by Karen Ruth
“Lucas!” I called out after him trying to get his attention.
“What do you want?” I heard Lucas say inside my head sounding a bit agitated.
“Why did you storm out like that?” I asked him.
“You know why,” Lucas said to me from somewhere within the woods.
“Why does everyone keep saying that and would you please just get over here!” I stomped my foot into the forest floor, agitated that he was being so childish.
Lucas arrived next to me and sat down with his tail on his paws. It was thumping up and down loudly which was very distracting and annoying.
“Would you quit doing that!” I yelled at him again.
He rolled his eyes and huffed. “Anything else you want me to do?” He questioned in annoyance.
“Actually yes. I want you to come back to the castle and quit throwing a fit.” I said while crossing my arms and glaring at him.
He raised his eyebrows. “Is that all?” He prompted.
“Hmm,” I said thinking about it for a minute. “I think so?” I reluctantly settled on saying.
“Alright then,” he said turning back the way to the castle.
“Wait!” I called back to him.
He turned his black head to face me.
“What?”
“I lied I have more to say.”
“Of course you do,” he said and walked towards me once more. “I’m listening,” he added.
I thought about how to word what I was going to say. The last thing that I wanted to do was to make him more frustrated with me.
Lucas sighed, “just say it, Nina.”
I took a deep breath and asked, “are you mad at me?”
I was a little surprised by what I said. I didn’t mean to say that but when he rushed me and I got nervous. Truthfully, I was going to ask why he stormed out but something made me ask this instead.
“Oh Nina, I’m not mad at you.” He said shaking his head like I wasn’t supposed to think that at all.
“Then why did you storm out like that?” I questioned him further.
“You are so naïve Nina,” Lucas said to me. “I heard what my mother told you about it.” He turned around and slowly began to walk away.
“Wait! Is it true?!” I yelled after him.
He quickly flashed just his face towards me. “Now isn’t the time.” He said calmly and before I knew it, he was out of sight.
I was left in the woods, by the waterfall, all by myself to think about everything that Lucas just said. There was no way that his mother was right. We have only known each other for a few days. Saying you love someone isn’t a word that you just throw out for fun. It is something that requires a strong feeling. There is no way that we can experience that in that short of a time span. I have never been a believer in love at first sight. I always thought that it was ridiculous. You needed time to develop feelings, they are not just grown overnight. I didn’t feel that way towards Lucas, did I?
I shook my head and thought, “no way, that’s not possible.” But I couldn’t find myself to be able to deny the feelings I had for him. I knew that there was something strong there. Something that I felt for nobody before, a feeling that I was not used to. “Snap out of it Nina,” I told myself. “Now is not the time, you have to get prepared for battle.” I began to move my feet one by one back to the direction in which I came.
When I got back to my “house,” I heard a noise coming from my room. My muscles instinctively tensed up, preparing for the unknown. I smelled the air and sighed.
“Cassie?!” I called out knowing it was her.
“Nina!” I heard her yell in excitement.
Clack clack clack the footsteps called out as she quickly darted towards me. Before I could prepare myself, I was wrapped in a smothering bear hug. She squeezed me as tightly as her flimsy arms could allow. I was extremely thankful that she wasn’t a werewolf. If she was I was sure that I would have ended up in the infirmary room once again.
“I’m so sorry Nina,” Cassie said in my ear and held me close.
I stiffened as she reminded me of the event that happened just hours ago. The event that I was trying desperately to remove from my mind. I squeezed my eyes shut to keep the tears from flowing gracefully down my face. It turned out to be a huge mistake. In the black abyss, I saw my mother’s broken body lying on the cold grassy ground. Her life slowly slipping away from her. I saw Seth as he smiled down at her as he sliced her belly right open. I shuddered and opened my eyes. My breathing became labored with panic. I had to use all my strength to refrain from crying.
“Thank you, Cassie, I’m fine,” I said to her, my voice failing me.
It came out hoarse proving just how far from fine I really was. She nodded her head but didn’t fight me on it. I was thankful that she didn’t prod me further. I knew that it wouldn’t end well.
I pulled away from her and went into my own bedroom to prepare for the dreaded battle that was coming up. I changed into some of my leather clothing once more, the same one that I wore only days before, even though it felt like months. I put my long brown hair into a pony-tail to make sure to keep it from getting into my eyes during the fight. I knew there wasn’t much point in getting too dressed up for this fight since we were more than likely transforming into our wolves right away. Just getting dressed helped relieve the pressure and nerves that I was feeling at the time. I looked down at the necklace that was around my slender neck. I picked it up by the heart and kissed it gently. “This is for you mother,” I whispered to it while closing my eyes, letting the darkness distract me. After about ten minutes, which only felt like seconds, I carefully grasped the clasp in the back of the chain. I opened it up and took the necklace off with delicate hands. I set it on the nightstand next to my bed. Even though I wanted to take the necklace into battle with me I knew it was a dumb idea. It would become lost or broken in the process of transformation.
