Love Among Shadows

by Smokey Moment

  But he was lost and confused as to the reasons behind the laws. He did not understand why they needed to stay away from humans. There was no boogeyman evil element lurking gin them for the sake of being human. Every species had its bad blood. Those who strayed to the dark side. Valentina was a good person. A kind and generous human being. He loved her. Overnight, she had changed him. He believed for the better. He couldn’t kill her. And he was sure he could never harm another human. Something wasn’t right.

  The spirits were supposed to know all and see all. This was a gross mistake. And he’d spent all night holding his sleeping beauty while he quietly chanted and spoke to the spirits. But the spirits did not hear him. A wolf was still lurking. And now he needed to see Aesir. He hoped a message lay under his door. Aesir usually slid notes to him. If not, he would need to see him. Hopefully, without being seen.

  Activity around his home was minimal. Legend could see Iris, the wise old woman they refered to as the medicine woman, walk by with a stick filled with fish hanging from string. She liked to go fishing in Eagle creek and then clean what she caught and sell it.

  He heard a man yell out. He stopped and ducked behind a tree. It was Trist hoping to get his fish early. He watched as the two laughed, then Iris handed Trist a large rainbow trout and continued to her home. Legend ran from behind the tree when Trist had his back turned. He walked up to the back window and pull it. It was jammed. Legend thought he’d fixed that problem.

  He looked around. He felt ridiculous sneaking inside his own home. But there was no other way to avoid being seen other than the back window. He was sure Darr had words for him and he was in no mood for Blake’s intense stares and fits of jealousy. He was already being watched. Probably still being followed. So was the woman he loved. A lot was going on.

  Legend checked his surroundings again. He grabbed the window at the base and pulled it from the bottom, almost ripping it off the frame. The sound was loud and he needed to enter quickly before one of his nosy neighbors looked out. There were no homes behind his. He was fortunate. His living arrangements were optimum for what he was doing. No one could really see his movements.

  He lived in the last house, at the end. Near the forest and streams. It was situated at an angle so that the back was obscured from direct view, even from his next-door neighbors. They would have to come out and walk around shrubs to see him. And his closest neighbor was a quiet Harou couple who barely spoke to anyone. He didn’t worry. They kept to themselves, only waving when he walked by.

  Legend crawled through the window and shut it. He looked down at his hand. He’d cut it on an exposed nail and it was bleeding. He sucked the blood as it continued to drip from his hand. Wolves healed quickly from such damage. It was unimportant. There was no pain. He had other worries. Important matters. He needed to speak with his father. He had questions. And he needed to get back to Valentina.

  Legend exited his laundry room and walked to the front of his home. He thought he heard something. He made it to the doorway of the dining room. He was shocked to see Archaeus sitting at his dining room table eating slices of bison and drinking tea with mint. A favorite breakfast amongst the Harou and Valkan. Archaeus looked up at Legend but did not greet him. A sign of disrespect.

  Legend walked up to the table slowly. He knew his father well. His silence meant he was displeased. Legend sat across from him. Archaeus never looked up. He wiped his mouth then took a sip from his cup. A ceramic coffee mug with a smiling emoji on it. Legend thought it was ironic. His father was definitely not smiling.

  “Pop. Why are you here? Not that I mind because I needed to talk to you,” he said. Archaeus wiped his mouth again and stood. He walked into the living room and sat on Legend’s couch. He was thinking. Being his usual hard to read self. But this time was different. Something in his manner. Legend walked in and sat across from him. He waited on a response. He wondered why his father was so angry. Archaeus was a man in control of every emotion. Every word that left his lips. But Archaeus was careful. He stared at his son. And spoke when he felt a sense of self-control.

  “I want to know why the ruid is still alive. Why are you failing at such a simple task. She is an easy mark. Much easier than that one in Spain. This one is busy. Always on the go. Never home. Moves around quite frequently actually. You could have snatched her head off at any moment, yet she breathes the same air as I. And I want to know why that is?” he fumed, his voice commanding and steady. Archaeus was careful to speak calmly. He couldn’t take a chance on the neighbors hearing.

