His Arrival

Elijah’s Point of View

Three days before the opening of the carnival . . .

“We’re finally here,” Veronica announced while gazing up at the giant gate of the East land.

I went out of the vehicle and looked around. I sighed with relief when I didn’t smell any scent of werewolves in here other than ours. Peter was right when he said that the map would guide us for a shorter trip, which I didn’t think our father knew about because if they do, he would’ve been here then.

“It seems that our father hasn’t arrived here in the East land yet. Zacharius . . .” I called Zach who also went out of the vehicle and then yawned. “I want you to team up with Veronica. You have to do something and make sure that our father will not arrive at this place.”

He nodded. “Alright, let us handle it then.”

Alpha Gregory should not be in this domain in the first place. It was entirely my fault that he ended up traveling all his way here. I didn’t want him to be in danger. Even though we knew how strong he was, we were still not sure how the enemies plotted their plan to assassinate him.

They have formed an alliance with our people here, thus we need to be careful.

Veronica tapped my shoulder and smirked at me. “I already informed my trusted slaves to investigate and track Leo’s moves,” she said.

I nodded. “That’s good to hear. We better start moving. Three days from now, our father might arrive here. Our plan must be accomplished in no time.”

While Veronica and Zacharius needed to find a way to stop our father from getting in here, I plan to take Atasha with me and ensure that she would be coming back with us to our territory. The Alpha shouldn’t see her here because if that happened, her life would be in danger too.

When midnight came, I started to make a move to sneak inside the East land entrance. I was hiding behind the bush while checking the gates filled with guards. They were like those rogues we had encountered in the forest. Wearing their fox masks, and being on the watch to protect the land.

I threw a rock on the other part of the gate to distract them and when I got a chance, I swiftly ran and choked one of them until he fainted out. I dragged and hid him, then started removing his clothes so I could wear them for me to be able to disguise as one of them.

I wore the mask and went to their post confidently.

“Hey, are you alright?” One of the guards asked me.

“Yes . . .” I answered.

He then tried to grab my shoulders. I immediately stopped his hands. I knew I should have not done it but my instinct was to protect myself right away.

“What are you doing? I’m only trying to fix your suit.” He then fixed my armour. “There, much better,'' he said. “We should be ready at any moment, the Alpha will be coming soon.”

“Yeah, I am ready.” I gulped and tried to act cool. “By the way, have you heard anything or if there’s any plan about assassinating the Alpha?” I asked.

“Huh? Where did you even hear that?” he asked.

“I am not sure if I heard it correctly but I think I heard it from the people here,” I said.

“Hey, Tony bud. If I were you, save your ass and don’t be swayed to the rebels’ promising words of freedom. I am pretty sure that in a snap of a finger, they will vanish into thin air. If we stay loyal to the Alpha, we will get what we want!”

“I do understand and I won’t be swayed, that’s for sure.” I answered.

It was near dawn and the guards were already sleeping in the gatehouse. I grabbed that chance to remove all the armor suits and just wear the mask. I then left the post and continued my plan to find Atasha.

I found myself wandering in what seemed like a marketplace and saw how the werewolves here were living their lives. Compared to the rogues and the guards I’ve encountered, these folks here weren’t wearing any masks. They appeared to be normal commoners. However, I didn’t let my guard down and decided to wear the fox mask I stole just in case I bump into one of the rogues who attacked us. I must protect my identity so I can take actions as quickly as possible.

I tried to find Atasha in the marketplace but even her scent wasn’t detectible . . . I sat on one of the benches to take a rest and somehow used my enhanced ability of hearing to detect her voice. I was busy listening to every voice and whispers of all the people around me when I saw an old man who accidentally dropped his bags of groceries right in front of me.

I intended to ignore him but when I saw how he was having a hard time picking up his things, I decided to stand up and help him.

“Here,” I said and gave the fruits to him.

“Oh, thank you, young man!”

“Not a problem!”

“Your scent is quite different,” he said, which made my body fully alert.

“What do you mean, Sir?” I asked.

“Well, my wolf can determine if someone is new here in our small community. Your scent was similar from the shewolf I met the other day,” he answered.

My eyes narrowed as I looked at him. Was he referring to Atasha?

“Wait. May I know the name of that shewolf you met?” I asked him curiously.

I didn’t know why but for some reason, I felt that he was, indeed, referring to Atasha. My chest couldn’t seem to be at ease so I had to swallow hard and asked him again.

“What’s her name, Sir?”

“Uhm, her name is A . . . At—” He caressed his chin like he was trying to remember her name carefully. “Hmm, I guess it’s Allyza.”

