As doubts swirled in Sakura's mind, she considered various possibilities for Athen's mysterious appearance. She hoped it wasn't something unsettling. Wiping away tears, she responded, "I'd be sayin' you're insane for just appearin' out of the blue like this. But I'm still mighty curious to hear your mind."
Seeing her distress, Athen embraced her. "In April, I sensed we were being followed every time we left the city for Griffith Park."
Sakura's curiosity piqued as Athen wove a story from their shared past. She loved his tales from the forest and couldn't help but listen. Athen continued, "I'm sorry if this sound's crazy, but to keep you safe, I had to disappear and investigate. Others discovered you are still alive and spent years hunting you down for your abilities, so the others stayed behind to protect you while I was gone"
Sakura's breath quickened, and a torrent of questions flooded her mind. She needed answers desperately. "Have you been followin' me all along? And who else be keepin' an eye on me? What is it they be wantin' from the likes of me?"
Athen attempted to calm her, gently brushing her hair. "I don't want to overwhelm you with too much at once. It's a lot to take in."
Frustrated and scared, Sakura raised her voice, demanding clarity. "Spill it, Athen!"
Athen hesitated, scratched his brow, but eventually shared the truth. "You belong to a rare lineage of werewolves known as The Generations. We are both werewolves."
Sakura squinted at him and said, "I'm a what?" She recounted a haunting nightmare that seemed to align with his revelation. "I had a dream about an Alpha werewolf named Lily, giving birth to a daughter named Sakura. It looked exactly like me, but it was just a dream."
A whirlwind of questions swirled in her mind, but she needed to uncover the truth. Her heart raced, torn between belief and mistrust.
Athen acknowledged her fear and tried to comfort her. "You're having a panic attack."
Sakura interrupted, her voice frantic. "Ya, I am! Who wouldn't, considerin' what you've just dropped on me? And how could I be a feckin' werewolf? Shouldn't I have been showin' some signs by now?"
Athen lowered his head, contemplating his response. "I won't let anyone harm you. You've survived this long, thanks to me, right? You have abilities, but they won't manifest unless you learn to use them. You were raised with humans to protect you."
Dread settled deep within her, yet she clung to her sanity. She questioned, "Werewolves, they're nothin' but myths and fairy tales. There's nothin' to prove what you're sayin' is true. What evidence do ye have?"
Athen gently released her from his embrace, holding her hands to ward off the chill. He explained, "I'm the Alpha of a small pack chosen to protect you. We are called Alpha Protectors."
Sakura withdrew a step, her experiences of being bullied and deceived into making trust a rare commodity. She inquired skeptically, "Where's all of this comin' from? How can I be sure you're not playin' tricks on me?"
A tall, bulky Canadian man sneaked up behind her, and as he sniffed her hair, panic surged through her veins. She leaped away, taking in the features of his square face, short black hair, piercing blue eyes, fair complexion, a stylish soul patch beneath his lip, and the way his tight black shirt hugged his inked-up chest and arms. Sakura surveyed him from head to toe, attempting to envision him more than a gentle giant than an intimidating, passive-aggressive figure. Meeting new people had caught her off guard, leaving her with mixed feelings, her hand instinctively clasping her racing heart. She pondered if she encountered someone resembling the figures from her dream. Perhaps she'd believe the unbelievable.
The man offered a friendly smile and a wink. "Hey there, Alpha Leader."
Athen introduced him, adding a touch of humor, "Meet Michael, a bit of a fitness fanatic if you ask me; he's my Beta, our strong guard and enforcer."
Standing there, fear pulsing through her, Sakura hesitated, uncertain whether to make a quick escape. With trembling hands, she mustered the courage to offer a wave. A shiver cascaded down her spine as she sensed another person's breath beside her. Her stiff neck pivoted her wide-eyed gaze to her left, where a young American man stood, his long black hair framing his brown eyes. He wore nothing but a leather jacket over his slender, hairy torso, secured by a thick brown belt cinched tightly around his black pants. Sakura estimated this young man to be three years younger than her. His movements struck her as childlike, and his disturbing smile only added to her unease.
