Jorril looked at his son, telling him to stop talking about the myth that had already binned to the dungeon of memories a long time ago. Yet, as a kid, curiousness had always won over him.

“But, Father, that was what I was told by the woman I have met in the woods! Those kinds of Alphas exist!” the boy insisted for another time and continued drawing on the dirt.

He stared at the boy, wondering who can possibly tell him about it? Even the story itself has been forbidden to speak about, making him feel worry about the young man’s life if ever someone heard him talking about it.

“Listen, son. That is something that we cannot freely tell to anyone. Not even to your closest individuals. Do you understand?” He held the kid’s shoulders, and gripped on it a little tight for the young man to know that he was serious.

“But, why can’t I, Father?” His eyes glistened as tears started to form on the corner of his eyes.

Seeing the fear in the young lad’s orbs, Jorril realized that his furs had shown without him noticing. His stern eyes are visible on his, so is his face that is now covered with his wolf’s facade.

“I am sorry about that. Look, I don’t want this to happen again. Don’t talk about the myth anymore, and never meet whoever that someone who told you about it—no more. Did I make myself clear?” he spoke in a low tone, that made his voice sounds so deadly, as if he was threatening him.

“Father—”

“Did I make myself clear?” he repeated, this time, he is more calm yet still sounds terrific.

“Yes, My Lord.” The young boy looked down, kneeling before the mightiest Alpha of their pack.

“Good. Now go to your servant, Knight Cernous. Help him gather woods.”

As the young fellow walks away, he watched him lazily and almost dragging his feet to stride. As much as he wants to give him a normal life, like a human’s, he has awakened his wolf at the young age, that marked the end of his dream of him living the life of a normal kid for at least a few years. And as his parent, all he can do is to keep everything in balance for him for the time being; to get stronger in able to defend him if a great war happens again.

He looked above as he wiped the beads of sweat on his forehead. Above him are owls that are supposed to be still hiding in the shadows, and yet they are already flying above in a strange way and seemingly not in their usual behavior.

Just then, a wolf peeked in the tree a few meters away from him. It is shivering and appears to be cautious about his surroundings. Moments later, one of the birds perched on the log near him and gazed at him for seconds.

‘So long, Lord Jorril.’

His eyes widened and roamed around, making sure that no one sees them. He sat down and stepped closer to the owl. Slowly, he rolled up his working sleeves and showed it the mark of his pack.

“Are you—” He gulped and bit his tongue before shaking his head.

‘Yes, I am Lufeire. The maiden living in the tree by the stream near the cursed forest.’

Anger surged in his veins as he stared at one of the kindest nymphs his kin had ever met. She has fended them against those who have killed almost three-forth of their pack. As punishment for her actions, that has unfortunately angered the most powerful of her kind, she was turned into an owl and lost all of her abilities in her past form. For fairies should remain neutral, however she disobeyed to their rule and abandoned her oath as one, and that is all for siding them in that war.

“What are you doing here? People and beasts are eyeing on you. Once they see your distinct feather, they will know right away who you are. And you know that despite not being the human you used to be anymore and already have lost your capabilities, you still have the innate fortune that you can bring to anyone who would have you. I cannot protect you if that happens. We cannot ruin the cease fight we have agreed on with the other beings. Doing so will make them turn on us and be our enemy.”

The warm breeze blew, reminding him how devastating it was that day—that day when Earth looked like it had met its end. He hemmed to break the silence and glanced at the wolf, that was watching over them.

‘He is Hougren, a Knight in his past life. Don’t worry, he is trustworthy and a friend of mine.’

“I never knew that you had made a friend. So, what brought you here, then? You will never go here and take someone to guard you for nothing.”

Flocks of birds flew above, as if they were shooed to go somewhere else. He followed them with his eyes and strangely, he felt the fear they feel. Like they are in a real danger, and they have to go away as soon and fast as they can.

‘Listen, My Lord. I think that cease fight is being violated by some of the packs. The other day, I have seen a few werewolves attempting to enter the forest. But even before they could, they were stopped by something and the heaven roared like the way it did during the last war. Lightnings strike around the forest that holds them in bay. And the ground—it moved and moved until the trees kissed the land. I thought it was just because of the curse, or it was protecting itself from the intruders. But when the waves suddenly surged in forms of tower-like tall, I know, something was really going on.’

The wolf stepped forward and unlike the owl, it didn’t show any gestures of respect. It met his gaze and held his head high. A proof that he is not from those knights that pay respect to the kinds of him—a half beast. But his steps are showing submission.

‘The seas don’t just reach land by that far. Unless there is someone who can make it do so, to which only a few could. Lord Jorril, I am afraid that it is no longer safe for you to stay here. That is why we are here, to inform and warn you about the incident,’ he interfered.

