Old flame

Elijah’s Point of View

When I was still a child, I recalled myself playing with my siblings. Veronica was the oldest among us and so, whenever me and Zacharius sneaked out into the woods to go to the barn and play right there, she would end up following us to ensure her brothers’ safety. The three of us were close and couldn’t be separated at all. While our parents were both busy leading the pack, the three of us were just playing around without minding all the chaos surfacing within the place we called home.

It was back then, when my mind wasn’t stained by the unacceptable truth. I was still a child, naive, cheerful, and was ignorant as to how the werewolves within our pack thought of us. However, when we reached our teenage years, I became aware of the real conflict that I didn’t see when I was younger.

Zacharius, the illegitimate son of my father, was a smart kid. He outstanded to everything he does, getting praised for being magnificent at a young age. I was happy for him, it was true. Seeing him getting the attention and approval of all the higher ranks brought satisfaction to me because as his brother, I wouldn’t ever want him to feel outcasted, unwanted and alone.

But then, on the night of the full moon, I was thirteen, when a magical and unexplainable thing happened to me. I remembered myself standing on the wooden bridge in the middle of the river, the beauty of the midnight stars reflecting off the water, which glittered in the blackness of the place, and the beauty of the river. The moon was full and beautiful, and it drew my attention. It was that moment, when I felt that the light of the moon struck my eyes. It was so sudden, I thought I was going to die from excruciating pain that struck me but little by little, it forced my powers and enhanced abilities to be activated. By that moment, my life had changed.

Being able to hear the whispers of our pack mates even though I was far away was troublesome. I didn’t like it all. But being able to read and hear what was on their mind made me feel worse. It was like a part of my senses that I can control anytime, if I want to hear what’s on their head.

Though I must admit it, I felt bad if I tried to listen to their thoughts. It was like I was invading their privacy. I forgot that I had that ability and moved on. But one day, curiosity triggered me to know what Zach had been thinking all this time. For whatever reason, my wolf inside was telling me to do so.

“I’m glad that the council had favored me over Elijah. They think I am more capable than him. Later on, the Alpha would think the same. Realizing that he has a son whom he couldn’t depend on, he will choose me to be his heir. After all, Elijah is a mess . . .”

One thought inflicted so much pain in me. It was from Zacharius. My brother who I thought was someone I could rely on and wouldn’t turn his back on me, all this time had been fooling and betraying me.

I thought we were just normal siblings who play together, protect and love each other unconditionally but all this time, Zacharius built a facade and discreetly planned out my downfall.

My impression of him had changed, and in a brief moment, we slowly drifted apart and conflict started to rise between us.

“I think Peter knows a shortcut for us to get into the East land quickly.”

That was the disadvantage of gaining enhanced abilities . . . it opened my eyes from the naked and blatant truth, that not all the werewolves around me were trustworthy. Because even those I treat as a family ended up wanting to throw me away. I didn’t even think that ability was special at all; it was like a curse.

Even though I tried to stop using it, from time to time, there were still some thoughts connecting in my mind, especially coming from Atasha.

“Earth to Elijah, my brother who appears to have zoned out again!”

My thoughts were ripped out when I heard Zacharius’ loud voice. I looked at him and saw how he eyed me like I was some kind of lunatic.

“What?” My lips formed a thin line. I began walking fast as I erased those bittersweet memories flashing in my head like it all happened yesterday.

“Hmm, this isn’t the right time for you to daydream, brother!” He laughed and then I heard his footsteps as he followed me.

We walked our way back to the barn to get a vehicle that we can use to go to the East land. I inhaled sharply. I knew I shouldn’t dwell with my own conflict towards Zacharius but teaming up with him brought me back to the past . . . when I initially found out he was fooling me.

I shrugged it all off. This wasn’t the right time to reminisce about the past. I had to save Atasha at all costs, and unfortunately, Zacharius would be helpful with the goddamn negotiations to get her back.

When we arrived in the barn, Peter prepared the vehicle immediately.

“I hope you’ll have a safe journey, young masters.”

“Thanks, Pete, that’s so kind of you,” Zacharius said as we walked to the vehicle.

“Oh, wait!” It was as if Peter suddenly remembered something. “Kindly wait here, young masters. I have to get something for you.”

“Peter—” I was about to tell him not to worry about our food as we brought a lot of it in the compartment but he cut off my sentence.

“It’s a map! A map that will lead you to a shortcut so you will arrive in East land as soon as possible.”

“Uh-huh! My hunch was right that Peter can be so very useful, brother!”

“Mind to shut your mouth?” I shook my head, but a ghost of a smile curled in my lips as I would have a chance to see Atasha sooner.

Peter ran back to the barn to get the map he referred to.

“I will drive,” I said and was about to hop into the driver’s seat but Zacharius blocked me with his arms.

“Not so fast, brother. In my opinion, you have the best driver here so you better sit on the other side.” He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows which irritated me.

“Fuck off and move, Zach. I have no time to play your childish game.”

