Wolf Of Fire

2 Hate and Flames [I]

KAMBI

I had never known warmth from my father. Only orders, fists and abuse. At just ten moons old, I stood among towering warriors, my tiny frame swallowed by thick leather armor that stank of sweat and iron. My hands trembled as I clutched the sword that was too heavy for me, afraid to drop it for the fear of what my father would do to me. My mother's screams still haunted my ears - the pleadings she made to my father, begging him not to take me along. "She is just a child...please my Lord...do not make her see such carnage at such a young age." But father paid her no mind as he dragged her off to the cells and tied her up, after she threatened to kill herself.

Father cared for no one but himself and his power. I knew he hated me. I was a girl - a weak and foolish girl. A mistake as he liked to call. I was not interested in his love or recognition. Father hated everybody. There was nothing special about being hated by him.There was nothing special about the emotional and physical abuse, nor about the scars and the trauma. We were all pawns in his game. We all existed to give him a sense of power and superiority. To him, we were all worthless slaves, and he... he was a god.

"Princess...princess...Kambi. Pay attention. Your father is looking at you." Never had a title been so worthless than the one which I bore- an Alpha Princess, the first and only legitimate daughter of the feared Alpha Amusu of Oru - the Pack of the Black-Silvered Wolf. I was his True Heir, the first fruit of his groins. But in reality, I was just a prisoner- a royal prisoner.

²

The arena was bathed in a cruel red glow from the torches held by the assembled warriors. The ground was scarred in deep claw marks from countless war drills, and the scent of iron, sweat and old blood hung heavy in the air. Many were already in half shifted forms, claws scraping against the dirt, fangs bared in anticipation, waiting like lap dogs for the command of their master.

"TONIGHT, WE HUNT AGAIN!" A vicious cheer broke out among the warriors, in anticipation for the bloodshed.

"THOSE PACKS WHICH HAVE REFUSED TO SUBMIT TO ME...ALPHA AMUSU, THE ALPHA OF ORU, THE PACK OF THE BLACK-SILVERED WOLF, WOULD PAY DEARLY FOR THEIR SINS!"

No matter how many times I heard his voice, it always sent shivers through my bones. Every breath he drew seemed to vibrate through the clearing, an unspoken promise of violence and death. The monster of a man, easily towered above all who stood in the arena. Jagged scars clawed across his broad chest - trophies from countless battles of bloodlust. His eyes burned with a cruel shade of amber, and in the darkness of the night, it blazed like a fire - leading all that followed to destruction.

The Hunt, as father liked to call it, was a tradition he started last full moon. War was his favourite sport, and when no one dared to challenge him, he began leading his warriors into neighbouring packs and territories, slaughtering innocent wolves, and raising their children as slaves in his pack. To him, there was no such thing as free, only unconquered. Once again, it was time for The Hunt, and father deemed it necessary to take me along.

His eyes finally met mine among the crowd of warriors. I stiffened my breath, counting to ease my anxiety but my heart would not stop beating. "My daughter would hunt with us today." The word 'daughter' spat out like an abomination. I felt so tiny, a trembling rabbit surrounded by ravaging wolves. "I want to hope that if she goes, I could make a man out of her since goddess chose to curse me by giving me a female child for a True Heir - a worthless female."

The words stung. I do not know why. I hated him to my bones, so why did his words still affect me? Tears fought to break out but I held them in. "Please... please just let me go home. I just want to hide under my blankets and listen to Mama sing. Please..."
Slowly, he walked up to me, and placed his heavy hand on my shoulder, burning into my skin like a brand. His claws pricked through the leather of my armor, reminding me that there was no escape. Not here. Not ever.