We've run miles in wolf form until we reach a train station.
It's an isolated waiting shade beside the railway and few people are waiting there, covered with their thick winter clothes. We both shifted into humans again before we approached the station. Matheo said that this will take us straight to the metropolis of Lanbarc. We shake off the snow from our clothes while waiting.
"Mr. Matheo, you sure are an extraordinary explorer."
He laughs at the idea. "You'll understand if you become a lone wolf. You can travel or run wherever you want!"
"Have you met werewolf hunters?"
"A lot."
The steaming train is ringing. All the waiting passengers fall in line. After the train releases passengers inside, the conductors collect the tickets at the threshold before we enter. I'm wearing the coat Cormelio gave me that turns my skin dark. And as I observe among the passengers, people with dark skin aren't treated as slaves, some of them were privileged to work here.
The situation in Lanbarc is better than in Plandreas, or maybe because humans rule the land. Matheo and I paid only for a public seat. Seating arrangements are face to face. Beside our position is a window. And newspapers are provided for pastimes. No food for public passengers!
"By the way, Hessuel," he puts his leg on top of his other knee, "I've been noticing this in you ever since we left. You changed. You're kinda different from the first time we've met. Is there something that bothers our young Alpha?"
I look through the window. "To be honest, I've been feeling empty."
"Empty? Are you hungry?"
"No, that's not what I mean. It's a feeling in my chest that lacks like I'm a walking incomplete puzzle... Do you understand?"
"..." He's staring at me intently. "Was it because of your family in the past?"
"No, I don't think so." He already counseled me about that matter. It will be rude to make him repeat himself. "I'm trying to be over it but... is this feeling a part of the process?"
"Hm, according to your description, you can't tell what exactly makes you feel empty. And according to my experience, if you're whole and the thing that makes you whole was removed, then that's when you'll feel empty, especially if your level of attachment to that piece is high. For example, a loved one."
"I'm... missing... a loved one?"
"Maybe? I have the same feeling when I'm living at a distance from my wife. The bed feels empty. The dining table feels vapid. Your everyday life feels lacking. I felt the same. But now, those sacrifices paid off. I am filled and doubled." His chuckle afterward means something.
"Doubled?"
"Zaeramil is going to be an old brother. So, he's now having strict lessons with my wife! I'm sorry to speak about myself while trying to console you."
My proud smile drew. "That sounds wonderful. Congratulations."
He picks up a newspaper from the basket under the window and opens it. "That's all I could think of. Maybe... you're missing a loved one." He smirks before lending his eyes now to read the headline. I talked with the right person. Matheo is such a professional when it comes to throwing advice. A man with knowledgeable experiences. I held the cuff bracelet while watching the snow through the window.
Who am I missing?
"Hessuel, check this out!" He extends the newspaper to me, highlighting the political changes and amelioration of Lanbarc. I miss my home. I wonder if Cormelio's condition has great news for my comeback.
As stated in the newspaper, I felt the changes in Lanbarc the moment I set foot here. 'Twas only a month ago when I left. People of different races or colors are free to walk around. On-going constructions of the new facades, parks, and roads are at every turn.
"Your lead," Matheo reminded.
Our village is only a walking distance and we didn't mind changing into our wolves, since this metropolis is the human domain it might frighten the people. Part of me is nervous. I feel nostalgic for walking between the lines of fire trees that catch the snowfall. The village seems quiet from the top of the hills of snow-coated meadows with paved roads. This is the mode of the village whenever it's winter.
Other than the vermin, weather is our farm's affliction and everyone's livelihood. Matheo and I are the only ones walking down the streets. I knock on our first destination before we come in. The store never changed. The notification by the wind chime stops the busy grinding sound in the backyard, then the owner emerges at the counter.
"Welcome— Oh! Look who's back!"
"Sr. Amos."
He wipes the stains off his hands with his cotton apron before we embrace each other's arms. "Are you here for your uncle? He's not here anymore. He's probably working to irrigate his frozen farm," he informed straight to the point. Longing excitement strikes my lonely spirit away!
"Thank you, sir!"
We left the store to scurry to our farm. Acro flies ahead of us, and Matheo told me not to hold back. "I'll catch up," he said. Consequently, I run to follow Acro's pace. Because our farm is isolated from the households, it made me pant when I reached the snowy road towards our garden dome.
In the distance, Acro is twirling around Cormelio who is shoveling the snow out of the way. I ran towards him, not holding back the mischievous grin on my face. Cormelio was astounded by the sight of Acro and dumbfounded when he finally saw me. I snatch him on the waist and spin him around. He screams as expected.
"Uncle Cor! I miss you so damn much!!" 'Twas only a month but summing up all that happened to me, it felt like years. He kept slapping my arms to put him down. He touches my cheeks dearly, scanning me from head to toe.
