The Lost Wolf

The Hostage

As soon as I hit the forest I shifted without a second thought and ran in the direction I hoped was home. So many different scents all around me and I couldn’t pinpoint which scent was mine. Why did Ecko lead me to that pack and why were they so open to me? I wasn’t sure how my family was going to react to me going out and having dinner with complete strangers, let alone another clan of werewolves. Considering the fact that we have never associated with other werewolves in this region, I wonder if my clan was in hiding for some reason, and I feel that Daniel, Alex and all them will search for me eventually.

Familiar shrubs and trees began to come into my view, and I could see the opening of the forest that led back to my village. Our house backs onto the forest, so instantly I saw my whole family standing on the porch laughing and chatting, I decided to shift back to human form before they noticed me, as I wasn’t ready to answer the questions about why I just shifted without the full moon, mostly because I was tired but also because I had absolutely no clue.

They spotted me running and turned, everybody was quiet and looked confused.

“Where were you?” My dad asked. “You just ran off, you’ve been gone an hour.”

“I just needed some time to myself. Its been a rough couple of days.”

My mum walked over and engulfed me in a hug. “Yes dear, we know. I hope your little adventure helped clear your head.”

I noticed everybody’s noses were twitching, they were smelling me, and by the looks of their faces, they were trying to figure out what the smell was, more so, who the smell was.

“Where were you, really?” Luke’s stern voice was unfamiliar, his wolf was being protective over mine and he had no control over it. “That’s not one of our scents.”

“You’re right, Luke.” Dad added. “We don’t know that scent, Saige. Who were you with?”

“Okay, fine. I met a boy while I was walking through the woods. His name is Alex.” I guess half the truth would be enough for now.

Bad idea. Ecko piped up.

“A stranger wandering in our territory with a scent like that?!” Luke growled. “You put yourself in extreme danger, Saige. It wasn’t a full moon and you haven’t been trained. What were you thinking?” He turned to my dad. “We’ve got to tell Alpha Hudson.”

“I wasn’t in danger. He was very kind. I’m here in one piece right? No marks, its okay.”

“Maybe he didn’t hurt you yet, Saige. But if he followed you, he now knows where we live and couldn’t be planning something even larger.” Dad frowned. “I’m going to contact Alpha Hudson now.” With that, he turned on his heels.

Luke gave me a piercing glare before following my dad, with my mum closely behind.

‘What is going on, Ecko? Since you arrived, nothing and nobody feels 100% right. I know you know why, you have to tell me.’

I wish I could tell you. If I tell you, I risk banishment, and there’s some things I need to figure out before I can take a risk like that. It will make sense soon. Just be around the ones who make you feel comfortable in your new skin. I am here with you every step of the way, even though it mightn’t seem like it.

Well that’s probably the nicest thing she’s ever said to me. While I was thankful for Ecko’s support, she just confirmed that there is still some things going on that I am unaware of. I wonder what Alpha Hudson will do about the situation, and I wonder if they will be able to find Alex and his pack, and if they do… what happens then?

Alex’s POV.

Watching her run away into the night was one of the most confusing feelings I’ve ever experienced. I felt like a part of me was leaving, but then I also felt a sense of nothing toward this person. She clearly wasn’t my mate, or I would have felt that instantaneously, but I still felt this weird sensation that she belonged to me. I pondered these thoughts as I trailed back home, everyone was still sitting at the table waiting for me with concerned looks on their faces, especially one – Tasha.

“Mate?” She mouthed, her eyes teared up. I felt for her. I know she loved me, and of course I love her too. We’re childhood sweethearts, been together for as long as I can remember. We always thought we were destined for each other, but when we didn’t mate on her 18th birthday earlier in the year, we knew we were destined for other people. We stayed together, with the acceptance that one day each of us would find our mate and it would be a clean break up, and the one who didn’t mate, would back off until they found their own.

I shook my head and winked at her, she brightened up. She was happy that she didn’t have to be the one who remained single while the other galloped off into the sunset with their forever person. I wonder what I would feel if I had to watch her be with someone else, I mean, I love Tasha, she’s great. Shes kind of needy, but she’s loyal and gorgeous.

Saige was gorgeous. My Lycan, Avery chimed in to my already overcrowded thoughts.

I shook him out, I wasn’t about to listen to this right now.

“She’s a pretty one.” My Uncle Sam grinned. “I sure hope she comes back.”

I found myself shooting him daggers, but covered it up with a laugh. “Right, Uncle Sam. I’m sure she’d come back for someone who’s hair grows on their back, but not their head.”

Everyone around laughed, including Uncle Sam. “I wouldn’t be laughing too much, buddy. The bald head and back hair is hereditary. Every man in the family will suffer.”

I sat down at the table and finished the meal, before Tasha led me out to the woods. Without realising, I dodged her head when she leaned in for a kiss – or moreso, Avery dodged her and I cursed him.

