When war broke out among humans, turning them into lethal and bloodthirsty beings, they began to harm the animals on the battlefield. During that war, many animals were shot and mutilated while aiding humans until their last breaths. Nobody in this universe is perfect, and God is the prime example. God intended to create humans capable of leading the earth, but instead, he created the most dangerous monsters known as humans.
"What's up with this feeling like I'm reading about myself? Reading this book gave me the impression that there are conspiring villains on their way to destroy everything," Solace said while reading from the book he was holding about the annihilation of Earth. He continued to read.
Humans destroyed everything and anything that could satisfy their thirst for dominance rather than just needs. Following the war, the animals sought out a witch named Azaan and begged him to save them from the devastation caused by humans. The witch was kind, and to protect them, he used half of his magic, which resulted in him losing half of his abilities, but he blessed the animals with the ability to mutate them into humans and fight them in their own right. It gave birth to shapeshifters and many other species.
"This is nonsense, a bunch of lies. You told me you were born that way and that your species is a gift from nature." Solace looked over at Soren, who was driving quietly. "Anything can be written in delusional books like this."
"It's true, we are born naturally, but I never said our ancestors were natural breeders as well, and it's not bullshit, it's all true," Soren stated.
True, shifters are creatures that were born naturally rather than being created. The highly predatory shifters, also known as the moon children, could only be born by their parents.
"Witches do exist too?" Solace inquired as he closed the book.
"They do, indeed," Solace said, his insides tightening. He remembered the first time he met the witch and how he picked him up in his warm embrace to bless Soren with blessings, as well as how the witch assisted his parents in fighting against those hungry wolves that night to make a run with little Soren in their arms.
His emotional trail drowned him back to the night he was sleeping peacefully with his parents. And, at least fifty wolves barged into their home and attacked them. Soren was only three years old, but he quickly realized why the wolves attacked them.
It's because of the mate, who was hiding beneath the tiger shifter's roof. His mother only tells him a few details about the wolf, that she is the Alpha's runaway mate of a ruthless and heartless Alpha, and that she is being brutally violated and tortured by him, so they must help her. However, they were unaware of the impending raid by that pack which completely destroyed their small and happy family.
Later, Stephen told him that the Alpha had murdered his parents and the Omega mate they had helped until their last breath. But he was even more unfortunate because the little kid didn't have time to even mourn for his parents. After all, he was too busy running for his life with Stephen.
"So, where is this witch at the moment?" Solace asked, jolting him back to reality. "Can I ask him to turn me into something similar to you, it'll only take a little of their power, no?"
"That's not possible, and I have no idea where he is," Soren said miserably.
"Too bad," Solace said, letting out a sigh and reopening the book.
Witches are notorious shifters who are typically known for being destructive entities. Many other species and shifters feared them because of their ability to manipulate reality into something they most feared.
"It's said that fear feeds witch's inspiration and powers, so what do you specialize in?" Solace bowed his head and waited for his response.
"Every other animal shifter has their own skills and abilities based on their sizes and positions," Soren responded, trusting Solace enough to share it with him and knowing that a normal and sane human isn't going to believe it. "I and Zale are higher shifters so we seize the ability of robust and wrath."
"So, anyone who's human can shift."
"I don't have a definitive answer for that." Soren began to realize that it was time for Solace's brain to go places, and it would be fair for his own sanity if he simply made him drop the subject.
"So bugs can shift as well? Would they be small, inches or two-three feet or tall like you? What about sea creatures, can they change their bodies underwater, oh shit, so mermaids must be real, right?"
"Solace! Shut up, I said only animals and no other species could shift, understand?"
Driving back home appears to be more troublesome for him than he expected, with a moron sitting beside him.
+++++
A knock on the door roused Zale from his deep sleep. He rolled out of the sheets and walked to the door, which he opened lazily.
Outside, he met the head servant and, it could be added, his butler, who had seen him grow into a fine man, body-wise and not conscience-wise.
