Currently, I'm sitting in the middle of the woods, bleeding out profusely, with a decapitated Alpha head next to me. Knowing mine is the next one to go. I can hear the enemy closing in, surrounding the area. I could run and try to make it back to safety, but I'm tired. I'm tired of running. Even before I was born, we were always on the run.
Always.
Well, I already know how this is going to end. So how about I tell you how it all started.
Thirty-four years ago, a forbidden love occurred when an Alpha werewolf named Athan Spanos fell in love with a witch named Maj-Lis Aalberg. My father was a Greek wolf, who's family was highly respected because of how closely related they were to the legend of the first werewolf, the first true Alpha. Their pack consisted mainly of ice wolves, who were born under the ice moon. For us wolves, the moon plays a big part in our development. It will determine the power we will possess and the color of our pelts.
Succeeding many centuries of evolution, the world we live in today is unlike our past one. Werewolves are no longer savage creatures who kill on impulse. They are governed by a monarchy-like system where each pack is ruled by an Alpha and their family. Now there are many systems put in place to ensure the home we have made for ourselves stays thriving. The Court of Towers are the enforcers of the law we all must abide by. Dressed in red robes they stand above the rest, holding our lives and death in their hands.
After the war between the wolf packs in Germany, Greece, and Poland, the leaders signed an agreement to split the land and end the feud. Every fifty years, leaders of each pack would gather and resign the peace treaty. Occasionally reforming the guidelines we all follow. You know, like no killing of the innocent, no eating anything human-like, and so forth. Usually, his father would attend with his mother, but instead, his two sons Athan and Christos, the eldest brother, were sent in their place. The Alpha could tell his time was coming to an end and wanted his sons to be fully ready to stand in as pack leader when the time came.
My father who was a wind wolf had light brown eyes that paired along with his hair. They always seemed to catch glimmers of gold in them. His skin was dark. Similar to the color of maple syrup. His brother, an ice wolf had the same complexion as his. But his hair was a thick dark brown and had brownish-gray eyes. Both standing tall at six feet.
The two brothers made their way to Denmark, where the Meeting Of Alphas was being hosted. One of the ten largest woodland areas in Denmark was Rold Skov. The nearby packs decided that the meeting and the festivities would be held there.
On their way through the forest, they traveled down a dirt pathway. The road became uneven and rough, causing the wheel to snap in a sudden pothole. The brothers exited their carriage to see the damage.
"Damn it! Now we have to try and find this place on foot." Christos kicked the dirt.
"I'm sure there's a way we can fix this." Athan looked around.
"Brother, there won't be anyone for at least another mile. Nor do we have the tools to fix a wooden wheel." He sighed.
"Then uh, I guess we're walking. Coachman?"
"Y-yes. Sorry. Sorry." He bowed repeatedly.
"Don't worry about it. Could you direct us on how to get there?"
"Bare hold til hØjre." He directed them.
"Of course, he's speaking German." Christos walked away, grunting.
"Wait, that's not German, it's Danish. HØjre, I think that means right. Right? Coachman, you're telling us to go right." Athan pointed down the pathway.
"Ja! Yes."
"See, we got this. Just follow my lead."
"We better get there on time. As members of the Silvercrest Claws, we cannot show up late. Especially since father entrusted this task to us, we cannot let him down." Christos glared at him, flashing his red eyes.
"Now, now, my brother, calm down. Don't worry we'll make it there on time." Athan hooked his arm around his brother's neck. Only to be shoved away.
"As the next leader of our pack, you need to keep that anger under control. Can't have you scaring off any potential mates now, can we?" He smiled at his brother.
"You think father would choose me?"
"No doubt! I mean, look at you. The other Alphas already respect you, and some even look up to you." Athan playfully hit his brother's shoulder.
"Well then, in that case, you better make sure not to slack off too much as my right-hand man."
"I wouldn't dare." The two laughed, sprinting down the pathway.
The cheery atmosphere soon faded when the two became hopelessly lost.
"Father is going to kill us. He will physically kill us for embarrassing the pack like this." Christos combed his hair back.
"Damn it. Did they have to hide it that well? I can't even smell any trace of another wolf around here." Athan sniffed the air.
"Hello?" The sudden voice startled the two.
They jumped back, growling at the figure hiding in the bushes.
"Who the hell are you?" Christos flashed his eyes.
"Brother, hold on. I don't believe they mean any harm." He stepped in front of him.