The teenager playfully stroked her hair and exclaimed, "You've got super long hair."
"Long hair," echoed another male voice from behind her, his fingers gently grazing the tips of her hair. Startled, Sakura pulled her hair away and turned to see an identical twin brother. How on earth would she distinguish between the two? She stepped back, positioning herself beside Athen, hoping he would handle the introductions.
Athen expressed his disapproval with a subtle shake of his head. "These two are the twins, Alex and Alec, our Omegas in training."
Sakura leaned closer to Athen, whispering, "How old are they?"
"Sixteen," Athen replied softly, "they're the youngest in our group."
Alex, puffing out his chest with pride, pointed at himself and declared, "I'm the older one, Alex."
Alec shot an annoying punch to his brother's shoulder. "Quit it, only by five minutes."
To the left of Michael stood a short Irish fellow, his arms shrouded in tattoos. A goatee and a soul patch framed his expressive face, and gold, chunky round earrings swung from both sides of his ears. He cocked his head with a friendly grin and offered a wave. His left eyebrow boasted two pierced balls, and they accentuated his eyes with bold black eyeliner. He sported a loose-fitting, white short-sleeved shirt and baggy cargo pants. The tattoos that graced his fair skin portrayed an oceanic theme, featuring grand orcas, vibrant koi fish, and betas swimming across his legs and arms. Intricate coral reefs and overgrown seaweed filled the gaps between these aquatic creatures, while elegant white sand clung to the canvas with crustaceans. His body resembled a work of art awaiting a high-price buyer. His demeanor was neither too rambunctious nor too reserved. In response, Sakura offered a warm smile and a subtle nonverbal greeting.
The man introduced himself with a distinctive lightweight Irish accent. "Hello babes, the name's Jack. If you're ever looking for some ink, I've got a trusty tattoo gun."
Athen briefly introduced, "He's our Delta, serving as our messenger and medic."
Sakura's stomach knotted as she faced a group of strangers she'd never encountered before. Uncertainty loomed as she questioned their potential reactions to her personality. Would they accept her or respond with disgust and cruelty? She momentarily disregarded the others and directed her words to Athen. "I've got to bring these groceries back home; ya should come along," Sakura sighed, with a distinct awareness of how her father might react. "He'll be goin' off the deep end when he sees the lot of ya."
Athen offered a practical solution. "Need a lift? We'll get there quicker that way," he said with a smirk, giving her head a friendly pat.
Stepping back a bit, Sakura rolled her eyes, her tone earnest as she clarified her feelings. "I need ya to get this straight: the sole reason I'm trustin' you at this very moment is 'cause ya ain't ever done me harm. This here's your single shot to show me you ain't feedin' me a load o' shite."
A radiant white glow enveloped their bodies, triggering a profound transformation. Athen's form morphed into that of a black-brown-white Timberwolf, standing seven feet tall. Michael transformed into a red wolf, characterized by his refined red and white coat. Jack's shift left him as a striking white wolf with ethereal pink glowing markings, his gold earrings still hanging from his ears. The twins experienced an identical transformation, becoming dark brown wolves.
Athen settled beside Sakura, nudging her gently with his large, damp nose. Sakura hesitated briefly, although she'd known Athen her entire life, before ascending his rugged fur, positioning herself atop him as if riding a horse. She glanced backward, catching sight of the twins sporting friendly smiles and wagging their tails in her direction. A surge of anxiety about heights briefly coursed through Sakura, causing her to clutch Athen's fur tightly and tremble. She gritted her teeth and lowered her body, facing forward from Athen's vantage point.
Athen couldn't help but smirk as he asked, "Ready?"
Sakura, her body tensed with anxiety, replied firmly, "No," clutching tightly to him.
With a reassuring tone, Athen reminded her, "Remember, I promised to protect you, no matter what. You've got to trust me."
"I believe ya, for now."
