MARCUS SHORT POV
She stood for a while her eyes transfixed on mine before she finally said "The battle line has been drawn, I hope you are prepared for what's coming?" And with that, she turned around and left.
ALLYSSA'S POV
Ethan and his pack returned from the village where they have gone to sort help and I was glad to have them back.
The dream I had the previous night made me apprehensive. I have been looking forward to their return ever since. Now that they are back it's a big relief for me.
The full moon was high in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the village clearing where Ethan's werewolf pack had gathered. We had come together for an important meeting, one that would determine the future of the pack.
Ethan and I were seated close to each other. When everyone who mattered was present Ethan stood up from where we were seated and walked to the center of the clearing so that everyone can see and hear him. He looked around at his pack members, taking in their expressions and assessing their moods. He could guess what was going on in their minds. He knew they were angry and wanted revenge for the death of their loved ones.
What made Ethan angrier and revenge thirsty was the fact that their alpha died during the attack. His leg got stuck in a pit in the course of rescuing his pack members from the building. Before Ethan and others could find him, he had already been badly burnt. They were able to get him out alive but he died before they could get any help. That was a big blow on the face of the pack.
"Brothers and sisters," he began, his deep voice carrying across the clearing. "We are here today to discuss the future of our village. As you all know, our homes have been destroyed, and we are in desperate need of a plan to renovate and rebuild."
The pack murmured in agreement, and Ethan continued, "But that is not the only issue. We are all aware that our pack was attacked by a yet-to-be-identified pack and this attack cost us the loss of our loved ones including the alpha". This painful reminder made them growl and curse angrily.
"This is not the first time Ethan's pack has been attacked but this is the first time the attackers are victorious. Ethan's pack is known for its unity and loyalty.
Legend has it that their pack has been in existence for almost a century. The pack was built on true love and had strived ever since because of this strong bond of love and trust between its members. Stonecold The Brave was the founder and first alpha of this pack.
When a child was born, Members of the pack would gather in a clearing on the 7th night. They would transform into a wolf. Stonecold would slit the baby's wrist and collect its blood into a gourd, lilly-of-the-valley (a bell-shaped plant) was mashed together with the baby's blood inside the gourd. The potion is diluted with water collected from beneath a hill and every member is made to take a sip from the gourd. It is called the bonding ritual.
This ritual is carried out to strengthen the bond of brotherhood and wade off the evil thought of betrayal from their minds. Hence, the reason for the pack's undying loyalty and unity. This ritual has been in practice since Stonecold The Brave.
When. Ethan first told me about the bonding ritual I couldn't help but remember our practical class with my botany tutor.
It was late into April, he took us into the forest and that was the first time I knew what this bell-shaped flower is called.
"The Lilly of the valley, a woodland flowering plant with sweetly scented, pendent, bell-shaped white flowers borne in sprays in spring". He said.
"If we let this go, our pack stands the risk of getting attacked again in the future.
Therefore forgiveness is not an option here. We must find those responsible for this and make them pay. This is why we are gathered here today to share ideas on how to go about it". Ethan said. He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in, before opening up the discussion to the rest of the pack.
One by one, members stepped forward with suggestions on how to renovate the village and detect the pack that attacked them. Someone suggested they emigrate to another land and start afresh but that idea was countered by many.
" Killing our alpha is enough blow, now you want us to run away from our land? That will be the most cowardly act in the history of werewolves. I would rather die" someone said and many of them nodded to that.
Not that I love violence but I couldn't help but agree with this man. Running away instead of fighting and protecting what is yours is a cowardly thing to do.
"Gorge stood up and cleared his throat, and everyone kept quiet. George is the only brother of the dead alpha.
"Yesterday myself and many of you here went to a village to ask for help. The truth is we didn't go there to ask for help to renovate our village. We are strong enough to do that on our own."
We only told you that to confuse our enemies who might be lurking around to know our true aim. Only a few of you here knew the true aim of our visit.
After the attack, I knew we have been wronged and the only way to right this wrong was by avenging our alpha and the others. I secretly sent out words asking about who could help us track down our attackers.
After weeks of investigation, I was able to find someone who knew a Luna who is a seer. She is said to be powerful and capable of seeing things that happened in the past and that are yet to happen."
George stopped to look around as if looking to see if there were people who were not supposed to be there. He then continued.
" The road to her village is dangerous that was why I asked everyone to come along except for the females. " Some murmurs came from the back but stopped almost immediately.
"During our visit" he continued." She didn't tell us who they were but she gave us clues that could lead us to her."
My heart skipped at the mention of the word" she". Memories of the incident at Ethan's destroyed village came back to me.
George explained that the attackers are members of a popular pack within this region. The attackers were sent by a young woman who was the daughter of their alpha and she did it to hurt someone for taking away what she feels was rightfully hers even if it isn't.
That was the only information the seer shared and it was now up to the pack to use these clues to find out who the woman was. This is going to be a tough one I thought.
George after narrating his ordeal with the seer urged everyone to inform the pack immediately as soon as they come across or hear something that could help with the investigation.
Finally, after much deliberation, George raised his hand signaling an end to the discussion
With that, the pack dispersed, each member determined to give their all in ensuring that the attackers are punished
I watch them go and I couldn't help but admire the way they always stood in unity.