Unveiling The Past

Anya walked briskly, her mind still grappling with the recent events and the encounter with the hunter. The scent of the unfamiliar werewolf lingered in the air, causing her curiosity to pique. Is there still another wolf out there? She queried herself. She couldn't help but wonder who this newcomer was and what their purpose was in Longroove. 

As she made her way out of the forest, she noticed a figure leaning against a tree at the edge of the clearing. It was a man, tall and muscular, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to hold a mix of apprehension and curiosity. His presence disrupted her usual calm demeanor, awakening a sense of intrigue.

Anya approached the man cautiously, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. She didn't have any choice,  she had to walk pass the same tree he was leaning on. 

"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice laced with authority. 

The man straightened himself, sensing her dominance. He took a step forward, his eyes locked onto hers. "My name is Caleb," he answered, his voice steady but tinged with a hint of nervousness. "I'm a lone werewolf searching for a pack. I didn't mean to intrude, but I sensed a powerful presence here, and I was drawn to it."

Why have you ventured into Longroove? Anya further queried, using her power to sense who he is. 

Like I said, I didn't mean to be rude or intrusive. I am a lone wolf, new to town and in need of a pack. Caleb replied, his gaze softening, perhaps as an effect of the power oozing out of Anya. 

Anya regarded him intently, assessing his words and trying to gauge his true intentions. She could sense a certain sincerity in his voice, but she wasn't ready to let her guard down just yet, knowing his origin. "If you're truly seeking a pack, why did you not announce your arrival or seek permission?" she asked, her voice firm.

Caleb lowered his gaze briefly before meeting her eyes once more. "I apologize for my actions," he admitted, a hint of remorse evident in his tone. "I was unsure if this was the right place for me, and I wanted to assess the situation first. I mean no harm, I assure you."

Anya studied him for a moment, contemplating her next move. While it was against her nature to trust so easily, she couldn't deny the potential of adding another strong member to Vincent's pack. Perhaps, he will be his side kick. Besides, his arrival seemed too coincidental after the recent events. She decided to give him a chance.

"Very well, Caleb," she responded, her voice softening slightly. "You will be  allowed to stay for now. But know this: any breach of trust or harm caused to the pack will not be tolerated."

Caleb nodded gratefully, relieved that she had shown him some leniency. "Thank you, Alpha Anya," he replied respectfully. "I promise to prove myself worthy of your trust."

Anya, stopped suddenly, the words shocking her. I am not the alpha. Vincent is. Let's go meet him. Anya responded staring him in the eyes. And sincerely pray he likes you enough to allow you stay, she thought. 

With their initial interaction settled, Anya led Caleb back into the forest, guiding him towards their pack's hidden hideout. As they walked, she couldn't help but feel a connection between them—a spark of familiarity that she couldn't quite place.

Upon reaching the hideout, Anya noticed Vincent standing by the entrance, his expression a mix of concern and surprise. He observed Caleb with a hint of scepticism, his eyes narrowing as he took in the newcomer's presence.

"Vincent, this is Caleb," Anya introduced, gesturing towards the tall werewolf. "He's a lone werewolf seeking a pack.  I don't know, is it possible to grant him the liberty to join the pack since he is new to town?

Vincent's gaze shifted between Caleb and Anya, a flicker of jealousy and possessiveness surfacing in his eyes. He was not accustomed to sharing the spotlight or his position as the alpha or as a strong male wolf. He had other male wolf in the pack, but none was as strong as him. Even among the females, none was strong enough to pose a challenge to him, except from Anya who had surprised him in the early hours of the day.  Nonetheless, he composed himself and extended a welcoming hand to Caleb.

"Welcome to my pack," Vincent said, his voice neutral but tinged with a subtle challenge. "I hope you understand the importance of loyalty and respect within our ranks."

