Mistbane Pack
Oh, did I hear him clearly? Of course, now that he had strayed from his initial plans because of me, it was time to finally return to his rightful pack. I completely forgot that he’s not just a rogue. He has a purpose, and he’s going to fulfill it now.
“But…the current alpha is your uncle..”
He just raised his eyebrows, “And? I mentioned it to you. My whole goal was claiming back what is rightfully mine.”
“But you’ve been rogue for too long. Let’s say you took down your uncle, now what? What about your members? You know how crazy our world is, they discriminate against us, rogues. They wouldn’t see you as their leader.”
He breathed deeply, “I have to make it work, or my father’s efforts were just in vain.”
I could see another war coming. With Creed leading it. And I could picture myself being stuck in the middle again.
I don’t even want to experience that again. “Creed, you just recovered from a near-death experience. Please don’t make it hard for me.”
He caressed my cheeks, “Awe, are you scared for my life, baby?”
I can’t help but let out a tear from my eyes, “Yes! I don’t want to see you dying again!”
He ruffled my hair, “Relax, I’ll be careful this time.”
***
Our journey to the mist-bane pack took seven moons. I could see the desire in Creed’s eyes to get there sooner, and once we arrived at the borders of his rightful pack, I could feel my nerves getting frizzy.
I have been the most nervous here since we entered his territory. Creed walked in silence, thinking, and I let him be with his own thoughts. He had waited for this for years, even planned and prepared so I could only show my support by his side.
I could feel him squeezing his hands gently. I squeezed back, showing my support to him. He silently looked at me, gave a small reassuring smile, and faced forward.
And I hope that was enough for him.
With each step to the pack house, I felt like my feet were gnawing on me.
The night was growing darker, and the wind was turning colder, but the dead trees weren’t silent.
Creed suddenly stopped, and I copied him.
“Are we being followed?”
He shook his head, “No, it's the opposite.”
I blinked, “So, we’re not being followed?” So why is he so nervous?
“Yes, and that’s worse. It’s either they don’t feel threatened at my presence, or confident enough to let any predators inside.” His answer sent chills down my spine. And I know I have to keep my mouth shut.
We continued on, and he was right. The chilling silence was deadly. As if no one was living here. It turned into a ghost town.
I could see the confusion in Creed’s eyes, even he was concerned for his pack.
“It was much livelier when I was last banished from this pack.” He commented.
Just then, a male appeared from the bush. He looked like Creed in a certain way, except shorter, much thinner, and had curly hair.
He was wearing this smile, “Creed! Finally!”
“Boris.” Creed looked at the male, “What happened to the pack? Tell me every detail. Where’s your father?”
Boris’s smile suddenly disappeared, “You finally came to get your throne right?”
“Yes, and I came to fight him.” He said and was ready to attack but Boris looked down, not even bothered by the chilling menace beside me.
“But you don’t have to anymore.”
“Why?”
“Because…you might not believe me as it is going to be hard to take in…I have to show you something. Come and follow me.” That was all he said as he turned his back to us and led us deep into the forest.
“Boris, if this is a trap-“
Boris just shook his head and quietly took us to the packhouse where there were about five older and delicate ones. The packed house didn’t look like a packed house as it looked so wrecked and in bad condition, with a few leaves covering them and serving as the roof.
“Who is he?” I asked beside Creed.
“My uncle’s son, Boris.” He simply answered.
Creed looked around, confused. He furrowed his eyebrows at Boris, “This is…the pack? Where are the others? Are they hunting?”
“Since you were banished, our defenses were weak. Enemies knew of your father’s death, then came to challenge us, and without our strongest here, we couldn’t put up a fight. They stole our stock, our meat, and our females. Only the old were spared, and they left me to deal with them.
Creed instantly understood his explanation and then raised his eyebrows, “And your father?”
“He fought them hard, but he couldn’t match their strength. He lost, and that drove him mad.”
As soon as he said that, there was a male lying in a bed. He was sleeping, and he looked so weak and old and how hollow his cheeks were. His bones were almost showing how thin he was.
Creed was silent, but I could feel his rage.
“So that’s it?” Creed said sarcastically, “So you’re telling me, I had been preparing for years to fight him, only for him to be beaten by the others? And to lie there weakly that I could crush him in one hand?”
Boris faced him, “I understand your anger, cousin, I knew how badly he treated you, and I feel so sorry for that. I did everything I could to help protect the pack while you were gone because I knew you were coming back. I wanted you to reclaim your throne, but my father’s selfishness led to this. This must be his punishment. His karma. And we accept that. We have been waiting for your return, hoping you’ll restore it.”
Creed laughed. He must have held it in. “And what’s there to return? What’s there to rule here if I have only what, five weak and old werewolves under me, and only one competitive enough underling?”
I understand his anger. His rage.
Creed held the railing and glared ahead, “How come I never heard of this? Who dare destroy what my father built?”
“Some rogues,” Boris answered. “I apologize, cousin. I really am. If only I protected it better. If only I was strong like you…”
“No, I don’t need your sympathy. You have done enough by staying here.”
Boris smiled, “I know it's still you. I know you still hate my father, and I respect that. And all I am asking for is forgiveness.”
“I will try. Someday. But for now, I couldn’t.” Creed's voice sounded sharp as a knife, but it carried a heavy emotion that clawed on my insides. I felt every inch of what he was feeling, and it hurt so bad.
It also pains me to see him like this. So disappointed. So vulnerable. I feel helpless that I can't do something to ease that pain.
