Homecoming Luna

Chapter 3: Dawn and Dusk

• •• •••Merlara's POV••• •• •

Four months later

The Carmine Creek Pack is divided into compounds, each good yards apart. Spaced out enough to stand alone but near enough to be close knit.

It is made up of a hundred and seventy-three compounds in total, counting mine where the new recruits and trainees reside. Each compound comprises of about three dozen houses, mostly two storeys. Residential and whatnots. But the trainee compounds have hostel structures instead.

All compounds are built around the huge pack Mansion that stands towering in the center like a big dot in a wide circle.

And the lands that surround the circle for miles are owned by the pack. The pack is built like a fortress. I am wondering what foolishness led my previous pack to think they stood a chance of winning against this pack.

It's very different from hom—no, my old home. I gladly say that because the treatment I've received so far upon arrival has been nothing at all like being in Avarion. I liken it to dawn and dusk. It isn't a complete turnaround, quite the contrary but it beats Avarion by far.

I have new friends now, Yorke and Kipp. Both boys but are Carmines. Kipp is eighteen and a recruit while Yorke is a year older than me and is a trainee like myself, only he's months away from graduating.

I've known them for months now. We stay in the same trainee compound to the West.

Twenty-two out of the hundred and seventy-three pack Compounds are occupied by trainees and recruits. Way it's done, each successfully trained individual is allowed to return to their original Compound at the end of their training. But only if said person passes. Else he'll be given the opportunity to repeat and with harder courses or be disgracefully banished from the pack. And if one passes in flying colours, they'll be guaranteed a position within the Pack-house Unit or something equally high profile like being accepted into the Black or Red Unit. The Black Unit, highly respected, is tasked with keeping safety within and around the pack while the Red Unit are more ominous, experienced and trained for war.

The system is designed so that all men in the entire 173 compounds beyond the age of twenty are either well trained or are well on their way to completing their obligatory training. It's almost like the pack is preparing for a war. A big war. One I've heard in hushed tones is spoken about in a prophecy. In as much, the pack still bubbles with the joy of normal day to day life and trivialities.

And yes 'men' because only boys are allowed to train and that makes me the only girl in the entire squad. It doesn't help that I have more boobs than ass, makes blending in a far cry in our black skintight uniforms.

Most hate me for that alone, they think I'm favoured but if only they knew. Combined with the fact that I am not a true blood of the pack. Insult to injury is I always rank first on the leaderboard each week. Each week, we are assigned tasks which come with points and benefits. And as the wolves we are, it's pure competition and a serious affair.

Icing on the cake is the known fact that I am an Absolver. Fellow trainees don't want to risk coming too close in fear I'll absolve them of their trainings so far or be privy to whatever memory they've got, their innermost fears. It makes them fear me more which is unusual for me. I usually do the fearing, not the other way round. Some whine that it's thanks to my power I get ranked first after each weekly challenge.

They steer clear of me and I honestly don't give a rat's ass. I've been shunned all my life. This isn't anything I can't handle.

If I can look my mate, Alpha Kinser, in the eye and utter the mate rejection vows then I can shoulder anything. Right before I left Avarion, I was left no choice but to finally release myself from his shackles. The freeing effect was instant. It was like relieving myself of heavy burdens the size of Jupiter.

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"No way," I laugh boisterously, looking skyward. "There's no way he said that."

"But he did. I'm telling you." Kipp laughs and once again does an impression of Yorke stammering his way through asking a girl for directions in an attempt to get talking with her.

We are seated on the sturdy roots of a gigantic tree in the forest, not too deep but not far from our training grounds. The sun is high up to the east and we are taking a break. Well, Yorke and I are taking a break, as we had completed our impromptu challenge before the others. Kipp here is just skipping which he, for his life's sake, doesn't do often.

"Ignore him," Yorke pipes in defensively, throwing three successive pebbles at Kipp who dodges them with a smirk. "I did no such thing."

"What if she had a mate?" I joke, asking the obvious. I know the question is a no-brainer but it produces the desired effect of Yorke looking sheepish.

"She doesn't. I didn't smell any claiming scent on her."

"Oouuu!" Kipp keels over, full on laughing now. "Not only did you stammer your way through a couple sentences but you were also busy sniffing her."

I never thought Yorke was capable of blushing until I see his cheeks tinge red.

"I did not!" He says indignantly as he rushes forward to tussle Kipp to the leaf-scattered ground.

His tone of voice makes me laugh even harder. In that moment as my mouth is open mid-laugh, I go stock still as I get a direct order to head to a specific part of the forest.

It's mind-linked to me alone so the others don't hear. But Yorke is sharp witted. He gives me a look as I get up.

"Catch you guys later." I throw at the guys. I don't wait for their response as I take off in a run.

My wolf, Bea, takes over as she emerges causing me to shift mid-stride as I gallop off through the thick canopied forest making it the second uniform I've ripped this week alone.

All my senses are heightened and on alert. For all I know, this could be a test just like every other impromptu challenge. But I never consider them as mere tasks to earn points. I take them pretty seriously like my life depends on it which is how I always end up as the first on the leaderboard.