As I was setting the necklace on the nightstand, my hand slipped and I dropped it on the floor. Quickly, I bent down to pick it up hoping that I didn’t break it. By the sounds that it made when it hit the floor, I knew I didn’t drop it that lightly. As I bent over, I noticed something very strange. The locket appeared to have opened. I never saw what was inside of the locket before nor did I know that you could even open it. As I looked at the picture, my breath caught. A gasp escaped my mouth. It was a picture of my father, but that wasn’t the thing that surprised me. Next to him was nothing other than a wolf. It was no ordinary wolf, but a werewolf. There was no way that I could be seeing this right. My mother claimed that my father wasn’t a wolf. I reached my slender arm out and grasped the necklace. Who was this wolf and what was it doing with my father? My heart stopped at a realization that I made. It couldn’t be true. The eyes of the wolf looked exactly like my mother's. I would know that unique hue of blue anywhere.
I began to feel betrayed, thinking that I didn’t know my mother whatsoever. Everything that she said to me was a lie. She said that she didn’t know what werewolves were but here she is in her physical werewolf form. She said that they were foul creatures but yet somehow, she is one herself. By the way that my father was looking down at her, you could tell that he loved her for her. Curiosity was really beginning to kick in. I began to daydream about all the possibilities on how she kept it from me. As I got lost in thought, a voice entered my head.
“Nina it’s time.” Reed’s voice called out.
A heard a low growl enter my head as well but I knew that that didn’t belong to Reed but to Lucas. He still must be upset about me fighting against Luc. I sighed and pushed myself off my warm bed, the springs clinging in unison. As I went to shut the lights off. I took one long last look at my room. Who knew if this would be the last time I would see it again. Who knew if I could come out alive after this fight. Just one thing was for certain. I would get revenge for my sister and my mother if it was the last thing that I do.
Chapter 20
I was outside of the cas
tle within minutes. As I appeared I noticed that everyone was already in their wolf forms.
“Hmm overdressed, am I? I said mockingly trying to enlighten the mood.
Lucas just looked at me and rolled his eyes in annoyance.
“Go get in your wolf form Nina.” He said and turned around towards the rest of the pack.
I walked behind the tree and quickly removed my clothes. Before I had time to think, I quickly changed into my wolf. My white fur bristled in the wind as it roared past. I tried to breathe in as much of the luscious scent as I could. The smell of flowers and freshly mowed grass brought a moment of happiness. Who knew if I could be able to smell this wonderful scent again. Lucas interrupted my moment of happiness with him yelling for me to get back over to the group. I huffed and slowly descended towards them.
There were a few more wolves around than I was used to, I figured these were the extra that Devlon was talking about. I nodded to them as I approached, signaling that I appreciated their accompany. To my dismay, some of them bowed towards me. I could feel my cheeks getting warmer in embarrassment.
“Nina,” Lucas said looking me straight in the eyes.
He said nothing for a minute making me uncomfortable. I began to fidget under his gaze.
“Yes?” I finally questioned as I looked towards the ground, afraid that he wouldn’t let me fight after all.
Lucas exhaled very loudly and to my surprise gave me a sincere look. “Just please stay away from Seth and keep to my side at all costs.” I nodded not wanting to fight any longer. Also, there was something about staying at Lucas’s side that seemed to calm my nerves.
I watched as Lucas slowly crept over towards me, one big black paw at a time. His golden eyes watching me intently. I stayed, still not sure what he was about to do.
As he approached me he nuzzled his head into my neck and said inside my head, “I’m sorry Nina. It’s not that I don’t think you’re a strong enough fighter, I don’t want you to get hurt. I have no idea what I would do without you. And may I add, you are a pretty good fighter.” He said backing up and winking at me.
A large smile etched upon my face. “Thank you, Lucas,” I said to him in gratitude.
Relief swept over me that he was finally talking to me again.
“Umm hey,” Reed said within our minds cutting us off. “I know that you two are having some sort of hallmark moment over here, but we kind of have a battle to get to.”
Lucas laughed and turned around walking back towards the rest of the pack. I myself on the other hand went completely red with embarrassment. I was amazed that Lucas didn’t show any sign of embarrassment by the situation.
Everyone began to walk forward towards the circle where the battle was unfortunately going to take place. I ran to catch up to Lucas and stay next to his side as he asked.
As I approached him, I saw him smile and say “thank you.”
I smiled back at him and bowed my head in acknowledgement.
“Hey, Nina!” Reed called out from behind me.
I turned around and walked backwards still staying in sync with Lucas. I just hoped that I didn’t trip and fall or else that would be embarrassing and would give Lucas more reason to not have me fight.
“What’s up!” I called back at him.
“We just wanted you to know that we will do everything in our power to get your sister back,” Reed said glancing at the rest of the pack who bowed their head in respect.
“Thank you you guys, you have no idea what it means to me.”
Throughout my life, nobody cared this much for me. Sure, I had my sister and my mother, but that was it. I haven’t had very good friends my entire life. Nobody that would stick up and fight for me that is.
“No worries,” Caleb said. “That is what pack members and friends are for.”
“That’s right,” Liam said in agreement.
All I could do is bow my head and turn back around, walking forward. Lucas nudged me and smirked. I avoided his gaze, smiling at the floor.