  Legend leaned forward slightly. There was something his father wasn’t telling him. Things he felt were off. Legend thought about the words to use. One false move and he could be under attack. He was strong but he wasn’t sure he was as strong as Archaeus. He was the most powerful Valkan of them all. The only wolf close enough in strength was Sierbin, his uncle, who lived on the other side of the world. The king of the northern hemisphere.

  “She is well known. She has lots of friends who are always around. I wanted to catch her alone,” he replied nervously, as he tried to feel his father out. Archaeus stood up and walked to the large picture window. He looked out into the horizon. The large mountain, Denali, was mysterious and spoke to his soul. He reflected on their world. The delicate balance between humans and wolves. The fact that secrecy was their biggest ally. And a ruid was an announcement of their existence and would mark the end of their lifestyle. They would become studied. Captured and used as warriors. Experimented on and their DNA stolen. Possibly cloned. It was all too much and they wanted no parts of it.

  “You failed. And she is no longer your concern. I knew you would fail. She is much too beautiful and I am aware of your affections for their women. Human women, are hard to resist and she has gotten to you. She has weakened you and you are unable to complete your task. You were with her all evening,” he said. Legend tried not to look shocked as his father continued his rant.

  “Why her? Why now? Surely, it’s not just because she is a woman. You have killed female ruids before,” he said. Legend was speechless. His father knew more than he should and it caught him off guard. He had no rebuttal. He looked down. Archaeus sighed.

  “This was a task given to you by the Spirit of Masaclera. The highest anointing. You have disappointed your ancestors. Disappointed me. And now I must await instruction on how to handle this. But for now, I have someone else. She has left her new house and is now at her sisters,” he said, turning around to face his son. His eyes dark. His words cutting to the core of Legend.

  Legend’s eyes widened. Valentina wasn’t safe. They knew about her sister’s home. About the new home. The informant was the stranger he saw. The nameless, faceless man in the dark. She didn’t have much time.

  “Who father? Who have you sent?” he asked, as he stood up. He scoffed at his father. Archaeus walked over to him slowly. Legend’s breathing increased. Beads of sweat formed on his skin. The fine hairs on his body raised up. He stood, arms straight down. He was ready to do battle.

  “Are you angry with me? I am not the enemy. This was your mission. Thousands of Harou wolves depend on you. You are a Valkan. This could wipe us out. There are only a few of us left. The Harou might survive intrusion by humans. They could relocate. Go into hiding. But our numbers are already low. We would not fare as well,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief.

  “I can do it. Let me finish my mission,” Legend said. Archaeus looked at him and smiled. He put his hands in his pockets and paced the floor. “Now you lie to me. You would say anything. What’s your plan? To save her. To get to her and hide her. I have something of hers,” he said, pulling a pair of Valentina’s panties from his pocket.

  “I have passed these lovely pussy covers around. I have several men already on it. One in particular is a friend of yours. Someone here by the name of Blake. He’s especially eager to please. Looks like he has his heart set on running Cedar Falls when Darr and Lou pass on. And he has a crew of Harou who will do any
thing for him. He is a beta yet he is still quite popular. He will succeed where you have failed. He will shine brightly before the spirits. And they will grant him favor. Darr and Lou take orders from me. Not from Montaan. He can barely keep his wife in line. This Blake is a very interesting fellow. Seems he was on to you. Could see you favored humans. And he knows the risks in that. Oh son… How could you be so weak. You are a Valkan. Even he has more strength. He is a beta yet he has more self-control. He is able to command a following. He has men loyal to him. Harou males that want to see him win. Well…It’s over. I am giving him the order to kill her. Since no one seems to be able to,” he said.

  Legend walked over to his window. Blake stood across the way, talking to Osimi and Eshram. Legend read his lips. Blake was planning to kill Valentina. But if he was still standing waiting for the order; he wondered who had been there earlier that morning. His father’s words revealed what he already knew. There was someone else. And it wasn’t Blake.

