by Sean Kikkert
“Don’t worry, you look beautiful,” Harmonia reassured her big sister. “You’ll blow him away when he comes to the door.”
Cassandra shrugged nervously. Despite Harmonia’s reassurance, she was anxious about her upcoming date, especially given Ajax’s coldness at combat training. “I guess I’m about to find out,” Cassandra said with a weak smile as Ajax’s sharp knock rapped on the door. He was dead on time.
Ajax looked Cassandra up and down when she opened the door. “Of all the women on this earth, you are by far the fairest to behold,” he said, hitting her with what had to be his cheesiest line. His face then broke into a massive grin that left Cassandra weak at the knees.
Although Cassandra was annoyed at the way Ajax had treated her at combat training, he was so breathtakingly handsome that she found herself instantly forgiving him now that they were face to face. She considered questioning Ajax about his earlier rudeness but decided to let it go. He wasn’t limping anymore—in fact, he seemed like a different person to the one she’d seen earlier.
“So, where are we going tonight?” Cassandra asked once they were out the door. Glancing back at the house, she saw her nosy little sister watching them through the window.
“Come away, Harmonia,” Cassandra heard Helen call out. “Leave your sister be.” Cassandra waved and stuck out her tongue at Harmonia, who giggled and ducked out of sight.
“I’m taking you to The Three Moons—it’s a nice little tavern in Brakchester.” Ajax was quite matter-of-fact. It wasn’t a suggestion, though, as he’d already made up his mind. Cassandra’s heart dropped. Although she wanted to please Ajax, it was not where she wanted to go.
In spite of her initial reluctance, Cassandra was forced to admit to herself that she did find Brakchester to be a strange and exciting new world. She loved the bright lights and glow of the city at night; she especially loved the music streaming through the windows as they approached the tavern.
Inside The Three Moons, a minstrel played a six-foot-long chitarrone, while another struck the strings of a dulcimer with small hammers. A third young man accompanied them, singing joyful songs of friendship and love in a rich baritone voice.
A jolly crowd was up and dancing to the minstrels’ music, and Cassandra was excited to join in with them. She loved to dance, and particularly loved being so close to Ajax. However, as the people in the tavern became more drunk, vulgar, and obnoxious, a dull aching feeling filled Cassandra. While the werewolves were jovial and playful, vulgarity was completely foreign to their culture.
Ajax pulled her to one side. “Cassandra, you really need to loosen up a bit. Just try to have a good time.”
He took her by the hand and led her into another dance. Cassandra tried her best to shut out the foul stink of smoke and the sounds of bad language, and she focused instead upon the happy music as she and Ajax danced the night away.
“Oi! Get me a drink!” Ajax yelled over to a stocky, tough-looking man who sported a full, bushy beard. The man immediately finished the conversation he was having with a plump, redheaded woman to bring Ajax a drink.
“Wow.” Cassandra grinned. “Does everyone do exactly what you say?”
Ajax gave a shrug. “I guess these people know to respect me.”
Cassandra’s grin gave way to a puzzled expression. The pack was generally very wary of strangers—with good reason—and yet, she was getting the impression that Ajax must have been spending quite a lot of time at this particular tavern.
It was a hot, humid night, and the tavern was becoming stuffy—packed as it was with so many people. Ajax grabbed Cassandra by the hand, and they stepped outside into the refreshing breeze. Cassandra took in a long, deep breath and enjoyed the fresh air as it soothed her smoke-filled lungs. She and Ajax sat down on a bench in the tavern’s tiny garden to take in the shadowy beauty of the night. When Cassandra turned to face Ajax, his stunning eyes smiled back at her.
The moon was high and glorious, the night sky a velvety black. The whole setting was magical to Cassandra as she thrilled in being so close to Ajax. Ajax put his hand to Cassandra’s cheek to raise her face to his. He gently stroked her hair and looked deep into her eyes. Caught up in the moment, Cassandra closed them as Ajax leaned forward to kiss her.
