Dayana volunteers to enchant one of my shirts to make it a dress for Hrista. Her fatigue knocked her out shortly so I laid her in my bed after the kids dried her hair. It's time for twilight but the resting dark clouds are hiding it. Our two visitors took the chance to come outside.
"Classes are suspended tomorrow. We'll have our next session after that!" Dayana said to my kids before she left. She praises their math skills once again and when she leaves, these two are silently screaming whilst slapping each other's arms.
Ophelia says her goodbye in a piece of advice, "I'll stay in an inn until the reunion. You can call me right away once you meet my requirements."
I have successfully ciphered her peevish gaze at me. "No, I won't make that woman their mother."
"Oh, loyal people die the most tragic death."
I chuckled. "At least I'm not alone~" I teased back.
Hedwelch and Danteleon respectfully bid their farewell to Ophelia before she left, too. I just closed the door and they disappeared behind me. My anticipation was satisfied when I found them inspecting Hrista's hair. Ever since she came, I can't find a place where my chest is at ease. Her appearance may mean tragic news about werewolves. But inevitably too, her presence taps the side within me that I never wanted awake.
I remember her now. She's the woman on the second night of my mating. Meeting her and discovering her identity never crossed my mind, or never had I expected any reason why she'll come into my life again. This isn't exciting.
"Look, her hair is white everywhere!" Danteleon is knotting Hrista's long straight hair. While Hedwelch is plucking some eyebrows.
"Hed! Leon! Let her sleep," I whispered the scold.
I told them to do their homework but as the rain started falling again, they couldn't resist playing outside so I kept an eye on them—limiting their playground within the backyard. I'm more bothered about Hrista than the kids that might catch a cold! At night, I read a portion of a book regarding the tale of werewolves which may be necessary for their listening assessment. But I'm also making them fall asleep.
Being a parent is to be the one to wake up in the morning and the last person to sleep at night!
I covered the couch with a mattress and here I slept in the meantime. Tickling fingers on my temple woke me up earlier than I should be. My reflex caught it and it's a weak, smooth hand. Hrista's golden eyes unfolded before my perspective when I opened mine. It's in the middle of the night as I check the clock.
"What are you doing? Are you feeling better?"
"I didn't want to bother you, Alpha. You were sleeping as peacefully as a child... but your arm..."
"Really? I think I'm a haggard adult whenever I sleep," I cut her. "You still have—" I just noticed the blanket on me when I tried to turn up front. "... You still have time to sleep. Don't be ashamed to continue it on my bed."
"..."
I squinted at her with my right eye and found her immovable whilst staring at me. "My arm will be alright soon. It's just the bitemark effect..."
"..."
And she's still staring at me. "Look, to be honest, it's terrifying to know that someone as white as you is staring at me like that in the middle of the night." Then I covered my face under the blanket, too!
"I'm sorry, Alpha. I'm... hungry."
I jolted up. "First of all, stop calling me Alpha. I'm a lone wolf now. Second, there's food in the kitchen. Feel free to take your midnight meal. Or do you need me to serve it?"
She nods reluctantly. So I picked myself off the couch, lit up a lamp on the table, and pulled a seat for her in the dining area before I served her the midnight meal on a plate. Rain is still pouring drops on our roof. I sat in front of her, silently watching her eat as I pondered if I should ask her the questions I'd been holding to ask. Her chewing is slow, her movement is timid, and her shirt is a mess—barely exposing the split of her breasts. I watched the rain through the glass wall instead while swaying my toes.
"Do you need anything from me, Alpha?"
"I told you, I'm not the Alpha anymore neither did I become worthy of it."
"You're still the Alpha for me. I'm fully aware you were expelled because of us."
"Wouldn't this be rebellion against your current Alpha?"
"... There's no current Alpha."
"What?" I leaned my elbows on the table. "Tell me, why were you looking for me?"
"You're the only one I know I could run to. Don't you know what happened to the werewolves 5 years ago?"
"Make it clear to me," I ordered.
"More than half of our population died 5 years ago. Human hunters bombarded the city. It was Plandreas. The Alphas gathered us beforehand to migrate to another world but the Moon Priestess failed, it was the same day the human hunters ambushed us. 'Twas like they knew our moves. Few of us survived that incident. We spent the following years hiding from the hunters but... they... they've been chasing and slaying us one by one to extinction."
