Submitted to Love

Chapter 12

--Adrian--

The darkness seemed to have descended on the castle ground. The lights dimmed …creating an eerie ambience. Kids were cowering behind their mothers and the ranked wolves standing in defending stance, shielding their mates and children.

My father slowly approached the front of the dark wood from where the scream originated. Jared trailing close by. Both stopped me from approaching any further.

“Show your face Rah. It has been a few decades.” The sharp baritone voice of my father sliced through the silence of the night like an arrow approaching its target. Sharp, decisive and lethal.

Everyone of us held our breath while we watched the vampire emerged from the shadows, holding the slit throat of the guard. The guard’s face is pale from the blood drained from him. Rah had a sinister smile on his face, his iris deep shade of red, with hints of blood around the corner of his mouth. He is a man of tall built, athletic and dark brown skin. He is wearing a suit, a formal suite one wears in meetings. One hand in his pocket, the other hand dragging the dead guard like it is a piece of sack. Whistling lightly and smiling Rah steps into the ground. The light reflection from the ground created a slight hallow on his skin.

“I always enjoy easy dinner.” Rah smirked at the disgusted look of my father and his Beta.

“What brings you here and why did you kill a guard on duty?” My father snarled at the vampire; his wolf almost ready to come out.

“Arthur, my old friend, you simply cannot hold my thirst against me, can you now?” The raspy voice and the repulsive eating habit of the creature is making my wolf raise its hackle, ready to attack.

“No, I cannot. But you are not allowed on my ground and surely not allowed to kill one of my men.” My father shifted into his wolf in an instant with a mighty roar and charged towards Rah. The ranked wolves and the worriers have already formed a barrier behind my dad, even blocking my view.

Rah stood at his place with a thin smile on his lips which widened at the event followed. My father’s wolf jumped and seemed to hit an invisible wall surrounding Rah, fell on ground and was growling ferociously. He tried again  to break the wall or whatever it was that was blocking him. But this time his wolf seemed to be hurt and limping.

“Oh Arthur, do you never learn?” The vampire tsked at my father. “I never come alone, yet you always believe whatever your eyes show you.”

“Why are you here Rah?” Jared spoke in a rumbling voice, his whole body shaking.

“Ah yes, to business. I am sad that Arthur forgot to invite his old friend, I meant myself to the 18th birthday of his son, the future Alpha to this legendary pack. After all, Kahn, the greatest wizard, met his nadir at your hand albeit on a different ground. So, here I am inviting myself to this party. But I do not plan to crash this party much longer.” Even the wind was listening in rapt attention to Rah.

He now directly turned to my father’s wolf who is still wincing on the ground yet maintaining its battle stance.

“You are weak. All of you are, and a disgrace to this supernatural world. You coexist with humans and hide yourself like you are ashamed of your powers. Humans are fragile creatures born to serve the supernatural world. Have you never noticed how the world works? How it is the strong who always rule? It always brings balance.” If disgust, filth, sneer and anger had a face, it would be that of Rah’s right now. He paused momentarily and took turns to look at all the Alphas present.

“Consider this a warning. Either join hands with us and accept our rule or perish by going against us. For He does not spare anyone in his path.”

Both sides were staring eye to eye, my father’s wolf sputtering and growling in the middle. And before one could respond, Rah disappeared into the forest in a blink of an eye leaving a trailing black smoke. The whole area around him had singed grasses and the corpse of the guard now charred after his departure.

“Do not touch the ground…it is cursed. The guards body needs to be disposed off without contact. I know a witch who can perform the ritual. Please keep the area out of bound.” Dr.Nora ‘s tired but grave voice rang through the ground.

Not a leaf moved, not a wind whispered. 

And then chaos reigned. My mother hurried to my dad who has now shifted and escorted him to the pack clinic. Some guests are retiring to their rooms, ready to leave the castle the moment sun rises tomorrow. Some of the packs closer to us have already started their journey. Frantic shouts were heard everywhere…kids crying and hugging their parents close…some wolves have shifted unable to withstand the anxiety and howling to the sky.