A burst of laughter floated from the tavern. The sound startled Cassandra, serving as a harsh reminder that she was somewhere she didn’t want to be. “It’s getting late. I really better get home.” She tried to sound casual.
Ajax didn’t argue—he knew better. They slunk off into separate shadows to transform into wolves and raced home together in silence. Cassandra feared Ajax would be angry with her for ending the evening so abruptly, but he gave her a big grin once they transformed back into human form within the sanctuary of their village.
“I had fun tonight, Cassandra,” Ajax told her. “I like going out with you—let’s do this again.”
A moment later, and before Cassandra had the chance to reply, Ajax had disappeared into the darkness.
Chapter 10
The castle was built into the base of a mountain, and the old timers said it was impenetrable. This had not been put to the test for a long time, as there had not been a war for thirty years; Brakchester’s younger generation had yet to see bloodshed. Queen Ailsa was of that younger generation, having never known anything but peace and prosperity. And yet, that night she would experience fear that would chill her very heart.
Ailsa was asleep next to the king in her four-poster bed. Although her sleep was usually peaceful and dreamless, tonight she was haunted by the most vivid dreams infused with a dark, creeping dread. She found herself on the same path in the forest she’d been on a few days before. But this time, there was no carriage. No guard. No horse. She was all alone in the dark, her breath turning to plumes of white fog as she exhaled. Everything around the queen was bleak, and the night grew damp and heavy with dread.
Suddenly, a pair of red eyes glowed bright in the darkness. Another pair appeared. Then another. Before long, Ailsa was completely surrounded by a myriad of glowing, red eyes that stared right through her. And then, slowly, surely, those malevolent eyes moved in on her. . . .
“No!”
Ailsa awoke with a piercing scream. Her heart thundered in her ears, her body was clammy with sweat—her nightgown and sheets were completely soaked through.
King Magnus sprang awake from his slumber. “What is it?” He gasped upon seeing his queen sitting upright with a terrified expression, bathed in the cold glow of silvery moonlight. “Guards!” King Magnus yelled out.
In an instant, two hefty guards burst into his chambers with broadswords drawn and murderous expressions upon their faces.
“It’s all right, my dear,” Ailsa replied. She placed her hand gently upon the king’s shoulder. She was still trembling, her voice shaky. “I had a nightmare, that’s all.”
King Magnus dismissed the guards with a wave of his hand and laid his head back onto his pillow. “Bad dreams are bad omens,” he muttered as he slowly drifted back to sleep.
Chapter 11
The sun beamed down upon the group of young men and women who faced off against each other in the forest clearing. They each held hastily prepared wooden swords and carried serious expressions on their handsome, youthful faces. Cassandra’s flowing, chestnut hair flew high behind her as she raced toward her partner. Ajax prepared himself for her charge by aiming his wooden sword at her head. . . .
Cassandra blocked the blow with ease. She then sidestepped Ajax and thrust her sword into the back of his leg—hard. Ajax yelped and stumbled to his knees, cursing beneath his breath. Cassandra let out a triumphant laugh as her makeshift weapon found its mark. That felt so good! She hadn’t been expecting to get through Ajax’s guard quite so easily.
“Well done!” Telemachus shouted. “Cassandra, you’re improvin
g so much!”
Ajax got to his feet and stepped toward Cassandra. He called her name in a low, hissing voice. Turning around, Cassandra readied her wooden sword for a vengeful counter-attack.
“Nice move, Cassandra,” Ajax said with a pained smile. Wincing, he rubbed at the sore spot on his knee. “How about we go to The Three Moons again this Friday night?”
“No way,” Cassandra hissed back firmly. “You know I’m not comfortable at that place.” She glanced nervously in Telemachus’ direction. If he caught her talking to Ajax during training, they’d both have to pay the price in sweat.
“C’mon, don’t you want to spend time with me?” Ajax pleaded. He fixed Cassandra with his puppy-dog eyes. “It’ll be fun, I promise.”
“Fine.” Cassandra sighed and immediately hated herself for giving in so easily.
