WOLF'S BLOOD, WITCH'S HEART: VENGEANCE OF APRICA

Chapter 4

The morning wind blew stronger. It was oppressively cold outside, but my body temperature says otherwise.

I was hot inside out, and the familiar tingling feeling started again.

I wasn't fit to do anything, my body aches, but I do not make choices here.

My daily routine must start now, less I find myself in more trouble.

My hair wasn't so bad, I will just rearrange it to a messy bun.

I picked myself up from the ruffled bed, my headache improved and my eyes spun so badly like I was looking down from a mountain top, then headed straight to my mirror

I noticed this extra glow in my eyes, my skin much smoother and perfect, but I was too sad to acknowledge Lina's last night's makeover.

She did use good products on me, will have to thank her later again.

But my eyes began to shimmer even more, felt like I was being hypnotized.

I didn't drink any yesterday, even if I did, the effect must've washed off.

This caused my confusion to heighten even more.

But then I heard her voice, humming from inside me, sounding exactly like me, but my lips didn't move.

Happy birthday Aprica, I'm your wolf Walyn.

My shock was bewildered. I thought it was a dream, until she transformed into an ebony black furry wolf with glowing golden eyes, causing pain to coarse down my whole body.

Here's me Aprica, you're me and I am you now.

Then she changed back.

That was a bit of an introduction, I managed to say in my euphoriant state.

I need to tell Lina, where's she, Lina where are you?

Lina! Lina!! I shouted my lungs out rushing out to go get her.

*****

The day went by fast, I was elated doing everything.

Most importantly, I told Lina about my first shift and she was so happy for me, she told me she'll be in my room later in the evening after finishing her duty.

I was done, so I laid still in my room, lying upward, my vision directed upwards.

I guess she must be tired of me already. I didn't mean to ask everything at once today, it's just that one question begets another one.

I continued in my curiosity— what exactly delayed you, what kept you so late?

Because you're destined to get your wolf at twenty-one.

Why is your name Walyn? Can't I name you something else?

It's the name given to me by the moon goddess, if you want you can name me what you like.

No, it's just fine, I'll call you Waly.....n

The heavy knock on the door distracted our conversation. It is too early for Lina to be here, and she won't thud on the door so recklessly.

Attempting to open the door I heard a loud thud which assertively opened it from behind.

You b***h!

I heard the voice which stridently propelled me backward.

I was more than baffled, not understanding a bit of what was going on.

I spotted Gabby and his beta, alongside some pack members, who came with Thalia.

Where's it? Where did you keep it?

Where's what? I find myself questioning?

Shut up, you thief! She fired back, her claws tearing my flesh.

At this point, Walyn is seriously upset and willing to fight back aggressively.

Calm down Walyn, this is what I've been enduring before you came, she's our Luna and if I fight back in the presence of the pack members and Alpha, it'll be a serious penalty for us both.

That's bullshit, absolutely crap! Can't you see she's oppressing you, us? Even laying an allegation you know nothing of.

Just calm down, it'll be sorted...

Search her, search her room, order Gabby.

Wha wha what are you talking about? I couldn't help but fidget, my voice breaking uncontrollably.

I was struck with epiphany, comprehending what was going on.

They went about scattering my closet, and everything I own without me knowing what they are looking for exactly.

Aggressively Thalia searched me, ruffling up my dress.

Luna, is this it? One of the pack members asked raising, my emerald necklace.

That's too rickety for me to own, it's a diamond, and I know she's with it because I saw her eyes hovering around it when it was given to me by my husband and now I didn't see it.

Quickly, I scurried to where he was and snatched my jewelry from him, that's the only thing Alpha said he saw with me when he rescued me.

I didn't take your necklace, Thalia, why would I even do that?

Because you're a thief, that's why you will do it, she fired back

I knew you're always up to something, and now this will prove me right.

Gabby just stood there, waiting hopefully for the jewelry to be seen.

Here it is! One of them exclaimed like he just saw a hidden treasure, hunted decades ago.

I was beyond surprised, there's certainly no way I would've hidden that in my bag.

