Andor.
Iris didn't talk to me for the next two days, she was glued to my mother's, and she knew I could not approach the two of them simultaneously. Ignoring the trouble at home, I focused on matters concerned with the pack.
The full moon was coming up tonight, and my father had a tradition of making it a gathering. He would lead the pack and go into the forest and run; the animal inside was only allowed to come out once a month so that they could make the most of it.
They would let their inhibitions free, howl at the moon and be animals. I never went with them because the beast was always out; I did not need the release. My decision to not mingle with the pack members led to assumptions that I was not a werewolf, werewolf-like no one, except for my parents, who knew that I could control my shift.
My father owned all the forest around our village, so there was enough space; sometimes, while still in wolf form, they hunted animals and ate them together, aI wanted.
This time I wanted to go with them, I was the Alpha now, and it was my responsibility to lead them into the woods and guide them during the full moon.
I look up and see Edmund and Jennifer fighting in the space in the center of the village. They were surrounded by a small crowd fascinated by the idea of a princess fighting.
Jennifer, despite being a newbie, was not giving Edmund an easy fight. I checked his stance and discovered that he was giving it his hall. Jennifer wasn't getting special treatment because she was a Princess or a girl. The sheer force of her attacks sent Edmund flying backward, and I was impressed. She needed that kind of strength if she was to survive what was coming.
After watching them fight for a while, I concluded that, Like others, feeling the effect of a full moon made her stronger. Nevertheless, I was impressed by her progress in such a short time.
They finally noticed me and stopped fighting. Edmund was the first person who ran toward me, and the princess trailed behind.
"My lord." He said with a slight bow.
"It seems like you are a great teacher," I replied, smiling.
He laughed. "The princess was a great warrior in a past life. At this point, I am just helping her remember how to fight."
At that point, she had caught up with him. The princess gave me a curtsy bow, and she handed her sword to Edmund.
"Edmund was just telling me that you about your warrior spirit."
She laughed. "The sword is a bit heavy."
"I told you that you'll get used to it," Edmund replied.
"I am. The sword felt lighter today. I guess I have already started feeling the full moon's effects."
"I trust you'll join the pack tonight," I asked.
"Yes." She answered.
As we spoke, a pack member walked up to me and said. "Your mother has requested your presence in the great hall. She said that it was urgent."
"Where is she?"
"She wants you to meet her at the market." He replied with his head lowered
I nodded and strolled towards the market. It was close to the gate as it allowed traders to do their business without entering the kingdom.
My mother was collecting ingredients when I got there. She had a basket in her hands and kept collecting random objects as she moved.
"You sent for me?" I asked.
"I know that people fear you now. Do you expect people not to challenge you? I am your mother. I only want the best for you." She explained.
"I'm sorry, mother," I replied. "I thought you understood that I would like to do things my way."
"I do not need your apology. Save it for iris." She said. "There is someone that I want you to meet."
"Who is that?" I asked.
"A witch. She is the one who fortified the village and gave the prophecy about your birth."
"I am to meet the woman who said I should not be born?" I wondered aloud.
"Yes. Her ability to see the future will give you an advantage your enemies don't have."
I was startled.
"How do you think your father won all those battles?"
"He was an excellent fighter and strategist," I answered.
She laughed. "Yes, but he also had someone to ask if his plans would work, which gave him the confidence to crush all his enemies."
"I understand, mother. Take me to her."
"Your father never let anyone else know what she had to say through her prophecies. I think you should do the same, but of course, that is your decision." She explained.
I laughed. "If this is about before, I promise always to take your counsel. I won't let anyone know about her."
"Including your beta." She added. "Friends become foe all the time. It is wise to keep some things to yourself."
"Edmund is loyal," I replied.
"Like I said. That is your decision. You are my son, and I always want what's best for you; it is for you to decide to listen or not." She explained.
"There is also something that I should prepare you for. In your attempts to give your father space, you might have made a mistake. There are threats your father faced his whole life that you would have been better prepared for if you were closer to him."
"Threats like?"
She sighed. "I am sure that you would be able to handle them as they come up. I don't want you to be overwhelmed."
I nodded back. She clutched her basket and walked towards the residential part of the village. After venturing deep, she stopped at a hut and knocked three times. The door opened to reveal an older woman. She held a staff and had a gap in between her tooth.
"Come inside." She mumbled.
My mother nodded and proceeded to enter the house backward. I was puzzled by the practice and stood still in front of the door, wondering what I was supposed to do next.
"We walk in backward, so we do not offend the spirits in this room." My mother said.
I sighed and did as they said. I entered the house backward.