There was a sudden loud thunder and the sky started to cry with all her angst. A loud sharp wailing caught mine and Justin’s attention. It was Raka, the deceased guard’s mate. We made our way through the crowd. Ariana hugged Raka tightly, who was sobbing inconsolably.

How many families did Kahn tore apart from the beginning? How many mates lost their halves?

My jaws tightened while tears threatened to fill my eyes …tears of anger, of grief, of the impending doom.

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“What we all witnessed yesterday was a pathetic display of dominance. It should serve as a warning to the werewolf community.”

My father was speaking to all the ranked wolves of the pack. His hand had a plaster on. Whatever magic the wall had , it has been impeding the fast werewolf healing. The sun is high in the sky now. all our guests have left for their packs. A shadow of doom has descended on the walls of the castle.

“We are facing with forces unknown in power. Unlike last time we need to be prepared. Preparation would not only be limited to training. Teams will be formed , whose main job would be gathering information about Kahn and help from other supernatural creature.”

My father sighed lightly and continued.

“There will be packs joining hands with Kahn. They would want to ensure their survival. But we must not give up. Their abhorrence for human race will lead to mass destruction and no world survives on fear. I cannot stop any of you. If you wish to follow Kahn, you are free to leave this pack without repercussions. But if you do indeed plan to stay, understand we fight to death for what we believe. “

When none spoke up, the meeting was dismissed. Jared, Justin, I, Dad and mum stayed back.

“Dad, when do you expect an attack?”

“Soon Adrian. Perhaps in the next couple of years. The mishaps have started again. Smaller packs are being attacked. The pattern is same. Black magic, capture women, kill the men and burn down any human village around that area. But I doubt Kahn is directly involved in these. The attacks are random and carried out with less coherence. In fact, one of the packs survived the attack and the wizard was killed. This is unheard of when Kahn was in charge.”

“We need to find allies that are willing to be by our side and start mutual training. Nora is already at identifying witches willing to help us but that is one difficult job. Most fear Kahn.” Jared said grimly.

“We need to plan to protect our children and older pack members. Perhaps even try building a safe house of sort.” The Luna chipped in.

“Yes Mary, I had that thought in mind.” My dad rubbed his eyes with one hand. He looked like he has aged a decade overnight.

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6 MONTHS LATER

The days have gradually fallen into its old humdrum. Training has intensified. We have been lucky to find a few packs willing to start preparation for the fight. We have a lot more she wolves of the pack participating in training. I am always agreeable to this development. Keeping the females away from frontline meant not tapping a lot of talent and resources.

My young gang seem to be relaxing at the lake. Joseline was snoring lightly. Her pregnancy often made her sleepy and hungry. Justin was gorging on a freshly baked cake and discussing the latest food joint that opened in the pack market with Callum. Ariana was singing softly and playing with a squirrel. The group seemed to be at ease after a really long time.

“Alpha! Do you want to check out the new food joint? I heard it is quite fancy.” Callum asked me with mouth full of cake while I approached the group.

“Oh gross!!!!!” Ariana wrinkled her nose at Callum who just stuck his nasty food filled tongue out at her.

Ariana seemed unfazed and was happily twirling on her toes.

“Someone seem to be in a good mood today?” I asked her wiggling my eye brows.

“Oh, have you not heard? Isabella is coming back to castle , it is her school break” Ariana singsonged. “I am so excited to know about her classes and experience.”

My heart started thumping at the news, there were butterflies in my stomach. My wolf was on high alert. I have been thinking every day about her, after the attack, worrying sick about whether she is okay or not.

I am quite sure, by now, she is my destined mate and this time I would truly find it out.

Is she still so beautiful? So innocent? So honest?

Oh Iz, are you still the flame that draws me in and burns my core?