I found my way outside. I saw many families at the table. And just as Elsa had said, all the families were all like one big family. Little kids ran between my legs and under the table. I looked around. More people were entering the room as others were leaving. A little boy came up beside me and held my hand as I walked. I looked down at the chubby little thing. He didn’t reach up to my knees. He looked up at me with startling blue eyes. “Carry.” He raised his hands to me. Such a cute little thing. There was no way I was saying no to those watery blue eyes of his. I carried him and grunted. He was heavier than he looked. I hoisted him on my hip. “What the gell are they feeding you?” He giggled and spoke baby language. “Really?” I asked. He nodded. I walked with him on my hip. He weighed a ton, I was sure. I walked with a lopsided gait to my step to keep my balance. I walked outside and into the early morning sun. There was fresh scent in the air. The scent of greens and freshly
The ride to the school was uneventful and boring. Mr. Harper was constantly droning about how he loved antique cars and how this one we were in was an antique too. Jake suffered the brunt of his talks because they both sat at the front.He was constantly asking questions and Jake looked like he was going to cry. I caught his eyes on the side view mirror and he begged me with his eyes to rescue him. I could barely hold back my laughter.The school was a 30 minute drive. The car had hardly stopped before Carlos, Alberto and Diego jumped out. Mr. Harper sighed. He caught my eye in the rear view mirror and asked, “Do to boys want to come in? Or you’d prefer to go back to the mansion.” “Um – we’d better go back to the mansion. Jake?”“I agree with him.” Jake groaned with relief. “Okay then.” He gave us a wad of notes. “Take a cab or bus. Watch each other’s back out there.” Then he grabbed his briefcase from Jake and stepped out of the car. We both stepped out too and told him bye. We wa
ATLAST WE SAW somewhere familiar. I heard Jake gave a huge breath of relief. “I was starting to fear we had gotten lost again.” I said. He gave a nervous short laugh. “Yeah. Me too.” We had been walking for close to 45 minutes. We had long finished our drinks, finished some ice lollipops we bought and the sun had started getting hotter. There was mild film of sweat on my forehead. Jakes upper lip and nose was dotted with sweat. We had thought of boarding the bus, but we realised that we didn’t know our stop. With the thought that we’d just get more lost, we decided to trek the whole way and hoped we’d see a familiar place and we did. We turned into the street and walked down, the scent of werewolf territory hit me so hard I almost staggered. Jake must have heard my sharp intake of breath because he looked at me and asked what was wrong.“That smell... its so strong.” “You’ve never perceived it before?” He asked. I shook my head. “So how come you did now?” “It’s supposed to be
“HELLO DAD. What’s up?” How a little boy tells his Dad, an alpha, “What’s up?” is just beyond me. “He wants to speak to both of us.” Jake said, then he put the phone on speaker mode. “Is Jason there now?” Alpha Jamie’s voice sounded strained and cackled a bit. Maybe it was because of the network service. “Yes, Uncle.” I answered. “How are you boys?” His voice was considerably less strained than before. “We’re just fine, Dad. Alpha Andrés has been terrific to us.” “That’s good. Do you boys feel okay there in Brazil?” I nodded, then remembered he can’t see me. “Yes sir.” “Do you mind staying there for a few more days? We’re trying to round something up over here.” Joy swelled in my spirits. “There’s no problem, Dad. When do you think we’ll be able to come home?” “I can’t say just yet. But soon"“Alpha. What’s going on in our Pack?” He made a gruff sound in his throat before he said, “It’s nothing, boy. It’s nothing we can not handle. There’s no need to bother yourselves ove
“You know Henri?” He asked. I nodded. “Eldest Vampire. Eldest living person from a magical specie.” He tutted and shook his head. “Not eldest living species. Just the Eldest Vampire. It was witch that turned him.” I looked at him. “The witch is still alive.” He laughed. “Crazy old thing. Over 4000 years old.” “She was the first witch?” I asked. “Oh no, she wasn’t.” He said. “She was the first witch to dabble in the dark arts. Every witch in her coven is long dead.”“But she’s still alive...” “Yes. With the help of Dark magic. She’s a cast-out. To dabble in the dark arts is an abomination amongst their kind. It takes part of your soul.” “I’ve never heard of her.” I said. “I know. She likes to remain a secret.” We entered a large room. “Sit.” He opened a mini bar that doubled as a refrigerator. Cool mist drifted out as he opened the bar. I sat on a big couch and struggled to maintain my balance because of how soft it was. It was swallowing me and I just let myself be swallowe
Me? How?My mind was in a raging turmoil but I just smiled and sat by his side. “Tell me about them.” I said. He took a ragged breath before saying, “It varies. Sometimes, you kill the Vampires and then turn on me. Sometimes, you are the vampire... and also the cat. Something like a Vampire cat. Like something spawned from the pits of hell.” I closed my eyes as he continued telling me the different version of his nightmares about me. I felt sad. A deeper sadness than I had ever felt. Suddenly, he stopped talking. I opened my eyes to look at him and saw myself reflected in the deep pools of his wide eyes. I had shifted. There was no pain or discomfort. It was just like I did this all the days of my 16 years on this planet earth. I got up from where I has sat. I stood taller than normal. Jake’s eyes never left me. I went into the bedroom to the full length mirror. I heard him shuffle up and follow me with an awe struck look in his face. Black fur brushed my hands, neck and part
