Rebirth of the last flame

chapter seven: Changing pt1

The next morning when I woke up, I was hit by a sudden wave of pain in my chest that burnt, but I ignored it as it eventually subsided.

At about five or so, I was ready to tag along for one of Dakotas patrols as usual, I was steadily becoming accustomed to his routines and to be honest I started to enjoy it as well. someday's I would even wake up before he did.

After morning patrols, we trained together for the rest of the day. I was slowly becoming accustomed to the workouts.

As the sun began to set again that evening, Dakota and I sat for dinner. It was my turn to cook tonight, but as much as I would love to deny it, I preferred when he cooked. I still found it hard to believe that someone like him could cook so well.

Today, I chose a rather simple recipe of Granny sui that I could remember anyways. Her famous sweet potato pie,casserole and stir fried vegetables. These days my appetite had gotten insatiable as I ate almost everything in sight. This didn't go unnoticed by Dakota, but he chose to remain quite about it for the meantime.

"...smells good"

Remarked Dakota as I set up the plates for us. I thanked him for the compliment. something I almost rarely received from him.

"...thank you. Let's just hope it tastes better than it looks..."

It's been a while I made such a big meal and everything was based off my memory of the entire dish.

"don't worry, I'm sure it'll taste wonderful..."

Dakota encouraged me with a charming smile as he sat down...well, since we were being honest with each other now.

"...I could never beat your skills even if I tried.." I praised his skills to hear him let out a small chuckle.

"that is true Piggie.."

Over the past few weeks, our bound grew, whether it was him beating my ass up in training, going on patrols or just simply eating together, we enjoyed each others company.

Even if he was brash and strict in his training, he still had his moment when he was genuinely kind and even charming. I always reminded myself to not let my heart wander too far, but it was nice to have someone I could lean on...for now.

Despite being around Dakota for so long, I realised I barely knew him. other than his name and that he lived alone, I didn't know much.

There was still Soo much about him I didn't know about. But compared to when I first met him, he seems less intimidating...only, a little.

There were days when he seemed jovial to be around, but other days he's so serious that he would barely smile. sometimes I wondered if I had done something wrong? but I doubt that was the case.

It was probably none of my business, but I couldn't ignore the sudden flash of pain in his eyes whenever I bring up certain topics, especially about family, he would either change the topic or simply leave to go train. It always made me feel bad.

There was something eating him up on the inside, something in his heart that was heavy too lift, a feeling I have grown far too comfortable with that now I am able to identify it within another person.

Today, he seemed to be in one of his moods as he called off the training. would now be the right time to ask him? or should I wait?

I watched him continue to chop up the logs of wood, my eyes stared fixated at his Tattooed back. I couldn't help but wonder what he could have possibly done to have that.

For a Lycan folk to be sent out of his own pack, the wolf must have done something unforgivable. I soon got lost in my own thoughts.

"I can almost feel the intense stare of your gaze drilling a hole in back, piggie, what is it?"

Dakota had finished chopping up the wood and turned around. I had Been so lost in thought that I hadn't realise I had been staring for so long and from his expression he wasn't too amused.

"sorry! I didn't mean to stare at you for so long" I apologized with a deep bow upon seeing him approach where I was seated.

"this isn't the first time, if you have something to say...its best you say it now..." there it was! that serious and brooding look of his. I gulped softly.

Right, this was my chance.

"most wolves, according to my research stay in packs, but you are alone ...why?"

I was practically swallowing gallons of my Silvia, I didn't know if the question would anger him, but I was curious to know.

Feeling the intensity of his scrutinising gaze on me, I shrunk. the silence only became prolonged. was he angry? I couldn't tell, but I became even more aware of the man's presence, feeling rather small and punny compared to his overshadowing height and bulky muscle.

His blue eyes were smouldering and his lips pressed into a thin line. Tiny strands of his long hair stuck to the sides of his forehead, while the rest had been tied up into a messy knot, the scar that ran down from his left brow to just below his eye only added to his masculinity. I've always wondered how he got that, it must have been from one of his battle.