"Little Devil? No way. You're not Hessuel!" He was about to sway the shovel to me, gladly I parried him beforehand! Yet he's resisting and yelling. "You can't fool me! Ruses will never work on me!"
"Wha— It's me! Look, I'm wearing the same coat you gave me!"
"I don't care! You're taller! Your hair, Little Devil will never cut his hair like that! And your eyes, you have dejected eyes! No, I won't believe you."
I laughed more at his demeanor than the words he said. "And you're still the same~" I said back. He stops his dramatic resistance when I embrace him dearly and say the same true words, "I miss you."
He caresses my back to hug me as well. "Haah..." he says, "I knew this day would come. To witness the changes in you nags me that you're a werewolf, and you're not meant to stay by my side forever. I miss my little devil, too."
"Who said I'm not meant for that? And you thought I left you? Of course, I did but not forever. Stop being emotional. You might lose hair and get bald."
"You scoundrel..." Then he taps my back. "Hey, you're not alone?"
"Oh, right."
Matheo arrived and I introduced him to Cormelio. "It's a pleasure to meet you!" Matheo greeted. They shake hands, then I notice Cormelio's poise and twinkling eyes. He whispers,
"You brought me a present?"
"Ah, Mr. Matheo is not my present. He's like a father to me during our travels, where in fact he is a father of two kids."
Cormelio's flirting mood subsides. He's quite disappointed in me and I only find it hilarious! Matheo introduces himself respectfully, "Also, the mother of my two kids is your sister, Lanasia. I am her husband—"
"What!?" Cormelio is resisting to sway the shovel again, this time, against Matheo. We're both pacifying him. "How could you be the consort of my sister without telling me first!? And you dare have two kids now!? I was never invited to the wedding!!"
"I'm sorry, sir! We have nothing to feed the visitors if ever—!"
"I'm not into food, I'm into the moment!!"
"Calm down, Uncle Cor... your hair..."
And that was how the reunion happened; loud, cranky, and humorous.
☪ ✧ ✧
The snow is falling heavily and the wind is shivering them. We sat in front of the furnace for several minutes to warm up. Meanwhile, Cormelio is reviewing the letter from Lanasia and the present I brought; the gold and souvenirs.
"Have some snacks, boys!" Cormelio called. Acro is already enjoying the bread on the plate she misses. We gathered around the small round table to eat salty chips and green leaves to dip in the sour cream. I told everything that happened during my journey. Matheo is adding some information.
"So much happened while I'm unconscious, huh?" Cormelio commented. "It's only been a week since I woke up. I was expecting from the first place that you'll meddle with my property once you have the chance."
I choked.
"So, I jot down the mini-game for instructions! I'm confident that Acro will guide you starting from the awakening of your power no matter what." He sips some hot coffee before he continues. "It is time to be honest with you, Little Devil. The stranger who took you here is Lanasia. She wanted to keep it confidential for the sake of her safety and yours. She gave me the instructions about your necklace. I believed it was safe to keep it outside the house and that was where Acro did her part."
"You don't have to keep it hidden, Uncle Cor. Every secret is safe with me and Acro."
"No. Truth be told, the law to eliminate those who foster a silver wolf is non-existent." I hold my breath for a second. "However, they kept saying it's a law to make their actions legal. They knew that the pureblood silver wolf they've been hunting for is under the custody of an old farmer."
Matheo adds, "Similar to why they implemented slavery. The Vengeance pack has been attacking us indirectly."
"Then why not directly?" I questioned.
“None of their pack has the right to kill you, the honor to do so is preserved for their Alpha. And that imbecility made you live longer. So going head on to their Alpha will save time and frustration for his puppies."
Cormelio drops the mug of coffee. "What are you two plotting!?"
I exchange glances with Matheo. "I will offer an alliance with the Vengeance pack."
"What? You're not in a theater play! I don't care if it's adventurous but it's deadly!"
"I know. I'm not in a play. This is real. A real conflict of existing werewolves. And I'm part of it. It is my duty to keep the peace among werewolves. I know how aggressive they are against me so I have to prepare for that worst case scenario, too."
He calms down and leans his back. "... Right. You've finally figured out who you really are. Seeing you grow is a blessing. And now that you do, I couldn't be more proud of you."
"Huh?" I lean my arms on the table closer to him. "Really? Will you say it again!?" I requested almost like waggling my tail but I don't have one!
"Moving on," he ignores me, "how will you do it?"
"With your help."
"Excuse me!?"
"The area is Plandreas. You were a knight there, you know the roundabouts of the city and the palace itself. You have experience in leading and planning. I'm confident that you can help me."
"Hmm. That's why you came home first?"
I nod while Matheo remains silent.
"It's been a long time since I did that... Expect my cooperation with this conspiracy since my little devil conducts it!"