Claude held the bell to prevent it from jingling as Jaja opened the door and they all stepped out into the cold night air. The sounds of bugs and mosquitoes filled the air. Jaja pulled up the collar of his jacket, Claude rubbed his two hands together. Jamie blew a misty breath out of his mouth. Like shadows, the Vampires stayed inconspicuously at various places surrounding the Cafe. The men weren’t sure if they had known they were there. Jamie could count about 7 of them. There might be more of them around. Claude walked up to one leaning on a street light pole. The vampire watched him with wary red glittering eyes. “Hello my friend.” Claude said. He placed a hand on the Vampire’s shoulder. Tension oozed out of the Vampire’s body. “Why are you so tense?” With that, he drove a full fist into the vampire’s belly. Air left the vamp’s body, as he doubled forward. Claude clamped his hands around the vamp’s neck and twisted sharply. The sound of twisted bone resonated in the air. A tw
I rushed back to our suite. I had heard Alpha Andrés receive the call and drive off. I couldn’t believe what I had heard. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I did. I barged into the room and heard low murmurs coming in from the bedroom. Those two were talking discreetly again. I entered the room cautiously, not wanting to break any serene environment. The stopped to look at me when I entered the room. “How are you feeling?” I asked Jake. He just nodded. I noted that they held hands as she sat on the bed and he lay down. “Dad is coming.” I said. Jake looked at me with wide eyes but remained silent like he didn’t know what I was talking about. “Who?” He asked, blinking rapidly. “Dad...” I said excitedly. “My Dad and your dad. I heard Alpha Andrés talking with them. He just went to pick them up from the airport.” The weakness left his body with surprising speed. He pivoted around the bed. “How long has he been gone? How long do you think it’ll take.” “15, maybe 20 minutes.” Elsa sa
I WAS AWOKEN by the harsh Ray of sunshine coming from the window. I glinted and squinted as i sat up. The fireplace was off. The wood had all burnt off.The main sitting room was buzzing with activity. People were coming and going, I heard Jake’s voice talking with someone.I turned and yawned and saw he was talking with Gibson. I grimaced as I remembered that this huge man was Dad’s replacement. I heard the door open and the sounds of footsteps as the boys – Billy, Matt and Zach – bounded in.They made a beeline to where I laid down and stood over me.I struggled and sat up. I groaned as I felt a crick in my lower back.I looked at their faces and went a little sad at how incomplete they seemed.We all missed Arthur and Jeff.“I should wash up.” I said, rubbing my eyes.The nodded.I walked and headed up to Jake’s room to use his bathroom.I was half expecting to see Elsa. I could really do with her smile this morning.I rushed to the bathroom to do my stuffs, while in the bathroom I
I RUSHED NEXT door to the Alpha house and went on to find Jake.“They are in the study.” Elsa said as I walked in, as if she knew exactly who I was looking for.I headed to the study and walked in and realized why Elsa had said “they". I found him in the study with Alpha Jaja, Alpha Preston, Mum and aunt Charlotte.The heads turned to look at me as I burst in. I prepared to turn back but thought better of it so I stood my ground.I raised my hand and pointed with my thumb to the back. “Is he supposed to be here?” i walked into the room.“Who is that?” Alpha Jaja asked, pushing back his chair and standing up.We heard the door open and the sound of walking stick tapping the floorboard as footsteps approached.The pale figure of Henri filled the door as Henri came up and looked around the room. His eyes lingered on me before he moved on to Jake.“I came to pay my last respect. Your father was a good man and a strong Alpha.” He said and turned and walked away before any of us could say a
SHE PULLED ME up with ease. I searched her eyes for any knowledge that I was banished and the reason behind it.I did not find any. Just the warm brown familiar eyes of and her wide smile. She was really happy to see me.“How have you been?” She asked, pulling me into a tight hug.My arms wrapped around her waist and I inhaled the nice fragrance from her hair. We stayed in the hug for some seconds before she pulled back and I noticed a squat figure just behind her.“Oh, this is Grem.” She said. “He’s a dwarf.”I looked closely at this strange creature, barely reaching up to my knees with large feet and hands and big black eyes too.“We have them at the pack now. Not as slaves, though. Of course not.” She said, laughing. “More like an exchange of relationship, we offer them food and shelter and protection and they run the chores of the pack. Like cooking and cleaning.”I made the appropriate noise to that because she nodded and continued. “Dad wanted to offer them money too, you know.