Gab Gabby, I mean Al Al-pha, I didn't do it. My words faltered again.

I swear I didn't do that, pooled tears dropping down freely from my eyes.

If you didn't do it, how come it is found right inside your bag?

I dunno, I dunno, don don't know how this came about.

It is a setup Gabby. Someone set me up, it's not me.

Yes, it is, you slutty thief!

It's not me Luna, you have to believe me.

I couldn't think of anything but kneeling, perhaps if they'll accept my truth.

There's no point, you're already caught that's why you're sorry, Aprica, said Gabby coldly.

I saw Lina in the crowd trying to break through so she could reach out to me.

For this Aprica, you're excommunicated from this pack.

I was utterly dumbfounded by the spoken of those words. I didn't believe any of it.

Gabby hates me, but not this much.

Lina finally approached me, leaning to my level in an attempt to comfort me.

I didn't do it Lina, I didn't.

Shhhh... I know, I know honey.

Please Gabby, continued Lina, she didn't do it, begging on my behalf.

I've said what I said and there's nothing no one will do about it.

Satisfaction burns on Thalia's face. She is fulfilled at long last.

I'm your sister Gabby, please I have nowhere to go, nowhere to be, the... the night is eerily cold and quiet, please, don't cast me out.

For the very last time Aprica, I am not your brother, and I'll never be, he stormed angrily, and I don't care if you have nowhere else to be, I don't care.

As your Alpha, I ban you from this pack, and never to come back.

*****

I ran through the woods like the vagabond I am. I could hear my heart palpitating loudly in my chest but I kept moving non stop as if I had a prepared destination.

Walyn had advised me several times to decelerate but rage has kept my obstinacy anew.

Get off my mind! Do not pertain to my thoughts like you care. And I'll appreciate you keep that advice to yourself.

With that, I came to a stop, morphing back into my human form, tired as hell.

It was creepy, quiet and cold, except for the howling wind and the rustling sound of dried leaves caused by my bare feet.

Steadily I collapsed on a pine tree close to me. The full moonlight assisted in casting my still shadow.

Walyn remained silent since I rebuked her. Thousands of thoughts crept into my mind wandering blindly to the dreary horror my fate has become.

A stray tear flowed down my eye, but swiftly I wiped it off encouraging another one not to extricate.

My fixated vision became blurry regularly, the luring effect of sleep overtaking me.

I steadily became silent as soon as I promised myself to be extravagantly confident in myself

Somehow I was worried about how this felt like a nostalgic experience, I had this strong sense of déjà vu about the whole occurrence.

It didn't matter, none of it mattered. Slowly I drifted into an ephemeral peaceful moment before I hit back into reality.

But suddenly, I was distracted by the extra sound of the rustling leaves like someone was approaching.

My brain interpreted two four-legged images coming in my direction. My heart beat kept increasing. I know what they are.

Either I will end up being their dinner or they might have mercy and kidnap and sell me to those slave traders or keep me in their dungeon and make me be their s*x toy.

Certainly, I'm not going with both realities. I'd rather perish like a heroine dying with the knowledge I tried to save myself by fighting two bloody rogue wolves.

Hi missy! The one with red glowing eyes intruded with his shrill voice

Whatcha doing all alone in the woods at such a time like this? Weren't you told about the horror of the night?

She wasn't, accompanied by the yellowed-eyed one, chuckling dryly.

Back off! Cold sweat runs down my vertebra cord as they gradually come closer.

With no reason, they laughed ferociously like I just cracked a joke, both voices echoing through the darkness.

Walyn boiled with so much rage and impatience.

Give us the chance to bring your suffering to an end, a one-time slit on your throat, and all your pain will be gone.

I won't leave you like a headless hen who didn't consent to her death.

I'll slosh on your blood peacefully, giving you respect by not playing with it, but that's only if you surrender, said the reddie.

Every word was like a lash from a hunting whip, I could see evaporated smoke coming from my root hairs.

With immediate response, I allowed my body to morph into Walyn. Changing into her wasn't as painful as the first, hair proceeding to my whole body.

