"Why have you come to the city?" Amoux asked
"You should have asked at first before agreeing to come with me." Ashina replied without looking at him.
He felt embarrassed. He felt his nerves rising and the will to punch her. This wasn't the first time he felt so, but he had to resist himself. No wolf is to hit a female wolf that he isn't married to or who isn't his daughter.
"Tread softly princess. Well, all these emotions can wait till the day I get to marry you." He thought, letting out a grin.
"Now patience, Felan." He called to her, "Being with you erases all reason from me" he smiled.
When Amoux started hitting on her, she had rejected him and looked down on him. She pitied him. She had wanted to avoid what happened to her former lover with him, but Amoux wouldn't stop. She had once warned him never to approach her again, she had shifted into her werewolf form to drive home her point, but he didn't listen. He was a persistent one.
She had started growing interest for his determination even after countless warnings from the daughter of Lord Olcan. Even if her father isn't the Ultimate Alpha, he is one of the well known Alpha in Noguchi. Or was it his fierceness that was feared.
She began hating Amoux on the day he decided to flex his influence over her and her lack of choice.
"My father won't be available for tomorrow's meeting. He asked me to be here on his behalf." She heard his voice say to her father, right before she was about to knock on her father's door.
She came in and saw him kneeling before her father.
"Oh! And my little beloved princess is here. I must say Lord Olcan, my interest in your daughter is one of the best things to happen to me," he said bowing before Ashina.
She ignored him and moved to her father.
"Father, mother said…"
"Ashina!" Her father growled deeply.
"Yes father!" She shivered.
"Right before you is the future alpha of the Huduns, and how dare you ignore him like he is nothing. How dare you!" He growled deeper. He stood up from where he was sitting. He moved closer to her.
She knew what was coming for her, and she continued shivering. He pulled her by the hair. He pulled her back and slapped her. And Amoux who claimed to love her stood just as her father helped him redeem his pride she had shattered. And right then, she knew she would never love him and she should never keep him wanting replies.
But here in the city, her father isn't around to hit her. She can reply as she wants but punishment that would await her at home would be immeasurable. She was thinking of a way to apologize. Even was about to go on her knees when a group of wolves in their human form came to Amoux.
"Lord Amoux. It's such an honor to meet you here. We really appreciate your presence. What shall we get you?" The oldest man said.
"Your Lordship! Come to my store and take whatever it is you want," another man said. Even though Ashina could swear the man didn't mean it.
Right before her were about a dozen werewolves, with some bowing by putting their forehead on the ground before him. Others bow by just bending before him.
She knew those bending were the Betas, and those with their foreheads were the Omegas.
"They are people of my pack!" He looked at Ashina and bragged. She knew who they were. No other pack would bow or even recognize most sons of the Alpha. The only person from a pack every member of the other pack knows is the Alpha.
"Very humble and loyal people," she replied. She looked at his eyes, as he searched around for the higher Betas. It seems they were none around. Those ones who will hurt his pride. They won't bow to anyone except the Alpha.
"Why don't you go anywhere and pick whatever you want," he ordered her.
"No! I am fine. What I want is from the store over there" she pointed to a store who doesn't have what she needs.
"Are you sure, because they owe me loyalty and soon enough, it will be to both of us." He said.
She returned his smile with hers. She saw people from her pack, but they didn't come to greet her. They all remained at their stores. Something she knew wouldn't be the case if it had been her brother.
"Yes! I don't…"
She got interrupted by the hurrying and screaming of people. She saw everyone gathering towards the middle of the plaza, with a sense of urgency. People of other packs who weren't bowing were muttering to themselves and they all went to the middle.
At first, she thought a robbery was about to take place, but she saw smiles within the faces of most of the people around.
"What's happening?" Amoux asked no one in particular. He left where he was standing and walked out towards the open, but keeping distance from the middle where they were gathering.
"I guess it's the son of the Ultimate Alpha," a member of Amoux pack said.
"Son of the ultimate Alpha?" He asked.
"Yes! He comes here once every two months and…"
"Enough! Do all those people belong to their clan?"
" No sir!" The same man replied
"Then why do they all gather for him? Why will they bow for him?" Amoux asked.
