331- Wolf and Human
POV Seraphine Valerian:
“As I was telling you, each pack makes its own laws and rules, has different characteristics depending on the place and evolution. Some even think this destined one story is a legend! Or something rare and unusual.”
“How long have you existed? Was it a mixture of wolf and human?”
“I don't know! They say since the same time as you. We're stronger, but we don't reproduce as quickly.”
I had questions surging in my head, but I fell silent for a while when we returned near the castle. Adelina pointed past it, explaining that beyond the forest there was only a cliff. Good to know, so I wouldn't waste my time. Or was it another lie of hers, to keep me away?
I raised my eyes to the imposing castle, its stones darkened by time, the two columns silhouetted against the sky. I shivered, because it was beautiful and somber. Like Viktor.
“Are you cold? When autumn advances, it gets cold up here. Sometimes it snows before winter.”
“No, it was just a draft.”
We continued, and I tried to regroup my thoughts.
“Did your mother only have you? Did she die before giving your father more children?”
“He never found his destined one.”
“Didn't you say that when you get pregnant...”
“You didn't understand, Seraphine. I'm not his blood daughter. He found me as a baby, in the forest. And raised me as his daughter.”
Surprised, I stared at her.
“I thought... Viktor had married several times, given his age, and that you were his destined one's daughter.”
“He only married Jasmina. She and the baby died, but it wasn't his son. And neither am I.”
“Is that why he killed them both?” I swallowed hard.
“My father told me the truth. The woman suffocated the baby in the forest. We wolves have a keen sense of smell. When a pup is born, the father recognizes the scent. She was afraid he would discover the betrayal and tried to get rid of the child.”
I stopped, surprised, nervous. Adelina watched me, raising an eyebrow.
“He doesn't lie. He got pissed off, his beast took over, and he killed her. Then he sent her body far away. And he buried the baby girl in the cemetery I told you about, that you'll see, there in the center. I never knew if she would be human or she-wolf. We don't know of any crossbreeding like that, whether it works. Only a few from bites.”
She continued walking, while my mind worked. He really killed my great-aunt. But would she be capable of sacrificing her own daughter to hide her mistake? To stay with him?
“It doesn't matter. Among us it's easier. There are the stronger alphas, who are leaders. And the common alphas. Only males can be alphas. There are the omegas, who can be men and women. They procreate. And there are the betas, weaker, who don't procreate. Like the duchesses.”
I nodded, although I remained perplexed, not paying much attention.
“What are duchesses?”
“Oh, that's what they call themselves!” She laughed. “The Duchesses' Nest is the village brothel. Katarina, Anica, and Georgeta are rich, from so many males who seek them out and pay for them, give them gifts. After all, we have few females among us.”
“She-wolf prostitutes?”
“Why not? That place is their home.”
I looked, realizing we had arrived at a kind of large square, with benches and lawns, buildings and houses around, streets, commerce. A tall tower stood out. Further ahead, stone walls surrounded everything. People around looked at me curiously.
The house Adelina pointed to was behind the tower, two stories high, similar to the others. In a picturesque and unique style. All in a yellowish tone, with red roofs and attics with a window that looked like an eye. The difference in this one was colored lamps, decorating a red door flanked by flowers. Feminine and pretty.
I lowered my gaze to the residents. If I saw them anywhere, I would think they were ordinary humans. Did they all turn into wolves? Even the children running around the square?
I felt embarrassed to be the center of attention and looked around. I was startled to see an open grated gate and a low wall around the cemetery. Gray tombstones and dark crosses upon them. I shivered. “The cemetery of women.” Where the baby was. And certainly many of the gypsy women who had disappeared from my village.
Nervous, I moved my hands, wanting to get out of there.
“Is this the human?”
I turned quickly to the tall, beautiful woman who approached us. Long blond hair, brown eyes. She seemed to be in her twenties.
“Lana!” Adelina laughed, as the two hugged. “This is my best friend. And here is Seraphine, the only human among us!”
I smiled, embarrassed. The girl looked me up and down, serious.
“Why did your father bring her here?”
“How would I know?”
“They're saying that we were attacked, from Cyndrael territory, because of her. And that the meeting scheduled for later, with everyone, is to announce that we're going to have war.” She showed irritation, without taking her eyes off me.
“Don't even tell me that!” Adelina huffed. I got angry too and emphasized:
“I'm not here by my own will. Nor did I start any war. As far as I'm concerned, I would already be far away!”
“Oh, sure... right...” Lana shook her head.
“It's the truth.”
She didn't care much, giving her friend a kiss and walking away without deigning to be polite.
“Why did she treat me like that? It's not my fault.”
“Lana must be jealous. She's crazy about my father.”
“She can have him! I'm not a threat!” I got irritated.
“But you sleep in his bed.”
“You locked me in there!”
“Orders.” She looked at me more closely, a little smile on her lips. “Did you manage?”
“Nothing happened.” I pushed my hair away from my face, increasingly tense.
“Hmm... come on, let's continue.”
I didn't like that nosy Lana.
I felt like an extraterrestrial being, from being stared at so much. Didn't they know that, for the rest of the world, the weird ones were them? That humans dominated the Earth? God, I had to get out of there, even if I had to fly!
Although most only stared at me from afar and whispered, some were friendlier. They smiled, even approached and shook my hand, when Adelina introduced us. I managed to relax a little more, realizing I couldn't assume no one was worthwhile.
“How are you? I'm Stoica, Lana's mother.” A beautiful, tall, chubby blonde was very pleasant. Quite different from her daughter. “My husband, Emil, had already told me about your presence in the castle. Are you enjoying it?”
“I... haven't seen much yet.” I was polite, without saying I was there as a prisoner.
“It's wonderful to live here. Make yourself at home.”
“Thank you.”
The children also came near, touched me, asked questions. I even felt dizzy from the laughter and running around, but then they went back to playing, losing interest.