"Hey look, we got lost. We are only here to attend The Meeting Of The Alphas, okay. We don't want any trouble." He calmly spoke.
A soft voice replied in Danish.
"I'm sorry, but I don't know what you're saying." He scratched his head.
They heard giggling come from the brushes. The figure stepped out onto the pathway, revealing a slim woman in a short satin emerald green dress that frilled out around her waist. A brown satchel hung across her body. Her hair was pitch black, but the sun reflected glints of purple off of it. It curled up past her breast, which contrasted greatly against her fair sunkissed complexion. She covered her mouth, laughing at them, enchanting them with her sweet soft tone.
"What's so funny?" The eldest glared at her.
"Shh." She winked at them, chanting a little spell before clapping her hands together.
"Athan! Stand back, she's a witch!" He pushed his younger brother behind him.
"Who comes to a land and not how to speak the native tongue." She continued to giggle.
"Don't worry. I also mean you no harm, wolfmen. I only cast a spell on you two so that you can understand our language."
Athan and the witch locked eyes for a brief moment.
"Good. It would be bad if anything were to happen. I know the tensions between our kinds are still very high." He smirked.
"Well, if you wolfies would've learned self-control earlier on, maybe they wouldn't be." She mocked them.
"If I were you, I'd watch how you speak to us."
"Christos, calm down." He stood by his brother.
"I am merely speaking the truth." She shuffled to her left, playing with the trees.
"For a woman alone in the woods, you sure are bold." Athan approached her.
"Alone, yes. Bold though is a bit of stretch. I'm just confident in my abilities."
"Is that so?" She peered over at him.
The woman began to intrigue Athan greatly.
It was his first time meeting a witch. From the stories he's heard about them, he expected her to be crueler and more ugly-looking. She sure did surprise him. Her charm won him over in a second. But Christos refused to let his guard down.
"Yes." Athan couldn't take his eyes off of her.
"Brother, we do not have time to waste on this witch. We must hurry to the meeting." Christos spoke sternly.
"Yes, I know. But we are lost. Maybe she could help us. I mean, if that is okay with you um, I'm sorry I don't believe I caught your name." He wore a soft smirk meeting her eyes once more.
"That's because I didn't give it."
"Okay then, my mysterious lady of the woods, would you please be so kind as to lead us in the direction of the Rold Skov forest?"
"I could, but your buffy boy over there doesn't seem to like me." She playfully pouted.
"Brother, please control your face. We can't miss this meeting, right?" Athan whispered to him.
"Absolutely not." He grunted.
"Then she's our best bet on getting there. Or should we wander around blindly for the next few days?"
Christos sighed.
"Fine witch, you have my word. I will not harm you. Better?"
"I don't know. You look untrustworthy to me." She looked him up and down.
"When I give my word, I mean it." The two held each other's gaze for a second.
"Okay fine. But you have to close your eyes. Can't have you leaking out any of my secrets."
The two men agreed. Closing their eyes as the woman scurried around them. Whispering little phrases as she threw what felt like sand around their feet.
"Okay, in about a second, you will be at your destination." She dusted off her palms.
"Wait! I still don't know your name." Athan reached out his hand.
"That sir is confidential information."
"Then how will I find you later on?" He opened his eyes to see her standing in front of him.
"Letters and other objects can be passed through corresponding pouches. You have one and I have the other." She placed a small red velvet pouch in his palm.
"Thanks again, my mysterious lady of the woods. We will meet again." He flashed his charming smile.
"If you are lucky enough." She blew a cloud of golden dust in their face. Transporting them to the entrance of the forest.
The two Spanos brothers often found many reasons to return to Denmark. Secretly, with the main one being the mystifying witch they met in the woods. She grew on them, even getting the rather hardened Christos to warm up to her. The three of them were playing a rather dangerous game. Being friends was one thing. But falling for the witch was another. One, none of them expected to happen.
It was forbidden for witches and werewolves to have any type of intimate relationship with each other. Crossbreeding was heavily frowned upon, and those who committed such a crime were executed. But that didn't stop Athan. He was willing to risk it all for her, unlike his eldest brother.
This story was told to me by my mom and dad. And how it was love at first sight. My father left his pack and his home to be with my mother. Leaving your pack means giving up one of the strongest bonds any wolf can have. The pack is your family and your source of being. Losing them is like losing a part of yourself. The two brothers were no longer permitted to have any kind of contact with one another. Further deepening my mother's guilt.
Later on, Christos became the new leader of the Silvercrest Claws.
