“Dan, how werewolves originated?”
"From the very beginning? Wolves were just wolves long ago. It's their nature to roam around every night and the light of the moon is their greatest source of seeing everything, the sun is too much for them. Some packs were grateful enough to howl and worship the moon because of its generosity. In return, the one who lives on the moon—the Moon Goddess, gave them a gift of intelligence.
"The only creatures that have the greatest intelligence are humans, and because of that gift, those wolves received the power to shift into a human and have the same intelligence like them. These packs were told to multiply, gain more wisdom, and be united. That's when she created the mating system. They consistently worship the moon until the number of werewolves increases in number and they petitioned to have someone lead them.
"That's when the hierarchy started; Alphas and Lunas, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omega. The packs have different breeds before; white, black, red, and gold. The Alpha is chosen according to who is the strongest. And then the Luna, a she-wolf that has both brain and beauty, was fated to the very first Alpha. Both leaders came from the white wolves.
"However, a wolf from the black breed desired that Luna. He took advantage of the envy the other packs feel to slaughter the red and gold wolves—the reason now they are extinct—just to prove to the Moon Goddess that they're stronger amongst their kind. But that only raises the long-term war between the two breeds. The white and black.
"The Moon Goddess amplifies the strength of the Alpha and Luna tenfold to help them discipline the black wolves. And that is the calling of both leaders. The way how black wolves use their intelligence before is by filling it with jealousy, pride, and who is more powerful. That's what they feed their seeds and stir the anger of the newer generation unto the white wolves.
"Two breeds are greatly divided and battling against each other. The obstinacy of the black wolves only deteriorated. They massacred, harassed, and abused any white wolves that crossed their path. While the white wolves are obedient to the will of the Moon Goddess, she blessed the greatest warriors amongst the white wolves. She created a weakness in the wolf race in accordance with her silver chariot. Silver. She blessed the warriors in the white wolves to be a living weakness with a calling to tame the black wolves and any wolf that will rebel against the Moon Goddess."
"That only worsens the envy of the black wolves. Why didn't the Moon Goddess bless them equally?"
"Because not everyone is a worthy wielder. The black wolves' greed to succeed caused them to cling to human strength. They bargained with the hunters that slaughtered more white wolves. The Alpha, Luna, and silver wolves were killed. That almost defeated the pack until a smart white wolf who deemed himself a scientist experimented with the blood of the silver wolves. He used it to mix with the blood of the ordinary white wolf and the result made those wolves go insane.
"They lost the intelligence that was given to them, but the feelings of anger, retaliation for the death of their loved ones, and bitterness fill in their mind. They used the strength created by that scientist to overpower the black wolves; they massacred, abused, and slaughtered every single one of them for two hundred long years. Revenge after another. The first who attack are the enemy in the eyes of history. But the unchangeable fact is they're all victims. And the ones who suffer are the next generation."
"Two hundred long years... No wonder why my existence beset the whole race."
"Then another heroism rose when the Vengeance pack was formed. They organized their pack and chose wisely the ones with special adaptation with human skills. Emulating the deceased scientist to win against their opponent and bringing the fruit of success. They chose their own Alpha. Now they're preserving the peace by dominating the lands and hunting down every single wolf from the Moon's Order pack for a whole century.
"This evolution of the wolf race now requires humans' original intelligence and assistance as implemented by the Moon Goddess. But that doesn't solve the real problem. Something must cut the endless loop of war; the hatred, the envy, retaliation. These will guarantee peace in my opinion."
I roam my sight around the glowing leaves of the tree above us. "Then I should be grateful that they claimed victory. I've seen the anger from them as their source of the desire to achieve this present day. When I confronted Elibur, he mentioned about his dead comrades... the reason why he's against me."
"Elibur is a skilled werewolf, even the Alpha was impressed with him. He's a great warrior and an enchanter. I believe he's wiser than the Alpha. I will sustain him as the next Alpha if there will be a change of position in their pack."
"Ah, you like that kind of guy."
I heard her make a chuckle then lean her head on my shoulder. "Don't be jealous, you're still the best escort."
"I'm not jealous. You're just trying to get the chance to lean on me."
"Do you mind?" She looks at me and I look at her too involuntarily.
"... No."
The silence makes my rapid heartbeat predominate the sounds. I lost catch of the atmosphere. We're having a deep conversation in this romantic place where the gentle little lights attract us both and the humid air keeps up close for warmth. Or I'm the only one thinking about it! She's staring below this tree, the lights refracting to her face keep my eyes locked on her, and that deliberate swaying of her hair weakens me. Her way of thinking is admirable. She's exemplary among the priestesses.
"It would be best to lean on you in your wolf form," she stated. I put my feet on the floor before I shift into a wolf. "Oh, I thought you'll act stagy again." Then she caresses my fur.
["No problem. There's an exchange anyway."]
"What? This?" I was lured helplessly when she rubbed my chin and ear! I lean my head on her lap to rub me more and she's laughing at my weakness. It's enough to see her happy but she seemed happier when we met the pishnies. Maybe I should hunt pishnies for her— And why am I thinking about that!
