Chapter 3: Pack’s House

[Ocean]

“Damn woman!”

He cursed under his breath as he shoved his large hand into my mouth to muffle my scream. From the hallway I came from, shuffled footsteps ran towards us.

Arzhel is the first to appear, his eyes widening, and he is followed by Seraphina, who has her hands on her chest and a worried expression on her face. Aria scrambled down the staircase, trailed by a woman in her forties.

Others entered through the front door, while others entered through the other hallway. The rogue man abruptly let go of me, causing me to stumble back. I would have slumped on the floor if it hadn’t been for Arzhel’s quick reflexes. He caught me by the waist and held me in place. His strong arms encircled me, keeping me away from the enraged man in front of us.

“What happened here?” Arzhel asks, confused.

“Will you explain to me why there is a strange human in my territory? Let alone inside my own house?!” I flinched as his voice boomed, and the room erupted in surprise gasps as they stared at me strangely.

“Arzhel! What is the meaning of this?!” He barked again.

“Quillan, there’s no need to frighten this little woman. She needs our help. She’s a survivor from the shipwreck and lost her memories. She doesn’t have anywhere to go.” Arzhel explains as his warm hands rubbed against my back, attempting to calm my racing heart.

Quillan? This terrifying man is what they called Quillan? The Alpha?

I watched him in sheer horror. There’s no way this man will allow me in here.

“I had no idea our pack was doing charity now!” The rogue man, Quillan, snorted.

“Please, Quillan, think about this. She is in desperate need of a place to stay.” Seraphina stepped forward and placed a frail hand on Quillan’s broad shoulders.

“Mother, did you know of this?”

Seraphina? His mother?

I examine Quillan carefully, trying to figure out how a gentle woman could have given birth to such a rogue man. Quillan and Seraphina have the same bright green eyes as Aria, now that I can see them clearly. The man is not ugly. In fact, he could have been attractive if it weren’t for the massive scar that ran down his face. That’s what threw me off guard the first time I saw him.

Does that mean Aria is his daughter?

“Of course, Arzhel and Khail found her by the shore with a gash on her head and bruises on her body. As the healer of this village, you know I can’t say no to those in need.” Seraphina did a good job of maintaining her calm demeanor in the face of her raging son, I must say. Aria leaps in from behind, linking her arm to Seraphina’s.

“Uncle Quillan, please do consider. Admit it or not, she’s pretty.” Aria nodded, batting her eyes at Quillan.

Uncle? So, he’s not Aria’s father. I’m kind of glad about that. I can’t imagine how a bubbly girl could have a terrible father.

Even with her charm, the rogue man didn’t waver. He only brushes them and casts a hard look at my frame, making me shrink into Arzhel’s arms. His gaze shifted from me to Arzhel before returning to Seraphina and Aria.

My heart is rammed against my chest, terrified of the man in front of us. The murmuring audience also doesn’t help. I have nowhere to go if he denies their request for me to stay here.

“Send her to the other pack! Or lock her up in the dungeon!”

What? My feet were nailed to the floor. He wants to lock me up? But I’ve done nothing wrong!

Seraphina gasped in protest, Aria whined, and a low growl came from Arzhel. His arms wrapped protectively around me. His face became dark.

“Do you want to challenge me, Arzhel?” Quillan retorted with a growl of his own. His aura changed, and he radiated power and authority. I can feel Arzhel struggling in defiance of whatever is keeping him trapped inside.

He shook his head and groaned, fighting an unseen force but failing miserably, his grip loosening as his body was forced to kneel.

“No, Alpha, but please allow her to stay.”

“Quillan, enough of this! Let Arzhel go. It’s not his fault!” I heard Seraphina cry, but my focus was on Arzhel. Bewildered as to what was going on.

The people around us also recoiled in the presence of Quillan. Arzhel is sweating profusely, and his brows are furrowed deeply. He was fighting something inside him. I didn’t know what to do, and I was too afraid to speak up, especially since Quillan was only a snap away from hurting Arzhel.

It was quiet for a moment before Arzhel sighed, as if he was being let go. He slowly stood up and took my shaking hand in his. Seraphina walked over to our side and asked Arzhel if he was okay before facing Quillan.

“Please, son, don’t be this difficult. I know you don’t like humans, but Ocean isn’t trying to hurt you. I assure you that I will look after her.”

Humans? Were they not also human? I’m not sure why Quillan could do such a thing. Why is everyone frightened of him? What exactly are they?

