Wolves-Heart of a beast

CHAPTER 2:Dark Nostalgia

It's been three years since Amelia and her father took us in; Malik and Damien had grown into restless little young cubs, still trying to understand their shape-shifting nature. While Malik could shift into wolf form and human form, poor Damien was stuck only in his human form and hadn't figured out how to move yet into wolf-like form.After three years of continuous, productive hard work, we completed a small hut and a farm where I grew crops and fruits.

As we settled in, Amelia and I drew closer and closer, and our initial bonding over the fact that we were both werewolves became so much stronger. She taught me a lot about blacksmithing, and I found out that I was pretty good at making iron wares and tools. We worked well together and built a prosperous business selling our wares to surrounding villages.Malik and Damian did well within our small open clearing space, playing and roaming in the woods. They loved Amelia as an aunt, and I finally felt like I fit somewhere and had found a family that accepted me for me.

But as the months started to tick by, I noticed strange happenings in the village. Tools would go missing, and weird symbols appeared on the doors of the homes. It seemed that someone was trying to convey some message, but I couldn't decipher its meaning.One night, Amelia came to meet me—the expression on her face was troubled. "Kahlis, the village brews something. Strange wolves have been loitering about in the shadows; the villagers have noticed this and are becoming very restless."

My gut told me that we ought to look into it. We had no idea that our peaceful existence would soon take a sharp change. A few days later, The Alpha's voice echoed across the town square, calling everyone within hearing distance to come outside. "Members of the pack, we have a major issue on our hands. There are missing weapons from our soldiers' vaults, and people have been abducted. We are losing our weapons, our safety, and our physically fit guys." The peasants started whispering to one another. There was worry on everyone's face. The Alpha's expression darkened. "It's clear that someone, or some group, wants us to be helpless in the face of an unidentified foe. We are unable to permit that. The Alpha stopped and looked around the crowd , in a state of desperation and hidden fear decided to evacuate the village.

"We have to leave the village before they get here. Prepare to move out at first light by packing your essential belongings." The people gave a nod in agreement, with some immediately preparing to leave . However, I stood there, my head spinning from the implications,this was not your typical attack. It sounded like the work of my clan's demolishers, the wun pack. My pulse was pounding as I turned to face Amelia. I said, "We have to leave this place," with urgency. "Now." The gathering in the village was coming to an end, yet the ominous feeling persisted. My thoughts were filled with the Alpha's words once more: "Someone wants us helpless." That's something I clearly recall. It happened to me as well when my pack was overrun And they were demolished. With my voice barely above a whisper, I turned to Amelia. "We must go. Now." Her eyes met mine, saying something unsaid, yet they're all the same: fear. She nodded. "We'll pack and leave at first light."

Yet fate had other plans. A pack of wolves ripped through our village that very night like a storm. They snarled and growled, destroying our livelihoods and homes. Things started getting scary, and I knew it was time to get out of there fast. "Amelia, the pups!" My hands were clenched around Damian's hoops as I yelled the warning to Malik. "We need to get out of here, now!"

But I sensed as we raced that there was more to our escape than just the oncoming pack. We were fleeing my history and the recollections that continued to trouble me.

A howl then shattered the air. It made me shudder all over again. It was an order, a summons to withdraw. The charging wolves faltered, their growls and snarls becoming clumsy. With hope, Amelia's eyes met mine. Shouting, "What does it mean?" I dismissed it with a shake of my head, but Malik's wolf sense had him alert and focused. He gave a tiny whine in return to answer Amelia. A fresh pack of wolves emerged from the darkness, staring at them. He had bright eyes that appeared to pierce them, and he was a proud gray wolf."Leave now, and do not return," he growled, his voice sharp and authoritative.

Outmaneuvered, the attacking wolves turned, their tails between their legs and retreated. The bloodhound wolf pack followed them, thus safeguarding the village.They cheered and thanked the Bloodhounds for their bravery as they exited the houses. I just felt this chill, however Bowed at the pack with a warm smile.Timothy,now an alpha of the new pack,my heart was racing with his recognizable approach.

"Timothy, brother of King Darius," I whispered.But my fear was too deep, and Darius' cruelty was still in the front of my mind. I backed away, my eyes darting around for an escape.

My fear was overwhelming, and my mind began with all sorts of worst-case scenarios. I knew I had to get away.

I warily watched Timothy, tinged with fear, as their celebration at the rescue immediately got underway. I knew who he was—King Darius' brother, a powerful wolf in his own right. He seemed not to recognize me, and I stayed away from him, unsure what to make of his presence.

Then, Timothy's face turned serious as he turned toward the Alpha. "In return for our service, I demand a maiden to serve my brother as a breeder. His wife committed suicide and is dead, and our pack needs a new bloodline."

The Alpha nodded immediately. "Of course, Timothy. We shall get the maidens ready for you to pick."

My eyes locked on Timothy in the crowd; our gazes held for a moment, and then I broke eye contact as my heart began to race. I knew what this would mean: taking a young woman from some village, forcing her into breeding, and sentencing her to servitude for life. She saw my fear and whispered reassurances. "Don't you worry, Kahlis? Timothy won't take you. You're a mother, and they need a maiden." But I knew differently. I was aware of the viciousness of Darius's pack and knowingly erred on the side of evil in Timothy's words. And as the villagers dispersed, blind to the danger lurking behind Timothy's charming, alarming smile, I knew I would do no less than make sure my safety and my pups' from King Darius' clutches.

I sat on my bed, with thoughts of Timothy and his bold demanding statement racing through my mind. The door opened, and Amelia entered. "Kahlis, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost," she said, her face a picture of concern.

I stumbled, not knowing how to formulate my fears. "It is only.Timothy's words.choosing a maiden.it does not seem right, Amelia."

Amelia's expression turned serious. "Oh, Kahlis, you're safe. They won't choose you. You are an omega, while the king will be an Alpha and wouldn't be able to marry someone without a pack."

I nodded, knowing she was right. The fear didn't want to be talked down, however. "I know, but…what if they make an exception? What if they want me for some other reason?" She was sitting beside me then, her hand on my arm. "Kahlis, you're a mother and a strong one. You just don't have anything to be afraid of. Moreover, I shall remain here and won't let anything happen to you or your pups."

Her words soothed me a bit, but still, the feeling of unease was within. It sat at the edge of my mind like a shadowy figure.

"Thanks, Amelia," I said finally, trying to affect a firmer voice than was warranted by my heaving chest. "I just,I can't shake this feeling off."

Amelia smiled, her eyes locked reassuringly on his. "You'll be okay, Kahlis. I promise. And in three days, when the Bloodhound Pack returns, we'll face whatever comes together." I nodded, feeling somewhat better. However, the fear still lurked within, waiting to jump out.

The next three days, I just seemed to blend in with the blur of anxiety and unease. I tried going about my daily routine but always had Timothy's return playing on my mind. Amelia did notice me in distress, trying to reassure me; even she, with her words, could not still my fears.

The day of return finally came for the Bloodhound Pack. I kept my distance as they entered the village, their eyes raking over the crowd before Timothy's gaze fastened onto mine, and something ran down my spine.

Amelia was beside me, her hand on my arm. "Remember, Kahlis, you're safe. They won't choose you."