I've been staring at my necklace this whole time after the nap.
The big question I have ever since been tackled. Few questions about the past are still unanswered in my thoughts. I can hear cheerful noises inside Matheo's room when I was about to knock. They're having fun, not even able to notice my opening the door. I found them playing a board game on the bed.
A peaceful family after a long separation.
I knocked on the opened door again and finally engrossed their attention. "Hessuel," Lanasia says, "would you like to join? We did not disturb you as you were sound asleep a while ago."
"No." I dropped my sight at the board game again. "I only have a question to ask but I'll address it later." I step out of the room, then leave silently, staring at every step I make on the dolomite marble floor. I need extended time to recover... that is my thought while watching the waterfalls. Carefree bonding and happiness of my family remained in the past. It all came to pass and brought only the memories in this present future.
Perhaps that's how time in this life works.
"Hey." A friendly approach by Matheo with a matching tap on my shoulder. He leans his elbows on the baluster like me. "What's in your mind, hm? You remember who you are now?"
I look down at the first ground. "... Yes."
"Aren't you waiting for that to happen? You..." he made a loud inhale, "you look so down in the dumps."
"... I want my family back."
"Retrieving memories of them made you yearn for more, hm? I'm sorry but you won't," he proclaims. "There's no other way in this life but forward. You'll never know the mysteries or your potential if you don't keep moving forward. My point is to thrive not to have an eye-single at your past. Else, it'll make your future pale. You have a family here, don't you think?"
I rub my arm. "You're too straightforward."
"You need it. I've been there. And those were the words I needed. What is so tragic about your past? May I know?"
"Did you know Alpha Rigo?"
"He was the Alpha of the black wolves a long time ago. What's about him?"
"... Other than that. Are you familiar with the massacre that took place in this land? the bloodshed that killed all the silver wolves?"
"I'm quite familiar with that."
"That day was the day that I lost my mother. And my father, albeit entitled as an Eldar, sacrificed his life for protecting the whole land. What I wanted to know is, was it Alpha Rigo who attacked that time?"
"I don't think so. The Alpha is the command and the ones who usually act are the Betas, Gammas, and its Deltas."
"And who were the Betas and Gammas at that time?"
"It's centuries ago, I can't tell you the whole history. The only werewolf and Beta I know is the prominent Alpha of black wolves today. The mysterious immortal Alpha, Biaco. He was a Beta under Alpha Rigo's command. 'Twas an almost victory for their side until that Alpha died behind the scenes of war. Alpha Biaco is the one who inherited the title and none else could replace him."
"That makes him an Alpha for the past centuries?"
"Exactly. Not even himself knows why he doesn't rot. That's a great disadvantage for white wolves... and for you."
"Aaah... I see." I look up at the top of the waterfalls. Now I understand. He must've suffered enough after all these centuries. He spent his dull life longing for my blood. This time, I shall be the one to come at him. "Thank you, Mr. Matheo. My purpose is clear now."
"Are you sure? I don't think I helped much! How's your plan with Dandeline?"
"Huh?" I look at his curved eyebrow.
He expresses laughter while pointing at me. "Just kidding. You look surprised!"
Speaking of the one who drives me wildly, I haven't seen her today. I checked in her room but she was not there. I came to the pond, and everywhere I could think of but she was missing. Not even her scent can be traced. As if... she's totally gone. I asked for help with Lanasia and her family, we split up to ask random white wolves in the town.
As a result, we exhausted ourselves. No one has seen her, she's nowhere to be found. I'm sitting on a concrete ledge in the public space—surrounded by pillars—whilst looking beyond the line of the city. Excavating the conversations we had then analyzing if she aforementioned about leaving.
I felt something bothering her beforehand. And I'm guilty that I can't lift her burden after all. I did a furrowing forehead when my stomach howled.
These dominating thoughts were silenced when Sherizzah talked to me. "Hessuel, you still look perplexed." A filled basket emits an appetizing smell. "You've been scratching your fingers like an insane beggar here!"
"Do you mind if you heed my alms?"
She pushes her mouth to pout then slips out a tissue to pick bread in the basket. "Here! Sweets can comfort humans, right? I made it."
The white sugar sticks to my lips from my first bite. I devour it with big bites afterward then slap my hands.
I compliment, "Excellent. I'm sure he will like it."
"H-He!?" Her panic turns her white cheeks into rosy.
"And," I form my stance, "inform this immediately to your father. Gather as many warriors as possible and werewolf citizens secured in their homes."
"W-What are you talking..."
"They're here."
I knew I shouldn't underestimate this Beta—the strongest so far. His pack is walking this way with two white wolves choking in their grasp. The other white werewolves are easily astounded, including Sherizzah, she drops the basket unconsciously while her eyes are stuck on the approaching enemies.
"You're still alive," Elibur said to me.
"And kicking," I added.
Sherizzah's voice is trembling when she says, "How did they get in!? No outsiders have plundered this land for centuries!"
And Elibur responded, "You run out of luck." He whistles in a specific tone, then his Omegas release the white hostages and scatter to attack the other white wolves. The fearful wolves run in different directions from where they think they can be safe, causing great and loud turmoil. I observe carefully. These black wolves are bulldozing the market and houses but none of them hurt a single white wolf, save they only freak out anyone with their impulsive behavior.
Relieving but confusing.