“You won’t regret it,” Ajax said with a smug smile. “I’ll make it a night to remember.”
Cassandra gave him a crooked smile and raised her wooden sword—this time, she was going to take out his other knee.
Cassandra made every effort to look her best for her date. She washed herself in the river and braided her long, curly hair. Returning home, Cassandra peeked through the doorway and saw that her mother was busy preparing a wonderfully aromatic broth.
“Bye, Mother!” Cassandra sounded casual as she popped her head through the door. “I won’t be home till late.”
“Whoa!” Helen stepped closer to face her daughter. “Hold it right there, young lady.”
Cassandra gave a nervous moan and stopped dead in her tracks.
Helen eyed her daughter up and down. “And where exactly do you think you’re going, Cassandra?” she asked.
The ever-nosy Harmonia stopped reading her book by candlelight to scamper over to her mother’s side.
Cassandra decided to be straight with her mother. “I’m going to a tavern in Brakchester with Ajax.” Cassandra attempted to sound as if going to the tavern in the city was something that really was no big deal.
“Cassandra, you don’t belong in a tavern,” Helen said. She rubbed at her chin. “That’s just not our way at all. There are other ways for you to make friends with our new neighbors, ways that will allow you to keep true to our traditions. I’d much rather Ajax spent time with you in our own land, with our people, rather than taking my dear daughter to such wild places.”
Cassandra sighed. “Okay, I’ll invite Ajax over,” she promised. “But not tonight—we’re already running late.” She heard Ajax barking for her outside. “He’s here. I’ve got to go.” She offered a warm smile. “Next time, I’ll bring Ajax here to spend time with all three of us—I promise.”
Helen opened her mouth to say something further, but Cassandra was out the door before she could utter another word.
Cassandra and Ajax panted hard from vigorously dancing the jig at The Three Moons. Cassandra wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve and exhaled contentedly. She then furrowed her brow upon noticing the odd expression on Ajax’s face.
“I’m getting a little hungry.” Ajax licked his lips. “I’ll get a couple of pies for us.”
Cassandra hadn’t realized how hungry she was until the moment Ajax mentioned pies, and suddenly her mouth began to water. The tavern’s pies were quite good; they contained a delicious mixture of beef, grains, onion, and garlic. Cassandra was so hungry from all the dancing that she could eat one in a couple of gulps.
She fidgeted with her hair as she waited alone for Ajax to return with the pies. A pleasant, clean-cut young man with a friendly smile approached her.
“Would you like to dance?”
His stunning green eyes flashed at her. Cassandra studied the young man and was amazed by how his freshly shaven face, clear skin, and tidy, neatly trimmed hair were such a glaring contrast to Ajax’s dark, brooding appearance.
Before Cassandra could respond to the invitation, Ajax forced his way between them. “Get lost, you cumberworld!” Ajax snarled possessively as he shoved the young man.
“Hey! Who do you think you’re speaking to? You oaf!” The boy’s face glowed angry and hot. He gave Ajax a quick shove back. “What are you? Hedge-born?”
Without warning, Ajax launched a mighty punch at the boy’s face. His fist hit home and flattened the young man’s nose. Blood splattered all over Ajax’s shirt, staining it crimson. Cassandra turned away in disgust as the young man fell to the ground with a gurgling groan. It turned her stomach to see him covered in blood like that, especially as a result of Ajax’s unwarranted aggression.
All of a sudden, the walls of the tavern seemed to close in on Cassandra. Breathing heavily, her chest rising and falling with each labored breath, she knew she had to get away from the sickening scene as quickly as she could.
Cassandra ran. She burst out through the tavern doors and sprinted away down the street as fast as her trembling legs would let her.
Ajax left his would-be rival bleeding profusely on the tavern floor to chase after her. “Cassandra! Please come back!” he called after her.
Cassandra ignored him.