“Look at that, you made her embarrassed again!” Jerimiah yelled and as far as I could tell from the way he said it, he was grinning from ear to ear.
“She’s always embarrassed.” Dante called out to him and I heard an “oof” come from Jerimiah.
“Guys cut it out you’re going to embarrass her even further.” I heard Eli chip in. I laughed and shook my head. It was nice to have such great friends.
When I reached the clearing, I could feel my heart pounding against my chest in a fast-paced rhythm. I stared intently at the circular clearing and sniffed the air making sure that nobody was there yet. I felt Lucas do the same as he was leaned up against me. We looked at each other and both shook our heads. Nobody was there yet, we had a few minutes to prepare.
“Nina, I want you to go in the back of the group for now. As soon as the battle starts I will come join you. I need to talk with Seth right away to make sure that this is really what he wants. I don’t want any bloodshed if it is not 100 percent necessary."
I shook my head and went to the back of the pack. I was not in the mood to argue. I knew that Lucas was stressed enough already. He had full alpha authority out right now, commanding everyone on what to do.
“Reed, come up here with me. I need my beta for this.”
He shook his head and went to the front of the pack.
“Caleb, Jerimiah, you two stay in the middle. Dante, Eli, Liam, Darius, I want you in the back of the pack. Stick next to Nina at all costs. I don’t trust them that they won’t try to go straight for her. If they try to get pasts us, block them off.” Lucas looked at the extra three werewolves. “I want one of you on the left, one on the right, and the last in the way back making sure that we don’t get flanked. Any questions?” Lucas asked. Everyone shook their heads no and went to their correct locations.
The breeze blew swiftly by and the hair on my back began to rise. A low growl escaped me as I smelt Seth and the others. Mixed in the smells was a smell that reminded me of home. My sister was within the group. Instinctively, I took a step forward, but was cut off by Eli.
“You can’t Nina.” He said to me while ducking his head.
I froze in my tracks knowing that he was right. A small whine escaped my lips. I tried to contain it but I failed. I knew that the others smelt the other pack as well. I watched as their broad muscles under their fur coat stiffen. Lucas drew his ears forward trying to listen to anything that they said. I did the same as well. All I could hear was the snapping of sticks. I imagined that they were trying to be quiet probably because they knew that we would be listening in.
“Can you hear anything?” Lucas said to us in our heads not bothering to look back at us.
“No.” We all answered in unison.
“All I heard was the snapping of twigs,” I answered.
“Ok,” Lucas said to us. “Just stay on high alert.” He called out.
We all nodded, following orders.
Seth and the rest of his pack entered the clearing. He was laughing at us and shaking his head. I glared at my old pack members not missing the time that I spent with them. I watched as one by one they approached the clearing. Seth who was followed by Rafiq who was then approached by Thorn, Donavan, and finally Andrew. Not being able to contain it, I snarled at them as they approached.
“Hello, baby Nina,” Thorn said. “You slutting around with these guys, now are you?”
“Shut up Thorn.” I simply said to him not letting him see that he got to me.
He chuckled and shook his head. The rest of them said nothing.
Seth broke the silence and spoke directly to Lucas. “This is all you brought,” he said glancing around to everyone. “Such a pity, I was hoping to make this a much harder fight.”
It was then that a terrible feeling began to go through me. I glanced around once more and realized that my sister was not within the pack. The problem was that I could still smell her. The confusion started to bubble up inside me. Seth looked direct
ly at me and laughed.
“Looking for your sister I suppose.” “Everyone come out!” Seth yelled into the clearing.
To my surprise, not only did my sister come out of the woods dragging her paw one at a time, but a group that had to have been at least 10 more wolves. It was clear that we were outnumbered. My focus went straight to my sister scanning to see if she was hurt or not. In the background, I could hear Lucas and Seth talking about how we were outnumbered. That was not my focus. Just as I thought that she escaped Seth without any wounds, I noticed that she had a cut just above her eye. I growled very loudly and went low to the ground in anger.
It was enough to draw everyone’s attention and make Seth and Lucas quit talking. Rafiq glanced in the direction I was looking and gave out a quick evil chuckle.
“What’s the matter, Nina?” Rafiq said in an all-knowing tone.
“You hurt her! What did you do!” I screamed in anger.
“Oh, you mean this?” Seth said padding over to my sister and signaling the cut above her eye. “It turns out she has that little rebel side to her just like you. We had to teach her a little lesson. Don’t worry, she is much smarter than you are. She learned pretty quickly. Isn’t that right baby.”
“Of course, love,” Cath said in a sweet hum.
My jaw instantly dropped. “Love?!” I yelled in question. “Cath, you don’t love this man! He doesn’t even know what love is! He is just in it for the power, please move away from him!” I screamed at her trying to get her attention. She just laughed and shook her head.
“Please just shut up already Nina. You are pathetic.”
I shook my head in disapproval. “Cath…”
I started before Seth yelled “ENOUGH!”
It made my pack growl in anger.
“This is your last warning Nina. If you want to save your sister, you will need to take her place. Come marry me and she will be safe. In fact, if you come to marry me right now, I will allow everyone here to go home without harm. What do you say?”