Caleb accepted Vincent's hand with a firm grip, matching his assertiveness. "I do, Alpha Vincent," he replied, his tone steady. "I will prove my worth and contribute to your pack's well-being. Thank you for allowing me stay"

The tension between the two wolfs lingered for a moment, their unspoken rivalry simmering beneath the surface. Anya sensed the unspoken words exchanged through their intense gazes and realized that Caleb's arrival had stirred more than just curiosity within their ranks. That's there business, she said to herself.

" I will be headed home now. It's been a long weekend even though it hasn't ended yet.  

"Alright,” Caleb and Vincent chorused. 

Anya threw a glance at both of them shook her head in mild surprise and began walking away. Have they connected telepathically already or am I the one seeing what isn't there? 

Walking, she felt someone following her. Not again, she exclaimed inwardly. She turned to see Caleb almost running. 

“Are you headed towards the school? I live around there.” Caleb said behind her. 

“Yeah, but I don't leave around there, I have to walk past it and board a taxi to my place. I am in no walking mood.” Anya responded

“Oh.” Caleb exclaimed mildly. “I  got a new job at the school.” Caleb added. 

Anya stopped and turned towards him. Really looking him over, she asked, “ really? Since when?” Scepticism was all over her voice. 

“I was working with the State Education Board at the Capitol until yesterday morning when my boss walked in and gave me a letter of appointment and transfer.” Caleb responded walking up to her, keeping a healthy distance. 

“Nice.” Anya simply responded. 

Caleb chuckled and starred away into the forest. He didn't know anything about his new school. “I just hope the school will be as nice as the reviews say it is.” He added almost under his breath. 

Anya didn't say anything. 

“By the way, I have a concern,” Caleb said getting Anya's attention. 

“All ears,” Anya responded. 

“When I was walking into this forest, I perceived a weird and disturbing scent.” Caleb began, his gaze still far away. 

Anya stretched her hand and plucked a leaf of a Guava tree and began toiling with it while she waited for him to land, but he didn't say anything. Anya took a break from her new found toy and glanced his way. His gaze was still with the greenly environment. "Go on". She urged him. 

Caleb turned his gaze to her. “Aboriginals.” He finished. 

Anya didn’t say a word for some minutes, she simply turned and began walking towards the exit of the forest. Caleb followed. He finally mentioned it, she smiled to herself. 

There was no words coming from anyone. The silence wasn't an awkward one either. All that was heard was the sound of their shoes crushing against the earth as they walked. Morning dews caressing and  wetting their boots. 

Distance away in the forest, birds were singing happily away, some others were tweeting, breeze was carrying their sounds farther than they sounded. 

"Tell me, Caleb," Anya finally broke the silence, her voice firm but filled with genuine curiosity. "How is it that you know about aboriginal werewolves?"

Caleb  walked closer to Anya to talk in whispers, knowing how sensitive the topic is.  “Not here. We can do this over a coffee date or something.”  His eyes reflecting  uncertainty. Anya smiled for the second time since  meeting Caleb. 

“What is funny? Do you not know how dangerous those folks are?” Caleb starred at her in utter confusion. 

“Folks?” Anya looked at him as they continued to head out of the forest. They had gotten to the edge of the forest to where a path leads to a tarred road when Caleb answered her. "Yes, I grew up with my mum at Mongroove." 

Anya shook her head. Not today, devil. You don't have me. She taught. Keeping her face neutral, she simply replied, "nice",  quickly shoving away a memory trying to peak out. 

“So, the coffee date you talked about, can we go to it now? I want to know what you know about aboriginals.” Anya added, stopping at the tarred road alongside her walk partner.

Caleb's face lit up in joy. “Sure, why not?” 

“Okay.” Anya began. “Since you are new to town, I guess, it falls on me to select a coffee place.” 

“Exactly,” Caleb responded grinning like a two year old.  

“Except that I don't take coffee outside my home. I brew my own coffee. However, we can check Longroove's best, or so the TV commercials say. And by that I mean The Nickle Cup. It's just down the road.” Anya pointed downwards. 

“Oh. Cool,” Caleb exclaimed. 

