All for destiny

Chapter 8

Harry

I was walking through the forest with dirty, skinny wolves lying dead on the floor. Whyatt stepped over them carefully as he moved towards the small group of rogue wolves by the tents. I felt the disgust and repulsion ripple off of him as he saw the other wolves in our group pushing these small and weak rogue wolves around. I desperately wanted to stop them. Stand in front of these weaker wolves and protect them, but I knew it would get back to my Dad and would be something I would never hear the end of.

We had already tried asking the wolf who was acting as the leader of this group of rogues if they would be willing to relocate further away from our border. He denied. Instead, opting for violence. Surely he must have known that there was no way his ten grown malnourished wolves would be nothing up against the seven strong and trained wolves that I bought along with me. He didn’t seem phased by his odds.

This left just the children to be dealt with.

I wanted to save them. To take them to a human town close by so that they would be safe, but the wolves I had with me had other ideas in mind.

I watched them, clenching my teeth, as they pushed these small wolves around, slamming them into trees and ripping out chunks of their fur. I wanted to turn my head away so that I didn’t have to witness the destruction, but knew any hint of weakness would be passed back to Dad.

I stopped in front of what was not a small pile of dead child-sized wolves. All but one of them was dealt with. I felt the bile rise in my throat.

“Harry, this one is for you.” One of my wolves linked to me. I knew this scene. It was the same scene that had plagued my dreams for months. The same nightmare that disrupted my sleep for as long as I could remember. The same faces that flashed in my mind.

I felt Whyatt step backwards, away from the young wolf cowering in the bushes.

Surely we aren’t expected to do this. He is defenceless… Whyatt muttered, his voice croaky with fear.

They are all looking at us. I sighed. Noticing the curious gazes of the pack wolves around me. They were waiting.

I knew I couldn’t do it. I began to phase back into human form to try and convince the boy to come with us when a blood curdling scream shrilled in my ears. I felt the blood splatter across my bare skin as I stood there in human form. I saw the face of the young wolf contort as a huge chunk was ripped from his throat.

My eyes snapped open and I was staring at my ceiling. I was drenched in sweat. I had no idea if I had been yelling or if anyone would have heard me. Judging from the sun that was still no where to be seen, it was still the middle of the night. I would have been lucky to get even two hours' sleep. I walked to the bathroom and splashed water over my face to cool it down. I stood there, staring at myself in the mirror. My eyes were blood shot and the dark bags under my eyes showed how tired I was.

I sat back on the edge of my bed and picked up my phone. I began absentmindedly scrolling through social media.

Pretty soon I was searching for Nora’s profile. I don’t even remember making the conscious decision to try to find her until I was already staring at her face on my screen. I felt an overwhelming sense of calm across my body as I stared at her face. The calm was soon overcome with dread. I knew I would never be able to be with a girl like that. She wouldn’t ever think of me as anything more than a killer and dangerous. Thanks to my father for boasting about my ruthlessness at dinner, that was never going to be something I could convince her otherwise.

I was still sitting on my bed when the sun shone through my window. I could hear mum busy in the kitchen already. I rolled my eyes. She has always been the same. Got up at the c***k of dawn to prepare breakfast for Dad and the boys.

I pulled my t-shirt on and began to walk out of my room when Dad appeared in my doorway.

“Good, you’re up. I need to talk to you in my office.” Dad said before walking away down the hallway.

What a great way to start the morning… I muttered to myself. Dreading whatever my Dad had to say.

I followed Dad to his office and sat on the chair opposite his desk.

I remained silent.

“So, getting straight to it, I have received word of more rogues moving into our area. I need to send you to deal with them.” Dad stated, lining a pile of papers up on his desk.

“Where?” I asked. I didn’t want too many details. I would be lucky to get even two hours of sleep if I knew more.

“Just between here and Melbourne. I have been told that some rogue wolves in Melbourne have planned on settling just outside of our border.” Dad explained.

“When do I leave?” I questioned. Looking down at my hands. My heart was racing at the thought of being close to Nora as she moved to Melbourne next weekend. Even though the likelihood of actually seeing her was next to nothing.

“Wednesday. I haven’t told your mother yet. I will do so today.” Dad nodded, closing his diary that was open in front of him. It was his way of telling me that there was no option or compromise.

“Right.” I muttered and stood up from the chair. “Is that all?” I asked, turning to leave the office. Dad simply nodded and waved his hand for me to leave.

As soon as I closed Dad’s office door, I felt a huge exhale leave my body. I wasn’t relief, quite the opposite. I felt defeated.

Just keep jumping through the hoops. Eventually, you will be the Alpha and can call the shots. Whyatt reminded me. Sometimes that was the only thing getting me through. The opportunity to make all of the wrongs I had been forced to commit, right. Or try to at least.