by Alicia Banks
“Why does he have to stay with me? He is hungry. We need to give it food. What does it even eat?” Isabella asked, her cheeks turning a beautiful shade of pink as she averted her eyes.
“He stays with you because your cabin is furthest from everyone else’s. The pack will be able to smell him if stays here. Also, you found him. You look after him,” Dominque responded, putting another shirt on. “As for what it eats, how am I to know? What do wolf pups eat?”
“Wolf pups are fed milk from the cow and meat when they grow teeth. They usually have teeth when they are as big as this one. It must be five months at least,” Isabella replied.
Dominique shrugged in response and started to walk towards the door.
“Where are you going?” Isabella asked frowning.
“I am going to see if the mayor will meet me. Keep him hidden Isabella, otherwise I will not be held responsible for what happens to it,” Dominique said and then left, leaving Isabella alone.
Chapter 4
Isabella
Isabella sighed to herself, picking up the pup in her arms. That had gone as well as it could have. He hadn’t thrown her out and had agreed to help. What more could she have asked for? She cradled the baby and quickly made way to her cabin. The pack was just starting to wake up. Thankfully, people avoided her, so she successfully managed to make her way home.
Then, arose another problem. He started to cry, and soon enough some Wolf would hear him. Isabella shushed it, rocking it side to side, as she tried to think of what to feed it. She finally gathered a few berries from the bushes outside and made them into a paste. Thankfully, the pup seemed to like it and after being fed, dozed off to sleep.
Isabella knew she had hide it, just in case anyone suspected anything and decided to search her cabin. Isabella had inherited the cabin from her father, and it had a trap door, well hidden. It led to a small basement below, and Isabella gathered some old clothes, making a rough bed for the baby. She gathered more berries, making them into a puree and storing it in the cool pantry. She gently placed the pup inside; the ventilation would not be a problem as her father had made it for the purposes of hiding.
The pup slept a few hours before it woke up again, crying with hunger. This time Isabella fed it some cow’s milk, before coaxing it back to sleep. It was night before Dominique knocked on her door. He entered, looking reserved.
“Well? How goes the search?” Isabella asked.
“I sent an official request to speak with the mayor. It was rejected,” Dominique replied frowning. “Where is the pup? I do not see it.”
Isabella raised the trap door, leading him down into the basement. The pup was sound asleep, having just been fed a while ago.
“A hidden basement? Makes sense. After all, this is a traitor’s home,” Dominque said, a snarl in his voice.
Isabella felt emotions boiling in her heart, but she quelled them. “It was to hide me. I was born ill and sick. The sickness deformed me, and he was afraid that I would be deemed evil and killed by the pack. He hid me here, as he looked for a cure,” she said, her voice quiet.
“I am sorry. I did not know,” Dominque replied, his voice tender.
“No matter. He found a cure and now I stand here. Alive, well and bearable to look at,” Isabella said, not wanting any of his pity.
“Bearable?” Dominique said. “I think you certainly qualify as more than bearable. Do not underestimate yourself.”
Isabella felt flattered and tried to control the blush that was spreading on her cheeks. Before she could respond, a stench began to waff in the air. As if on que, the pup began to cry, it’s wails filling up the basement.
Isabella frowned. She had just fed the pup. Why did it cry?
“Aye!” Dominque exclaimed. “The smell. Why does it smell like that?”
“I think it needs a nappy change,” Isabella said, picking up the baby awkwardly.
“Well, why don’t you get right on that?” Dominique said, making his way out. “I will come check on you both tomorrow.”
“You run? From a pup?” Isabella asked, narrowing her eyes.
“Aye. I run,” Dominique said, a grin dancing on his lips. He winked. As he walked away, Isabella found herself smiling, though she didn’t know why.
*
The next morning Isabella left early. She needed to gather as much food as she could without arousing suspicion. Nearby one of the elders conducted a history lesson with the children, his voice ringing through the forest.
“The great battle took place twenty years ago, when the humans suddenly attacked the werewolves. The war between humans and wolves goes way back. The humans have always been afraid of the powers we possess. The clan at that time was led by Alexander, the father of our great leader, Dominque. He led the pack deep into the forest and hid us well from the humans, where we lived peacefully for many years. Then one day, the stench of the humans overtook our forest. They erupted from everywhere, carrying silver bullets and weapons. It was a massacre! They burned our forest; they killed our people. The air was filled with the tragic sounds of the wolves howling.” The elder paused here, the children listening in awe and rapture.
“We lost nearly all of our men that day. Wolves fought bravely; they took down many before they died. Our leader, Alexander, took down 14 before he fell. Many brave and majestic wolves lost their lives that night. Many pups, including Dominque, lost their fathers and their mothers. It was a tragedy; we must never ever forget it. Our history must always be held deep in our hearts,” the elder continued.
“I heard that there was a traitor!” one of the older children exclaimed.
“Yes. There was. One of our own. He told the humans where we hid, so they could attack us in the darkness of the night!” the elder said, and his eyes glazed directly on Isabella.
