"Do you know me?" I questioned him as we stood in an empty space next to a forest opening at the back of the restaurant.
I leaned against a tree, my hands folded across my chest, and I watched her prance the small area, fastening her waves into an urgent ponytail."No," he nodded reluctantly. "I do not know you…yet.""Why are you here? Were you sent to me? Why did you think interfering would help me? I didn't ask for your help, okay? So do what you're here for and leave. Don't make things even worse."Quite the direct one. It just made her fit more into the criteria that I wanted. She turned to leave, but I called her back, addressing her by her name, and that seemed to bear more results than I expected. What was even funnier was how she wore a smile through it all."How do you even know my name?""Do you like it here? How long do you want to keep pretending? In all honesty, I'm here for a quest, and I seem to have found what I was looking for. If you could spare me a few moments, this wouldn't be so bad for us both.""Leave.""Luna, please-"She sighed exasperatedly. "This better be good; if my master arrives before then, he might as well kill us both."I chuckled. "That's a nice joke."She didn't smile back, so my smile faded too, with the realization that she, in fact, wasn't joking. "I'd be direct then if that's what you'd want. Be my Master."Too fast? Too direct? I watched a series of emotions cross her face ranging from nervousness to fear, to brief contemplation. I waited through it."What?""You heard me. Be my Master, Luna. That's my proposal, and I can handle the rest. I can take care of everything else you'd ever need as long as you agree to train me."She squinted, patting some of the hair that escaped the bond. "Make me understand what you're trying to say. I'm just an ordinary—""No, you're not. You're anything but ordinary, Luna, and we both know that. I sensed it the moment you walked in.""Which means you're not human either…what are you then? Looks like I failed to hide properly this time. I'd expected only humans to be in this town," Luna responded, a hint of disappointment in her voice."Eh…a wolf, but that's where the problem comes in. I've decided, and I just need you to agree to be my Master, train me, and teach me how to harness my powers, and I'd be responsible for you for as long as you want." I expressed, desperate for her response.Luna stared into an empty space for a while. "What makes you think I can do what you want? I'm not master material.""I feel it. That sense of victory dawned on me when I set eyes on you. It is questionable, and I know…but how can we be sure if we don't try?"This was absurd in so many ways. I wondered how I'd feel if a random stranger had walked in and asked me to be their master. That must be what Luna was feeling too.Her lips parted slightly after a brief moment. "No, thank you. I'm over okay here and I do hope you find the master you're looking for. It's just not me.""Luna…you have to think about this. A restaurant isn't where you're supposed to use all that mystical powers locked inside of you.""How would you know what's right for me? You don't even know me. I'd appreciate it if you took your leave right now. My master will be here soon, and I can assure you, he's not as welcoming as Bane was."Bane was welcoming? Ironic. At the mention of her master, another idea breezed into my mind. I didn't plan to return empty-handed this time, and I was so sure Luna was the right person.The only way to have her come with me was to purchase her from the Shadowmaws family. "I don't plan on leaving without you.""What does that even mean?""Luna?" Another voice called out from behind her. It was a middle-aged man whom I hadn't seen earlier. His frame commanded respect and obedience, and he had quite a number of tattoos crawling up his arms. "Aren't you supposed to be working the restaurant?"There was so much anger in his voice even as he tried to tone it down. The man stomped angrily towards her, and he looked ready to hit her despite our contrasting size difference.How much of a brute were these people going to be?"Hey, hey…hey." I stood before Luna immediately, blocking the angry man's path. "Let's take it easy, shall we?"The man stopped and examined my appearance. A pleased expression rested on his face as he seemed to sum up my worth."... and who might you be?" His voice was harsh and resounding by nature. He spoke thunder.Oh, you have no idea. I shrugged. "Someone who's interested in purchasing this maid. Strike a deal with me, gentleman.""What are you even saying!?" Luna yelled from behind me. I didn't need a soothsayer to know that she was shooting me death glares. Her gaze was strong enough to poke holes in the back of my head."I like the sound of that. You want to purchase Luna?" His voice was skeptical. "Are you sure you want that one? There are plenty of others that seem useful in different aspects, unlike her…she's pretty tedious that one.""No," I shook my head. "I want her. She's the one who caught my eyes.""You do realize I'm right here behind you! Stop this madness, right now!" Luna protested. "I