DARKEST ( Supernatural Beginnings Series) Book Three

Arrival in the Third World Part Two

Ingrim Claw, the enigmatic brother of King Wolfram Claw, was a figure shrouded in an aura of sinister charm. His tall, lean figure exuded an unsettling sense of power. His lithe, fit build hinted at a lifetime of secretive training and ruthless ambition. His skin, a rich blend of deep ebony and sun-kissed tones, seemed untouched by time, hinting at the hidden enchantments he had wielded to preserve his youth.

Though he continued to smile even through Wolfram’s disregard, His eyes were the windows to his deceitful soul—piercing and obsidian-black. They gleamed with a cold intelligence. They bore a hypnotic quality that drew one in, but a closer look revealed the hidden cruelty lurking behind them.

His nose was sharp and angular, like a predatory bird of prey, while his mouth was often curved in a sardonic half-smile, revealing a row of perfectly white, slightly pointed teeth. His lips seemed perpetually poised to utter words of manipulation and treachery.

“Well, this is new, even for yourself, Uncle, you shouldn't really try so hard at things that are really above your limit, even if it is simple, am I right?” Harold chimed in with no ounce of respect evident in his tone. I was pretty sure Grandpa was going to call him out even if my Dad hadn’t beat him to it first.

“My good nephew, what do you mean by this? Is it wrong to greet you all when you’ve finally returned home after so many years?” Ingrim said with a frown on his face, though his tone held a sense of aggrievement from Harold’s words, it wasn’t sincere in its undertone.

“What a d**k! He obviously means he should never have come back. We definitely have to watch him and the chick next to him, the nerve of her and him.” Alohi scoffed. I could feel her dislike and annoyance around these two people. I kept silent as I watched the interaction. In all respects, Ingrim had to stand to the side if he truly wanted to welcome us home, like the few pack members that greeted us, but he still hadn’t moved from our path like he was the true king of the palace.

As for the woman beside him, she was utterly brazen , my aunt and Ingrim's wife, Enid Claw, if I had been briefed by my family about these two, I still would be able to tell they weren’t good people. Despite being in her fifties, Enid bore the visage of a woman in her twenties, a deceptive façade that concealed her nefarious intentions.

Enid's lithe and youthful figure seemed sculpted by dark enchantments. Her skin, a flawless canvas of ebony and porcelain, radiated an unnatural, otherworldly glow. Her hair, a cascade of obsidian silk, framed a face of ethereal beauty.

Her eyes, however, were the most disconcerting feature—piercing and icy blue, they contrasted starkly with her dark complexion. These eyes held a malevolence that could send shivers down one's spine, as if they were windows into a twisted soul.

Her nose was small and elegant, while her mouth bore full, crimson lips that often curled into a wicked smile. Her teeth, pearly white and sharp, hinted at the predatory nature lurking beneath her beauty.

“Harold, Ingrim isn’t wrong to greet us, however, let’s clip the shenanigans and head inside, but first let me do my duty and introduce …” Wolfram’s voice drowned out as I eyed Enid standing beside Ingrim and I wasn’t the only one with eyes on her either, for my mom had the famous “you are a shameless heifer” face on as she glared at Enid, but stayed silent in what she really wanted to say.

Enid's gaze was anything but discreet. Her icy blue eyes openly ogled King Wolfram, shamelessly assessing every detail of his form. She feigned warmth in her greeting, her voice dripping with honeyed words, but her eyes remained fixed on him.

“As expected of our King with such leadership and authority, thank you for your warm introduction. It is a pleasure to see you all again, Harold, Connie and my King, especially now with your granddaughter Mariana in tow. This calls for a celebration, does it not? Let bygones be bygones here and bring our family closer with this good news .”

“Oh no she didn’t!” said Alohi with a growl. It was obvious what she meant by her words.

Enid’s predatory gaze moved from Wolfram’s rugged features to his strong, commanding presence, and back again. Enid's wicked smile never wavered as she unabashedly appraised the object of her desires.