The view was fantastic; Sakura's hair blew back from the calm wind on her face. The boys promptly raced to her father's house and returned to human form. The house was only a street away. Athen reclined by the entrance of her elegant house while Sakura gracefully descended from her ride, affectionately patting Athen's head of velvety fur. Sakura swung the door open, the rusty hinges creaking softly, her attention oblivious to Robbie's presence beside the staircase, observing her youthful theatrics.
Stepping within, she moved with a cat-like stealth, gently tiptoeing and dropping a bag of groceries onto the floor, propping the door ajar for the rest of the group. The boys hesitated, their eyes wide as they surveyed the majestic mansion's interior. Athen pivoted toward Sakura, gesturing towards Robbie, prompting a guarded smile from Sakura as she clenched her teeth, her eyes glinting mischievously.
Robbie's gaze hardened, his arms crossed firmly over his chest as he addressed his daughter, "Missy, you've got a lot of explaining to do. Don't even think about trying to lie to me."
Sakura closed the door behind them and said, "Ah, now, hold on a wee bit. Do not go rushin' to cast yer judgments. Claimed they have proof of me heritage."
"Well, that was conveniently fast."
Athen presented himself front and center, chin up, to display his dominance and loyalty. "She needs to come home with us. We can explain everything on the way there."
Robbie squinted and said, "Home? Athen, we last heard from you weeks ago. Where have you been? Who are these guys?"
Michael approached behind Athen and leaned forward to whisper a message in his ears. "He can't come with us. What's your plan here?"
"Robbie, please, just hear us out," Athen implored.
Convincing her father was going to take a lot of work. Athen realized that he had to choose his words carefully, as using force was a last resort.
Robbie's eyes widened, and he slapped his hands to his head, attempting to process the whirlwind of information. He mumbled briefly before retorting, "Oh, we're on first-name terms now, huh? Fine, talk, but she's not going anywhere."
Athen's anger simmered, and he ground his tongue against the sharp edges of his teeth, restraining words he'd rather not say. He knew he had to convey the truth, or lives would be in jeopardy. His left hand clenched his right, desperately searching for the right words. Sakura leaned on him, her touch a soothing balm to his anxiety. He released his grip and held her close as the rest of their group respectfully withdrew.
Sakura whispered to Athen, her voice calming, "Ye can handle this. The trick with him is to find a middle ground; neither side is gettin' what they're after."
Athen nodded, placing his trust in her wisdom, knowing she could guide them toward mutual trust, especially when timing was crucial.
He explained, "All of us, including Sakura, are werewolves born on an isolated island hidden from the world. During a war, as her mother gave birth to her, enemy soldiers invaded, intending to kill her. They abandoned her in Ireland, and her whereabouts remained unknown until she arrived in America. They sent here me to protect her and bring her back home."
Robbie's face transitioned from a peachy hue to a fiery red. He looked like a volcano on the verge of eruption as he sputtered, "I didn't understand a word of what you just said."
Sakura attentively absorbed their heated exchange. Her eyes locked on the two men. She could not help but nibble at the inside of her cheek and absentmindedly pick at the skin on her fingertips. As their argument unfolded, she contemplated the delicate balance she needed to strike to maintain Athen's favor while respecting her father's wishes. She harbored a deep love for her father, and the thought of opposing him weighed heavily on her, even as she held a passionate affection for her boyfriend. Athen was just slightly behind in rising temper, resembling a brewing volcano. He stated firmly, "She's safe right now solely because we're here, sworn to protect her. Her mother held the Alpha position, and now Sakura's destined to take her place."
Robbie rubbed his forehead as he retorted, "Are you out of your mind? Do you even understand how insane you sound?"
Perplexed by the remark, Athen shook his head and responded quietly, "No."
Robbie's gaze shifted to Sakura, his fingers scratching his forehead.
"Do you believe any of this?"
To stand between the escalating argument, Sakura extended a hand towards Athen's chest, gently pushing him away while gesturing to her father to calm down. She implored, "Da, we've had him 'round for years. Why would he be startin' to tell us lies now?"
Robbie, his eyes narrowing at Athen and his group, retorted, "Pipsqueak, dating someone isn't the same as living with them. This could be some scheme to get you out of my house. Who knows what he might employ you for?"
