“Bearable?” Dominique said. “I think you certainly qualify as more than bearable. Do not underestimate yourself.”
Isabella felt flattered and tried to control the blush that was spreading on her cheeks. Before she could respond, a stench began to waff in the air. As if on que, the pup began to cry, it’s wails filling up the basement.
Isabella frowned. She had just fed the pup. Why did it cry?
“Aye!” Dominque exclaimed. “The smell. Why does it smell like that?”
“I think it needs a nappy change,” Isabella said, picking up the baby awkwardly.
“Well, why don’t you get right on that?” Dominique said, making his way out. “I will come check on you both tomorrow.”
“You run? From a pup?” Isabella asked, narrowing her eyes.
“Aye. I run,” Dominique said, a grin dancing on his lips. He winked. As he walked away, Isabella found herself smiling, though she didn’t know why.
*
The next morning Isabella left early. She needed to gather as much food as she could without arousing suspicion. Nearby one of the elders conducted a history lesson with the children, his voice ringing through the forest.
“The great battle took place twenty years ago, when the humans suddenly attacked the werewolves. The war between humans and wolves goes way back. The humans have always been afraid of the powers we possess. The clan at that time was led by Alexander, the father of our great leader, Dominque. He led the pack deep into the forest and hid us well from the humans, where we lived peacefully for many years. Then one day, the stench of the humans overtook our forest. They erupted from everywhere, carrying silver bullets and weapons. It was a massacre! They burned our forest; they killed our people. The air was filled with the tragic sounds of the wolves howling.” The elder paused here, the children listening in awe and rapture.
“We lost nearly all of our men that day. Wolves fought bravely; they took down many before they died. Our leader, Alexander, took down 14 before he fell. Many brave and majestic wolves lost their lives that night. Many pups, including Dominque, lost their fathers and their mothers. It was a tragedy; we must never ever forget it. Our history must always be held deep in our hearts,” the elder continued.
“I heard that there was a traitor!” one of the older children exclaimed.
“Yes. There was. One of our own. He told the humans where we hid, so they could attack us in the darkness of the night!” the elder said, and his eyes glazed directly on Isabella.
“His kin lives. But they will never be one of us. If they had any shame, they would kill themselves,” he said, his eyes piercing through Isabella. Isabella ignored it. She was pretty much used to it and turned around, making her way back home.
***
Back in the town, the mayor sat with his council. He looked old, his face tired from recent events.
“Captain Luther? What have you found? Who has taken my son?” the mayor asked, talking to the man at the other end of the table, his captain of guards.
“Our investigation has revealed what I suspected. The child has been kidnapped, and there is clear evidence of who did it. I am not sure you will like it though,” Captain Luther replied.
The mayor frowned. “Do not beat about the bush. Tell me,” he said, sternly.
“It’s the wolves. They have him.”
Chapter 5
Dominique
Dominique frowned as he walked through the forest. The only means of communication with the humans was through notes sent through trained hawks. He had sent one this morning, only to receive a note back that they weren’t interested. He had mentioned in the note that they had found a pup and would like to return it safely. The note that came back had a short reply, the baby was not theirs and they were not interested.
Where could the little one have come from? The other human towns were too far away. Lost in his thoughts, Dominque almost didn’t hear his friend shouting for him. He turned around to see one of his trusted advisors and closest friends, Taylor, waving at him. Dominque grinned and waved back.
“It’s been a while, Taylor. Haven’t seen you since your ritual,” Dominque said, as a way of greeting. The ritual was something that happened once in a man’s life, when he felt ready to settle down. It revealed who their mate was, and Taylor had just recently found his, Rose.
Taylor laughed and then put his arm around his friend’s shoulder. “Trust me Dominque, you don’t know what you are missing. Good food and amazing company, what more can a man what?”
“Amazing company? Is that what you kids are calling it these days?” Dominque said, grinning. Taylor laughed again and said, “You should think about settling down, mate. Believe me, life gets great with a loving woman around.”
“Where am I supposed to get the woman? You saw what happened in the ritual. If there was anyone in this pack meant to be my mate, it would have been told. Think it’s the single life for me,” Dominque said, shaking his head.
“You know, the pack is getting restless. No mate for you means no heir. No heir means no successor after you. Some of the wolves are starting to anticipate your death. If you die, with no heir, they get to take over,” Taylor said, getting serious.