“Mind you, I am serious. I want to drive and I believe I can navigate the horse far better than you. After all, I got used to this stuff more than you do,” he said, still grinning from ear to ear.

“Are you seriously testing my patience?” My jaw clenched.

I grabbed the collar of his clothes and was about to punch him, hoping it would wake him up from his madness when someone hit me and him in the head.

“What the—”

“Seriously? Are you building a team or war here?” Veronica rolled her eyes and grabbed the carriage whip on my other hand. “I’ll drive and both of you should shut up before I kick your ass!”

Zacharius laughed. It triggered my annoyance but I released him the moment Peter went back with a map on his hand.

A felt a little hope simply by looking at the sketches in the map. Peter was right that it would take us sooner to the East land . . . with that, we started to travel in hopes to get that slave back. I was sitting uncomfortably on the left side of the carriage, with Zacharius singing a song while seated comfortably beside me. All I could do was sigh in defeat.

When Zacharius finished singing, I heard Veronica whining from the driver’s seat. Shaking my head, I kept questioning myself why the hell I got stuck with these two again.

“Hey, this reminds me of the old days! Right, Zach?” Veronica giggled.

“Definitely, yeah!” answered by this person sitting beside me.

I really couldn’t wait to get out of this vehicle. I can’t stand being stuck with these crazy siblings right now.

“How about you, El? You know what? I recalled when you were a kid. A wild boar chased after you and you ran so fast for your life and hid in our barn!” Veronica exclaimed and then laughed out loud.

“Oh, I remember that. I even tried to find him and guess what? I found him hiding under the table while shaking so badly!” Zacharius laughed as well.

My face was grim as I listened to their irritating laughters. I was too embarrassed that they still remember that awful past of mine. I already forgot about it and now brought it back for me to be their laughing stock.

I recalled what happened that day. Both of them teased me because I was too afraid to come out from the barn. Hideous . . .

“Breaking news! The soon-to-be Alpha is afraid of a wild boar!” Veronica exclaimed in glee.

Zach was trying to hold his laughter but began tapping his knees as he could no longer hold it.

“Shut up you two! You’re getting annoying!” I yelled.

Veronica then began switching up the topic and started telling funny stories of Zach.

“Hey, Zach, do you remember that tree? You tried to climb on that when we were young, right?” Veronica said.

We both looked at the window from the vehicle and saw the giant Oak tree.

“When you reached the top of it, you no longer knew how to go down. You were crying out loud with your snot coming out from your nose!” Veronica laughed once again.

Now, that was more hideous. I was trying my best to hold myself from laughing as I recalled that scene. Zacharius’ snot kept coming out of his nose, then it would pull back inside of it by breathing in.

“Stop it!” he stated. Irritated, he palmed his face.

I burst out into laughter and started tapping my knees. Veronica couldn’t stop laughing too.

“Oh, so the joke is on me. Great! Are you guys happy now?” He shook his head and crossed his arms.

“Oooh, looks like someone is embarrassed right now! How come you didn’t seem embarrassed when you confessed about how you feel towards Atasha?”

“You better stop, Veronica. Zip that mouth of yours!”

I looked at Zach with curiosity. He gritted his teeth and his jaw instantly tightened.

What did Veronica mean by that? Zach has feelings for Atasha?

I was about to confront him about it but then I heard a loud snort, followed by a chuckle, from the driver’s seat.

“Alright, this one is good.” She cleared her throat. “. . . She’s the key for my freedom,” Veronica mimicked my deep voice. “. . .I need to get her back!” she added and then laughed so hard.

I shook my head, disgusted as to how bad she was at copying me and my statements. I leaned my back on my seat and massaged the side of my head. I felt that I’d be insane with these two lunatics.

And the idea that Zach has feelings for Atasha whirled through my mind. While he was continuously listening and being amused by Veronica, I wasn’t able to control myself and asked him about it.

“So, you have feelings for Atasha?”

He looked at me with surprise, but he looked away and fixed his gaze on the window. He didn’t respond at all.

“Just so you know, she’s mine so you better step away,” I warned him.

Zacharius shrugged his shoulders and smirked before he looked back at me.

“You don’t own her now . . .” he said meaningfully.

When I was about to argue back with him, we heard Veronica calmly said, “This is like the old days, right? I’m happy that we are all together again. I guess I have to thank Atasha. It’s been a long time since we were reunited.” She was smiling from ear to ear.

I made a huge sigh. Both me and Zacharius stopped talking.

Somehow, the silence felt comforting. It was odd, but it seemed like the three of us appreciated this one fleeting moment.

***

Atasha’s Point of View

It’s been an hour since Leo listed my name as a new member of the werewolves of the East land. He then assigned me to work on the coliseum, where they were preparing the party for the Alpha of the Crimson Moon Pack. It was the same party where they plan to assassinate him as part of their revenge.

I would say that the party was extravagant. There was a live band who would play in the event. There were huge pianos, violins and guitars. I hadn’t seen such instruments before but I already had some ideas because Veronica taught me about them when we were studying. I assumed she loves music so much. She even shared some of her favorite songs with me and we listened to them in her music room. I couldn’t help but smile tenderly reminiscing those memories I had with her.

