Flame or nothing
1305 Words
- TEYARU -
"They're quite fast, don't you think?", she snickered.
"I suppose they are", he replied sternly.
"I can't wait to give 'em a scare!"
"You don't have to tell me", he sighed.
The pack of wolves was unaware of the two strangers that followed closely behind them. They seldom said anything to each other. They raced continually like little pups. The endless long-distance sprint subtly entertained Yama.
His counterpart, Kalma, never ceased to express her vexation, which increased when Yama showed no interest. He thought otherwise and suggested she not exert herself early.
They watched as the pack neared the Windcrest Pack house. They noticed their uneasiness, much to Kalma's delight.
The duo prepared themselves to complete their rather dramatic orders. Gradually transforming into their hulking shapes, thunderstruck deafeningly to announce their presence.
- WINDCREST PACK HOUSE -
Their decadent and gaunt appearance bewildered the Windcrest Pack wolves.
"Are they also with you?", Lincoln said.
Harley slowly shook her head as she beheld the sight before her, "Nope, never seen them before".
"Who are you?", Lincoln said.
"Well, well, so you're the alpha-
"We are Yama and Kalma, the skinwalkers", said Yama.
"Why are you here?", Lincoln said. He stepped forward and readied himself for a fight.
"Oh please, you can never take us on, at least not today", said Kalma. Her yellow eyes glowed as she flashed a grin full of pungent canines.
"We're here to drive fear into your hearts", Yama spoke.
Kalma's forwardness annoyed Yama. He could feel her urge to destroy everything in her sight.
"Why?", Cassy stepped forward to stand beside her mate.
Kalma snorted, "Because we can," she said mockingly.
"Who sent you?"
"Knopdiotuux"
"Who she meant is Alanus Damasippus."
With no warning, an image of a pale man with fine but abundant red hair flashed in his mind. Fury built up in his chest as he recalled the undead creature.
"You mean that brute who has my father hostage?"
"Bullseye", Kalma said.
Clouds above them formed and instantly unleashed a cold and pelting storm. Yama and Kalma evaporated as they were summoned back to the Shadow Realm by their master.
The Windcrest wolves were left with an eerie sentiment. The cursed rainfall swayed the wolves as they promptly succumbed to its evil nature.
The voluminous and slightly blood-flecked clouds were no ordinary ones. They made it known to the wolves that they were not alone. The message was crystal clear: Alanus was watching.
"That was quite dramatic, even for me."
"Who are you supposed to be?", said Lincoln.
"Oh me? I'm Harley's flame", he said with a toothy smile. He had never been more proud of himself. Not since the first time had he learned how to make a basic healing potion.
"Right", he dragged out, "And that blondie next to you?"
"I believe this blondie next to me can speak for himself", Zweli said.
Mac cleared his throat and raked through his messy hair, as if to make a good impression. "I'm Mac Kirubel", he started. "Alpha of the Sunset pack", he sighed heavily, "Which is now home to ruins".
"We're deeply sorry for your loss", said Casey, "So how did you all come together?"
They looked among themselves and held their breaths, wondering where to begin explaining. Classy had opened a Pandora's box.
"That's a long story, but I'll cut it short for you. These three wolves drained me dry, they ate my food, slept in my house, drank my water, wore my clothes and had me dress their wounds. Can you believe such s*****y?", he explained, with, of course, a dash of spice.
"Anyway, since I harbored your sister and Beta in my humble abode. I'd like to be treated the same please. Can my room be next to Harley's please".
Cassy and Lincoln glanced at each other and smiled.
"Come with me, Zweli and Mac", Cassy ordered.
They followed her throughout the passage. Harley and Kyle were left with Lincoln. The silence became awkward for the three of them.
Lincoln expected an elaborate explanation from Kyle. He had been gone for more than two weeks with no word. It would be in his best interest to pick his words skillfully.
- 3 HOURS LATER-
"You and I are alike, everyone in this pack could learn a thing or two from us about coolness".
"Yeah, tell me about it. I just worry about how it must have been for Harley".
"Mhm Harley, she's amazing," he said, staring at the ceiling.
"Hey cut it out, I get that you're her 'flame', now stop daydreaming!"
"Good goddess, what's wrong with you?"
Mac avoided facing Zweli, "Nothing. We should go check up on Harley now".
The pair laughed away and discussed baseless matters. They got along like close brothers. A sense of uneasiness befell Zweli when he thought of how Mac reacted. He knew he was hiding something.
"Do you realize that you have put us as a pack in countless inconvenient situations?", said Cassy. She slammed her hand on the wall. She paced back and forth before Harley.
The Beta remained unfazed by Cassy's irregular behaviour. She preferred for her to get to the point.
Cassy mentioned multiple examples of Harley's destructive behavior, much to Harley's displeasure.
"Everytime something upsets you or doesn't work in your favor, you get up a disappear. Then everyone has to go on a wild goose chase! It's unacceptable, Harley". She exhaled deeply and gave a bitter laugh.
Harley made up her mind to stand up for herself. She was well aware of her deeds. She then faced her opponent.
"Do you think I like being this way? Are you saying that my emotions are, according to you, invalid? Are you saying that I should be perfect and faultless like you?", she panted.
"No Cassy! I won't change myself for you!", she pointed her finger at her in anger.
"You have no idea what I endure every single day of my awful life! I wish I had never existed to begin with. I have no control over my life and it-it hurts Cassy. Everything hurts", she let out a harsh breath.
"See, I don't have the luxury of hearing my parents tell me how much they're so proud of me for being such an excellent Luna!"
She left the room in a flash and did not forget to express her anger by slamming the door behind her as loudly as she could. Cassy was left with a strange epiphany.
A pang of guilt shot through her heart and all she thought she knew. She soon realized how little she knew about Harley. Although as Luna, she wouldn't dare go back on her word.
Being a Luna in such a formidable pack put her even higher on her parents' pedestal. She is the pinnacle of eminence.
The real Cassy would feel like that.
She had no possible way of empathizing with another she-wolf like Harley. It dawned upon her that she had useless knowledge without experience.
Dinner time came, along with heavy and thick tension between Cassy and Harley. The two she-wolves did not utter a word and ate quietly. Nor did they bother to look at each other. Their hostility did not go unnoticed.
Zweli and Mac were allocated a room to share. It was beside Harley's as he requested. They slept soundly, although Zweli could not stop pondering about Harley. He felt her slight anger and sadness. Their flame was yet to be a fierce burning fire.
When morning came, Harley had already devoured two plates of delicious cuisine. She gathered Lincoln and Cassy to let them know of her terms and conditions.
"I'm not going anywhere without Zweli or Mac. Either that or nothing from me!"
"Absolute nonsense", Cassy stated, "As Luna, I refuse and that is final!"
- Writer