I sighed. I thought for a second it was Atasha. He then tapped my shoulders and then stood up.

“I need to go now. Thank you for helping me— oh, what’s your name?” he asked.

“My name is El . . . Elias,” I said.

“Oh, interesting name. See you around then, El . . . Elijah?” He laughed and then shook his head. “I’m sorry. This old man here is not really good at names.”

My eyes widened as I looked at him. My chest tightened when he mentioned my real name. When the old man left, I sat on the bench again, thinking where I should go.

I sat on the park bench and thought about where I should go but I couldn’t take that old man off of my head. What if it was really Atasha whom he was referring to and he only didn’t remember her name because he wasn’t good at recalling it?

I palmed my face as it might be possible. I should’ve asked him more about that woman he was referring to. I stood up and tried to look for that old man, however I wasn’t able to find him.

Letting out a long sigh, I decided to observe every corner of this community instead. I studied how they walk, talk, and communicate and survive for a living. I roamed around the marketplace, and some areas where there were a lot of laborers.

***

It’s been two days since I've been here and I was able to blend in with the werewolves here in the East Land. Some laborers were kind enough to give me food to eat and shelter to sleep in. Perhaps because they saw me wearing a wolf mask. I didn’t understand why they were extra kind and polite to the werewolves who hold such masks but later on, I realized it signifies a superiority in the East land.

I was wandering around the streets near the Coliseum when I recalled that this place was where my ex-lover used to live before, only if my memory serves me right. She told me that she’s from the East Land, and I never got the chance to meet her parents . . . It was one complicated love.

Clarence Norwood . . .

It felt odd that I no longer feel anything whenever I think about her. I shook my head and proceeded to walk but a kid blocked my way.

“Hey, Mr. Big guy. Can you please get our ball inside?”

His finger was pointing at a house with a broken window.

“Sure, kid.” I ruffled his hair and walked to the house. I tried to peek at the window but the ball was too far for me to reach.

“Can you get it and play with me?” the kid asked.

“I’m sorry but it was too far. We can’t trespass to this house, kid. We have to wait for the owner,” I explained.

“I understand, Mr. Big guy. I guess we have to wait for the pretty girl who lives here!”

“Hey, kid. By any chance, do you know anyone whose name is Atasha?” I asked, hoping that this kid had encountered Atasha already.

“Hmm, I guess, I heard that name before from my sister,” the kid said.

The other girl then approached us and said, “Hey, I think he was looking for Atasha Greene, the Hero’s daughter. Is that correct, Sir?”

“Y-Yeah!”

“Well, she was living in that house!” She pointed towards the house behind me.

My heart pounded aggressively and looked at the kid.

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“Yes, Sir!” she said and then they already ran away to play.

I looked at the window and knocked on the door but it seemed that Atasha wasn’t here right now. I then waited outside and tried to walk around near her house.

I waited patiently with high hopes that I’d be able to see her after a couple of days of traveling here but there was no sign of Atasha.

I breathed heavily and still gawked at the house. Perhaps those kids only tricked me?

I decided to leave the place and went to the Coliseum where the said masquerade party would be held. I observed the place, it was a good thing that all the workers had already left for lunchtime.

I sneaked inside and saw the backdrop of the stage. It was like a mural painting. As I walked on the stage, someone opened the door which made me panic and hide. I went behind the stage and heard some footsteps, after that, the sound of something that was splashing was the next thing I heard.

When the silence engulfed the entire place, I moved slowly and peeped to see if someone was still around. When I didn’t see any sign of werewolves, I went out of the backstage and stared at the ruined mural. There were splashes of paint everywhere and the pails were scattered purposely.

“It was such a nice mural they just ruined . . .” I whispered and shook my head, dismayed about the action of the unknown werewolf who did this.

I then looked around and checked every corner of the Coliseum. I guess they were planning to assassinate my father here. According to Veronica, Leo was the leader of the group who plotted the assassination. I will make sure to stop him from what he’s planning to do and to take Atasha away from him.

I familiarize myself with the entire place. Just in case Veronica and Zacharius would fail to stop my father from arriving here, I should come up with another plan to ensure the Alpha’s safety.

I sensed that someone was coming in from the entrance. I immediately hid from the bleachers and hoped that no one would be able to sense me here.

“What the heck did you do, Tash?!”

“It wasn’t me, Leo!” My eyes widened upon hearing Atasha’s voice.

My chest tightened as I tried to peek to see her. Next to her was Leo, who was enraged and scolding her as if she was his slave.

My lips formed a thin line as I fisted my hand.

Was this the life you chose, Atasha?