Her voice broke a little, rubbing her thumb claw on the spoon handle. She continues, "We scattered abroad. I separated my way from them to find you. I was certain I can find refuge in you but of course, I'm not asking this for free! I won't complain if you make me your slave! Do you need someone to look after your children? I'll do it for you! Just, please... I want to be free from the haunt. I lost everyone and... all I could do is to survive."
"..." She couldn't look me straight in the eye when she started crying. "You're saying... the Moon Priestess died?"
"I don't know. I haven't seen her ever since that day."
"How did you find me?"
"I have memorized your scent when we mated. And when I smell you nearby, I didn't hesitate to follow it."
I scratched the bridge of my nose. "Okay. I will not make you a slave. You may start another life here and rely on your own. I can offer you help at first." Perhaps I can make her the endorser of my business. "I will visit Plandreas city in case I'll find my mate there. For now, you stay here, and, if you want to look after my kids, then go ahead—"
"That city is too dangerous! Human hunters might still be roaming around that place! Please don't put your life in danger!"
"Hrista," I calmed her. "I have to be sure. There are plenty of resources I have for protection and I don't want to be a neglectful partner to my mate. You'll be safe here so don't worry about my temporary disappearance."
"... Then... Please be careful. You wouldn't want your children to lose you, right? You're not planning the same suicidal march, are you?"
I was startled by her question and later laughed. "No! My life now is more important than before. So what about the others? Do you know where they could be?"
She shook her head. Apparently, I can't sacrifice my trust to believe her words. I trust Dandeline's capabilities more than that news, but I can't be complacent after that. It's probably a part of me who cannot accept the truth. This answered the question of the sudden disappearance of werewolves. And the article that Ciarra wrote is presumably for the purpose of preserving the surviving werewolves.
Hrista urges me to sleep on my bed and she'll sleep on the couch because she failed to attain my permission to sleep with her on the same bed. Confusingly, she's assisting me instead of me assisting the visitor by fixing the blanket for me. When she left, I caught the kids moving under their blankets. I turned off the lamp and waited for them. And when they attempted to peep at Hrista, I turned on the lamp again and rolled them in their blankets! Their resistance wasn't enough to break free.
☪ ✧ ✧
I heard chattering in the dining area early in the morning. The kids are talking with Hrista while eating mushroom cookies. I had skipped the beginning of their relationship.
"Does it mean there were more white werewolves like us?" Danteleon asked.
"Yes! White pups like you!" She pinches his chin.
Hedwelch inquired too with his arms folded, "They look like us?"
"No! They have different faces. It's because you're twins that you both look alike."
"But we look like you, too!" Danteleon rejoices. "Mom, can you transform into a wolf again?"
My eyebrows made a collision.
Hrista shifts into her wolf and lets Danteleon ride behind her as she leaps around the house. Hedwelch is compressing his face and fists. "I want to transform, too! Teach me, mom!"
I gritted my silver fangs. "Hed! Leon!" They became stiff due to my temper. "Get inside your room."
"But we're not sleepy—"
"One...! Two...!" They raced into their room obediently. I don't know why but counting works all the time to discipline the kids—one of the reasons why they hate math. Hrista is standing politely beside the dining table while pressing my glare at her. She later couldn't exchange glances with me. I strode toward her and groaned, "What're you trying to imply to my kids? that you are their mother?"
"N-No! I told them I'm not their mother but they wanted to treat me that way. And it's... a pity they're looking for a mom s-so I let them be. I'm sorry! I'm not trying to lie to them!"
"I will not restrict you from playing with them, just don't give them false hopes."
"But aren't you giving them false hopes for the return of their mother?"
"..."
"I'm sorry. I was controlled with compassion for them, that's all."
She's still wearing the same shirt as yesterday. I fixed the sleeves and buttons to cover her properly. And I just remembered she isn't wearing underclothes. "I'll buy you clothes later. I've got loads of work with my kids for now," I said and came into the bedroom. I found the two contenting at one another on my bed.
"I told you to stop calling her Mom! You made dad angry!"
"You called her Mom, too!"
"You started it!"
They began their staring battle; slowly, Hedwelch furrowing eyebrows started to curve and Danteleon's eyes were terrified.
"But I want a mom!" Danteleon cries.
I sat on the bed and hugged them. "I miss your mom, too," I cried wryly. It's tiresome to tame Danteleon so I joined him. And I shouldn't make this wait longer lest Hrista steals them.
