Chapter 2 Rival's Embrace
1132 Words
Ember's Pov
A few moments later, the pack members were assembled. Kristen had reported the incident to the Alpha.
Ragnar and I were summoned as the Alpha spoke in anger.
"What insolence! Have you forgotten the rules of the pack?" Alpha asked, looking at Ragnar furiously.
"Father, I didn't mean to. I'm sorry." Ragnar said.
"You are supposed to lead by example, but now you are the one going against the rules."
I stood trembling in fear. I had never seen the Alpha so angry since I was brought into the pack.
"Ember I brought you in when you were little, and you are grown, is this how you want to repay me? By bringing emotions, thereby making Ragnar vulnerable and weak." The Alpha said.
"I'm so...so...sorry sir," I said, stammering.
The Alpha's son holds an important position in the pack's hierarchy. A romantic relationship with a pack member can be a threat to the pack generally, and it can also lead to rivalry and favoritism among others.
Ragnar looked sobered, he wanted to talk, but he couldn't. The Alpha was the leader and everyone was subject to his authority.
"Ember you have to leave, I don't want Ragnar to be vulnerable and emotionally weak." The Alpha said.
The pack members echoed in support as Kristen gave a fake smile. I was rejected by my pack that fateful day.
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I went. As I left walking away from my pack, I navigated my way in the ancient woods.
"Come here" I heard from a distance. It was humans who were werewolf hunters. They were with silver and pure iron. They dragged me and captured me.
"Should I attack them?" I asked myself, but I couldn't because there were too many.
"What's all this? I asked them.
"Are you a Werewolf?" A man asked, touching my cheeks.
"Get your hands off me," I shouted.
"Let's test her first, maybe we should cut her with a knife and see if the wound will heal up". Another man said.
They cut me on my arm and my flesh closed up after a few minutes, it was obvious that I was a werewolf.
I then used my speed and ran for my safety so I wouldn't get killed by their silver weapons and pure iron.
"Get her!" They all screamed and ran after me. As I ran without looking back.
A few moments later, I was out of my pack's vicinity into another area. I looked back and saw no one, they had turned back because they were unable to catch me.
"Oops, that was close," I said to myself. As I wondered where I was.
"Am I lost? Where am I?"
Suddenly, I saw a tall and imposing man exuding authority. I made a charge towards him, thinking he wanted to attack me, but he wasn't.
" My name is Lucius, I live around here, and I can see that you are a Werewolf, and so am I, "Lucius said with a smile.
"Ohh? I'm Ember." I replied.
"What are you doing here all by yourself? You don't seem to be a member of our pack. Are you coming from somewhere or going somewhere?" Lucius said.
"Well, I was captured by werewolf hunters and I had to run for my safety, that's how I found myself here," I responded."
" Ohh that's serious, you must be tired and hungry, Let me take you to my place," Lucius said.
"No, I will be fine, thank you." I cut in sharply.
I didn't want to trust him because I didn't know who he was and I couldn't just give in easily.
" Ember I insist, staying here is dangerous for you, you need shelter, please trust me," Lucius said.
I thought about it because I had nowhere to go, I just had to follow him regardless.
"Alright, if you insist," I said as we walked to his place gently.
While walking, I flashed back the memories of the rejection by my pack and the near-death experience.
We finally got to the woods where Lycan and his pack members were.
" Hello everyone!" Lucius said as everybody gathered together with rapt attention.
I could see that Lucuis was highly respected by his pack members."
" This is Ember. I met her while she was being pursued by werewolf hunters, and she couldn't stay outside alone. It would be risky for her, so I decided to bring her to stay with us. She will be a member of our pack henceforward," Lucius said.
The pack members nodded their heads in support of Lucius' speech. I was accepted by another pack while being rejected by my pack.
" Thank you, everyone," I said with a smile.
Lucius then took me indoors to his room. He gave me food and ensured I was okay. He was so nice and I became comfortable with Lucius.
After eating, everywhere was silent, but Lucius broke the silence with a question.
" So Ember, do you care about telling me about yourself? Where were you before the werewolf hunters found you?" He asked.
I narrated the whole story to him. He seemed very angry and pissed with my pack. I wondered why he took it so personally.
"Why would they treat you like that? Exposing you to dangers in the woods, what if you got killed?
That's an act of wickedness. He said.
" Well luckily for me I wasn't killed, I'm safe and sound. I understand the Alpha thought he was trying to protect the unity between the pack members as a leader." I replied.
"Unity? At the expense of someone's life? What sort of unity is that? They are ruthless and wicked, they deserve to be dealt with." Lucius responded angrily.
"It's fine Lucius I am safe now," I told Lucius.
Lucius hugged me and patted my back. I felt his heart pounding fast as I wondered if he liked me or if he was anxious.
The atmosphere was solemn and quiet.
Lucius asked that we take a walk around so that I can get used to the environment.
We were walking around until we heard a voice.
" Lucius!!" The man said. " That's our Alpha." Lucius quickly whispered into my ears.
"Good evening sir," Lucius responded.
"Who is she?" The Alpha asked curiously.
" I found her outside the woods, she was being pursued by werewolf hunters and I took her in for safety," Lucius said.
" Without knowing who she is?" The Alpha said.
I stood there as various thoughts went through my mind. I was scared that I was going to be rejected again.
"Where will I start from? Where will I go? What will I do?" I pondered on these thoughts as the
Alpha kept staring at me.
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