Ashina could see the anger and restlessness on his face. He felt cornered. He was beginning to have sweat beads pile up on his forehead.
"It's the tradition of this market, Sir," the same man replied.
"Tradition of this market? Who started it?" Amoux barked in what might be his lowest voice. He stood right before the Beta that had been replying to him.
"I made it so, Sir."
"Eh? You made it so. And what about them bowing to the future alpha of your pack"
"He comes here often. You rarely do. When he comes, he makes sure those who need help get it." The Beta replied.
Ashina comes to the city once in a while and even when she does, she might never come into this particular market. She would just walk around. The city is like a fairground for every Werewolf in Noguchi. Even though some people never come either due to proximity or title, the city always booms. Though, no one sleeps in it. Everyone returns to their pack's territory at the end of the day.
She had never met the son of the Ultimate Alpha. She heard rumors about him, things she didn't want to believe. Bad rumors. She had always wanted to meet him. Even if it's for the clarification of her doubts.
Everyone in her family has been taught to hate the Ultimate pack. But here she is with her heart racing, wanting to meet the man. She could feel every strand of hair on her rise. Every part of her, eager to meet him.
Right at that spot, she promised if the man could nullify all the rumors about him that she had been taught, she would give him every part of her. Her heart, body and soul.
In fact, without having met him, she already loves his presence. Not many wolves are loved by people of other packs. But here is a man that she believes is in a fairytale. A wolf widely loved by all. Even though she feared it would be a one sided love, she promised to hold him dear till the end of her days.
The comotion created by the coming of the son of the Ultimate Alpha wasn't what was infuriating Amoux. Ashina knew. She knew it was the meetings they have been having with her father. She does not know the details of the meetings but anytime she eavesdrops, even if it's for a minute, she always hears them talk about the ultimate Alpha. And they share their hatred for the ultimate Alpha.She wondered if the hatred for the ultimate Alpha is what binds these new packs in her father's home together. If it was, once the hatred of the Ultimate Alpha ends, Noguchi would probably go back to it's warring period. And places like this city would become useless. The elegant buildings, the flowers and the lights used in decorations would all become useless if war should happen. "I am already overthinking things. Let me just enjoy the moment," she said to herself. "So because he helps the poor, you had to honor him that much. Do you respect or fear him?" "My Lord… our loyalty belongs…" "Do you
"And my Lady? You are?" He asked. Beowulf had looked at other people standing with Amoux. The only person of royalty there was Ashina. He wouldn't have talked to her, but he looked at her face and smiled. He didn't see the second mark of identification, that would mean she is engaged. He saw clearly that Ashina was from the Volde pack and that Amoux was from the Hudun pack. There was no sign of marriage between both. And that gave him the chance to speak to her. "I am Ashina of Volde. Volde pack." She replied to him gladly. She saw the look in his eyes. She could sense how lost in thought he was."This is perfect," she concluded after inhaling him. Every Felan in Noguchi has a way of selecting their partner. The Felans of Noguchi have more sensitive olfactory way of sensing rather than the men. "You are a Lady or a humble Felan.?""I am a Lady. Daughter of the Alpha." She replied excitedly."Lord Amoux, is she your mate?" "No! I am not. He is a friend. An acquaintance of my fathe
"So, is that truly the son of your Alpha? He doesn't look it," Beowulf said to the market leader, Farkas."Yes, Lord Beowulf," Farkas replied"Well, I came here to see to the peace of the market. And the gold I promised everyone, is right outside. You should know where to keep it and share it amongst yourselves, when I am gone," Beowulf added."Alright lord Beowulf." Farkas humbly replied"And Lord Beowulf, I want to tell you something else," "What is it?" "It's about my daughter. She is a good felan. A beautiful one. She is loyal and…" "Farkas, we won't be talking about this again." Beowulf interrupted. Truly most of the werewolves in Noguchi know what period it is. It's the period where the son of the Ultimate Alpha looks for his mate, who will be the new Ultimate Luna. Most older werewolves know the reason Beowulf has been coming to the city. The reason he has been going from packs to packs, visiting Alphas. Soon enough, he will be the Ultimate Alpha. The one who would have con