“What’s wrong, Al?” She was concerned, and gripped my shoulders tightly.

I shrugged. “Nothing. Just feeling all sorts of things.”

“Because of her.” She frowned.

“Yeah, I don’t know what I’m feeling. She’s not my mate though. I just felt some sort of strange connection to her.” I stopped myself. “I’m sorry – I don’t want to upset you.” I pulled her in for hug and caressed her lower back before landing a soft peck on her forehead. “I’m still yours.”

Together we walked back home hand in hand and sat around the camp fire in the middle of our little village with the rest of our friends and family. I truly love what my family has built here. Although we are considered royalty, the foundation my grandparents built has created a sense of equality and fairness with all of our people, we’re just one big happy family with a goal to live a safe and harmonious life. We have not had a war or a murder or even a simple attack in over 30 years. Sure, there’s the occasional bar fights, domestics and all those other normal human dramas, but when it comes to our Lycan lifestyle, it’s pure and delightful.

We run the risk of strangers interrupting our tranquillity, but we are open and trusting, we give the benefit of the doubt and unless we are wrong done by, we open up our family to anyone.

So far, in our 30 years of living here, since my grandparents departed from their old clan; that was the complete opposite of ours and could be described as pure evil; we have never come across another Lycan clan. We know there is Werewolves about, you can’t really go anywhere and not find them, but they stay away from us as they know the capabilities of a Lycan are far more enhanced than a Werewolf. Not only are we larger, and stronger but we can shift on command, unlike the Wolves who have to wait for the Full Moon. They would be no match if they started a war with us, we could attack at any time, and whereas we know they would only attack on a Full Moon and would be prepared for it.

**

I woke up earlier than the sun and lifted Tasha’s arm off my chest and crept out of the house and straight to the woods. Saige’s scent was still lingering and I felt the urge to look for her. I tried fighting it, but I was no match for Avery, and honestly, I wanted to.

I followed the scent for a little while until it was overwhelming and I just laid down, hoping she would find me here.

Suddenly, loud voices erupted from all around me, lots of booming male voices echoed throughout my ears and I was surrounded. Werewolves. With 10 guys glaring at me, I felt it best to shift back to human form to seem less threatening, bad idea.

“Grab him now!” One yelled, three men launched at me, tackling me to the ground and lifting me up with my arms behind my back. Instead of shifting, I dropped all defences and let them take me, I wasn’t about to be killed by a pack of werewolves and they would be stupid to kill a submissive Lycan in human form.

I was dragged to their town, and into what seemed like a community hall, strapped to a chair and completely defenceless.

“Who are you, and what are you doing here?” One of the men asked.

I remained silent.

“I said who are you, boy!” He struck me across the face.

“Kevin, what’s going on? Is this the threat you warned me about?” A man entered the building, he looked to be their alpha as everybody stood aside to left him passed.

“Yes Alpha Hudson, we found him lurking in the woods.” The man named Kevin replied.

The alpha walked up until he was about a meter from me. “Why are you here? Are you looking for someone?”

“I uh, met a girl last night, I just followed her scent.” I responded.

“Get Saige.” Alpha Hudson ordered.

Kevin shot daggers at him and myself. “Alpha, she is a victim in this, lets not involve her.”

“Kevin, I’m not going to ask you again. Go get your daughter.”

Kevin dropped his head and followed orders. Daughter? Kevin must be Saige’s dad. Great, he already hates me.

“You’re a Lycanthrope.” Alpha Hudson stated, followed by my head nod. “What clan?”

I remained silent.

“We can’t help you, if you don’t help us.”

“I’m sorry, Sir. You know what its like.” I shrugged. He of all people knew it was never safe to give details about your clan, or yourself in any matter to anybody.

The door swung open again, and in trotted Kevin with Saige following closely behind. She gasped when she saw me and ran to me. “What are you doing? Untie him! Your face, did somebody hit you?” She was growling under her breath and I warned her with my eyes to suppress it.

I don’t think Saige, or any of these people here knew what she really was.

“Stand down, Saige.” The alpha barked. I knew she was hesitating, he wasn’t her alpha and her wolf tried to fight it, but she did as she was told, she was hiding something.

“He was lurking in our woods, he is a threat.” The alpha continued. “How did you find her?” He looked at me.

“He didn’t find me, I found him! I wandered too far last night and ended up at his village! He has done nothing wrong.”

“Are you mated?”

I chuckled at this question and looked up at Saige to answer.

Her eyes darted back and forth between me and the alpha. “Yes.” She shot out, causing the whole room to erupt in shocked gasps, including myself. “Yes, he’s my mate. Untie him, please.”

“Go home, Saige.” The Alpha barked. “Now.”

“What? No!” She stood in front of me and then turned to face me.

Her dad grabbed her by the arm, I mouthed, ‘I’m okay’, to which she responded, ‘I’ll be back’ and she let him lead her out of the room.