Delilah
I’ve heard there was a time when Humans lived normal lives.
I’m not really sure what normal means for Humans, but it must have been better than serving creatures that hate us. Being abused and controlled. Treated like our lives mean nothing. We do everything for these Wolves, but still, our lives don’t matter.
What would they do if we all fought back? Humans outnumber Wolves, but unfortunately, we don’t even have a fraction of their power.
For every one Wolf, we’d need fifteen Humans armed with weapons deadly enough to do serious damage. We don’t have access to anything like that.
Back before Witches and Wolves went to war, putting Humans in the middle of the conflict, things were said to be peaceful. That was so long ago, the history is fuzzy now. Wearen’t taught about the war. At least, the Humans who grow up on pack lands aren’t. The Wolves believe it will prevent rebellion among their servants.
For hundreds of years, they were right. Any Human stupid enough to fight back was killed, immediately. They crushed any hope we had of creating a better life for ourselves.
I don’t know much about Witches, but from what I’ve heard, they’re just as cruel; if the Wolves are to be believed, anyway.
I don’t think anyone was expecting aHumanto be capable of fucking everything up this badly.
Maybe that’s because one Human on her own can’t do anything to change this world, but I’m not alone anymore. Maybe I never was.
Delilah
Everything is about to change, and I hate it.
I remember the last time everything changed like it was yesterday.
When I was six years old, my mama rushed into my room in the middle of the night, terrified in a way I’d never seen before.
She would often check on me as I slept, but this was different. I could see her hands shaking as she helped me put my shoes on and pulled a sweater over my head. And the frantic way she stuffed our very few belongings into a bag, as her eyes flitted around the room.
She was silent, and every time I tried to ask what was wrong, she’d cover my mouth with her hand, silencing me. Instinctively, I knew something was very wrong. I knew we were in danger, even if she wouldn’t say that.
I had clung to her neck as she ran down the stairs of theHuman compound, tears falling down her cheeks. She held me so tightly that I could hardly breathe. I didn’t know what she was running from, or why we were fleeing when we had only just arrived a few weeks prior.
Fifteen years later, and I still don’t know what happened that night.
To be honest, I don’t remember much of my life before we got to that compound. I know it wasn’t the first one we’d gone to, but I didn’t know why we had to keep leaving. Mama refused to tell me. She still refuses to tell me.
Bringing myself back to the present, I sigh, looking down at the woman who raised me, as I wash her hair. She worked a long day today, cleaning the old structure they’re using for the Academy.
Mama would often wash my hair when I was younger, trying to comfort me. So now, I do the same for her.
I’d do anything for this woman. She’s the reason I haven’t tried to run away from this pack already. She’s not as strong as she once was, and I can’t leave without her. Not that I’m likely to get far even if I tried.
Our home here isn’t very large, but thankfully, Wolves don’t like for their servants to smell, so we have a full-size tub in our modest bathroom. It’s easy enough to fill with hot water, so we don’t have to worry too much about the cold during the winter months.
Can’t have your servants stinking up the place when your nose is super sensitive.
Unfortunately, I leave for the new Academy tomorrow, and even though it’s on Primal Moon Pack lands, it’s an hour-long walk from here. I won’t be able to see Mama very often, so on top of missing her, I’m worried about her too.
This is the last time I’ll get to wash her hair for a long time, and it’s making me emotional. I inhale the lavenderscent, and close my eyes for just a moment, committing it to memory. It soothes me in a way nothing else can. I already know I’ll be stealing this bottle of oil to use in my own hair. She won’t miss it too much, hopefully.
Thankfully, my best friend Genny’s mother agreed to look after Mama for me while Genny and I are away. Emotions I don’t feel like dealing with clog my throat, and I bite my lip, fighting them off.
My mother’s been through a lot over the past years, and I just want her to be okay. If I’m careful and keep my head down, I might make it out of the Academy in one piece. Two years is a long ass time, but we’ve made it this far.
No sense giving up now.
Two of the largest packs, besides this one, demanded Michael treat his Humans better; so as a compromise, he agreed to open the Academy. Even though some packs, like Shadow Moon, had stopped forcing their Humans into servitude over fifteen years ago.