"Master Zale, there are some visitors."
"Uncle Frank," groaned Zale. "You interrupt my nap to inform me of things I don't care about in this house. If you have visitors, go serve them tea and then throw them out. Why are you bothering me?"
Frank appeared concerned but unsurprised.
"They were sent here by your father. They're not just passing through; they're here to stay for a while."
"What?" Zale inquired, perplexed.
"Yes, I received a call from your father, who told me to inform you that they will be living here and that you must treat them with respect. And that he'll talk to Soren about the rest of it."
Zale's and his wolf's ears perked up at the mention of Soren.
'What he has to talk to Soren now?' he inquired of his wolf.
'I'm not sure, maybe ask him to assist him with something. It is obvious that if these visitors were sent by your father, they are not ordinary visitors. And knowing him, he'll ask that stupid kitty to do something worthy of harming him and guilt trapping him, and knowing that stupid kitty, he won't deny him.' Sura stated.
'What he wants from Soren now. I'm not enough to ruin his life any further than I already have. I believe Soren has paid off his debt by managing and caring for me for all these years.' Zale's brow furrowed slightly.
'Don't talk like that about yourself, it's not your fault that you turned out like this. It's that bastard's fault for torturing you when you were just a kid. You are a good kid, Zale.' Sura stated, scolding him.
"Master," Frank snapped him to reality.
"I'm coming. Sit them in the living room and wait for me."
"Sure, I will do it."
Frank bowed slightly and walked away.
Downstairs, Frank offered the guests seats as well as tea and snacks.
"Thank you, but we'd like to first meet with Mr. Zale." Leo declined the refreshments and insisted on meeting with Zale first.
"He's on his way, sir. Please be patient."
"That is precisely what we are unable to do at this time. You don't realize how important it is for us to meet him."
"I understand, sir, but you must still wait. We can't compel Master Zale to do anything, it could backfire."
Frank tried to calm them down, but they were so eager to see Zale.
However, they didn't have to wait for long because Zale was already trudging down the stairs.
He could see Frank and two more people down in the living room. He noticed Leo's worried expression and Elinor's nonchalant demeanor, but didn't give a fuck about anything going on around him.
"Master Zale," Frank hastened to say. "They want to speak with you. They have something that your father sent for you."
Zale gave Frank a cold stare.
"That's what they said," Frank exclaimed.
"What is it that you want to talk to me about, Mr. Guest?" Standing in the middle of the living room, Zale asked.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Zale. I can see why people compare you to your father," Leo smiled politely at him, trying to loosen up the mood a bit. "You're an exact replica of him." Before getting to the point, he attempted to strike up a casual conversation.
And this changed the atmosphere drastically.
This ignited the raging flames within Zale, who wished to rip his head off.
"So you came here and ruined my precious nap time to spout nonsense about comparing me to my father," Zale said, his voice making Leo gulp.
Elinor rolled his eyes at Zale, unafraid of him. 'Why does Leo believe he can help us? He appeared to be a brat who couldn't control his temper.'
"I sincerely apologize if I said anything inappropriate." Leo took a bow in front of him. "If you haven't already heard, I'd like to inform you that. With your permission, we will be staying in your home for a while," Leo said politely.
Although Zale didn't seem interested in anything Leo was saying, he turned and said to Frank.
"Show them their rooms, Uncle Frank."
But Leo had more to say, and he had to inform Zale about the contract they made with his father.
"Wait, Mr. Zale, we're not done yet," Leo said, but Zale ignored him. Elinor decided to intervene, as the discussion was going nowhere.
"Stop!" Elinor chastised, and Zale halted and turned around.
"We heard you had a bad temper, but I guess they forgot to tell us you're also ill-mannered." He couldn't help but say this.
Zale had heard far worse, and it always set off his disorder. So, once again, his rage got the best of him.
"Who the hell are you!?" Zale snarled.