She leaped into the bushes, and with a swift motion, she swept off her clothes and threw them in her backpack. Cassandra scrunched up her pretty young face in concentration and jumped out of the bushes. When she landed back on the cool cobbles of the street, Cassandra was a wolf. Feeling more secure in her lupine form, Cassandra cantered home without looking back.
A young woman watched Cassandra from the shadows. Her arms wrapped around her petite body, a strange look on her face. The young woman’s intuition had told her there was something seriously wrong with the strangers who’d set up home outside Brakchester—and now she had definite proof. Not to worry, though; she was the perfect person to take on the werewolves and protect the city. The young woman lowered her hood and smoothed it against the side of her scarlet cloak. Then, Red Riding Hood stepped out from the shadows and watched Cassandra’s wolf form disappear into the darkness.
Chapter 12
A silvery wolf with a patch missing from its coat of gray fur lay upon the ragged old rug in Cassandra’s home. The wolf’s missing fur was a result of a wound from the last persecutions. When she heard the door open, the wolf glanced up and saw her daughter standing there, breathing heavily in the doorway.
The wolf transformed back into an elegant, slim woman in her mid-thirties and threw on a gown. She had pretty, rosy pink cheeks and curly, dark hair that cascaded all the way down her back.
Helen walked over and gave Cassandra a big hug. “You’re home earlier than I expected, my dear.”
Cassandra avoided her mother’s eyes. “I just wanted to come home.” Helen thought that her daughter sounded deliberately vague. “You were right. That tavern wasn’t the right place for me to be.”
Helen’s eyes narrowed as she studied her daughter for a moment. She knew full well that Cassandra wasn’t telling her everything, but she was happy she’d chosen to come home. “I’m so proud of you for choosing to leave.” Helen’s voice was soft and kind. “You made the right decision.”
Cassandra’s eyes still eluded Helen’s concerned gaze. “I’m tired. I think I’ll go to sleep,” she said, sidestepping her mother.
Helen sighed. Something had happened that night, something unpleasant. She couldn’t help but think perhaps her daughter’s life would be happier, safer, and less complex if Ajax wasn’t in it.
“No!” Cassandra told Ajax firmly—he’d asked her to be his partner again for combat training.
“Cassandra, what’s going on here?” Ajax was clearly hurt by the rejection. He regarded her with sad eyes. “You’ve been avoiding me all week—I’ve seen you turn the other way every time you see me coming. We shouldn’t be like this.”
“I’m sorry, Ajax,” she said. “I really am. I like yo
u, and there’s a part of me that would still like us to court. But deep down, I know you’re not good for me.”
Ajax slinked away like a chastised puppy. It’s not like him to say nothing, Cassandra thought. I’ve wounded his pride.
Cassandra watched him go with sadness. Her heart was heavy, but she knew she was doing the right thing.
She ate lunch all by herself in a warm patch of sunlight. She glanced up and saw Castor making his way over. She ripped her wild boar sandwich in two and, without a word, handed the larger half to her friend. Castor sat down cross-legged opposite Cassandra, and for a few minutes, they ate quietly.
“There’s something wrong, Cassandra.” Castor broke the long silence. “I can tell—you haven’t been the same since the last time Ajax took you out.”
“He took me to a tavern in Brakchester.” There was bitterness in Cassandra’s voice.
Castor frowned. “A tavern is not a place our people should be frequenting.” He had a sober look upon his face.
“I know,” Cassandra replied. “But that’s not the worst of it. . . .” Cassandra told her friend everything that happened that fateful night.
Castor looked incredibly serious when she finished. Cassandra was uncomfortable as Castor quietly studied her with his dark, soulful eyes.
“So, what do you think?” she prompted as the silence between them became unbearable.
“I think you should stay away from him.”
“But he’s our friend,” Cassandra said. “And he’s sweet and exciting and fun to be around. His temper is his only drawback.”
“Cassandra.” Castor had a mature firmness to his tone. “A violent temper is not something that can be outweighed by a good personality. Ajax is dangerous, and he will poison your life. You deserve someone who is good for you, and you must never settle for someone who is inherently bad—no matter what the good qualities may be.”