His steely expression remained unchanged, and he only looked at his pleading mother.

“You want her to stay? Then, I’ll lock her up myself!” My heart dropped, cold dread peeled the warmth out of my body. Words ringing at my ears in disbelief, rough hands captured my arm and were about to drag me down to the dungeon.

However, a shot of what felt like thousands of sparks ignited from where our skin had met, electrocuting me. Quillan stiffened, shock and confusion flashed across his eyes, looking with brows furrowed to where his hand painfully cuffed my arm. He felt it too.

My body thrummed in effect from the sensation, but it only lasted for a second when he let go of me forcefully. My knees immediately weakened and folded, making my body collapse onto the floor. The sparks faded, his face darkened once more, void of any emotion but revulsion.

Arzhel was able to catch me and pulled me to his side, glaring at Quillan, wanting to fight him but obviously could not.

“Keep her out of my sight, and she’ll be able to stay. I’ll kill her if she messes around.” He threatened before storming out of the room. I know those words were final, and if I ever crossed his path again, he’d kill me on sight.

I don’t know what just happened, and I know he felt it too, but I’m glad it stopped him from locking me up.

The people around us didn’t need to be told what to do, they quickly dispersed out of the room, oblivious to the strange occurrence between me and their alpha.

Leaving us astounded in the place.

“Arzhel, I’m sorry. I didn’t intend for this to happen.” I gathered my wits back and turned to Arzhel, bowing my head. I kind of feel sorry, if only I had stayed in that room, none of this would’ve happened.

“It’s okay. Quillan was just not in the mood today.” I know he was just saying it to make me feel better, and I can still see his face wincing in pain.

“Are you sure you’re okay? I was trying to get around the house and didn’t realize I’d come across him. I apologize.” My shoulders drooped as he nodded and forced a smile.

“No, I apologize for what my son did.” Seraphina somberly said. I let out another sigh and turned to face Arzhel.

“Thank you, Arzhel, for standing up for me when you didn’t have to.” His smile turned genuine and patted my head.

“Let’s get you back to Seraphina’s herb room before Quillan sees you.” He took my hand in his and led me down the hallway where I had come earlier, Seraphina trailing behind us.

“Ahw, you two are the sweetest, and my uncle is the grumpiest.” Aria’s bubbly voice came in unexpectedly, trying to lighten the mood. I didn’t realize she was still there. I thought she’d gone together with the rest.

“Aria, stop it, Ocean is new here and has a lot to learn.”

“But Baba, Ocean could be Arzhel’s mate. Like look at them. They’re comfortable with each other.” She says, clasping her hands in front of her face, a dreamy expression on. I’m not sure if it’s just me, but the tips of Arzhel’s ears seemed to turn a little red.

What does mate mean?

“What is a mate, Aria?” I blurted out, out of curiosity.

“Well, in our tradition, a wolf will find his or her mate every Blood moon - “

“Please pardon my granddaughter, Ocean. She’s a little overjoyed to have you here.” Seraphina cut Aria off from the middle of her explanation, dampening her ecstatic mood.

“Baba, why can’t we tell Ocean right now?” Aria only whined impatiently.

“That can wait for another day. Ocean needs to rest her body, Aria. Her bruises and wounds had not yet healed. The story can wait.”

“Aria, your Baba is right. Besides, you should get back to your mom now.” My head whipped back and forth while they conversed, they’re talking about me like I am not here with them.

“Fine.”

The girl huffed and stomped her way down the corridor. Her behavior made the two of them shake their heads in amusement. I know Aria was doing her best to help me adjust to their village and explain their customs, but I honestly didn’t understand what she was saying.

“Are you sure you’re alright, Ocean?” As soon as we entered Seraphina’s room, Arzhel’s face became concerned.

I sat on the bed and nodded in response to his query.

“Okay, I should get going. It’s getting dark, and I still have to patrol the area. Quillan may put my head on a spike if I slack.”

I smiled at him and said goodbye.

“He’s a good lad.” Seraphina commented the moment Arzhel is out of sight.

“I’m sure he is.” My lips form a timid smile.

Arzhel, along with Seraphina and Aria, were the nicest people I’d met here so far. Even to a stranger like me, they welcomed me here without hesitation.

Quillan, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. I want to tell Seraphina about the sparks, but I decided not to. It might be just from fear of being locked in the dungeon.

Well, I just have to keep my distance from him if I still want to see him another day.