I was in charge of cutting some designs, hanging some paintings on the walls, and cleaning the seats. I worked so that my mind would be at ease. I felt so tired. After a few movements, it felt like I was already working for a day but when I looked at the clock on the stage, it indicated that only an hour had passed. I sighed and wiped the bead of sweat formed on my forehead.

My eyes looked around and saw Leo giving instructions to some of our pack mates. Since we were preparing the whole place for the party, we were allowed not to wear those masks. As I observed them, I noticed that the laborers who were working outside were still wearing their pigs masks, as if they are tasked to wear them all the time, compared to some werewolves who had the foxes, dogs and cats masks, who could remove theirs and wear them just like a necklace.

It was an indication that werewolves have certain groups here and sadly, those who were wearing the pigs masks were the outcasts.

When Leo was done talking to some of our pack mates, I went in his direction. My irritation started building up again as I couldn’t erase the fact that he lied to me in my head.

“Leo, can we talk?” I asked him and crossed my arms.

He looked at me for a second and then his eyes looked at our pack mates who went to the bleachers. “I’m sorry, Tash, but I’m afraid I’m still busy with—”

“Listen, I need to get out of this place. I don’t want to be involved in your plan, especially that you lied about my twin sister’s being here.” I said, cutting him off.

“Look, Atasha. It’s not that simple!”

“I shouldn’t be here in the first place, Leo. You only lied to me!”

As we argued, one of the guards who seemed worried walked toward us.

“Is everything alright here?” the guard asked us.

“Yes, of course, Sir. I’m only giving instructions to our new member,” Leo answered and gulped.

“Okay, then. By the way, good job, Leo, for finalizing this plan. As soon as the Alpha arrives he will be happy and eventually give us more blessings,” the guard said and walked away and left.

Leo grabbed my hand and he dragged me on the backstage of the Coliseum.

“Atasha, what are you doing?”

“I already told you! I don’t want to be here. I need to find my sister,” I replied.

He peeked to make sure no one could hear us talking.

“What are you going to do? Go out there in the wild? You’re safe here with me with your pack mates! Or don’t tell me you want to see Elijah? Tasha, look at me.” His eyes screamed of suspicion. “Who do you trust the most? Is it me, your pack mate or him from the Crimson Moon Pack, the one that causes us sufferings in the first place?”

My chest tightened as I didn’t know what to answer him. We both glanced at the door as someone opened it. One of the guards asked Leo to join their meeting outside, to secure the place of the Coliseum for the Alpha.

It was ironic that someone like Leo, who had a plan to kill the Alpha, would join a meeting that involved securing the safety of his target.

I left the backstage and went outside of the Coliseum to breathe some fresh air.

From where I was standing, I was able to observe the community. It was like our community in the Silver Moon Pack. It was just a simple life. All houses were small, kids running around, there was no extravagant thing that I could see.

The only sad thing was, there were slaves who were being forced to work beyond their extent to build new establishment in this place. Perhaps the pack was trying to develop this territory into something bigger, wider, like the Crimson Moon Pack’s territory.

Leo approached me and held my hand.

“I know you’re tired. Let me escort you to your house,” he offered.

I was surprised to know that I had my own house. I sighed in defeat and only nodded.

When we arrived at the house he referred to, I saw a small cramped bungalow in front of me. We entered it and as I scanned around, there were some mites, bugs and spiders running around in the sink and every corner of this house.

“You just need to clean it a bit since this was already an abandoned house,” he said.

I nodded. He finally left and I began cleaning the entire house. The house was the same size as my room at the Crimson Moon Pack’s mansion.

When I was sweeping the floor, I realized that Alpha Gregory should not see me here once he arrives as it might complicate things.

When I finished cleaning my small place, I went outside. I overheard some shewolves talking about the son of Alpha Gregory, that they were hoping to see him because they heard that he was handsome, hot, and was still searching for his mate.

“He even goes to different lands just to search for her!”

“There’s a rumor that he already found his Luna but based on his previous relationship, he ended up getting dumped because he was such a playboy.”

“Serves him right. But . . . I hope I can be his mate!”

“No way! It should be me!” They chuckled.

“Hey, you don’t have any good thing to do but to gossip here!” one of the shewolves yelled at them.

I gasped when she looked around and saw me eavesdropping on their conversation. Shock and panic engulfed my entire system.

I instantly dragged my feet and ran, went back to my house and closed the door. I was still out of breath when I heard a knock on the door.

I palmed my face, inhaled sharply and took a peak on the window to see the person outside. It turned out that it was one of the shewolves who got mad earlier.

I slowly walked towards the door and opened it.

“You’re Atasha, right?” she asked.

“Y-Yes . . .” I lowered my head.

“Gotcha. I heard the rumor that you became Elijah’s slave . . .” Her words made me look up to meet her eyes. She smirked. “By the way, I’m his ex-girlfriend, Clarence Norwood. Nice to meet you . . .”