HOMECOMING
1030 Words
Rufus roamed the forest, trying to master his powers. The night was still dark, and he was still in his werewolf form. He let out another loud howl.
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 among the werewolves were involved in a fierce fight, and he noticed the extremity of their struggle.
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 who 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, stepping 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 pack members 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 let out a loud howl, 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. Please forgive my ignorance," Rufus pleaded.
A female voice was heard.
"Rad, let's leave him alone. These people need treatment. We have to hurry," she said.
She was Selene, Rad's younger sister.
Rad turned to leave 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.
He asked Rufus to join them, as day was near.
"You can join us." Rad added.
Rufus nodded, relieved, and followed Rad's pack.
*************†***†***************
Rufus woke up, realising he had turned back to his human form. He found some clothes beside him and put them on. 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 and the people were engaged in different activities. Rad was squatting at the fireplace, roasting bush meat for their food.
Rufus couldn't recognise anyone, as he had only met them in their werewolf form.
Rad looked up and saw Rufus. "Rufus, come over here." He 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 lot to learn." Rad said thoughtfully.
Selene approached and welcomed Rufus.
"I'm Selene, it's good to have you here. Why were you out there alone??" she asked, as she found a comfortable spot to sit.
Rufus shared his ordeal in Gassel and his banishment.
"Annabelle is the only woman I've ever loved, I'll surely get justice for her father's death. " Rufus said, his mood had changed into a sad but hopeful one.
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 smiled, and said he had always known himself to be weird. 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, as 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 smiled, and helped Rad with the meat.
- Writer