Wolfram, who was well aware of her motives after giving the introductions, completely ignored both of them and, with a genuine smile and his eyes alight, he headed over to someone near the entrance who was giving instructions to one of the members of the pack. I realized the pack member was someone who had greeted us earlier, but as for the woman, she seemed to elicit smiles from not just Wolfram, but also my mom and Dad. On the other hand, there were scowls and evil eyes from Ingrim and Enid.

The woman seemed unfazed as she turned in greeting to the sense of Wolfram’s presence. Her almond-shaped eyes, hazel in color, also lit up in joy as she smiled, then bowed in respect towards her king.

“Welcome home, my King,” she said. Her voice was as soothing as a spring breeze.

“Hey, what did I tell you long ago, Tammy? It’s Wolfram from now on.”

The air seemed to have dropped about ten degrees around us after his comment about Tamzin. It was a no-brainer to anyone who was omitting the cold and jealous aura from behind us. Not a single one gave a care either, as Tamzin deliberately let out a heartfelt laugh. The sound of her laughter brought a comforting sensation all around me and straight inside my heart. Instantly intrigued by her, I couldn’t help studying her a bit as she felt different than just a beta wolf.

Tamzin's appearance was a striking fusion of her African and Asian descent. Her skin was a warm, sun-kissed bronze, and her expressive eyes held the deep, enigmatic wisdom of centuries. Her high cheekbones framed a face adorned with tribal tattoos, each one a mark of her lineage and strength.

Her nose was elegantly sculpted, a testament to her mixed heritage, while her lips were full and expressive, often curved in a serene smile that radiated kindness. Her figure was both fit and curvaceous, a testament to her enduring strength and grace.

She looked up at Wolfram, who looked back at her and she slapped him on the arm in a playful notion. Wolfram feigned to be injured by her hit and several pack members along with my parents laughed out loud at their antics. Their chemistry was palpable, a silent understanding that transcended words. There was an unspoken bond, a partnership that had weathered the trials of time and adversity. Their smiles exchanged secrets, gratitude, and an unbreakable trust.

“Interesting!” Alexis whispered, but didn’t say anything more. I was thinking the same thing just as my Dad changed the atmosphere with his swift hug embracing Tamzin in his arms.

“Aunt Tamzin!” he nearly shouted. You could feel the amount of love and respect he had for her in his hug alone. She wrapped her arms around him in return like a mother would a child. Mom stood at the side all smiles as we watched their reunion filled with a sweetness that tinged the air with a pink hue surrounding them.

“Where are your manners, son? You can’t go around bearing people no matter how much you miss them.” Wolfram scolded, but it sounded more like jealousy to me. His tone was very telling, but I wouldn’t call him out on it and just smiled. There was a story here that I would ask about later and if things were as I suspected I wouldn’t mind being up for a little match-making gig.

“Oh shush! You can hug me as much as you want, Harold. I miss you too!” Tamzin said as they released each other. Still smiling, she looked over at my mom, then walked toward her and they embraced each other as well.

“Tammy, it’s been so long.” my mom said, her eyes glistened with tears but she didn't let them fall.

“Indeed, it has a child. Look at you, beautiful and fierce as always, now this must be Mariana.” she said after hugging my mother and walking straight up to me. I let her size me up with her all-knowing eyes as she nodded in satisfaction before speaking.

“The Claw and Saber bloodline is one exhilarating mix, CoCo. You have yourself a complete knockout here, not to mention her Alpha wolf.” Tamzin said in admiration and then surprised me with a hug.

Alohi let out a sigh at Tamzin’s actions and I just returned her hug as a sign of respect. Soon a familiar scent engulfed me, making me confused for a moment. My parents did say I was born here, maybe that was why Alohi and I felt that Tamzin was familiar. We didn’t have time to finish the specifics of my birth from the urgency of the need for our return here. Now that we are here, I could get answers and felt Tamzin wouldn’t mind answering the harder questions.

She released me before I could say a word. After that, I was lost in thought. She then walked over to Alexis, “It makes sense that you'd be her mate kid.” she said with a playful punch to Alexis’s arm.

“Really, Tater, come on, you make it sound like I’m the bad guy.”

