THE UNTAMED

NOW... I KNOW.

"Sweetheart?” My eyes snapped open as Mom suddenly tapped my shoulder.

“Mom?”

“Are you alright?”

“Oh. yes. The food is so delicious,” I blurted out without thinking.

"Abby Jezz, would you like to take a walk?" Marvin inquired, catching me off guard with his observation, causing a brief moment of shock to register on my face.

"Yes, please."

As Marvin and I walked into the backyard, everything felt calm and quiet. The night air was soft, almost comforting. I wanted to hold his hand.. to feel that closeness. For a moment, he reached for me, then hesitated and pulled back. That small distance made my heart ache.

“There’s something you need to know, Jezz,” Marvin said softly. “Your father was like us. He was one of my people. But your mother wasn’t. She didn’t know anything about our world.”

I listened, afraid to breathe.

“She didn’t know until she was already pregnant. Your father loved her, but he never had the chance to explain what that meant. I don’t want to make the same mistake with you. You deserve the truth.”

I nodded, willing to listen to what he would tell.

“You are one of us,” he continued. “You’re Robert’s daughter. You carry his blood. Even if we never met, you would still start changing when you turn eighteen.”

I stopped walking. My mind went blank.

“My father… Robert?” I whispered.

Marvin smiled faintly. “I remember him. He was kind. Strong. He loved the river, and loved fishing. He treated me like a son.”

His words felt warm and painful at the same time.

“That’s why you’ve been feeling different,” Marvin said. “The smells. The sickness. Seeing things others don’t.”

I swallowed. “So I’m not imagining it…”

“No,” he said gently. “You’re becoming who you were meant to be.”

A memory flashed in my mind...the mysterious old man who seemed to follow me, who knew too much. I didn’t tell Marvin. Some thoughts felt too heavy to share.

“We live quietly,” Marvin added. “Among humans. That’s how we survive.”

I looked at him. “What are we?”

He took a breath. “We are werewolves.”

“What?!” My heart slammed against my ribs. “That’s impossible.”

“But you’re not a monster,” he said quickly, stepping closer. His voice was calm, grounding. “You’re human… and a wolf. That doesn’t make you dangerous. It means you can protect others.”

I turned away, my body is shaking. “I can’t be like this...”

Marvin didn’t argue with me, but his presence steadied me. “I would never lie to you.”

Slowly, I faced him again.

“My mom doesn’t know, does she?”

He shook his head. “Your father died before he could tell her. That’s why I’m here...for you.”

His worry was clear in his eyes, and somehow, that scared me more.

“Why did my father choose my mother?” I asked.

“Because soulmates aren’t chosen by blood,” Marvin said. “They’re chosen by fate.”

The truth settled heavily in my chest.

“So… this is my life now,” I whispered.

“Yes,” he said softly. “And you won’t face it alone" he said.

And he turned his gaze at the forest and told me a story.

"Generations ago, our ancestors led the way in establishing a small settlement in Zamboanga more than ten millennia in the past, alongside my grandmother. According to the tales passed down through the family, there once existed the very first queen of all werewolves in the Surigao Hills of Mindanao. Tragedy struck when the entire pack was decimated; some survived and turned rogue, while the fate of others remains a mystery. It is a known fact that unmated male werewolves often journey from one place to another in search of their destined life partner within the region. For our kind, it is deemed unsafe to dwell far from our communities. We must maintain being close to one another, ensuring our collective security and well-being, as the dangers that lurk beyond are ever-present. The reason for such caution lies in the harrowing memories of a traumatic event that I, myself, endured at the tender age of six. Those haunting recollections serve as a stark reminder of the perils that exist outside the safety of our tightly-knit werewolf community, reinforcing the importance of unity and solidarity among our kind."

Silence wrapped itself around us, thick and almost broken only by the whisper of leaves overhead.

Alpha Marvin moved away from me and stopped beneath a towering tree the elders called Tambis. Its roots twisted like ancient veins, its bark scarred with time. He pressed his palm against its trunk, as if drawing strength from it, and for a moment his usual confidence faded.

“When a mate is found,” he said quietly, “the bond is absolute. A soul-deep compatibility. The female must remain close to the werewolf community.” His voice softened. “Just like your mother did.”

The mention of her sent a tight ache through my heart. And somehow, I knew. This was only the beginning.

“But what if something happens to the mate?” I asked, my voice trembling despite my effort to steady it. “What if there’s an accident… and she dies? Is there any hope for the one left behind? Can they ever find another mate?”

Marvin didn’t answer right away. His fingers curled against the bark, knuckles whitening.

“One percent,” he finally said. “That’s all I can give you. One chance in a hundred.” He exhaled slowly. “A few manage to move on. Most don’t. They remain alone until death.”

“Really sad,” I whispered.

The weight of it settled heavily in my chest, pressing against thoughts I didn’t yet have the courage to name. Fear crept in quietly, like a shadow stretching across the ground. Swallowing, I asked the question that had been haunting me.

“What happens… when I turn eighteen?”

My heart pounded as I waited. The truth loomed so close I could almost feel it breathing against my skin. If what he said was real, I wasn’t sure I was strong enough to face it.

“Your body will change,” Marvin said gently. “You’ll shift into your wolf form for the first time. It’s painful. Exhausting. If you aren’t prepared, it can be dangerous. But we’ll train you. You won’t be alone.”

That didn’t sound too terrible. Insane? yes. Terrifying... maybe. But it sounds survivable.

“Will I get any special abilities?” I asked, trying to lighten the knot in my chest.

A faint smile touched his lips. “You might already be noticing them. Your senses will sharpen... smell, hearing, sight, taste.”

“I’ve been hearing whispers from far away,” I admitted.

His eyes lit up. “That means it’s starting. You’ll also learn to recognize each scent..fear, lies, danger. Either human or if it's a wolf, you may identify the incoming danger in case. It is what keeps our kids alive.”

“Anything else?”

He hesitated, just a second too long. “There’s… one more thing. After your first shift, you’ll be able to communicate with us telepathically.”

I froze.

Telepathically?

Excitement burst through me, bright and electric. “That’s incredible!”

“I’m looking forward to speaking with you through the bond,” he said, his enthusiasm unmistakable. “It’s intimate. Personal. Nothing like spoken words.”

I stood there, stunned, heart racing. For the first time, I felt a strange reassurance settle inside me... maybe I wasn’t crazy after all.

“How will we spend enough time together?” I asked suddenly. “So we don’t get sick?”

Alpha Marvin chuckled softly. “I’ve thought about that. I’d ask you to move in, but your dad would never allow it. So… lunch every day. I’ll take you home before and after school. Dinner here when you can. On weekends, we have to stay together.”

“That sounds… manageable.” I hesitated. “But when I leave you, I don’t just feel sick. I feel sad. Like my puppy just died.”

He laughed. “Then I suppose you can think of me as your puppy. Just… to be stronger.”

Heat rushed to my face. Oh no. I hadn’t meant it that way.

“I... I want to see your wolf,” I said shyly. “If that’s okay.”

His expression softened. “He wants to meet you too.”

“I want to understand how it works,” I said, as my excitement can't hold me anymore.