Chapter twelve: Ancient circle
Prince Derek pov
I stared at the smashed flower vase on the floor. My instinct kicked in, and I stood up, checking the halls to see if anyone was outside. But there was no one, except for the strange wind blowing across the lawn, just near the balcony.
I went near the balcony, my eyes fixed on the wind. There, on the railings, was a drawing of an ancient clock. The left part of the clock had scribbles in a foreign language, nothing I had ever seen.
"Who's there?" I shouted outside, convinced that something invisible was lurking in the shadows, hiding its claws.
As quickly as I had seen the drawing, it vanished into thin air with the wind.
The loud bang on Ariel's room door diverted my attention back to her. I quickly went back inside, only to see a human figure standing in front of Ariel's sleeping form.
The moonlight streamed through the open curtain, allowing me to see the figure's face.
"Who are you?" I whispered in the stillness of the night.
The figure stood still, not moving from her position.
"I was sent by the Alpha King to check up on her," she replied.
"I will not say this twice: leave this room, or else I might do something we both might regret," I flexed my muscles.
She turned towards me, bowing. "I will come back later, Prince Derek." She left.
I made sure to lock the door before settling down on one of the couches across the room.
My thoughts were everywhere as I thought of what my father wanted with Ariel. Knowing who my father was, I would say he wanted her for some dubious deed. Was it why he made me like this – a monster in flesh and blood, cursed to never have full control over his form?
I cursed silently at the moon goddess for gifting him such a man as a father.
As the clock ticked, I got pulled to sleep, leaving behind my train of thoughts.
The sun rays poured through the room, forcing my eyes open. "Woooh!" I jerked backwards, almost falling off the couch, to meet her green eyes staring back at me with amusement.
"What did you do that for?" I held my beating heart.
"Nothing, I didn't mean to scare you." She picked up the couch pillow lying on the floor.
"Did you sleep here last night?" she asked, her eyes showing a glint of concern in them as she positioned the couch pillow.
"No... yes," I scratched my head in response.
"Is it both?" She sat close to me.
"I guess so." I shrugged.
"What happened last night? I have no memory of it at all," she asked.
"Nothing much, except, of course, your powers were awakened by Father and our pack's oracle," I waved her concern off.
"What powers?" She pressed on, undeterred by my casual response.
"I don't really know much myself, but according to Lalia, you would undergo a challenge called the Luna's Forgery."
"If it's not big stuff, why are you not happy about it?" she replied.
"I don't know, Ariel. If saving you from that border and bringing you back to my pack was a good plan after all," I said, standing up from the couch.
"Derek, what's the Luna's Forgery all about?" She met my gaze unflinchingly.
"I can't tell you deep details about it, but it's a very tough challenge meant for the brave," I replied, walking to her room door.
"Derek, I can't trust you if you keep secrets about my survival," she said.
"I promise you, Ariel, I will do everything possible to help you," I said, leaving without stopping to take a look at her.
I headed straight to the library. I hadn't forgotten about the circle I had seen last night; the image juggled my memory a little bit. I knew I had seen that ancient drawing before, but where?
"Going somewhere?" My brother's voice stopped me dead in my tracks, just inches before the library.
"It's none of your business, Ray," I turned to look at him.
He walked towards me. "It is, after seeing Dad's personal maid leave Ariel's room, and you talking to the balcony last night. Everything is my business, Ray smirked, patting me on the shoulder.
"Don't get in my way, Ray. I am not in the mood for one of your early morning pranks," I pushed his hands away from my shoulder as we made our way into the library.
The pack's library was as old as the pack itself. My dad had boasted about it to me severally. The library was divided into sections, from magic to cures and ancient scrolls.
"Ray, we have to split up," I told him, moving to one section of the library.
"Hold up, bro. You didn't tell me what I'm supposed to be looking for," Ray said.
"Fine, there's an ancient drawing of a clock I found last night in front of the balcony. I need to know more about it," I replied.
I left him, not wanting to answer anymore questions. I stood at the end of the ancient scrolls section, picking up scrolls on ancient spirits, dark creatures, or spells. I pulled out a chair, seating comfortably as I scanned through the scrolls in search of a clue.
There was nothing, and I was beginning to get tired when I opened the scroll of dark spirits. Something peculiar drew me in. It was a story about the pact between the werewolves and the dark ones.
Long ago, the werewolves were subjected to turning every full moon. This was agonizing to them. They tried every witch and oracle they could find, but none were able to help them except for the dark ones.
The dark ones were not always dark; in fact, they were magical creatures who delighted in the free gift of nature. The werewolves had come to see them, last believing that somehow they would be able to help them control this part of themselves.
The dark ones had agreed on a special request: that a powerful werewolf bloodline be linked to their queens so that she would be able to protect herself. That was when the ancient drawing of the clock came in. It was a drawing meant to bring the werewolves back to their form and also release a demon on earth, should the werewolves go rogue.
Then...
Ray ran towards me. "Brother, I paused, looking at the open scroll . Three villages in the pack just reported seeing this same drawing today. I fear something hideous is cooking up," my brother added, frightened.