Chapter 2;

Silence. The air is covered with the thickening fog of silence. It was awful and awkward. Ironic isn’t it? I find the loudness of surroundings annoying and I tend to wish for silence. And yet, when silence comes I find it suffocating and awful.

I’m a mess, geez.

Staring deep into Wesley’s yellow orbs, I sent him a warning through my mind, “Say something or I’m going to rip your mouth wide open,” I don’t know if it is going to work. It’s only my second time trying a mind link. The first time was during the training I had undergone to prove myself to the late Alpha, to prove that I’m better than the weakness he’s labeling me in—it didn’t work.

Mindlink. One of the attributes of being an influential wolf. One who bears strength and power. Almost everyone in our pack can do it, except me. Even pups who are younger than me by years can do so.

Wesley looked away before clearing his throat, “You’re telling me that you had pinned her down because she startled you? ” I gasp, “What!?” Wesley exclaimed hurriedly positioning in front of me in a very defensive mode.

Fool.

“Did you hear my thoughts?” I mumbled. He’s in front of me, which means he’s covering me away from Rain’s sight. And humans are too naïve to even understand what I’m trying to say.

Wesley nodded, “Calm down will you,” I uttered. Shooing him out of my space. He whimpered before going back to his seat.

Him, hearing me was a surprise. It was my first. Was it because of my eye color a while ago? Wesley had no idea about it. I asked him about my eye color before explaining things to him and his answer was expected.

Black.

It changed back even before Wesley can see it. Which is a real bummer to be honest. I can’t just tell that my eye color changed to Purple without having Rain as a witness. And having Rain as a witness means telling her the truth.

Yes. Our pack has sworn to never slay an innocent under my Papa’s lead. But the others didn’t. They can come to Rain and me anytime without any warnings. And that’s dangerous. No matter how annoyed I am with Rain, I don’t want her dying because of me.

“Wesley,” I called out. He looked up pouting. Geez, what a sulky pup. Grunting I uttered, “Stop with the pout. I’ll buy you a lollipop later,” like a child on a major tantrum, he shook his head. What is it this time?

“I don’t want a lollipop. I want lollipops,” Wesley demanded. Even showed me how many lollipops he wanted with his fingers. Six.

I rolled my eyes before giving in to his request. But of course, there’s a catch. Always, “Fine. In one condition,” he vigorously nodded, “What’s your purpose?” I pursue it. And I swear his aura changed. From a lost child to a determined hero. I chuckled.

That’s the Wesley my Papa knows. The Wesley he’s always proud about. The exemplary student he always flaunts. He trained him well.

Our packs shouldn’t surrender without a fight. They might be stronger but we’re different. Remember, never let anyone deceive you. We deceive them, not the other way round.

“Marfori is seeking for you,” he looked at Rain, “And he wants you to bring that companion of yours,” he continued before bowing halfway to me. His bow means one thing. His duty is done and he’s to return with my answers.

“Rain,” I called out. She’s been listening in silence the whole time. And I don’t find it important whether she understands a thing anymore. Papa had sought for her and that means he wants something from her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’ll be back in the city with the knowledge of our kind.

Occupied with her shimmering nails, she answered, “Yeah?” the audacity to not look at me. Calm your horses down, Meadow.

Taking a deep breath. I asked her, “Wanna go to the countryside with me?”

--

“What the hell are you wearing?” I shriek in surprise upon seeing Rains over the top outfit. I’ll be going back to the place of my roots today—with Rain. Knowing the area well, I decided to wear simple overalls and a flannel shirt. The typical country girl outfit humans know about.

Rain on the other hand is living on her name. She’s wearing rain boots, a raincoat that covers her whole body that you can barely see what she was wearing inside because of the thickness it bears.

“Clothes?” she uttered. I looked at her with a knowing look, as if saying ‘What shit are you in?’ and she awkwardly laughed out loud, “Alright chill. I figure I’m gonna pull your legs a little bit, and also I kind of thought that it would be muddy there,” she explained. I gave her a snort before telling her to take it off because it’s not needed and she looks like an attention seeker—which she is at some point.

Slowly coming out of her skin. She looked at me and chuckled, “You look beautiful,” she commented, causing me to look at her in disbelief.

Is she high or something?