  “He is my sworn enemy. You would side with him? Go to him? Someone who wants your son to fail. Who waits for my downfall?” he yelled. Archaeus snickered. “You are your worst enemy. He is protective. He hates you because he sees that you are weak. That you can be infiltrated by them. He took notice of your late night trips into the city. Your desire to walk among them. So much so, that it made you restless. You went when most were asleep. You have been with them. You were seen talking to one. A known prostitute,” he said. Legend listened in horror. “That is a lie!” Legend insisted.

  “You raped her, mutilated her then killed her. The police are now paying attention. And all because you desire them sexually. You have done a terrible thing. Now I have to talk with the governor and mayor, to try to keep things under control. You left her in such a manner, that the local news picked up the story. You posed her! Her legs opened. So now, the murder has their attention. And for that, I will ensure you are punished. I love you. You are still my son. But you will pay. That human woman you love so much. The one you can’t seem to part from. Her murder will be just as brutal. I ordered her killed in the most graphic and torturous way possible. It will look like a bear got a hold of her. This is your lesson. Next time, follow orders,” he said.

  “I didn’t rape and kill anyone. And if I did, I would never do it so sloppy or in such a disrespectful manner. That is not me or do you not know who I am,” he said. “You are someone I used to know. But humans have changed you. I heard you have a phone. Did I not teach you anything. They can spy on you with those things. Track your movements. Find your location. Confiscate messages and pictures. With or without your permission and especially if they view you as a national threat. And they will. You are not human!” he shouted. Legend stared his father down. Refusing to look away. Archaeus wasn’t done.

  “I want you on the first plane back to Africa. You go there and sit tight. I have to clean your mess,” he said. Legend growled. His father snarled back. “How dare you growl at your own father. Over a human! Don’t be stupid. I still reign supreme. The strongest wolf alive. It is not true that Sierbin is stronger. That just silly rumors. The reason he stays in Asia is because I run this entire world and I gave him Asia to keep him out of my way. And Montaan…He’s just weak. He needs me. You are out-numbered. Or do you prefer out-gunned as the humans would say,” Archaeus sneered.

  Legend took another step forward. He looked down at his father’s hand. Archaeus grinned. “You want these. Her disgusting smell turns you on. Too late. They have already imprinted on her smell,” he teased. Legend smirked back. “I’ll be taking those. And if anyone touches her, they’ll die by my hands. I’m not going to Africa. I am no longer your son. You don’t order me,” he said.

  Archaeus was shocked by his son’s arrogance. He had never heard him speak in such a way. “And what about the spirits? You think you can disobey them? Ignore their orders. Break their rules. Can you fight them. Can you even touch them? They will bring about a plague inside you. And you will rot. They will snatch your breath away. And if you speak to me in that tone once more, I will end you,” he warned.

  “So you say. When I was young, I admired you. I thought you were the most powerful man on earth. You were so commanding. I hoped to be just like you when I grew older. And now you have forgotten one major thing. The fact that I am you, just younger,” he said. “Careful son,” Archaeus warned.

  Legend growled again. He stared menacingly at his father. He was angry. He was heartbroken. So much had been said. And he didn’t have time to process it all. But more than anything, was the fact that Valentina was in trouble. They had her scent. Someone was preparing to strike. He would be brutal. She would die a terrible death. Legend didn’t care about what his father said about him. He’d lost respect for him. His father was supposed to talk to him. Get his opinion on the matter. Take him into consideration. But he could see clearly, his father had another agenda. And he was speaking like an enemy. He was no different than Blake.

  Legend leaped over the table and grabbed his father and threw him. He ran to him, picked him up and swung him into the wall. Archaeus hit hard, knocking the air from his lungs. Archaeus snarled and jumped up. He lunged at his son. Legend went flying across the room. He landed on his feet and smirked at his father. Archaeus furrowed. His son was agile. Strong. Quick and fast. Archaeus felt disrespected at the highest level. His son had attacked him. And all for the love of a human. He leaped at Legend, his claws extended. He swung his claws. Legend jumped back then punched his father, causing him to stumble backwards.