☪ ✧ ✧
I do my part in spading the mud from the path and on my small farm. Hedwelch and Danteleon had a lot of work to do as well by sweeping the leaves that were scattered around the house; they had to pick up some and gather them in a sack. The whole town is bustling too after the storm. A neighbor called out for help because of a timber that wrecked on someone's house. My kids came to the area first with haste and with excitement.
They are always exhilarated by witnessing something unusual in the town even if it was a catastrophe. Half of the house collapsed because of the timber. A group of men is working together to move it including my kids. I lifted Danteleon out of his wrong position; instead of pushing, he's pulling and he might be jammed beneath. I stood beside the group of men, containing my strength along with theirs' to make it not obvious as we pushed the timber with unity.
They were overwhelmed when we didn't only heave the timber but we chuck it away from the wrecked house. But they still suspected my presence which made it possible to happen! We did more throwing, cutting, and heaping of the timbers that blocked the roads whilst Hedwelch and Danteleon are helping too wherever I go. And that is one of the reasons why the residents love them other than their unique appearance far from how I look—with a coat.
"Dad..." Hedwelch pulls my shirt after we've collected the boughs all around. "I'm hungry..."
And I still have work to do at home! I bought a pouch of flavored bread for them to fill their hunger before we come home. But a few steps toward our house, I can smell the homemade meal. We found Hrista preparing the food on the table and my kids joyfully sat at their seats to dig in.
She says to me that "I saw the lamb meat in your kitchen so I thought about preparing for your lunch. I hope this helps you."
The kids are enjoying the meal already. Technically, I'm relieved that this saved my time. Ophelia's advice was suddenly recounted in my head: it was less tiring to have someone helping me carry the responsibilities. And this is forthrightly the first time I felt it... "Mhm, thanks," my short response. I was taking off my coat when she quickly came after me for assistance, she also hung the coat on the stand for me. I couldn't do anything else but thank her.
I allowed her to join the lunch. The kids play again inside after the meal while I am dressing Hrista with another coat, hat, and gloves. I gnawed at my claws as I scanned her outfit and ended up on her bare feet. We don't have sandals for women. "Alpha, why do I have to wear gloves?"
I answered hastily, "You cannot show everyone your claws. As much as possible, don't open your mouth too often. You shouldn't let them see your fangs either."
"Dad! Can we come with you? Please!" Danteleon asks for the 6th time. And said the same 'No' answer for the 6th time.
As a result of no choices, I let Hrista use my slippers which are wider than the size of her feet. I clung her hand on my arm as we strolled around the town to buy her a new slipper. The glances of the residents are pouring upon us. While Hrista feels troubled beside me. I murmured to her ear, "There are no werewolf hunters here. All these humans are as friendly as they seem to me."
"Of course... but then... Why are you hiding your identity from them?"
"Uuuh," I looked up at the dark sky with an open mouth. "Because it will frighten them and consequently call the werewolf hunters." And apparently, I can almost forget how it feels like to be a werewolf. We entered the dress shop of the well-known seamstress in town. She's a gleeful mother, and she took over in assisting Hrista with her dressing.
I purchased her dresses good for a week and wept at the back of my mind because of the expenses. "Hey, Hessuel," the seamstress whispers to me on the counter, "I can imagine the wedding gown we're customizing is perfect for her!"
Hrista surely heard her and I hushed her! "No! It's not for her. She's a... uh... relative."
"Woooh, if you say so. Yet she's gorgeous, don't deny it!"
"What...?" Hrista was the most seductive she-wolf Luna Maia gave me. And the way Hrista behaves as a thoughtful and timid woman twists the way I see her. "Count me in~ I won't deny it since you made the dress she's wearing! Can I have a discount?" I haggled. And it worked somehow after she befriended Hrista.
We're on our way home. Hrista seems to enjoy the dresses she's wearing whilst I'm carrying the other dresses in a shopping bag. The people we came across are still looking at us. Every eye has an obvious interpretation but the weirdest is probably how they might see us as the walking chocolate and milk. I want to shrink to be home and dry. Hrista halts and looks in a far direction.
"That smell..." She crosses the road without thinking and coincidentally, there's a carriage approaching!
"Hey!" I pulled her backward as the coachman halts his horse. I gave way to him after an apology. Now Hrista is leaning on my chest, ignorantly surprised. "Watch where you're going."
"You saved my life, Alpha..."