“Stop getting on my nerves,” I warned. She cheekily smiled before coming at me to lean into my ears. What’s her deal this time?

“You still owe me a fuck,” she whispers. I pushed her in surprise causing her to fly due to the impact my strength had caused, “Fuck. I was just joking, you don’t have to be aggressive, ” she blurted out, twisting her wrist to check if it was alright.

“Then stop with whatever shit you’re into,” I let out as I went ahead and walked to where she was. Giving her my hand to help her up. With the amount of force I’ve used, it was a surprise that she’s still alive and ranting.

She took my hand and instead of getting up. She kissed it before looking at me with a smirk painted on her face, “Your aggressiveness is not needed here. We’re not in bed yet,” she uttered.

Grunting. I let her go, causing her to flop on the ground once again, “If you don’t stop, I’m leaving you here, ” I snarled. I then turn away from her before making my way towards the car we’re supposed to ride on our journey back to my roots.

“Eike!” she called out.

Hesitating, I look back to check on what she’s up to once again. And I regret doing so. She hastily stood up just to goofily give me dozens of flying kisses.

That’s it. I am leaving her.

--

“Is that a bird? What kind of bird is that? Eike, do you know? Tell me, tell me!” Rain excitedly blabber. I know I said I’m going to leave her behind but I didn’t—Wesley arrived and pushed me to bring her still. In short, I was forced to bring her. And as annoying as she is before, she’s been blabbering nonstop on the way till now. It’s already making my head hurt that I’m already planning how I’m going to rip her mouth apart.

“Wesley,” I annoyedly called. Wesley stopped on his track and looked back to where I was. Rain and I are walking behind him. For protection he says, in case someone decides to ambush us from the front then he’ll be there to make time for us to escape.

“Yes, Meadow?” he replies, left brow raised. I silently stared at his orbs trying to communicate through my thoughts. Kick her ass for me.

“Meadow? Is that your name too?” Rain wonders like a child. Silence answered her. Wesley and I are too occupied trying to communicate without her knowing. Rain, being the observant human that she notices and asks, “Are you guys trying to kill me through your mind?”

Startled. Wesley and I came back to our senses. In sync, we look at her in disbelief, “What did you just say?” I questioned. Hiding the urge to tackle her down and force her to answer.

Stepping back. She looked at us in confusion, “Wait, are you?” she asks, almost stumbling into a rock. The path we’re in is dry and rocky, the surrounding is also covered with trees that if you’re inside it’ll be harder for someone afar to hear your calls. The air thickens. She nervously laughs, her legs almost giving up as she wobbles, “Don’t be like this, Eike.”

I know I shouldn’t be laughing inside but the look on her face is making me do so. She’s as white as the clouds and the way her lips tremble in fear, everything about her right now is worth my laugh. I’m not mocking her. It was just funny because she’s all air and flirty a while ago, but now, even the slightest wind might make her fall due to the weakness she’s showing.

Weakness. I hate it. No, I despise it to the bones.

With a chuckle. I was about to stride my way to where she is, “No,” Wesley warns as he pulls me close to him, “She’s a human. They’re fragile,” he whispers before he calmly approaches Rain leaving me behind.

“Pardon her actions. We’re not going to kill you,” he politely explains, even shelving his hair in the process. What was that about? Wait… he’s trying to charm her. Had he come to the terms of liking her already?

“I know,” Rain chuckled, “Thank you for ruining the fun,” she continued. What the hell is she talking about?

“Huh?” Wesley uttered in confusion.

“I’m waiting for her to come to me. That’s the fun,” Rain said. Does that mean the weakness she was showing before was a lie? Or maybe, she’s too embarrassed to admit the fall she almost had?

Humans and their way of thinking. Complicated.

“Rain Calisto Jakob,” she looked at me. Her eyes glistened in anticipation, “You better ready your ass. You fool!” I ran at her. If she wants to play, then I’ll do too. After all, life is a two-way street.

She smirked. Even spread her arms wide open as she waits for me. And in all the commotion that is happening between us. I heard Wesley utter my name from behind. He might’ve been too stunned to even think about other things but my name.

I chuckled inside. I’m sorry, Wes. But this is how it is when you’re around humans with a different breed than we’re used to.

--

Cold Breeze. Shining light. Muffled sounds of nature.