Her dark fur camouflaged with the night. Her four paws touched the ground with golden-blazed eyes.

Instantaneously, the volcanic-colored-eyed, the one I hated so much, zealously leaped with so much recklessness and unfortunately landed on bare grass.

Walyn took advantage of his failed step and bit his right hind leg. The taste of his sour blood disgusted me but it wasn't the same for her.

His partner was astonished and became agitated with renewed anger.

Like a flash, his dark shadow leaped above me, but this was different, he didn't miss.

The whine of Walyn brought concern to me. A voice in the background loudly announced; I'll crush you like a gnat.

My wolf was mildly injured, my attack on them was swift and strong, but it wouldn't be enough to defeat them both and they knew it.

For over an hour, we fought with so much ferocity.

I smelt their tiredness but my labored breathing was more prominent and they seemed to notice.

The diverted thought caused a sweep at my feet. The blow cracked against my head, knocking me off balance, and sending me somersaulting down back to the pine tree, which doubled my pain.

The metallic liquid in my tongue sent a sharp signal to my brain that it was mine. The impact made me see little stars gathered around my head.

I heard distant chattering, none of the words made sense to me. I could hear someone calling my name.

I saw distorted wolves coming closer, no longer two but over six pairs of eyes.

Someone knew me in the crowd but that is vague hope, it's still not going to change the fact of what they are.

Walyn! Please get up. My heart panicked over our predicament.

She was struggling to stay alive as more blood oozed out from my cranium.

Every word I said to her came with no response.

I suppose it's her turn to stay silent. But It's the wrong timing, she should know that.

Changing into my human form will be a waste. I'll be too frail and slow, the end being too easy to catch.

They're already here, no need for further motivation.

Persistent imp! One of them looked like the leader scoffed. The voice sounded like who called me earlier.

With that, I received two kicks in my stomach.

An excruciating pain traced down the whole of my body. The attack made me cough, probably the remaining blood conserved in my vessels.

I felt so giddy like I'd fallen from a mountain, whereas I lay on a flat surface surrounded by my captors.

Another toss was directed to my larynx but this time by the three-legged rascal.

Bloody scoundrels! That came out as a roar.

Like a jet, Walyn used her fangs to drill the throat of the reddie. It was so swift that I didn't see how gory it looked.

With a sharp swerve, she sprinted into the darkness to save our lives. The imperative action galvanized them into doing the same.

With so much temerity, they pursued me with renowned hatred like a price was placed on me. No one would do that, I am worth nothing.

She flipped everything that obstructed her way.

I raced till my limbs became numb, till I no longer felt they had a glimpse of me.

The attenuated feeling in my body couldn't slow me. Layers of skin covering my paws must've worn off but I couldn't stop.

I wouldn't have my death orchestrated by those filthy vagabonds.

I couldn't calculate how much I'd run.

Like a flicker of light in a dark tunnel, I saw light seeping through the canopied green forest.

Struggling to maintain a balanced euphoria, I staggered to a halt.

I saw indistinct structures like towers and houses, but I wasn't so sure. My mind played silly with me. At some point, I saw my apparition flashing in and out.

I lay still in my human form, cuddling my naked body.

My racing heart continued palpitating, making it difficult to subside.

I could be in an enemy territory, but I was too exhausted to wonder if I was safe or not.

Unexpectedly, I recognized a familiar figure jogging towards me, with tousled auburn hair, bare-chested, and a dark emerald short that matched his eye color.

I've watched and read how people witness their personal lives flash through them, seeing their most memorable and worst experiences while they are still alive when they're about to die.

This is certainly what I'm going through.

But doubt crawled in my mind as he drew nearer. It was impossible, but yet looked true.

His dwindling figure became bigger at every second click.

Proving to stay alive was abortive, my heart rhythms dropped, my fragile breath was slower, and I wasn't in control of it anymore.

I know who he is, most importantly, where I am. For the least of it, I know I'll die peacefully knowing he is my mate and I am buried in his pack.