"I was exiled and stripped of my identity. Framed for conspiracy against the alpha,my father, as well as the Pack.." He finally broke the intense silence. I wasn't expecting that at all. Dakota's words were Frigid, Lacking any emotion. I gulped softly as he sat down in the seat across me.

"b...but you didn't... right?" it just didn't seem like something he would do, but...

Dakota let out an airy chuckle as he gently moved his head from side to side to signify no. I sighed in relief to hear that.

"hm? you sound relived...why?" he pointed out and I blushed that he noticed.

"I mean...it doesn't sound like something you would...do" I picked at my fingers that laid in my laps. I didn't know what I was saying.

"is that so? hm"

"but he's your father..why would he exile you?" It didn't make sense,why would a father exile his own child

"he was not my biological father...besides, many of them were more than happy to watch me Go, especially Logan. as a child I had been lost and found wandering in the woods near their pack. nobody knew where I came from and neither did I when he found me,many of the pack members decided against me joining them, but he raised me as his own, along sides Logan. " He explained.

I couldn't hide my feelings on the matter, it didn't make much sense to me.

But then again, I was surprised to learn that he and Logan were not biological siblings, No wonder he and Logan had no similarities whatsoever.

"Me being exiled was in the interest of the pack. Protect the pack at all cost..the code of the wolves.."

I couldn't say I understood, but I could sympathize with him on some level.

Not being welcomed by those you have taken to be as your people was something I could understand.

.".hm"...."and your tattoos?..."

Although I read about them,I doubt if everything about them were true, since most of the books at the library were most likely outdated...

" for each pack member, there are tattooed markings which is meant to show which pack they belong to, but for the lead haunting pack, the leaders have their own distinct markings..I was the head hunter and second in command to the alpha.." He further explained to me

"but after I had been exiled, I was no longer a leader, but an outcast, so I was forced to rebrand these markings, to let everyone who sees them know that I am an outcast and no longer welcomed to any pack"

"but then ...if you're innocent of the accusations why not go back and defend yourself..they should at least hear your side of the story..."

"...hm you're not wrong about that...but just like you,i have no reason to fight and no one to fight for..." Dakota said as stood up once again, leaving me to digest his words.

Hi words hit were it hurt,but it was the truth, I had nothing to live for. Not knowing what else to say,I remained quiet..

"I'll go restock the firewood now..."

"let me help..." i offered but he just ignored my offer saying

"I am perfectly capable of doing it myself, you should get some rest now, it's getting late" He smiled before leaving.

Later that night, I laid curled up in bed. Thinking about my parents and the type of life I would have lived if they survived that night. Why was I spared though? Not wishing to indulge in these wishful thinking, I shut my eyes and drifted off to sleep, although it was not exactly a pleasant one.

The next morning that same pain shut through my entire body once again, making me fall to the ground with a thud..

"what the hell?.." I grimaced as i gritted my teeth, doubling over in pain as I held my aching sides.

"Ahhh!!!" I yelled and broke down in cold quivers,I could hear the sounds of heavy footsteps running up the stairs and soon the door to my room swung open with a BANG!!!

"Makumi!! Makumi!! Are you alright!!" Dakota rushed into the room in a panicked state, once he saw how I was curled up on the ground, he hurried to my side on the floor, this was the first time I've seen him this panicked. was he worried about me?

"Da..kota.." I whimpered as tears rolled down my eyes.

"speak to me!!" He said as he picked me up and placed me back in the bed. His brows were closely knitted as he placed the back of his palm on my forehead.

"you're burning up" Dakota noticed how my temperature had suddenly spiked

"...I'll be right back"

" Ahh.."

Why was this happening to me? I groaned as the pain only got worst, it felt as though my lungs were crushing themselves and my limbs were trying to bend in the most awkward of ways....wait...could it be time?!

No.no.no how could I have been so reckless to not even realise that time was not on my side. had I been too caught with the loss of my grandmother and this man That I forgot something so important and Dier? what was I to do?