do not wish to be sold!""Who cares what you wish, you parasite? Come with me then to my office. I'd love nothing more than to sell her away." The man said to me as he began walking. "I'm Vik Shadowmaws, by the way, and you are?""Indrik. Indrik Fridolf."I completed the process, and Luna was mine. It didn't take much to pay Vik off for her. I couldn't believe that he didn't see the same greatness that I did. But that also made me glad. My search had finally come to an end.It was evening already, and I had very little time to return to my pack. I could envision everything already and how much I'd progress if Luna were by my side.Although I didn't understand the depth of her powers, I was very sure that she could help me. She just had to be willing. After I left Vik's office, the next and most necessary step was for her to accompany me.And that was precisely what she'd refused to do. Throughout the time the transaction went on, she'd been glued to a chair, unwilling to do anything.I understood her plight, but I needed her more than she'd ever imagined. I would rather purchase her than have her waste away in this crooked hellhole; I was convinced that I could take care of her."It's time…" I said, observing the worried expression on her face. "...master," I completed, and she glared at me."I'm not your master," she mouthed. "And I do not have any intentions of going with you to live at the top of mountains and whatnot!"I snickered. "Druid Peak Pack, actually. You're quite defensive, contrary to the adorable look that you carry. The deal has been done, Luna. You have to come with me willingly, or I will walk for us both while you're over my shoulders," I declared simply, an amused smile on my face."You wouldn't dare.""Oh, I most definitely will!" With a tough movement, I was able to pry her arms away from the chair and carried her over my shoulders.My arm wrapped delicately around her waist while the other steadied her back as she fought to get off me. Her petite size didn't make that possible."Put me down right now, you asshole." Luna screamed, swinging her legs in protest."Hey! Stay still, alright? I'm not as strong as a normal wolf would be."I ventured into the woods once again with my master in my arms. I found her— the ray of light in the dark, dark tunnel.Back at the Druid Peak pack, the news of Indrik's disappearance spread quickly amongst the council. This news sparked a reaction from them as the search for Indrik began. The Beta immediately ordered for Indrik to be brought to him the moment he returned, already promising to punish him. The boy had never thought to leave the pack, and he wasn't allowed to. For all the years he had been born, he only stayed within the pack borders, he didn't even dare go five meters close to it. The news of him truly leaving brought a lot of emotions, and anger was the greatest of them all. All the guards searched around for where they thought Indrik would have gone, even going as far as reaching the popular market where people were known to go. But what would have taken him that far out? They all wondered.Beta Green thought that Indrik's search for a master was getting out of hand and he needed to stop him before it got too late. The figure of Indrik walking back with someone is sighted by a me
The entire hall erupted in chaos as they all let what Indrik said sink in. No one had ever said no to what the Council ordered, and Indrik had said that today, shocking everyone who was present. Beta Green was the first person to snap out of his shocked state, he was furious at Indrik. “What do you mean no?!” He thundered. He was outraged that Indrik had said no to something the council had decided. “I mean. No, Luna won’t be getting punished,” Indrik answered. He had brought her here after a lot of efforts and he wasn’t going to let them punish her for something he did. “I would be taking my punishment and hers as well,” he announced, and everyone gasped in shock. Beta Green looked at Luna whose face showed surprise, then turned his attention back to Indrik. He wondered the relationship between this two and why Indrik had come home with her. Does he plan on taking responsibility of her too? Luna turned to Indrik in shock, surprise written on her face. Yes, Indrik brought
Blaire's Pov My heart twisted in my gut as I followed the guards who led Indrik out to the centre of the palace grounds. It took all my willpower to stop myself from running toward them and snatching Indrik away from them when they shoved him too hard. I exhaled slowly to prevent making things worse for him. The palace was a dazzling white which was made even more impressive by the way it caught the glow of the early morning sun and lit up under it. The main building and by that, I meant the one storey imposing building that housed all the major rooms (by which I mean the throne room, the meeting chambers, the Alpha's room and, I'm sure you get the gist) of the pack was set in the center of the half moon formation with two relatively smaller yet no less impressive buildings on the sides. I normally would take a moment to admire the beauty of this place like I always did but I couldn't because right in the center of this formation, under the eyes of everyone who cared to watch, my