My stay so far hasn't been what I expected. Far from it. Yes, I get the usual catcalls and attempts at bullies which I call petty because I've experienced worse. Magnified and multiplied. Coming here, I expected pure hell on earth. Maybe things that may seem as farfetched as being used as a live target practice or being hacked off a day at a time. All the gory shits I've heard Carmines were good for. Or quite dreadfully a s*x slave.

In stead, on my arrival, I was dismissed into one of the then open recruitment camps where I was tested out in a fighting pit. Nothing like being thrust into a fight or die situation with no warning whatsoever. I'd pulled my weight though, only cause well I'd be damned if I lived through all my pains and Avarion to get minced by some meathead in a freaking Carmine pit. Plus Bea had practically taken over.

Dismissively or bored, Alpha Daen who stood like a couple others to witness the defining moment that was my life, had left right after like he wouldn't have blinked twice was my lifeless body carted out instead. And that was it. Sometimes and with how big the pack is, it takes me weeks to so much as catch a glimpse of him. Usually from afar and always with his daunting entourage.

I arrive at the clearing in mere seconds. I spy Alpha Daen standing with six high ranking warriors, all with their backs to me.

I'm aware they know it's me because no one turns around to check out the sound I made running towards them. Instead they continue conversing in low tones as they look down at the wounded men that lay about the ground. They look like ours.

I hide behind a tree and shift back, reaching up towards a tree branch to untie the wrapped clothes it dangles. Most trees have wrapped unisex clothes hanging from them for when we shift. I hurriedly put it on and step out to join the group.

I stand a bit way to the side, not sure why I was summoned. It doesn't look anything like all the challenges I've been given before.

Still, I watch.

A flicker of pain passes through Alpha Daen's eyes as he walks from one injured man to another. The look of pain passes so fast that no one could've seen it but I do. But only because I've made it my duty to always pay attention and study him. I tell myself it's purely for survival sake.

His healthy mane of chestnut brown hair swishes as he bends close to the bodies. His square jaw is rigid and it transmits into his black eyes. His black eyes that instills convulsing fear in people but seems less dead and less frightening to me with each passing day.

My traitorous heart feels funny in my chest.

"Absolve their memories." Alpha Daen says as he comes to stand at the entrance of the clearing where I stand close to the six warriors. His command holds strength and reverberates through the clearing.

What? All these men?

His frosty black eyes cut to my grey ones and narrows to give me a scathingly caustic look. He walks up to me and leans his face close to mine like a giant to a petulant child.

"Yes, and only of their fighting skills" His already low gravelly voice drops even lower. "Do we have a problem?"

Shit! Was not aware I'd muttered the words.

For the wolves under a given pack, an Alpha's command is impossible to disobey. It forcefully compels against ones consent, like a puppet master effortlessly controlling one's motor functions. Attempting to fight the potent power is suicide. Overriding it is unheard of. But I just did, unknowingly.

Vigorously, I shake my head side to side and take a step back, shrinking into myself.

"No." I say, trying not to appear too intimidated but I keep my eyes trained on his left shoulder. "No, we don't."

Under his scrutiny, sweat starts forming on the bridge of my nose. Truth is deep down, I dislike him. I hate him. I dislike him, whichever one. I dislike him and I'm terrified of him. These two emotions, I'm quite sure of. I refuse to give name to the other emotions simmering beneath them. I'd say it's fueled by the underlying way he looks at me. Chances are it's all in my head.

The standing men warriors turn to me, looking at me like I've gone bonkers which is understandable. I've seen men and wolves go limp with a mix of potent fear, submissiveness and admiration at Alpha Daen's presence alone. His voice alone commands an entire werewolf army, in pack and the many based off pack.

"Good." Alpha Daen continues sternly, unimpressed but forgiving my silly little moment. "You've been practicing how to filter through memories so fuckin' put it to use."

His eyes slice to me again after a couple seconds of me not getting a move on. "Now."

I grimace.

"Y—yes, Alpha," I answer, and surprisingly so does Bea, my wolf. Usually, she hates anything that makes her bow to anybody but she's taken an exception to Alpha Daen in more ways than I want to admit.

At his command, I look down at the men I don't recognize.

It doesn't escape my notice that he didn't ask me to absolve them of their pain, but only of their wolf martial skills. I dare not question him so I get to work.

I walk towards the first man and do as I am told and by the time I get to the last, I'm feeling totally different like multiple alter egos reside in me. I have years worth of field experience that has been honed over time. Some, longer than I've been alive. My reflexes are sharpened beyond words can explain. And with it comes a good instinct. A very good one and so much wisdom.

I also realize the men are breathing easier, feeling less pained. Less burdened so I can safely say I've indirectly saved them.

I don't let it slip but I recognize one of the men. I've seen him around and about back in Avarion, long before the war broke out.

And in Alpha Kinser's innermost circle.

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Halfway into my tiny, shoebox sized room, I froze on seeing Alpha Kinser casually laying on my bed with no care in the world. His tall frame making the bed and room even smaller.