Three rough months later, my mom survived giving birth to me. Because she wasn't a werewolf, her survival rate was extremely low. Even me being born was highly unlikely. The odds were literally stacked against us.
But like always, we beat them.
My mom was an amazing witch. She knew any and everything that had to do with magic. Including healing herself and sustaining a life.
"She's beautiful." My mom kissed the baby.
"She was born under the ice moon. Our baby girl is an ice wolf." He picked up the baby, dancing around.
"Hey, calm it down. You're going to drop her if you're not careful."
"What, and harm the most precious being in the world? I wouldn't dare to." He sat on the bed with my wearied mother.
"Now that she's here, I'm even more scared than before. What if someone finds out and they-!"
"My love, everything will be okay. Just calm down and cast aside all those dark thoughts. We can save them for later. For now, let's just relish in the fact our baby is alive and well." He kissed her gently.
"I know, you're right. Let us focus on her. Our baby girl, Lis-an Spanos."
"I promise, for as long as I'm alive, no harm shall come to you or your mother." My father kissed my tiny head.
"We will protect you with our lives."
As I grew my dad would comment on how I was like a mini version of my mother, but with darker skin. I had my mother's long curly black hair and face structure. As soon as I could read, I picked my mother's books on witchcraft and started reading them. I loved studying books about witchcraft and other supernatural beings. My dad gave me books and lessons on different types of wolves. How to handle them if they come me with ill intentions, how to tell what power each wolf possessed, and the warning signs I must always be aware of. My mom was hesitant at first to teach me any witchcraft since I was just a small child. Afraid that I would accidentally use my powers out in public and expose us. But once she saw how I tinkered with simple spells, she gave in. Reading to me books on healing, protection, and defending.
"Dad, how come I can never come with you when you go to the store?" The small seven-year-old me would often ask him.
We moved to the Netherlands only a few months ago. Before that, we were in Germany. I wanted to explore the area of this place.
"Honey, I told you it's because you're special. You're not like other kids." My dad patted my back, sitting on the floor with me as I read a book about a wolf's first transformation.
"Are they scared I will bite them? Cause I won't, I promise." I smiled widely.
"Lis-an, it's not that we don't trust you. It's the bad people outside we don't trust." Mom knelt down, cupping my cheeks.
"Is that why we keep moving around?"
"Yes. But isn't it better this way? We get to travel and see the world!" My dad picked me up, swinging me around.
I giggled in his arms. They were always so strong and sturdy, they made me feel safe.
"But just you wait my pup. One day you'll be able to run around free with other kids just like you."
"Athan!"
"Really? Mom is that true?"
Mom's face hardened.
"I told you to stop saying stuff like that to her." She looked at my dad.
"It's the truth. I will get us to the Freedom Hills. I know I'm close to figuring it out. Once I do, we won't have to run anymore. No more looking over our shoulders or worrying for our daughter's safety. None of that." He placed me down.
"I don't want to get her hopes up. What if that place isn't real. What then?"
"But what if it is." He brought her in closer to him.
"What is Freedom Hills?" I asked them.
"It's a place where kids who are half breeds like you are allowed to live their lives as they please. For us, it's hope." His large hand cradled my head.
"It's almost time to start making dinner, and I still don't have the herbs I asked you to get."
"Oops, my bad. I'll get them now." He grabbed a brown cloth bag.
"Mommy, can I go with daddy?"
"It's getting dark out. I don't want you in the woods at night." She chopped up some veggies.
"It's okay. She'll be with me. I'll keep an eye on her." Dad looked at me.
"Fine. But put the books away first."
"Yay!" I gathered the books on the floor, running them over to the chair in the corner.
I moved the chair aside, picking up one of the floorboards. I quickly shoved them underneath the wood and placed everything back as it was.
"And take your medicine before you go." Mom yelled to me.
Dad's face twinged with pain. He stepped outside by the door. He was always so weird about medicine.
"Mommy, do I have to? I hate the way it makes me feel." I whined.
"No buts. Medicine now, or you can't go with your dad." She gave me that stern mom look.
They always had me carry the medicine with me. Mom made a bracelet for me so I can keep it around my wrist. Since I was born, mom would often give me medicine that helps half-breeds like me maintain a healthy lifestyle. They said because I wasn't full a werewolf, that my body couldn't handle the wolf genes inside of me. So it would often attack my body and at some points, almost kill me. But I hated taking the medicine. It made me feel ill and weak, sometimes even nauseous. The first time I took the meds, I was in bed for a few weeks. But now I'm able to handle it a little bit better but I still hate its side effects.