“His kin lives. But they will never be one of us. If they had any shame, they would kill themselves,” he said, his eyes piercing through Isabella. Isabella ignored it. She was pretty much used to it and turned around, making her way back home.
***
Back in the town, the mayor sat with his council. He looked old, his face tired from recent events.
“Captain Luther? What have you found? Who has taken my son?” the mayor asked, talking to the man at the other end of the table, his captain of guards.
“Our investigation has revealed what I suspected. The child has been kidnapped, and there is clear evidence of who did it. I am not sure you will like it though,” Captain Luther replied.
The mayor frowned. “Do not beat about the bush. Tell me,” he said, sternly.
“It’s the wolves. They have him.”
Chapter 5
Dominique
Dominique frowned as he walked through the forest. The only means of communication with the humans was through notes sent through trained hawks. He had sent one this morning, only to receive a note back that they weren’t interested. He had mentioned in the note that they had found a pup and would like to return it safely. The note that came back had a short reply, the baby was not theirs and they were not interested.
Where could the little one have come from? The other human towns were too far away. Lost in his thoughts, Dominque almost didn’t hear his friend shouting for him. He turned around to see one of his trusted advisors and closest friends, Taylor, waving at him. Dominque grinned and waved back.
“It’s been a while, Taylor. Haven’t seen you since your ritual,” Dominque said, as a way of greeting. The ritual was something that happened once in a man’s life, when he felt ready to settle down. It revealed who their mate was, and Taylor had just recently found his, Rose.
Taylor laughed and then put his arm around his friend’s shoulder. “Trust me Dominque, you don’t know what you are missing. Good food and amazing company, what more can a man what?”
“Amazing company? Is that what you kids are calling it these days?” Dominque said, grinning. Taylor laughed again and said, “You should think about settling down, mate.
Believe me, life gets great with a loving woman around.”
“Where am I supposed to get the woman? You saw what happened in the ritual. If there was anyone in this pack meant to be my mate, it would have been told. Think it’s the single life for me,” Dominque said, shaking his head.
“You know, the pack is getting restless. No mate for you means no heir. No heir means no successor after you. Some of the wolves are starting to anticipate your death. If you die, with no heir, they get to take over,” Taylor said, getting serious.
“I know. It will be a massacre. They will fight each other to take over the position. It also leaves us weak. The other packs have been eyeing us as well. They want to take over,” Dominque said.
“So, you understand the situation. I am scared of a mutiny. Is there anything we can do?” Taylor asked.
“What can we do? The ritual didn’t show me my mate. I cannot pop out a wolf pup on my own. The best we can do is keep our eyes peeled and our hearing sharp. Even Elder Lawson could smell something afoul in the air,” Dominque said. “Also, we have other pressing matters. I recently received a letter from the Usra pack. He asked for a safe path through our woods.”
“Our woods? Why? This stinks, Dominque. I have never trusted that pack,” Taylor replied.
“Aye. Call the council for a meeting. Something is happening and we need to know about it,” Dominique said. Having completed his round of the woods, he headed back, Taylor accompanying him.
They were near the deepest part of the forest when angry noises and growls filled the air. Dominque exchanged a glance with Taylor and they both made their way towards it. The noises led them to Isabella’s cabin, where a huge crowd was gathered outside it. The elders stood at the front, looking angry and not far behind them, stood the members of the council.
The council members where nearly all Dominque’s age and nearly all of them had their eye on Dominque’s rank. They also had a strong hatred for anything that was human.
“Why does your cabin carry the stench of a human? We can smell it, traitor!” one of the elders said.
“Once a traitor, always a traitor! I say we break into her cabin. Let’s search it! Are you trying to do the same thing as your father?” one of the council members George shouted.
The others responded in anger and a few of them walked forwards. Isabella stood at the entrance, her lips pressed into a firm line. Her fists were clenched, and she looked ready to fight. Of course, fighting so many wolves was suicide, but Dominque admired her bravery.
“I told you! I have no human! Leave me alone!” Isabella shouted, her voice quavering slightly.
“Enough!” Dominique roared and everyone instantly became silent. “What is going on here?”
“Her cabin stenches of human! She hides them in there! She is a filthy traitor, and she deserves to be torn apart and then slowly killed,” George said, snarling.
Dominque walked up to Isabella. “I will search your cabin. If any human is found, you will be killed,” he said, looking into her eyes. She stared back for a minute and then moved away.
Dominque walked in, and Taylor followed him in. “The stench is coming from that corner,” Taylor said, heading over.
Dominque stopped him by placing a hand on his shoulder. Taylor turned around to look at him, his eyebrow raised. Dominque shook his head, and Taylor stared at him for a minute, his jaw clenched.
“What the fuck, man?” he whispered.
“Please. They can’t know. It’s a pup. They will kill him,” Dominique whispered back.
Taylor glared at him for a minute, before turning and walking back out. “There is no human in there. There must be some other cause of the stench,” he announced to the pack.
“How is that possible? We are not fools. She must have hidden it well…” George said, making way into the cabin. Dominque suddenly pushed him, causing him to land on the grass a few feet away.