The sect has its base at the Volde Pack territory. Ashina's father is the one who spearheaded it. They have all grown and learnt to hate every member of the Ultimate pack. They were to get any information about the Ultimate pack and share it with other members. The sect consists of Alphas from different packs. Alphas who harbor disgust and annoyance at the existence of the Ultimate Alpha. Amoux can't even touch Beowulf not to talk of punching his way through these men before him. He snapped his finger at Beowulf, and went towards where Ashina was. "I will take her with me. You," he pointed at the market leader. "Yes! Lord Amoux," Farkas ran to him and bow"Get help and carry her along with me to the Volde pack," Amoux ordered. "Get help from someone from the Volde Pack." He whispered to Farkas. No matter how strong and influential a werewolf is, there is a limit to those he can control. Not even an Alpha of a pack can control or order those of another pack. The only person excepti
"So mother, that is exactly how it happened." Beowulf excitedly narrated his ordeal to his mother. He selectively told her things that he knew won't get her angry. He couldn't tell her about the threat Amoux made. The words he said were something his mother would be worried about. If he mentions the threat, she would want to go to the priests to check if her son would be fine. Even though Beowulf knew most times, the priests only say things that she wants to hear. They might have every spiritual power. They might hear things directly from the gods, but they can't see the future."Oh my heaven! Heavenly goddess. You found a woman that interests you?" She asked, smiling and gushing over all of him. She stood up and began dancing the local Atilogwu dance. "No wait mother, I am interested in all women. She only piqued my interest. She really is a perfect woman." He replied. He drew her close just so she could stop dancing. His mother frowned at him. She sat down on the bed before him."Y
Their palace is a different castle than their building. For most days, that's where his father is. His mother does stay at the castle, but once in a while she comes back to this castle. The palace is like an extension of the castle. It has few rooms for sleep and a large court for meetings between all the Alphas of Noguchi. Running at a human speed would take thirty minutes from the castle to the palace. Beowulf only had to run for five minutes before he got there, and that's still not while in his werewolf form. In one of the numerous classes he attended in preparation for his ascension, she heard the story of how the palace was created. Something that once served as a shelter for werewolves during the war of separation. He entered through the main gate as the guards bow before him. Today, he didn't notice the large depiction of a waning moon drawn on a cloth, placed above the entrance of the castle. "Lord Beowulf!" They all greeted him. Even people who were older than him. Every
Ashina didn't gain consciousness at once. She began noticing her surroundings minutes after she woke up. There was no one nearby. She was alone in her room. Just beside her bed, she saw plates and cups that had been used to feed her drugs. She didn't call anyone or try to ask for help. She didn't feel any pain. She doesn't even have a memory of what happened. It's just her on her bed looking lost and empty.After minutes of silence even in her head, she wondered what had gotten her into this condition. "What made me faint?" She asked herself, thinking of possible reasons. It was not like her father had touched her. He beats her when she provokes him but he had never beaten her to the extent where she lost consciousness.It's not like she got diagnosed with any sickness that drained her energy. And she is quite energetic. The doctor has once said. And she had proved it at different times."Oh! Right!" She cried in her head. "I remember. I remember just what it is that happened." She
"Ashina! Who is this man?" He asked in a friendly tone. He didn't come off as angry. Even the guards of the court were not around. The atmosphere wasn't official. She felt relaxed."Father! He is Falcris. Son of Beta Donolf. His father was the one who helped us unravel plots of the Ekun's pack during the last war. We…" "Ashina! I know who his father is. Tell me the relationship between you and the young wolf." Lord Olcan ordered. He stood up from his seat and moved closer towards them."He is a wolf I am interested in, father. I love him." She said to her father with a smile on her face. She moved forward so her father would know how happy she is. She had her hand on her chest. "You love him?" He said. He turned around and smiled."And you Falcris, what do you have to say about that?" Olcan asked Falcris."Lord Olcan. I love your daughter. She is the perfect mate. She is…" Falcris said. He bowed down immediately. He thought it would be disrespectful to talk to Lord Olcan while stand