A LIFE UNSEEN

Home Coming

Rufus roamed the forest, trying to master his powers. The night was still dark and he was still in his werewolf form. He gave out a loud howl again. He overheard a loud howl coming from a particular direction and decided to follow the sound trail. When he arrived he stumbled upon a pack of werewolves. Two amongst the werewolves were involved in a fight and he noticed the extremity. Without knowing the reason for the fight, he decided to intervene. He pushed forward using his strength to separate the two. The other werewolves were shocked and angered by his interruption. A war began as they all engaged in a fight. One of the two werewolves that were fighting before his arrival, was Redo the son of the Alpha. He had great strength and was the challenger in the fight. He spoke to Rufus in anger as he stepped forward with a menacing look " How dare you interfere, I know Rad sent you." Redo said.

Rad, who was trying to save one of his packs that was almost killed in the fight, yelled. "Redo stop! This is our fight, I do not wish to let the innocent die any longer. Let this fight be between us." Rad said. Redo growled and gave out a loud howl. It was a signal to his pack for a retreat. "I will not tolerate this again Rad. " Redo said as he ran off with his pack. Rad and his pack remained. They walked closer to Rufus who was already trying to explain himself murmuring and wondering who he was.

"I didn't mean to interfere. I.....I just wanted to help." Rufus stammered realising he made a mistake. "Two werewolves are injured because of your ignorance, who are you? You have no right to interfere in our matters" Rad said in anger. " I'm Rufus, I just found out I am a werewolf, it all seems weird and I don't know anything about this world but please forgive my ignorance." Rufus pleaded. A female voice was heard "Rad lets leave him alone, These people need treatment. We have to hurry." She was Selene, Tad's younger sister.

Rad turned around to go with his pack but Rufus immediately asked if he could join them as he had nowhere to go. "I'm Rad, the leader of this pack, you have come across us at the wrong time, well I can't let you out here alone, Redo will surely find you." Rad said and asked him to join them as dawn was near.

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Rufus woke up, realising he had turned back to his human form. He found some clothes beside him and made use of them. He walked towards the open space and saw the other werewolves had transformed into their human forms. It was a camp with a few tents. The people were involved in different activities, Rad was squatting at the fireplace, trying to roast bush meat for their food. He couldn't recognise anyone, as he only met them in their werewolf form, Rad looked up and saw Rufus. "Rufus, come over here." Rad called. Rufus was glad someone called on him, he walked closer and Rad introduced himself. "Wow, it's good to see you, I wouldn't have recognised you on my own, thanks for taking me in. Rufus said with a smile. Rufus questioned the incident he encountered the previous night.

" Well that was Redo, he's the real threat, he is the son of the Alpha, the ruler of the nine clans. He's my twin brother. " Rad said. Rufus was surprised to hear they were related. Rad went further to tell him their father preferred Redo because he was tough and had no compassion. "He believed I was weak because I had compassion, I believe in protecting my people and being fair. These people you see here were victims of my father's brutality. I had to save them and because of that I was banished." Rad narrated. " But why were you two fighting?" Rufus asked. "He is bitter and still sees me as a threat to him. I fought because he has been trying to destroy us. He believes killing me is the only way he can redeem himself to our father, he wants to cause more harm than good. " Rad continued.

"It seems everyone has a story. I'd love to stay here and learn" Rufus said, feeling a sense of relief. "Then you have a look to learn." Rad said thoughtfully. Selene came closer and welcomed Rufus. "I'm Selene, it's good to have you here. " she said. Rufus shared his ordeal in Gassel. "Annabelle is the only woman I've ever loved, I'll surely get justice for her father's death. " Rufus said. Rad and Selene advised him to stay tough for the journey ahead. He went further to narrate how he encountered the white unicorn and the Huston stove.

"That's rare, your story is really complicated, I don't understand how it's possible to hide your powers all those years. It has never been told in the history of werewolves. " Rad said.

Rufus nodded, agreeing he had always known himself to be weird and smiled. His mind was filled with different thoughts. He got up from where he squatted and took a few steps. " I just want to be a better person, I don't know what my destiny is, but I'll surely fulfil it." Rufus said with determination. His heart raced. He knew he was ready to embark on the new journey. He knew he wanted to be with Annabelle again. He turned around and saw Rad nodding his head in encouragement. Selene smiled and walked closer to him. "If you want to embrace that destiny, you'll have to start by roasting this bush meat." Selene said as she burst into laughter. "That was my moment of motivation, you just interrupted. " Rufus said.