Luna's Pov I watched as the person who was supposed to be my new owner was stripped and then flogged. My lips pursed as I roved my eyes over the small crowd that had gathered to watch him get flogged. Seeing the expression on some faces, I could tell that they did not really fancy him because how else would you explain watching someone get flogged with a smile on your face? I couldn't blame them though because I was not a huge fan either. Who would be after being bought like a piece of merchandise and then bundled like a sack of farm produce to this strange place? True, my former place was nothing to write home about either but at least, I hadn't been dragged there. I had been surprised by his offer to take my punishment though. That really wasn't an action that I would have expected from someone like him. Sure, he had tried to save me from Bane but I had assumed it was just to convince me to come with him. This though was on a whole new level. I was broken from my musing as I watc
Blaire's Pov"I hate her. I really do loath her. I wish she would be attacked by some stray wolves and ripped into a thousand pieces." These and many more were the thoughts that crossed my mind as I straightened my hair before the mirror in my room. Jamil had shown her to her room. Everyone seemed to be out to get on my nerves. Of all the rooms that they could have given to her, they had to place her in the room that was directly opposite mine. For her own good, I hoped that we would not stumble into each other because then, not even I could stop myself from gouging out her eyes. I gritted my teeth as the brush got caught in my hair. Wincing, I straightened it and continued to brush it. Flashes of Indrik being whipped, the mangled flesh and streaming pool of blood, his painful grunts. I could not get any of it out of my head and the more I thought about it, the more my heart broke and the more my fury grew against the person who had caused it. My reflection stared back at me from th
Blaire's PovI knocked on the door and waited. I was about to knock the second time when the door was opened. I could tell he was surprised to see me with the way his eyes widened. Behind him, I could see his room and truth be told, it was in a sorry state. I could see a boot standing at attention on his bed, clothes strewn all over, and that wasn't even the beginning of it. It goes without saying that Jamil is the worst housekeeper in the entire pack. He noticed my survey and grinned. "There was no rip!" I commented, hoping my eyes were as icy as my words. "Oh, you sure?" He asked, trying to hold back his smile. He finally gave up as he grinned, "alright, there wasn't but it was fun to watch you scurry like that."I huffed, holding back the barrage of words that came to mind. "I need to see you. And Ulo too. I will be waiting." His expression grew serious as he nodded. I turned my back and made my way down the other end of the corridor. This was a pretty impressive building if you
Luna's PovThe guy who had introduced himself as Jamil had led me to this room where he had told me to rest after I had told him I wasn't hungry. A comment that was now proving to have been too hasty. My tummy was rumbling angrily and more frequently now. I looked around the room. It looked pretty old and from the looks, it had not been occupied in a long while. There was a bed, a wall length mirror, a table beside it that had some facial and body care materials, a chair before it. On the wall opposite it stood a built in wardrobe which I had confirmed to have some clothes. A window stood open just above my bed giving me a view into a garden. All of these and nothing of mine. I still couldn't get over how that man had just uprooted me from my life like some plant and brought me here. He hadn't even allowed me to go back home to pick anything up. True, there wasn't really much to pick but still. I reached into my blue gown and exhaled in relief when I found that I still had my necklac
Luna's PovWatching her leave, I was torn between the choice of going back to my room and waiting for my friendly host to return or going after my nemesis. I chose the later although I made sure to not let her know. I figured she would probably be going there or I would run into my host on the way. I must have looked ridiculous, bearing a tray and sneaking after a gorgeously dressed woman. I guess it is true what they say. You can kidnap the waitress from the serving tables but you can never take the serving away from her. The saying is something like that, I guess. I have never really been too good with quotes. Nor with much else, I'm afraid. I sighed as I remembered home. It seemed like an eternity since I had been turned out and now it was starting to seem like I might never be able to go back home. "Look who we have here!" A voice boomed, followed by laughter. I had been so caught up in my thoughts that I hadn't realized I had been surrounded by a group of men. I looked up at th