“What took you long?” my Father asked the moment we stepped foot inside our house. The house I grew up in, “I was about to send Forest to search for your scents,” he continued, as he hugged me tight like there’s no tomorrow.

His words.

It was as if Rain wasn’t there. It’s too vulgar.

“How can you find someone by their scents?” Rain questioned “Is that even possible?” she pursues. My father looked at her in disbelief. Then to Wesley, his orbs were full of uncertainty.

Wesley awkwardly scratched his head. Don’t tell me… “Wesley Timothy Joanne!” I screamed. He looked at me. Fear was evident in his eyes.

He fucked up. Even without words from my Father or him. I knew he did by the looks he had given us. Father did not seek Rain.

Stuttering. Wesley uttered. “I—I did what I was told,” that’s not it. He didn’t. Rain presence is evidence of that. Why is he gritting his pearls when it was obvious already?

“You did not!” I groan. He better act upright in an instance. Life is at risk because of his mistake. And yet, he’s acting like this.

“Meadow Eike Harlow,” Father called. And the way my name rolled on his tongue was different than usual. “Bring your companion to your room. I’ll talk to Wesley,” he commanded. Having no choice but to follow his words. I pull Rain along upstairs where my room is.

Shutting the door tightly. The sound of mistakes lessens. He’s scolding Wesley. And from what it seems like. Wesley misheard what he had ordered him to do. Wesley on the other hand keeps on arguing that he did not. Delta and their stand to protect themselves when they’re at risk.

“What did I order you to do?” Father asked him. This is one of the moments where I’m thankful for my kind ability to hear things more than the average human.

Loud enough for my Father to hear, Wesley mumbled, “Bring Meadow and a companion home.”

Father groaned. And as if I was there watching things personally. I saw my father shake his head as Wesley kneels in front of him with his head low vividly for a short time. Then it was back to voices again, “Wesley,” he asked for his attention “You heard me wrong.”

“Marfori, how come?”

Father sighed, “What I had ordered was for you to bring Meadow and an onion home,” he explained. Is he for real?

If that’s the case.

What are we going to do with Rain then?

“Are you thinking about what you can do to me in your room?” Rain chuckled, breaking my attention “Kinky. I like that,” she continued before laughing out loud like a crazy-ass bitch. I had tried my best to not insult her for the years that I’ve been with her but. She’s such a crazy-ass bitch right now.

Is she even hearing herself?

I looked at her in disbelief. She’s comfortably taking the space in my bed as if it was hers, “I’m tired of your games. Better come clean now, before I kick you out of our house and let the wild animals feast on you,” I commanded with a little bit of threat. Wild animals my ass. More like free-spirited wolves from the other packs who despise the existence of humans in their territory.

“That’s harsh,” she commented. Before sitting up to properly look at me. She sighed. “I don’t know what you did to me. But, during the night when you’d tackled me. Things seem to be different from the inside and out,” she explained before letting out a long groan. “I think I’m under your spell,” she murmured, continuing her tale-tell. She then lowers her head as she covers her reddening face. “I crave for your attention.”

What the fuck?

--

“I crave for your attention,” like an endless mantra in my mind. I kept on hearing Rain’s confession before I knocked her down to sleep. In my defense. I panicked, it was the first time for me to hear such a thing. And out of all kinds. It’s from a human.

“Rain?” I heard my Father uttering. What’s his deal now?

I looked at Rain. The left side of her face was swollen. That’s where I punched her to make her sleep. Damn.

“Yes…Uncle?” she hesitantly answered. Having a hard time picking what she’ll call my father. Father nodded with a smile. Satisfied with her endearment.

Rain has been staying with us for two days now. Two days. And yet, the mark of my foolish act remains on her face. Other than her face swelling as the days go by. She also swells like a bruise in the pack members’ hearts—especially my parents. They adore her to no end.

I can’t blame them. She’s one heck of a huge package to not ignore and handle with too much attention.

“We’ve been wondering for some time now,” Father replied. Rain hummed as a response. Her curiosity picked in. And mine can’t help but act on too, “What had happened for your face to swell like that?” he asked. I choked on my food. The other pack members on the other hand nod as they were indeed curious too—including my Mother. Who even gave me water hastily before joining the kitty kat session of curiosity.