I unhooked the bracelet and twisted it apart, tapping out a small blue and purple ball. I used dad's leftover water to swallow the nasty pill.
"Ah, all done." I opened my mouth to show mom I actually swallowed it.
"All good." She confirmed, washing up some raw meat.
She looked a bit sad.
"Mommy!"
"Y-yes honey?"
"I love you." I wore a big smile for her.
A real smile broke out on her face. She stepped away from the kitchen, quickly making her way to hug me.
"I love you too, honey. More than anything in this world." She kissed the top of my head.
"I know."
She let me go.
"Okay, dad, I'm ready." I ran to the door.
"Love you, be safe!" Mom watched us leave.
"We will."
"Love you, babe." Dad winked.
I followed him through the woods. They tried their best not to make too many trips into town. Mom always said that most of the things that we need are already around us. We just have to look for them.
"Does it hurt?" I asked him.
"What does?"
"Changing into a wolf. Most of the books say it's a horrible pain. Is that true?"
"At first, it does. But that is just because your body isn't used to it yet. As you learn to master your gift, it will get easier." He patted my back.
"I don't know if I want to do that. It sounds scary."
"I know, but you have your mom and me with you. I'll be able to guide you through it, and your mom will help take away some of that pain. So don't worry so much." He smiled down at me.
"There was something I wanted to talk to about?"
"Like what?" I playfully whacked some branches.
"You know it's okay to be yourself around us, right?"
"What do you mean?" I played dumb.
"Don't think for a second you're fooling me with this act." He raised his brows.
"What act dad?" I laughed, feeling my heart beat faster.
"I know my daughter. I can tell when you're upset, even when you force a smile. So why are you trying so hard to be so cheerful?"
My smile fell as I looked to the ground.
"Sometimes, mom will get this look in her eyes when she sees me. Like she's sad. I thought that maybe she wished that I was more like you. You always make mom so happy. I just wanted to do the same thing."
I thought that if I could be more like my carefree dad, mom would smile more when I'm around her.
Dad stopped walking, kneeling to my level.
"You tend to act much older than your age. Being so calm and collected, unlike me. But that is what I love about you the most. Your mom looks at you like that because she worries too much about the future. You're only seven, yet you've lived a rough life because of us."
"I don't mind though. It's like you said, we get to see the world this way."
"You're always so understanding. I swear we don't deserve you." He kissed my forehead before jumping up.
"I can't wait to see you in your wolf form. Once you've mastered your transformation, I'll take you out on a run. How does that sound?"
"I can't wait." I held his hand.
I couldn't wait to go to the Freedom Hills. We wouldn't have to hide anymore. I could finally be able to decorate my room. I never bothered doing it after the third time we had to pack up in the middle of the night and leave. I figured it was a waste of time.
I hope we get there soon.
Katoosh!
Dad quickly turned around, looking up. A green light exploded against the night sky. Usually, mom would send signals like this to tell dad that we need to run. But I've never seen her set off a green one before. It was normally a yellow light. I was going to ask him what it was, but his face made my blood run cold. I've never seen him make that face before. He looked terrified. He grabbed me, holding me close to him as he ran at an unbelievable speed. I thought I was going to be sick from the motion. Before I could blink, we were back at the cabin again.
"There isn't much time." Mom ran outside.
Dad put me down and flexed his jaw. His body stretched and molded into a large wolf. Mom hopped on him, tugging me up with her. He ran faster than before as mom gripped firmly onto me. Pinning me between her and the wolf. Panic filled my senses. Something about this one seemed different. We've run away before, but why was he so scared?
What was happening?
"It's okay honey. Everything is going to be okay." Mom whispered to me over and over again.
I couldn't see a thing.
Mom would turn back and intense balls of light shot out her hands hitting the shadows that circled us.
Rustling came from all around us. Deep guttural growls surrounded us. That's when I knew we were being chased. My dad howled loudly and profoundly. The sound sent shivers down my spine. Whines echoed throughout the woods, but the running footsteps did not stop.
"We must get to the sigil!" Mom's sigil formed out of her as she used it to swiftly smack aside the large wolves running alongside us.
More shots were fired. I cried gripping onto my mom.
"Ah!" Mom grunted and I could feel something warm run down my chest.
"Hurry. Their weapons are laced with wolfsbane!" She groaned in pain.
Then two more shots were heard, and this time my dad whined out in pain.