The bird flew away and the wolf ran into the bushes after hearing a conversation approaching. He looked at Cernous, who was carrying Udrias on his shoulders. He is not a werewolf like them, but they took him in after his wife sacrificed her life-saving the young Alpha. It was her who asked the knight to protect him with all his might. And that promise lasted until the present time, that he never takes his eyes off the kid unless he is with his father.

“My Lord.” He bow after putting down the child, showing him how to treat someone superior to him.

Young Udrias did the same and keen as always, the cut on his fingers didn’t escape from his sharp sight. He sat down on his level and held his son’s hand. His forehead creased and looked up at the knight, who despite having something to do with it, he doesn’t look bothered, neither guilty about it.

“How is his swordsmanship?” he asked.

“Alpha Jorril, My Lord, I still think that the young Alpha doesn’t need to learn it at all. However, he is showing a great improvement these past few days. Those cuts are mark that he is now being recognized by me as my disciple.”

He smiled and tapped his little man’s shoulder, thinking that if his mom was still with them, she will surely be proud of him. Looking at his hands, he can already tell what kind of grown up he will be. And he cannot wait to see him lead their pack—or even his own one day, he thought.

“I, too, are wondering, Father. Not that I don’t want to learn to use the sword, neither find it absurd nor not having fun sword fighting with Uncle Cernous. Though, I always earn bruises and lose, indeed, I have already learned a handful lesson from it so far. But why do I have to learn it if I can get a better chance of defeating my opponent using my inborn strength?”

He placed his palm on top of his temple and lightly messed up his hair. A few more years and the boy they are sheltering will no longer depend on their protection. Instead, he will one day be that one brave werewolf who will face everyone who will insult his home.

“You know, son, days aren’t always peaceful. Sometimes, one comes that is meant for war—it is when races by any kind are fighting each other to the extent of what they can, and they do it for reasons that for some reason, they are against to each other’s purposes. And there, son, there are those who don’t really want to get involved and yet, they have to—they need to. Always remember that there are those who deserve to get slayed by fists, by fangs, and there are those who deserve to get slayed by weapons such as sword.” He pulled Cernous weapon and cut his own palm a little, enough to make it bleed. Drop by drop, he takes a step away from the two and the farther he gets, the more the wound gets healed.

“A time will come that you will raise your hand on someone and get them down by one of those means without you knowing and thinking first which one of those should you use on them. Nevertheless, I want you to always know and remember that all lives matter. But there are times that you have to weigh which one matters most, and when that day comes, give the one who matters the least the favorable way of sending him to eternal sleep. At least give them respect in their death,” he continued, and furtively watched the wolf run as it follows the owl’s lead.

The sun has finally set, and the silent village has started to light the lamps. After separating from the rest of the packs, they have decided to live a simple life. Far from the place where they got away from.

Udrias excused himself and went to the woman who has become his instructor when it comes to knowledge of humans and everything he knows. Jorril waved his hand and let her get the kid’s attention, have understood that he is about to discuss an important matter to Cernous.

He eyed on the far North and searched for the cursed forest. And with his eyes that are blessed by a primordial god, he has found it without shedding a sweat.

“My Lord, I have heard from the neighboring towns that the ones near the forest have witnessed whimsical activities happening around it recently. Is it what bothering you? If so, do you want me to check on it myself?” the knight suggested and faced the direction where the forest lies.

“We don’t know what is happening in there, Cernous. My son will be mad at me if ever I send you there, and you don’t make it back. So, that is what caused the unusual happenings in the sky the other day? I just hope that it is not we are fearing to happen.”

“I am not asking for it to happen either, but what if it is what we are hoping it not to be, Lord Jorril?”

“I know I am not in the right place to ask you this, but I am begging you to offer your life to Udrias once more. Protect the young Alpha at all costs.”

“And what about you?”

“I am the strongest Alpha of my pack. It is my responsibility and honor to be on the frontline and shed the first blood in the battle. Either I live or die, my kin should live. And he—a direct descendant of my flesh and blood, deserves the title that is just waiting for him to claim when the right time comes.”

A long silence had passed. The cheerful giggling of the kids are serenading the night, and everyone’s conversation filled the quietness that the two of them cannot break for a while.

The man went in front of him and kneeled down, his sword in front of him. A few drops of blood flow on its blade, a symbol of the knight’s pledge of accepting his lord’s plea.

“I may have no power like yours, but I am no doubt as mighty as my mentor. My life and sword will be his shield and protection from anyone who would dare to harm the young Lord,” he swore.

The blood fell on the ground and the soil where it dropped smoked and got dry in an instant, leaving no signs of life, a sign that the contract is sealed and if he ever turns his back on his duty, the land where he spoke his approval to shall claim his life; thus, he has already marked his death.