordinary. However, Tommy knew that it was anything other than normal.