Anya smiled. He sounds like  her students. How old is he again? 

As they walked towards the coffee shop, they talked about different things, climate change, food, schools, while avoiding the main topic. 

Getting to The Nickle Cup, Anya walked through the door and placed an order while Caleb stood outside to familiarise himself with the environment.  That was when he saw him. Vincent. At the same time, Vincent saw him too and began making his way down to where he was standing. 

Inside, Anya had secured two cups of milky coffee and was headed out. Coming out, she saw Caleb and Vincent discussing. She paused to assess the situation. “Friendly talks and gestures.  Nice!” She exclaimed and began walking towards them. 

“Hey.” Vincent said to Anya. 

“Hi,” Anya responded, not holding his gaze. 

“Showing him around already?” Vincent asked with no judgement in his voice. 

“No, actually we are here to talk code 3. It's good you are here too.” Anya said. 

She gave Caleb a cup and the three walked to a secluded area where they could talk in lower tones and still hear themselves. 

"Code 3?" Vincent queried, his gaze shifting from  Anya to Caleb sceptically. 

"Don't blame me, he brought it up." Anya said pointing towards Caleb. “I am only here to find out what he knows,” she quickly added  lackadaisically. 

Caleb looked at both, a little bit sceptical on what to say. 

“What's with the code words?” He finally asked. 

“We live with persons that want us wiped out of existence. If we are going to have a shot at normal life even though we can never, we will have to find a way to go on dates and talk about our things. Do you understand now?” Anya asked settling down at a table of 3. 

Caleb nodded. 

“Nice.” Anya added and returned her focus to her coffee. 

“Now tell us what you know.” Vincent said sitting next to Anya. Caleb took the last seat. Vincent and Anya's gaze were fixed on him like some bringer of bad news.  

He hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to divulge his past. After a brief pause, he took a deep breath and spoke.

"I was once like the regular humans walking around, hunting werewolves" Caleb admitted, his voice tinged with regret. "I sought out a werewolf to change me, to give me the power I believed I lacked. I thought it would bring me strength and make me feel whole."

Anya and Vincent exchanged glances, Vincent’s curiosity growing. Anya had known from the moment she saw him leaning against the tree at the forest. It was one of her many powers as she would later come to discover. But, she had to pretend not to know anything or cause Vincent more sleepless nights than he already plan to have, studying about past female strong wolves. 

Vincent on the other hand,  had heard stories of individuals seeking the transformative bite of a werewolf, but encountering someone who had lived through it was rare. Though Anya had met one earlier, she hasn't met one like Caleb. 

"I met a werewolf who agreed to grant my request," Caleb continued, his voice laced with a mixture of remorse and gratitude. "But the transformation was not what I expected. It brought me pain and isolation instead of the strength and unity I sought."

Anya's expression softened, her empathy for Caleb growing. She understood the longing for acceptance and the desire to belong. It was a journey she had experienced herself, and perhaps that's what drew her to Caleb's presence in the first place.

"I'm sorry for your past hardships, Caleb," Anya said, her voice gentle yet firm. "But here, in our pack, we value unity, loyalty, and the well-being of every member. You have a chance to redefine yourself and find your place among us."

Caleb nodded, gratitude evident in his eyes. "Thank you,  Anya," he responded sincerely. "I will do everything in my power to prove my loyalty and dedication to the pack." He added, looking at Vincent respectfully. 

As the conversation continued, Anya couldn't help but sense a newfound connection not just with Caleb but also with Vincent. The events of the day had brought them all closer together, uncovering hidden strengths and vulnerabilities. They were about to embark on a journey that would test their bonds, challenge their beliefs, and shape their destinies.

Little did they know that their encounter with the hunters was only the beginning—a prelude to a much larger conflict that loomed on the horizon. The power of the alpha's savior had been unleashed, and it would be tested in ways they could never have imagined.

After their coffee, each headed home-wards to continue their normal life. It was a weekend afterall.