A THICK SILENCE filled the air at the cabin. The fire still burned outside but not on its own now. It cackled loudly and the pungent odour of burning human flesh hung heavy in the air. Clyde was seated at a couch opposite Rosetta. Roland was standing in a dark corner, his ankles were crossed and arms folded.Henri stood near the window in his regular pose – one hand in his pocket and the other, holding his stick. But this time, he held the stick at the middle, the head of the stick was hooked to the curtain, drawing it back and opened slightly so there was a thin slice of moonlight casted over his features.Sofia came in from casting a burning spell on Tom’s body, her hands were tucked inside her robes. Clyde turned to her. She gave a brief nod and then settled herself down on the chair in front of the fireplace.“You have been staring at that too much, lately.” Henri pointed, letting go of the curtain and gesturing with the hand holding his stick towards the fire.Sofia nodded.It mi
THE BURIAL OF an alpha is not small affair. Claude had been the longest lasting and once best friend of Jamie, so he was consulted as to what Jamie would have wanted.And Claude said what Jamie had told him years ago. Many many years ago.Jamie wanted his body cremated and half of his ashes buried in the cemetery, but he wanted his son, Jake to spray the other half of his Ash into a flowing river.At least even in death, he would still have the chance to explore.That evening, Jamie’s body was cremated just before the burial procession started.Zhao and Alyssé stood by a corner. Alpha Jaja had arrived a few hours ago with his wife. His eyes were red rimmed. He had been crying.The whole pack was dressed in black. Drakys III and Faerie were seated at a table, constantly consorting with each other.The grand magus was also at the burial. But all these guest were detached. They were mainly here out of a sense of duty and respect for the dead man.Only Preston and other invited werewolves
MY MIND WAS in a turmoil. Mum left yesterday, or was it two days ago?I lost track of time.Then Dad was called too. He left last night.And that was how I ended up alone in America. I planned on staying in my dorm for the major part of the day. But I had to go to campus in the morning, I had a major lecture.I entered the lecture hall distractedly, my hood was pulled over my head as I settled down.I should call Jake, I said to myself. I should offer my condolences. Mum had sent me the news that my uncle was dead. Jake would be the alpha now.I randomly remembered a time when we were 9 and Jake had held my hand, saying I would be his right hand when he became alpha.It had seemed like a faraway dream as at that time.Now, it felt like another life.Another reality, but a reality nonetheless.I shook my head and brought out my laptop, and then I perceived it.I looked up sharply and caught the glint of the sun on that ginger coloured hair.She was sitting a few rows in front of me. Wi
ROLAND WAS NOT really enthralled or looking forward to having a sweaty, nervous man shuffling and dogging his every step. But he was quiet as Sofia and Clyde bustled around in preparation for the ritual.It was to hold in the night at the backyard. Sofia had used the wolfs bane to make a spiral on the ground.Clyde would pass by and whisper something to Tom and they would both share a giggle.“You will need a blood from a werewolf to complete the ritual.” Roland said to Sofia as she passed him.She stopped and cocked her head to a side as she looked at him. “You don’t sound excited.”“There’s nothing to be excited about.” He replied.She came to rest on the wall beside him. “Is there not?” She asked him. “You would train this one yourself.”Roland sighed.“We are going to use your blood and Clyde’s.” Sofia said in answer to his question.Roland pushed from the wall and walked inside the house. He kept himself busy by cleaning and polishing his oak branch stick.He was so engrossed tha
THE DRIVE WAS quiet. Neither man spoke, even their breathing was muffled and very quiet. While Henri paid his full attention on the road, Roland gaze flicked lazily out the window and over the ever changing scenery as Henri drove about 50 miles per hour over the speed limit. Roland kept expecting them to be flagged down but they were not. The car drove on heavily and soundly. The outside world changed from mountains and hills to random small houses and patches of farm to large ranches to a developed part of town with skyscrapers to flats and plains and finally thick trees. “The next turn on your right.” Roland said. Henri did not give any indication that he heard but he turned at the next turn. They drove on that lane for close to 10 minutes before Roland said, “Turn here.” “There’s no road.” Henri said. “Just turn.” Henri swerved sharply into the dirt and the Bentley bounced and groaned as the tires crushed the dry grass and gravel. There, in the middle of a large expanse of
JAKE HAD WATCHED them go in circles for what seemed like eternity but was actually just 2 hours. The conversation had mainly been carried on by Preston, Drakys III and Faerie and Zhao.Drakys had suggested a centaur absent-mindedly.“A Centaur can’t take on an alpha werewolf on his territory.” Preston has countered. “Besides centaurs don’t just go on a killing spree.”Faeries had said, agreeing with Preston. “None of you had any bad blood with the alpha, do you.”There was shaking of heads all around the table.Faerie yawned a dainty yawn. Jessica sat, unmoving, her peripheral vision watched the still form of Jake. She knew he had something to say but had no idea why he was still quiet“The were jaguar then. Jamie’s nephew.” Zhao said in that lazy drawl of his. His watery eyes flicked a gaze at Jake.“I mean, he has motive. He was banished.” Henri added too. His first words in the meeting.It was that moment that Jake knew he had to join in. “It was not Jas.” Jake said. The alpha wolf