Andrea slowly walked down the steps, approaching the new wolf cautiously.
"Can you hear me, Alixandre?" She inched closer and closer until she was in a comfortable range.
'She thinks I'm going to attack her. Maybe I should scare her a little.'
He looked at her and began a deep growl. Andrea took a few steps back with her hands up, trying to make sure he knew she wasn't dangerous.
'I'll leave her alone. I wonder if my belly feels good getting scratched like a regular dog. '
He rolled over on his back, frantically wagging his tail back and forth, inviting her to give him belly rubs. Seeing the behavior change, she walked toward him and began to scratch his belly.
'Is this heaven? Who knew belly scratches felt this good? "
His happiness would be ruined as the training room door slammed open.
"Andrea! Are you OK? "
Mr. Edwards barged in, frantically looking for his daughter when he saw her rubbing a giant wolf's belly.
"The Lockwood boy awakened his wolf genes. My god, you are a massive beast. You are hands-down the biggest wolf I've ever seen. Do you mind if I pet you? "
Alixandre got on all fours and walked towards Mr. Edwards, putting his head down for rubs. Mr. Edwards rubbed his coat gently, admiring how thick and rich it was.
"I'm not sure if you can expose this form yet, but I would be lying if I said I didn't want to ride on your back."
Alixandre waved his tail in eagerness, causing strong gusts of wind.
'I've had enough fun. '
His fur slowly turned into skin. His pitch-black arm was visible once more, as his body became human. He stood up, looking at his naked body, which was once a wolf. He raised his head and saw Andrea and her father covering their eyes.
"Can you cover that thing up? I don't want to see it again, "Mr. Edwards said. Andrea stood there quietly, but Alixandre could smell her pheromones.
'It looks like somebody wants a piece of me. I'm more than willing to give it to you. '
"This might be a problem; I'll need new clothes every time I shift. There has to be some fix, "he said.
"I'll get someone to make your clothes out of magic thread. In the meantime, take my jacket and head to my office. I've got blood art manuals for you. "
The trio headed to his office, where their desk was full of paperback books.
"These are the known blood arts. They are extremely rare, so please be careful with them. You can also create your own. Don't let these limit your imagination. "
"Before I go, where do you sign up for adventuring?"
"We have a bulletin board that we update every day. I know you're broke, so I will give you three free adventures. After that, pay the young man. "
"Got it.Last question.What is your first name, and can I get both of your communication signatures? "
"Sure, and my name is guild leader Damien Edwards," he said, with his chest puffed out.
After they exchanged signatures, Alixandre took a carriage ride home.
******
"King Thomas, Queen Alcmene, our spy Ryan, has told us that there is another Lockwood in Pondwell," said a man covered head to toe in black robes.
"Such information at the royal family dinner. This must be important," said Thomas.
"Sir, the prophecy that Veronica said may pertain to him. The Crimson Moon Prophecy. What do you want us to do about him? "
"I say we chop his head off and mail it to his family to kill their spirit," said Alcmene with a sadistic smile. She has large gray eyes that are like two pools of mercury. Her fine, straight, silver hair is neck-length and is worn in a severe style. She is short and has an hourglass build. Her skin is deeply tanned.
"Such vulgarity in front of mother and father. Sister, you have no shame. "
"It's okay, son. I think it's time to tell you guys the true history between the Lockwoods and the Alexanders,"said an older male with a head full of slicked-back grey hair and a full grey beard. The man, despite his age, was muscular and looked dignified in royal blue clothing.
"The reason why we have never touched the Lockwoods since the massacre is that the massacre wasn't nearly as one-sided as history makes it seem. There was slaughter on both sides, even with the overwhelming numbers on our side. "
"Father, what are you talking about? We were told that it was a lopsided victory. That we defeated those working with demons," Thomas said strongly. His personality was one of justice and heroism.
The old man looked at his parents and siblings at the table. They nodded, and he continued the story.
"That was a lie."
Thoma's face turned into a frown. "Explain, Father."
"We wanted to rule over this land, so we lied to wage war against the Lockwoods. The history taught of the battle was a lie. Our family fought them in their human form and lost. We didn't expect them to be so strong. In particular, Alexandria and her sister Diana. We then used our Trump cards. We had the help of two different families, and we had finally begun to turn the tide. Or so we thought. Their entire family turned into big wolves, wielding high regenerative powers and elemental abilities. All three families suffered major losses.
One attack from the beast took off limbs or gave permanent damage. That is why your grandfather's body is failing him now. They didn't stop the massacre until a spy on our side kidnapped their next pack leader and threatened to kill him. She poisoned him without anyone knowing. Veronica offered herself in an arranged marriage to mitigate peace between the two families, but no matter how you look at it, we lost. Not only did we lose, but we lost convincingly. Three divine families were against one, and they were the victors. Do you understand how strong they are? Yes, we killed a lot of their pack, but most of the strong survived. Those who fled have been creating wolf packs all across the continent.
Do you understand that going against that family means a war that the majority of this family and others won't survive? Not to mention Veronica and her followers. She could fight either of you to a standstill. If they want revenge after almost two decades, then fine. There's nothing we can do. We've made connections and strengthened ourselves. Regardless of the prophecy of that crazy woman, I think we will win. That doesn't mean we have to fight because of that."
Thomas sat there, digesting what his father had just told him. His insides were conflicted as the family he hailed as righteous was actually evil.
"I, for one, want to meet this new wolf. If I'm destined to die, I might as well see how. Where is he now? " said Alcmene.
"The Horde guild," said the cloaked man. The faces around the table turned sour.
"Sylvia and the rest of those riff-raffs have always opposed us, and now they may have the key to our destruction. This is getting interesting," he said