“Taylor said there is no one there. I looked myself, George. Are you calling me a liar?” Dominque growled at him. George glared back at him, snarling, and then got up and walked away, shouting, “This is not over.”
The rest of the pack stood there for a second, before slowly turning and walking away. Taylor turned to his friend and whispered, “You better have a fucking good reason why there is a human pup in there. Otherwise I am killing it myself.”
Chapter 6
Isabella
Isabella took deep breaths to steady herself as she saw the crowd turn around and leave. She was sure that they would attack her and find the baby. They had looked so aggressive and angry, and Isabella knew some of them were very powerful. She was fully prepared to defend that human pup to her last bones, but she couldn’t deny the relief that spread over her when Dominque showed up.
Dominque turned around, Taylor following him, and they both walked in. Taylor’s hands were clenched, his body on alert as he waited for Dominque to explain himself. Dominique opened the door to the basement, and they walked down where the pup lay asleep.
“Isabella found him in the well near the edge of forest. Someone left him there. She brought him straight to me. I asked her to hide it here, while I tried to find his parents,” Dominque said. Taylor stared at the pup and growled.
“Why exactly did you not kill it? I wouldn’t expect any less from a traitor’s daughter, but you, Dominique? It’s a human! Kill it! It does not deserve any sympathy,” Taylor snapped.
Isabella felt herself protectively move in front of the pup. Dominique stared at his friend and after a while said, “I don’t want to give the humans any reason to start a dispute with us. It’s a pup, Taylor. It’s a baby. It does not deserve this cruelty.”
“Have you put any thought in this? Can you even trust this girl? Don’t forget who she is. She says she found it, maybe she stole it! She is trying to destroy this pack, just like her bastard father,” Taylor said, his eyes narrowed at Isabella.
“Do not speak about my father so!” Isabella growled, anger rushing through her.
“I will speak how he deserves. I don’t fall for your act; I see you for who you are! That pup is nothing but trouble. I will end it right now!” Taylor snarled, reaching for the pup.
Isabella snarled back, standing in front of the pup. “You will not touch a hair on its body! Or your mate will become a widow before you are even wed!”
“You dare?” Taylor said, furiously. His nails were now turned into long claws, his teeth elongating into fangs.
“ENOUGH!” Dominque said, his voice deep and powerful, compelling them both to follow the order of their leader. Even though not impossible, it was very hard to resist a direct order given by the leader.
Isabella felt the force of his order and through gritted teeth managed to say, “It does not deserve punishment for what its parents may have done. It does not deserve to grow up loathed and hated. It does not deserve to be told that he should die for what his parents did! No child deserves that.” Tears welled up in her eyes, and she felt angry at herself for showing weakness in front of them.
Taylor glared at her for a while and then retracted his claws and teeth. “Dominque, what if you can’t find its parents? You will keep him here? How long will you hide him? They will find him and kill him.”
“I am looking for the parents. If we don’t find them, we will drop him at the door of some orphanage in one of their towns,” Dominque replied. “I sent a hawk to their mayor, informing them we had found a pup. They responded that they have lost no pup, and they are not interested.”
“We can leave the pup at one of the orphanages over there?” Isabella suggested. The baby, who had slept through all that growling and snarling, had now woken up. Isabella fed it some milk as Dominique and Taylor sat down to talk. Taylor was still throwing very distrustful looks towards the pup.
“We are not allowed to even step on their land. It will lead to another war, a war we can’t afford. The peace treaty between us breaks if we go there. I have already told them we have the pu
p. Now if he magically appears at the door, they will know that it was us,” Dominique explained.
“I will prowl the forest. Maybe Rose can talk to some birds and see if they know anything,” Taylor said, still frowning. His mate, Rose, had the unique ability of talking to some species of animals.
He and Isabella glared at each other for a minute, before he finally left. Dominque sighed and said, “We need a better place to hide it. I will go look. Be ready. I will come get you soon.”
With that he left, leaving Isabella feeling tired and drained.
Back in the town, Anne Bradford softly wept into her handkerchief. Her husband, Mayor Bradford, sat next to her, patting her back consolingly. His wife looked up, her eyes red, her cheeks stained with tears.
“My baby! Please, find my son! Find him! I can’t live… like this!” She sobbed. “Please. God knows, how my poor baby is. I wonder if he has even been fed. He must be crying for me.”
Her husband sighed and wiped his own tears. “I am looking, my love.” he whispered.
“My baby. My poor, poor baby! He is so small, so very small! Please, God, have some mercy. Hear the suffering of this mother. Give me my child back!” Anne broke into sobs again, collapsing on the floor.
“Please, my baby. My baby.” She wept.
Chapter 7
Dominique
He finally managed to find a small cave on the mountains bordering the forest. It was far enough that no one would come here. The cave itself was dry and warm. It was late in the night when the baby was carefully shifted to the cave. They had to make sure no one was monitoring the cabin; the council members had been behaving aggressively all day.
They had just managed to get the baby comfortable and settled down when a crackling of thunder woke it up. The little thing cried as Isabella wrapped it up in more clothes and tried to soothe it. Dominique looked outside where it was now raining heavily.
