Chapter 11 A Strange Occurrence
Vanessa
I yawn and in the process of stretching when I hear excited shouts and chants coming from outside.
Is something going on?
I walk towards the window and pull the curtains apart to see. Pack members in groups run towards a direction. From a distance, I see the smoke rising from a surface, curling as if trying to whisper into the dark night. The moon is full tonight, which is probably what has them excited than normal.
My curiosity can't be helped as I go to close the book I was reading, turn off the lights and shut the door gently behind me.
I'm walking the long corridor of the narrow hallway when I catch sight of Patricia who happens to be on her way to me also.
"Hey, Trish." I wave. Her forest green eyes light up like the sun in a summer sky.
"Vanessa!" Her steps quicken, and when she gets closer, I have to grab her by the arms to stop her from crashing into me. "Sorry," she says with sparkling green eyes.
"You're in a pretty good mood today," I note.
"Yes! It's a full moon today so we're having a pack hunt!"
I raise an eyebrow. "pack hunt? What's that?"
"Oh, right. You don't know." Her tongue darts out to licks ber lips slightly before continuing. "Basically, we shift, and run into the woods in our wolf forms to catch a prey. The group with the biggest and the best meat is rewarded greatly."
"So in short, it's a feast of sorts. Feast under the full moon," I conclude.
She nods. "Yes."
"What are we waiting for then? That sounds like fun." Without waiting for a response, I pull Patricia's hand and drag her in the direction of the celebration.
It's a wide, open field filled with wolves of different sizes. The atmosphere is wrapped in contagious happiness and vibrant energy. A mouthwatering smell fills the air and my stomach grumbles in delight.
I've always known that the full moon usually marks a special period for werewolves.
The place is so noisy I can barely hear my own voice as I reply to Trish. I watch the movement of her mouth, trying to understand her words as she tells me she'll be going off to find her group.
I nod and wish her good luck, then she disappears into the roaring crowd.
The first sound of the air horn startles me and I turn towards the direction of the sound.
My eyes comb through the crowd, looking for a certain grumpy Alpha.
Although, not tonight.
Then I see him.
Tonight, he looks more like the Alpha, not one that's feared, but respected. Even in his half-dressed state, he radiates the power, strength, and confidence fit for a King.
Then he announces, "Let the hunt, begin!"
A crowd roars and most of them who were still in human forms transform immediately.
The first group is cheered for loudly as they disappear into the Vale forest. Then the next group, until finally, it's their turn.
I watch in wonder as I watch him transform. His bones snap and twist in odd angles that much surely be painful, but it was quick. In his place stands a big, wolf almost seven feet tall in his place. His beautiful black fur, glistening under the radiance of the full moonlight.
He turns his head towards me, his green eyes, dark and heavy and it pierced through me. I shiver involuntarily, and I could have sworn his green eyes darkened even more.
"Because with just the snap of my fingers, you'll be homeless again.You're only still here because I allow it."
Then he disappears.
The memory sours my mood and leaves me with a heavy feeling settling in the pit of my stomach.
Fuck him.
I turn around and walk off in the opposite direction, kicking tiny stones along the way.
You don't belong here, Vanessa. You have a mission and must never let any other thing compromise it, my inner voice chides.
Yeah, I have a mission. It's what I've ever lived for, fought for and won't hesitate to achieve...even if that leaves me homeless at the end of the day. So truly, fuck. him.
I don't know how long I walk for, lost in thought when my feet come to a stop by a little stream.
Since I can still hear the sound of the festivities going on, I figure I'm not too far away from there then.
The stream start from one end to the other. It's a shallow water body so clear I can literally see my own reflection staring back at me, judging me silently.
The area I'm standing on is covered in grass so when I sit down, it's comfortable. I scoot closer to the water, my legs crossed and body hunched over, eyes closed and enjoying the near silence.The only sound is the gentle sway of the water as it rocks, side to side.
When I finally open my eyes, I recoil in shock, scrambling from my crossed-leg position.
My eyes! What happened to my eyes?
I rub them furiously and peer into the water again.
It doesn't change.
My eyes have turned from an electric blue to a sharp golden color, which seems to shimmer in the clear water.
I scoop some water and splash it on my face. Maybe my body is being overwhelmed by the stress it has endured for a while, so I'm starting to see things now.
Because there's absolutely no fucking way my eyes would just change like that.
I wash my face as many times as possible and I'm sure it's had enough. I look at my reflection again and this time, they seem to glow even brighter than before.
I shuffle my feet backwards, in a desperate attempt to turn and run, I trip over myself and fall on the ground in a loud thud.
I groan, my body twisting from side to side in agony. The
pain heavy and coursing through my body like a lightening bolt.
What is happening to me?