Dark Affairs

Chapter 3

“Form two straight lines!” Adolphus barks, taking on a harsher tone.

I roll my eyes as people run around, rearranging themselves all over again.

I zero my gaze on him, watching his every move. He stands with his legs two inches apart and is casually dressed in a white shirt and black slacks. His arms are locked behind him and he looks ready for war at any moment.

Too bad all those clothes will go to waste if he gets angry.

I glance at Tala, giving her a secret smile of encouragement.

I still can’t believe the Alpha had given us the opportunity to join the Guard.

The Guard is like a society and is charged with the duty of protecting the Pack and everyone in it, maintaining order and well, carrying out executions.

The Guard is the right hand of the Alpha and it had been everyone’s dream to join the Guard up until ten years ago.

When Alpha Romanus had stolen our pack from the rightful owners.

“As members of the Guard, it is important for you to know there are rules laid down that you all must obey. Consider your membership of this Guard as a big honor to the people of the Crescent Moon Pack and as an honor to serve right next to the Alpha.”

“You must all swear to be loyal, updoing, and ready to lay down your life for the Alpha at any time.”

Grumbles follow his statement and Adolphus c***s a brow in question.

“Does anyone have something to say?” He crosses his arms across his chest and his muscles ripple with the movement. His eyes drift from one face to another.

No one speaks up and he nods.

“Training starts today and I’ll give you one more word of advice from me. To be in the Guard, you must be brave. I want you all to know there’s a very big line between bravery and being stupid.”

“Being stupid is when you openly challenge the Alpha in front of everyone. Deliberately go against his orders or refuse to do his command.”

He meets my gaze again and I scowl, feeling two inches smaller.

People turn to glance at me and I keep a poker face, staring straight ahead.

Word travels quite fast in the pack and it wasn’t a surprise almost everyone already knew the girl who had refused to take the Alpha’s forgiveness for free.

You see, if you have a daughter like me, it isn't that hard to get into trouble and it really isn't hard for me to get myself into trouble, either because as long as I can remember, I have always had a big mouth.

My mother never fails to remind me of that fact every single day of my life and even Tala did not hesitate to always remind me.

But Adolphus? He hasn’t earned that right yet.

I mutter incoherently, making sure to draw his attention.

Adolphus stares at me for a moment and decides not to let it go because five seconds later, he marches toward me. The people in front of me fan out. Right. I guess no one wants to get in his way.

Cowards.

He stops in front of me and fixes his arms on his waist, like a mother about to scold her child.

Considering he’s huge and towers over me by several inches, I tip my head up and stare back at him defiantly.

“Yes. Amaron, is it? Would you like to share something with us?”

“My name is Amarok. And no, I don’t have anything to say to you, Adolphus. You were talking about me so I think I have every right to react if you say something false about me!” I return in the same snippy tone he uses.

Something between a frown and a scowl crosses his face and he steps closer, so close I can feel the anger radiating off him in waves.

“Well, Amarok. It’s quite important to also know that here, among these people, under the Alpha’s scrutiny, there’s a very thin line between life and death. And the earlier you learn how to think before you open your mouth, the longer you’ll live.”

Chilly silence follows his threat and goosebumps cover my skin.

“How to survive in the Guard? Stay out of the Alpha’s way and your superiors. Especially me. And it’s Commander to you and everyone else. Am I clear?”

“Yes, Commander,” I mutter.

He offers a small grin, full of contempt.

“Better. Learn to keep your mouth shut and who knows? We might become friends.”

He turns on his heels without glancing back and I can’t wipe the irritating expression off my face.

“Now, before we start today’s training session, you should all be aware that you’re going to be staying in the Guard’s quarters permanently.”

Muttering rises from different directions and Adolphus ignores it, going on with his orders.

“You aren’t allowed to leave the quarters unless you take permission from me or Commander Lutholf. This should be your first lesson as a guard. You must always be prepared.”

More mutters rise from the crowd and he rolls his eyes, turning to talk to the man behind him who had strolled in a few minutes ago.

He even has the guts to look unfazed by the effect of his orders on the crowd and anger swells within me.

Is that how I am going to turn out? Like Adolphus? When all this is done? Will I become this cold, impassive werewolf who wouldn’t think twice before ripping a man’s head from his body?

My anger swells even more and before I can think better of it, I speak up.

“But surely Commander Adolphus,” I sneer and the chattering seizes.

“You must realize these people haven’t said their proper goodbyes to their families. We didn’t even pack clothes to come with us. You should be kind enough to let us go home today. So, we can all come back more prepared tomorrow.”

Cheers of agreement fill the square and Adolphus glares at me

“ Firstly, as a member of the Guard, you shouldn’t have time for frivolities like fashion. Basic requirements will be given to you all. And Amarok, if you'd like to go against the King’s orders and not join the Guard after how much mercy he has shown you, do well then to leave this premises at this very moment but do not try to drag others with you into your death sentence.”

All hints of playfulness are gone from his tone, and I jam my lips together to prevent myself from saying anything stupid.

But I think Adolphus is a smart man and has learned I won’t keep my mouth shut around him just like I said I would earlier because he decides to humiliate me even further.

“But since you’ve had nothing but high spirits since you joined us, I’ll say you must be very excited to be a member of the Guard. So, why don’t we start with you for our first training session.”

Immediately, the man beside him sinks to his knees and turns into a grey wolf.

Everyone moves back because the grey wolf is almost as large as Adolphus's wolf and I doubt the wolf would hesitate to crush anyone just like Adolphus.

“Join us at the front, Amarok. Since you have so much wit with words, you shouldn’t do too bad in combat.”

For the first time since he arrived, he allows himself to truly smile and I know then, if I can make it alive through all the training sessions, then I wasn’t dying anytime soon.

I step forward, feeling like I’m going for my execution.

But luckily, there’s a metal table behind Adolphus where all kinds of weapons are kept.

I try to step around him but he widens his stance and I pause.

“Actually, no weapons are used in this session. Your hands are your weapons. Good luck, Amarok.”

He steps away and I turn to meet a growling wolf, three inches away from me, looking ready to tear me to shreds if I make one wrong move...