"Athan!"
He fell, throwing all of us to the ground.
The impact knocked me unconscious. I fell asleep, hoping this was all just one horrible nightmare. Every once in a while my eyes would crack open and muddled sounds of crying emanated near me. I could feel something being cut into the back of my neck. I whined slightly at the pain, being unable to move. I assumed this was a form of torture the Court of Towers was performing on me.
When I started to come to, I could feel my hands bound behind me with a rope.
"Stop it, please! We have done nothing wrong." I heard my mom crying.
I blinked open my eyes. Dad was weakly sitting on his knees, sweaty and just barely clinging to consciousness. He was bleeding from his thigh. I focused my eyes past my begging mom. We were outside, sat upon a wooden stage in front of silhouetted people who yelled cruel words at us. Men in red robes that covered their faces formed a line. Side by side as they were seated behind a table.
"D-dad?" I cried out to him.
"You two have committed an egregious crime. To think you would have relations with one another knowing the rules that were placed. We have no idea how you were even able to conceive such a monster." One of the robed men spat at us.
"P-please, I beg for my daughter and wife. I will take the punishments. Just don't hurt them." Dad raised his head high.
"No can do Mr. Spanos. You knew the risks, did you not?" I saw his jaw clenched.
"She's just a child. She didn't choose this life, we did. Let us pay in her stead." Tears streamed down her face as she begged for them to let me go.
Dirt and sweat covered my mom's face. Blood dripped down from her shoulder. All I could do was cry. I didn't know what was happening and I was terrified.
"The judgment has already been cast."
"What of my family? Do you intend to murder one of their sons, ruining the allies you've had backing you!" Dad growled at them.
"They know of your crimes and have permitted us to carry on as we see fit."
"No, th-they wouldn't. Christos would never agree to this." His face went pale.
"We are all bound by the law. You and your family, as respected as they may be, are no exception. I find no pleasure in killing a child. You have no one to blame but yourselves. The punishment for your crimes is death. You shall be executed before dawn breaks." A man in a red robe stood up.
"Because of your lineage, we permit you one minute to say your valedictions."
"Mommy! No! I don't wanna die. Please, I don't wanna! I promise I'll be g-good. I-I won't ever do anything bad. I won't." I yelled at the robbed men.
"I'm sorry child." He turned away from us.
"Lis-an l-look at me." My mom's lips trembled as she smiled at me.
"Your father and I love you more than anything in this world. I-I'm so sorry this had to happen."
"W-Why? It's not fair! It's not fair. What about the Freedom Hills? I-I want to go there." My throat burned from wailing.
I couldn't see a thing. Tears clouded my vision.
"Ready the guns."
"Daddy!" I cried out.
"Lis-an, you know I've never lied to you, right?" He smiled at me weakly.
I couldn't figure out how the hell they were able to smile in this kind of situation.
"Y-yes." My voice broke.
"Then believe me when I say, everything is going to be okay." He nuzzled his head against mine.
"Our baby girl. Our precious little miracle. You are everything I've ever wanted. I don't regret a single moment we had together. If I could, I'd do it all over again. As long as you were the outcome, it was worth it." She kissed my head.
"I want you to do something for me, okay?" A man in a black mask grabbed my dad, making him stand up as he spoke.
"O-okay."
They did the same thing to my mom and me. Standing us all next to each other. Facing the robed men.
"I need you to close your eyes and keep them shut tightly."
I did as he said.
Footsteps approached us from behind. Sacks were then placed over our heads.
"Lis-an!" Mom called to me.
"Yes, mom?" My heart raced.
"Don't let this taint you. Use it as fuel, not poison. Do you understand me?!" Her voice broke.
"Y-Yes."
"Promise you will."
"I promise!" I cried out.
"You're going to do amazing things, my little one." I swear, I could hear him smiling as he spoke.
"My mysterious lady of the woods, shall we give them a grand ending?!" His voice carried out over the crowd.
"Yes, we shall." She laughed.
"As our bodies grow cold and fate unfolds with rules that are old, take the one that's marked and set her apart." They both spoke out loud.
"Hey!"
"What are they doing?!" I could hear thick boots marching quickly towards us.
An intense burning sensation appeared at the back of my neck. I screamed out in pain, startling the robed men. They quickly ran to the stage. It was like time itself slowed down. Everything went pitch black as I heard two shots in the distance.
I knew this was the end for me. At least I'll be able to be with my family again in the afterlife.
So dying isn't so bad.