"No, I saved you from fracture and me from another expenditure—"
"Glory to you." She kissed my palm, and I immediately stopped her!
"W-What are you doing?" I murmured. "We don't have werewolf traditions here! Gratitude will suffice."
"Thank you. You shouldn't have bothered if I get hurt, I'm a were—"
"I'm aware it wouldn't be courtesy to allow someone to get hurt in front of me," I cut her sentence before anyone else heard it. Her lips are parted as she stares at me for a moment. "So where were you going?"
She snaps back into her conscience and answers, "Can't you smell what I can smell?" Then she holds my hand to pull me somewhere—without careful thinking about crossing the road again. We're standing in front of Otakwen’s Bar, it's currently operational due to a resident who illegally possessed the facility and it's still the bar the growing town loves.
"I understand what you mean now. It's Mr. Matheo's inn before, some white wolves tarried there, too. It's probably the residue of their scent you're smelling but they never came back here again for 5 years."
"... I see." I look at her reaction, and there's disappointment in her eyes.
"Hrista, this is the consequence of your desire to survive: you'll live alone. But surviving also means you can live anew. You chose to be here, so here's where you'll start," I consoled. "You have to embrace everything that's in here for you to survive."
"Yes, it's loud and clear, Alpha." She's smiling with sad eyes. "And I can't do this alone. I'll be honored to learn from thee." Yet, slowly, she couldn't contain her tears and sunk her face into my chest. I tap her shoulder gently.
"Let's go home first. You may resume that at home," I suggested but she didn't heed. Instead, she embraces my arms, leaning her body onto mine. She said that she'd like to stay near the scent of her home for another minute and frankly I counted 60 seconds.
Suddenly, flashes of memories struck my mind: it's about the measures and sensation of embracing Dandeline! The bitemark dragged me down to my knees, and this time, blood was flowing down to the tip of my fingers!
"Alpha! What's happening to you!? Help! Someone help—"
"No! Don't... They shouldn't see me without my..." My weight dropped on her arms, my eyes literally can't see anything but the pictures of Dandeline in my head! And every time this happens, the pain of my bitemark drains my strength—not sparing enough strength to stand. She puts my arm on her shoulder to take me to an empty corner of an alley before she shifts into her wolf and carries me home.
"Dad!" the kids called. "What's wrong? Do you need to pee?" And that's exactly how this feels like! The bitemark contaminates my body and the only way to release it is by mating with Dandeline! I'm still squirming on the couch when Hrista removes my coat and half of my shirt to examine my bleeding arm.
"I have to go to Plandreas..." I insisted whilst chasing my breath.
"What? Now!? Alpha, you can't! You're weak and—"
"This will not cease unless I go there..."
"Your mate is not there! No one lives there anymore! She's probably dead!"
"No... Impossible."
"As you wish but not now! Look at me!" She cups my cheeks. "Don't think about anything else. Don't think about her. It'll only trigger thy bitemark. Just focus on me... and stop worrying."
"Why should I focus on you—"
"For example! Don't think about what causes your pain. Just look at me. Clear your mind. This will calm you and you need it."
"..." I'm breathing through my mouth while staring at my nurse. And she's giving back the stare in a long silence. Her glance then travels down to my lips.
"Water?" Hedwelch extends a glass of water between our faces. Danteleon is fanning me.
I drank the water to calm down. The pain reduces when my thoughts are disturbed. Hrista softly wipes my bleeding bitemark with a drenched towel. And again, silence occupies our lips while she's wiping the blood, even my sweat on my head, neck, and back. The kids have been silently observing us with murmurings I can hear. Meditation doesn't work to pull back my claws. I might claw anything around here until I get what I need.
"I-I'm sorry, Alpha. I didn't mean to order you around. I only wanted to help," Hrista broke the silence politely when she was done.
"... Let's go to the next city to find a doctor," I dictated, tightening my jaw to push back my fangs.
The kids react, "Next city? Yes! We want to visit cities!"
"No. You'll stay with Ms. Dayana until I return."
"Whyyy!?"
Hrista clarifies, "Your father needs to heal. It would be more fun to travel from city to city if he's feeling better, don't you think? We'll play all day to kill boredom if you want!"
"No. You're coming with me. It's Plandreas," and I clarified to her, too.
"Ah, s-sure, okay."
"And once I discovered you're lying... you'll have to play hide-and-seek again."