We’re currently having our dinner. And everyone including the other pack members outside of my biological line is required to join us. It’s no big deal though. Because they make things more than triple fun when they’re around, especially Wesley’s biological pack.

As Delta’s who wanders with no borders. They tell different stories they’d encountered while they’re out there doing the duty given to them.

Wesley’s done with his dinner though. He’s just busy sucking on the lollipop I gave him as he waits for everyone to finish their meals.

“I—uh…” Rain stuttered. Making the pack waits with so much anticipation on her story. Is there any way out? Help me.

Footsteps.

“Chief Marfori! Help us!” someone from afar screamed as they called for my Father’s presence.

Humans.

They’re getting near.

“Chief Marfori!” he screamed once again. But this time it was louder than before. The pack members’ ears twitch. Finally hearing his call as he’s outside our house range already. Even Rain heard him.

We looked at the front door in silence. Waiting for the Alpha’s order. It was too loud. The silence was too loud.

“We’re being chased!”

An old man. It was an old man who looked like he’s already on his death bed with exhaustion and sweat, paints all over his skinny face. And on his weakening shaky hands… he’s holding someone. An unconscious guy whose clothes were ripped apart and left arm bleeding.

With a loud screech from the chair, he was in. My father stood up. Which my Mother followed on along with the other pack members.

Rain, Wesley, and I are the only ones left tightly sitting on our chairs.

It was rude, specifically for Wesley and I, as everyone else had followed the Alpha’s action.

But, what can I do?

I can’t move.

I can't make my mind listen to my commands, making it feel like it's not mine?

When everyone else was occupied with listening to the call for help outside— the door tightly closed for added protection, I weirdly saw what was happening outside vividly.

Wesley on the other hand was too occupied with the last bits of his lollipops that he had failed to follow on everyone.

And Rain was dumbfounded and clueless on what was happening.

“Father,” I mindlessly called for him. Everyone looked back and their orbs differed in colors. Some were looking at Wesley and me in disbelief. Wesley’s father even snarled, causing the said companion of mine to automatically stand like a robot who was programmed to react to specific commands. Of course, his lollipops are still intact, he just lowers his head in shame.

Intensely looking at me with his well-preserved wine-colored orbs, he uttered, “Meadow,” his voice shaky and tremendous. That did not shake me. I’m used to it. I know that it’s not meant for me. He’s alarmed about the situation and he can’t help but use his commanding Alpha voice, “Is everything alright?”

I nodded. It’s still confusing and all but this is it. I have no choice but to say it. For the better and the safety of everyone, “It’s Cassius,” I let out. Everyone gasps probably wondering how I know such a thing. But they also know that there’s no time to rest any longer. It’s Cassius and his pack after all.

It might be a plain name uttering for Rain. But, for everyone in the pack, it was a warning. A deadly one. Cassius is one of the most prominent Alphas of our kind when it comes to slaying innocence. Cassius along with his other pack members were part of my late grandfather’s pack that my father had turned his back on. They’ve moved far deep in the heart of the woods where there’s no human. After my father won in a battle for territories.

They’ve been doing great on following the pact of not stepping in our territories without any permission from Father and the other Alphas who stand with my father’s calls for peace. Then what’s happening right now?

Why is he causing trouble in his form with his pack in our territory?

“I understand,” Father uttered. Before signaling my Mother to step back and stay with us—Rain and I were inside the house with our feet walking on broken eggshells uncertainties. And when my Mother arrives in my arms. He picked up his gun that was on display at the small hall in our entrance. The other members then disperse in a split second to take theirs then back to where they are as if nothing happened.

Guns.

A display to the eyes of humans. He can’t tackle our kind and the other wild animals bare hands with humans watching after all. He’s just a simple hero, not a super one for them.

And with one last look at us. Father smiled. Determine to come back safe with everyone in the pack. I nodded, “Fourteen and Two,” I uttered one last time. Everyone with him nodded. Knowing what I meant by the numbers I had said.

Fourteen for the number of enemies.

Two for the number of casualties.

;

Delta- The messenger of the pack. Known as unstable and insane.

Eye colors- usual eye colors range from Yellow, Black, Brown, Red, and Blue (Meadow has Jade ones and she wears black translucent contacts to hide it even though it’s not needed because if she wanted to, her eyes will naturally turn black.)