"Hey, Hessuel, what do you like about a girl?"
["Huh?"] This could be the work of the universe giving me the chance to confess to making this my memorable place, too. I sat with my feet hanging in the air again then cleared my throat. "I like a dignified woman. Someone who's passionate with her talents."
"Hm, how about a beautiful woman?"
"It's a bonus. Besides, a woman will look beautiful in the sight of a man if he's into her."
"I wasn't expecting that. The mediocre type of man is either a hot woman, skilled with cooking, or feminine. Aren't you the same?"
"Hot? I think so. How about you? What do you like about men?"
"Hm, a good kisser."
My mouth was shut for a moment knowing how much I suck in that field. I laugh but cut it right away. "You're too wild."
"I'm just kidding! But not much. Hessuel, you're at the age of mating now. You should be kissing girls and making love."
"What? Can I kiss any girls? I already did it with you."
"It wasn't counted as affection. It was nothing but Tanya's trick. And what I meant is you should learn the basics to express your affection to the girl you like! Gosh, my innocent dooog~" She sticks the back of her hand to her forehead.
"Okay, I get it now. But I believe you're skipping steps. Aren't we supposed to woo the girl we like first?"
"Courtship is dead."
"Who killed it!?"
"Nowadays, couples are actively engaged with lust because that's the new definition of love. You're an adult now. Courtship is nothing but an obsolete teenage love."
"... Doesn't that saddens you? Doesn't courtship make the woman special? I mean they receive flowers, or gifts then if the man wins the woman's heart, he'll feel special by surrendering herself to the man. Isn't that how it works?"
She narrows her eyes at me. "What are you implying?"
"Uuuh... considerate to their dignity."
"A grown-ass woman cares less about that."
"Do you?"
My question made her pause for a second. "... I already betrayed it. But," she tucks her hair behind her ear, "I'm glad to meet you. Even just by talking to you, I feel respected. You know what I think about myself."
The sincerity of her words turns the humid wind into scorching wind. My silence caught her attention and we ended up staring at each other. The longer I look at her eyes, the harder I crave for continuation. This is bad. "Dan, I-I need the brooch."
"The brooch? I'll stitch it into your new coat. The Eldar who made it set the functionality of the brooch whenever it is worn. It'll not work as is," she said. Then I guess I have no way to stop myself. I crawl my arms and lean closer to her. "Hessuel?" Her eyes are imprisoned with mine. I pull her closer through her waist and smell her hair down to her neck. "Don't tell me I was right..."
I look at her closely and smirk at the back of my mind. I curve my other hand around her nape and kiss her hard, passionately. She's holding onto my cloth when I gradually push her down under me, pin her hands above her head, and squeeze her waist. And when her free hand is trying to push me, I pin it too beside her hip. Making her completely subdued.
Apparently, she's returning the affection of my lips by responding. Even if I can almost dominate her tongue. She's striving to speak in the midst of our rubbing lips and chasing breath. "Hessuel— Enough..." But I disobeyed. Instead, I deepen my taste for her kisses. Not even I can stop myself. Until she used enchantment to push me. "Hessuel, I will not tolerate this! You're a werewolf. I'm a human. This is an abomination to the sight of your goddess."
"Can you say the same thing with Lanasia?" I asked but then again, my question silenced her. That was selfish. Now I can't look her in the eye. "I-I'm sorry..."
She utters silently while massaging her temple, "Let's cool down for now," then she walks away after those spoken words. But stops midway. "No, you walk away first."
"I'll just jump here if you don't want me to cross your roo—"
"I said—!"
I stood up nonetheless then walked away first. I was about to state my apologies again when she yelled at me to keep walking. I fetch Acro inside her room and wait a little longer but Dandeline isn't coming down. I left her room and then mourned in the middle of the forest not too far from the treehouses. Staring at the dark and blank sky is my null meditation! Sighing, I lean at the rough tree behind me while on the other hand, Acro is staring confusedly at me.
"Fine! I'm a pervert." I shouldn't have crossed her boundaries. That's too disrespectful! Especially for my mate. I'm so embarrassed I would jump headlong for the earth to swallow me! I predicted this would happen without the brooch on. But... the sensation is surreal. It feels satisfying to squeeze her, the soft lips rubbing mine are veritable, making me besotted with her. And my fantasizing ended when I found myself smiling on my own then met Acro's glare.
["Pervert."]
"Aaargh! Stop it."
["Pervert. Pervert."]
"You're an owl, not a parrot!"
All of a sudden, I heard a wolf's howl from afar. The sound is too tiny, reduced by the distance, for someone without keen hearing to hear. I stood up abruptly, looking afar in the direction where it came from. " What was that?" I whispered. Acro flies away in that direction. "Don't get too far!" This place must've other creatures other than pishnies. Whatever it may be sounds exciting! But I was startled when something pulls my pants—