  Legend leaped again. Archaeus used his legs to kick his son, knocking him clear across the room and into the wall. Archaeus sprung to his feet. He snarled then leaped at his son. Legend grabbed him out the air and turn around throwing him into the unlit fireplace. Archaeus was covered in ashes. He was angered. He realized if a fire had been roaring, he could have perished.

  He stared at his son. The men were in a standoff. Blake could hear the commotion. He walked to the middle of the road and stared inside Legends window. He could see the men were in a face off. “What’s going on?” Osimi asked. “I don’t know,” Blake replied, keeping his attention on the king.

  Archaeus looked out the window, then back at his son. Legend was not easy to take down. He could feel his power. One of them would die if the fighting continued and Legend was not backing down. It was too late to convince him to kill the woman and he still had not received word that the mission was complete. Legend could see his father was thinking. He narrowed his eyes. He looked off. He believed his father had just elaborately created a way to stall. To keep him there so the assassin could get to Valentina.

  He turned and ran. “Legend!” Archaeus yelled, as he tried to catch up with him. Legend ran towards a large back window and leaped in the air, covering his face with his arms. The glass made a piercing sound, as his body crashed through it. Legend never stopped. His feet hit the ground. He ran straight ahead. Valentina’s underwear gripped in his palm.

  Archaeus stood at the window. He couldn’t believe his own eyes. Legend was going to extremes for her. “Dammit!” he blurted. Blake and several Harou wolves ran around Legends home. The walked up to the broken window. Blake could see Legend in the distance.

  “Sire. He’s getting away. You want us to catch him? Bring him back?” Blake asked. Archaeus stared at the back of his son. He looked down at his empty hand. He couldn’t believe Legend had taken the underwear from him. He wanted his son apprehended. But he was now too many yards away to be caught.

  “Let him go. You’ll never catch him. And if you did, he’d kill you. Even four of you. He is stronger than I remembered. And he was holding back. He didn’t want to bring me harm. Let him go! It is too late anyway. My man is in position. It will be all over with soon enough,” he said. He hoped he was right. He had until the night of the blue moon. There was still time.

  No More Shadows

  “Uh,” Legend grunted. His powerful legs hitting the ground with force. He changed in
to his wolf form and jumped two large logs, as he headed for the wooded area near Phoebe’s home. Someone was there to kill Valentina. He hoped he wasn’t too late. He wondered who it could be. He charged ahead. He was now at war. Someone in Cedar Falls had been stalking him. Stalking her. Waiting to strike. It could be anyone.

  It was supposed to be a Valkan. But his father was crafty. He was resourceful. It was possible he chanted to the gods and was shown favor. Given permission to give the kill order to a beta. It was usually a Valkan because the Valkans wanted it that way. But what if times had changed. Archaeus was certainly bold enough to illicit such a change. And if it was a beta, Blake was behind it. He had the beta men of Cedar Creek in his corner. He had no idea the two knew one another. Seeing Blake standing outside his home was eye opening. And he questioned Archaeus’ loyalty.

  Legend continued on. His paws pounding, as he maneuvered around large logs and jumped across thin streams. His speeds were unmatched. Legend changed back to his human form and continued running towards Anchorage. He had a bad feeling. It was the weekend. Valentina would be home. He was hoping she was still at Phoebe’s where he’d left her. There was some protection there. Griff was a cop. He had weapons. He could stop or kill many of them if he wanted. Werewolves were smart. They wouldn’t risk death. They moved like any animal. Using the element of surprise, in order to achieve the best outcome.

  “Uh,” he grunted, as he jumped another log. He could see the street. He could hear the traffic. Legend exited the forest and stopped at the busy road. He ran across when he saw an opening. The eight lane highway was busy. The cars blared their horns. The drivers looked at him in amazement. He made it across all eight lanes and ran through the parking lot of a thrift store.