I heard Sherizzah's raging voice and found it too late to stop her when she bravely attacked Elibur in her wolf. Nevertheless, I chase after her. 'Twas a matter of seconds when Elibur raises his hand in preparation to slap the fated Luna, but he looks at me and slides his foot sideward to spin towards the direction, dodging the both of us. I parried Sherizzah's attack again when I finally caught up with her. Resistant, but she can't get out of my grip while screaming in her human form,
"I WON'T FORGIVE YOU IF YOU KILL ANYONE OF OUR KIND!"
"Sherizzah, stop," I tamed, locking her elbows in my clenches. She casts her fear into tears and rests her head on my chest. I don't see a single sign of Elibur's wicked intention. If he would, he'll send the crawling fire in this great city. Unless he wants to serve this as a warning. I howl like a wolf without turning into it. All the black Omegas who heard it are paused.
["Behave,"] I ordered—my voice resonates into their minds—then they all sit politely.
"You have rediscovered your power?" Elibur questioned in a lethargic tone. "That's an even greater threat."
"What do you want?"
"I'm sure the Moon Priestess is here."
"We have two Moon Priestesses here. The other one is missing."
"I wasn't expecting it at all but I'm glad that the other one is here, too."
"Okay, who are you talking about?"
"The one I've been looking for. I might as well put her death into reality."
"Ah, I thought it'll be to your advantage to cleanse your reputation, or you prefer to put the stigma into reality?"
"Hessuel," Sherizzah whispered in a rattling voice, "why are you conversing with him so casually!?"
Elibur whistles again to call his dogs, they all gathered around us, bearing fierce eyes against me. He steps out of the circle to face the palace, spreads his arms, and releases igniting rings roundabout him. "This place is so beautiful to destroy. For the past centuries, the villains hid in this paradise."
"You're right. They've been hiding to live. Caged in this land because the Vengeance pack may attack them at the back anytime once they step out of the line."
"Better than harassment," he contradicted, my eyes twitched. "Better than a massacre."
I hold on to her shoulders, "Sherizzah, run away if you can't fight."
"W-What are you plotting?"
I have to stop him although I don't want to fight this victim either. It saves conscience when the warriors, the Alpha, and Lanasia arrive. Alpha Shio was relieved to see his daughter safe. The Moon Priestess releases her enchantment as well while marching towards Elibur.
"If it is me that you want then don't cause a ruckus here! Let's settle this once and for all."
"Lanasia..." Matheo tried to stop her.
"I don't have time to play along with your preposterous. I came here for the Moon Priestess of Plandreas! Our whole pack is expecting her in that city. Tell her that I came here according to her request. I will wait outside."
"What...?" I uttered soundlessly.
He looks at the white wolves longer before he turns around to walk away. The black wolves fall back. Sherizzah freely runs to meet her mother's hug. But I made a pace after Elibur.
"Why?" I questioned. And he halts their march. My next move will depend on his answer. It's risky to let this werewolf go after he discovered the hideout. "Why didn't you harm anyone?"
"..." He looks at me over his shoulder, his eyes narrow. "I am not a murderer."
The claws I was unleashing behind pull back, my thoughts were softened. I let them leave unscathed. Perhaps this could be a hole towards unity. And I have to solve the previous problem. Lanasia was telling her husband something when I created a posthaste intervention.
"Mrs. Lanasia, was it... her? Did Dan really do it?"
"I can't give you the answer. It's better if we hear it from her directly."
"But she's gone."
She looked around then took me by the arms at the blind spot corner of this public space then told me quietly, "I used the residue of the power of the Eldar surrounding this land to find her, and I succeeded. But the case is, you're gonna have to have permission from the Alpha."
"They took her? Where is she?"
"... In the underground penitentiary."
☪ ✧ ✧
We discussed it further inside my room until the tension subsided. Determined to own the Alpha's consent, I came into the hall on my own. The white Omegas are here, Phatinni, Sherizzah, and Luna Maia are present as well. They are gathered as always in the circle of couches. And the other white wolves are loitering side by side. I approach the Alpha head-on as humbly as I can.
"Hessuel, why did you come here?" Sherizzah threw the question.
"I was planning to talk with you," Alpha Shio says and then makes his quivering walk towards me. "I'm glad you're here before the enemies brought the passage here to their knowledge. And thank you for protecting my daughter."
"It was common for me. And I think you know what brought me here. The Moon Priestess... Why did you indict her without notice? None of us know about your actions."
"..." A loud sigh came from him. "It is my duty as the Alpha to suppress any threat in my dominion no matter the size and shape. I've seen the treachery of the Moon Priestess when she provided a signal to the outsiders as told by my watch-wolves. It is our law that anyone who steps in this land and betrays shall be cast down into their demise. I expect that silently when your group arrives."
He steps forward and continues, "You saw what she had done. She took the enemies into our home. Who knows what will happen next? We have to prepare to protect our home."
"I understand your dedication to your calling. But the person you dragged to jeopardy is important to me. I am... stabbed at the back, too. I need to hear her explanation, so let me see her."
"The only way for you to see her is to pull her up out of that penitentiary and you'll likely have to catch lightning in the bottle to succeed, for we're going to stop you first. She is now an enemy. Don't involve yourself with her anymore."
I speak in a manner of growling, "Ah, you made it sound hazardous! And you also think I can abandon her like that?"
"I'm trying to protect you from a false ally."
"This isn't justice."
"We're not humans."
Another tension is rising as the silence ruled our tongue for a moment.
"Understood. If it takes breaking your walls to get her, I'm afraid I'll have to."