“Oh no, I would never, Lex, fate can never be controlled or shocked. After all, my family is indebted to you for life and I couldn't think of anyone else more suited for Harold and Connie’s child than you.” Tamzin said with a playful wink.

“I can explain this, too, later babe.” Alexis, linked me in my mind. My eyes were shooting daggers. I knew this because I was dying to know just how much she was connected to the third world as she originally let on. I calmed myself and let out a small sigh as she took my hand in hers and we followed Tamzin and Wolfram’s lead.

They chatted animatedly up ahead while I took a look around. Crafted from the darkest oak, these colossal doors bore the weight of time and tradition with a quiet, imposing dignity. The wood was rich and deeply polished, its surface etched with intricate patterns that told the story of the Red Claw Pack's triumphs and lineage. As my gaze traced along the patterns, I could see fierce wolves, majestic forests, and ancient symbols of unity and power.

The doors themselves were massive, each one towering at least twice the height of an average wolf. Iron bands, gnarled and adorned with wolf motifs, crossed diagonally over the wood, reinforcing its strength. They were not just doors; they were guardians, standing as sentinels of the kingdom's legacy.

The archway that framed the entrance doors was equally imposing. Carved from stone that had witnessed centuries of history, it bore the scars of time, lending it an air of gravitas. Intricate runes and symbols of protection were etched into the archway's surface, ensuring that only those deemed worthy by the pack could pass through.

A strong ethereal energy flowed through me and Alexis as we traveled through the doors finally and into a whole new world. I had to get adjusted to quickly for the upcoming battle and mission tasked to me.

Each member played a crucial role in keeping the kingdom running and formidable. As we entered the grounds, I could feel the harmonious energy that surrounded them, a palpable sense of community and strength.Inside the castle, there was a constant hustle and bustle as pack members went about their important tasks.

The entrance foyer was a vast chamber adorned with obsidian pillars, their surfaces polished to a glossy sheen that reflected the dim torchlight. A massive, intricately carved wolf's head served as the centerpiece of the room, its eyes seemingly following the movements of those who entered.

Torches mounted on the walls cast flickering shadows that danced along the stone floor. A large, ornate chandelier hung from the towering ceiling, shedding a warm, golden glow over us in a protective sense.

Pack members moved with purpose, their interactions a testament to their close-knit community. The enchantments woven into the very stones of the castle exuded an aura of protection and resilience, a silent promise that the Red Claw Pack would endure.

“So, what do you think so far Kid?” Wolfram said, wrapping his arm around my shoulder, startling me from my intense perusal of the castle. Alexis let out a chuckle beside me and I glared at her, but not in a menacing way.

“It’s breathtaking, grandpa,” I said, as it truly was, as with lush forests, crystal-clear lakes, and rolling hills. The atmosphere was one of tranquility and purpose, as every pack member understood their role in the kingdom's survival. Despite the dystopian world it was placed in. I knew it had something to do with the magic surrounding the castle and its grounds. Somehow, despite the ever growing cloud, the Red Claw and Silver Fang kingdoms were left untouched and affected by the cloud's destruction. The sound of thunder could be heard nearby. Yet everyone here seemed unafraid. They appeared to be getting prepared for a celebration and that was connected to our return.

“Good, good, now you go get yourselves some rest and what not before the ritual begins. There is a lot for you to learn, Kid, Lexia, you know the way,” said Wolfram as he nodded toward her.

“Yes sir!” she said in a playful yet respectful salute and nudged me along with our hands still collapsed together.

“What ritual?” I asked a moment too late as I turned back and grandpa was already gone. Didn’t we already do that back at Henry's mansion during the blood moon? It was one thing with the Saber family rituals, but now I had more with my father’s side coming to light.

“That was the ritual of our mates bond, Mari, but this one is to acknowledge our royal blood. Did you forget the pull you felt when we first arrived, let alone our wolf’s eyes?” said Alohi, and soon I understood. This was Alohi’s coming home celebration but grandpa's words suggested it wasn’t just for me but also Aasim’s. That would mean Lexi’s wolf belonged here too, to the third world. How was that even possible? The questions in my mind could not help piling up more.