Sakura let out a weary sigh, and her efforts focused on finding a middle path. "I can only vouch for a part of what he's sayin'. I never breathed a word of my nightmare to Athen, but much of what he's been tellin' me lines up."
Robbie stared out at the wide-open doorway where the boys waited, his voice barely above a whisper. "The wolf war nightmare?"
Sakura gave a nod. "Ya, Da. I've got me doubts 'bout these unbelievable tales, but Athen's a good lad. He's been walkin' me home from school every day for years, and we've spent many an hour together in the forest. Ye know this already"
Robbie scrunched his face and said, "I don't need the details of what you two did up there."
Sakura glared at her father. She replied, "We didn't do nothin'. Don't be feckin' disgustin'. I'm requestin' that we give him a shot, Da."
Sakura gave her father a puppy gaze; her fingers crossed in a silent requisition. All she desired was for her father to place some trust in Athen, even if just for a short while. Sakura had her faith in Athen, but there remained a lingering doubt that he might be concealing something. Her heart yearned for everything to fall into place.
"If what you guys say is true, I'm not letting her go alone. I'm coming too," Robbie argued.
"Alright, start packing your bags," Athen declared, determined to move forward.
Michael, however, subtly nudged Athen's arm, shaking his head in disagreement, but Athen seemed stubborn and unwilling to listen.
Robbie and Sakura hastily packed their bags, preparing for the unexpected journey. As they emerged from their home, backpacks slung over their shoulders, they joined the boys outside on the pavement. The atmosphere was tense with anticipation.
Sakura debated whether to broach the topic with her father at this uncomfortable moment. Finally, she spoke up. "Ye don't have to come with us."
Robbie turned to her somberly and replied, "No, I have to come with you. Now, where are we headed?"
Athen pulled out his cell phone and opened the map section, zooming out and scrolling over to Japan. He explained, "There's an island in Japan we need to reach, but we can't go there directly. We can't afford anyone knowing about the island."
Robbie muttered, "I'm relieved I packed our passports."
Sakura considered the logistical challenges of last-minute international travel for seven people and asked, "How will we get there, lads?"
Athen chuckled, "Well, technically, we were born on the island we're heading to, so we're considered foreigners here."
Robbie interjected, "So, you don't have passports, meaning you can't fly or drive?"
Athen admitted with a nervous tone, "Not legally, anyway."
Robbie sighed and rolled his eyes. "So, how are you planning to get there?"
Athen took a step forward, his demeanor serious as he addressed Robbie. "Well, Robbie, it's crucial that you understand what you're about to witness."
Robbie nodded; his curiosity was associated with suspicion. "I think I'm ready."
Athen exchanged a knowing look with the others, and they began their transformation. Their bodies underwent subtle shifts, like ripples beneath their skin, as if an unseen force was remolding them. Slowly, their forms changed, bones and muscles aligning in a breathtaking metamorphosis.
Robbie's eyes widened in sheer terror as he watched the young man, whom he thought he knew, transform before his very eyes.
His heart pounded wildly, his breathing quickened, and he clutched his chest in sheer panic. It felt like his worst nightmares were materializing right in front of him. He stumbled backward, his vision blurring as the world seemed to spin.
Sakura gasped and hurried to her father's side. "Dad, are ya alright?"
Robbie's voice trembled as he stammered, "This can't be real."
Now back in his human form, Athen rushed to Robbie's side, trying to calm him down. "Robbie, please, try to breathe. It's going to be alright."
The realization that the supernatural world he had just witnessed was real had left Robbie swaying on the edge, his fear almost overwhelming. He would take time to accept the remarkable reality unfolding before him.
Sakura held her father in a comforting embrace as he battled with his panic. She couldn't help but entertain the thought that she might frighten him so much, but it seemed the only way to make him believe their astonishing story. With a weary sigh, she decided. "You all go ahead. We'll take an international flight and meet you in Japan."
Athen nodded in understanding and added, "Fly into Yogo Airport. I'll provide you with the meet-up coordinates."