Ari

Chapter 25: Change of Alpha

Everything went smoothly after the trial as Dillon officially became one of our family.

He became my father's assistant instead, since I was no longer allowed to accompany my father on his tasks all throughout the winter.

One night as the winter ended, I suddenly felt dizzy for some reason so I went to bed early.

In my dream, there was a beautiful woman, but I couldn't see her face clearly as I called her 'mom' subconsciously.

"It's time to go." The woman said as she lifted her hand to reach me.

"To where?" I asked curiously.

She smiled as she pointed out an island right beyond our sight.

"To the place where you belong." She whispered softly as her voice blended on the waves of the breeze.

"But what about father?" I asked instinctively.

"I'll take him soon... Everything will fall in its rightful place amidst the upcoming chaos..." She stated seriously.

I suddenly woke up from the dream, but I wasn't able to ask her what she meant.

The sun was already shining brightly as the snow started to melt slowly.

There was an eerie feeling in my heart that I couldn't explain that made me feel nervous for some reason.

I stood up and opened the door to look for my father, but I saw Dillon standing right in front of my door instead.

"Dillon... Where's my father?" I asked as soon as I opened the door.

I heard the roaring of our tribesmen at a distance. The roar hails to the alpha, but I can sense my father's scent in the room where the patients are being treated, but it's too faint since there are many herbs in the elder healer's abode.

My heart pounded really hard as I realized Dillon's appearance. He was covered in blood that didn't belong to him though he had a few bruises on his face as if there was a fight just before I woke up.

"Lev... He... He asked us to go. You are no longer safe here." He said with a trembling tone as he helped me put on the cloak he was holding.

"There's no more time Dillon. The tribesmen are coming with the new alpha." The elder healer said nervously as she handed over a bag full of my belongings to Dillon.

I was extremely confused as she uttered the words 'the new alpha'. Right, Dillon just called my father by his name and not as alpha. I suddenly felt nervous as I tried to shove off Dillon to find my father.

"Move! I need to see my father." I insisted, trembling as I realized what was going on.

Dillon caught my arm while the elder blocked my way.

"Ari dear, I know it's sudden, but you have to go now. It is your father's will to take you away from here. Your father will be fine, I'll make sure he will. Dillon will explain everything on the way. You need to hurry." The elder healer worriedly said.

Dillon suddenly held me in his arms while briefly bowing to the elder healer to bid goodbye. He took the bag and ran away carrying me in a haste then jumped to the window.

I wasn't able to react as he suddenly took me away hurriedly. He entered the forest and headed in the direction of the forest wolf tribe.

I was crying, but I couldn't retaliate remembering the elder healer's statement that it was my father's will. I had a lot of questions and I couldn't utter the words as I was frightened to hear the answers.

He kept running despite the heavy load. I can already see the exhaustion in his face when he suddenly stopped by the river a few kilometers away from the tribe.

He placed me in the shade of the tall tree as he rummaged through the bag searching for something.

"I think we are far enough so you can eat your meal first, but we need to keep going as soon as you're done eating." He said as he gasped for air due to exhaustion, then handed over a steamed yam and a cup of water he took from the river.

"A-are we heading to the forest wolf tribe?" I mumbled while hesitantly taking the yam from his hand.

I couldn't stop the tears falling from my eyes, though I tried my best to calm myself up even though my heart ached so much as I worried for my father's safety.

"Yes. Your father instructed me to bring you to his friend, Acwulf of the forest wolf tribe. Lev said he already informed Acwulf a few days ago." He explained while looking in the direction of the said tribe.

I was taken aback by his words 'Informed... A few days ago'. It was as if he already knew what would happen beforehand. I was so shocked that I almost fainted due to the overwhelming situation.

He hugged me trying to comfort me, but I had to hold it in. I was trembling as tears kept flooding my eyes subconsciously.

I gave back the yam to Dillon while shaking my head, hunting him that I have no appetite.

"You have to eat. You haven't had your breakfast this morning and it is noon soon." He insisted as he broke a small piece of the yam and put it on my lips.

I stopped crying and ate the piece of yam on his hand hesitantly while he fed me himself. He did not speak a word, but kept feeding me continuously.

After I finished half of it, I grabbed his hand and shook my head. He then gave me a cup of water to drink.

He transformed into his beast form, then carried me on his back.

"I'll slow down so you won't fall. Hold tight." Dillon said.

I got distracted when I rode his back. His mane was so soft and thick though it was not thicker than my father's. I was wondering why he has curly hair in his passive form, but not in his beast form.

I was so fascinated about the fact that any changes in the appearance of their passive form don't even affect their beast forms.

So, even if they turn bald, a lion beastman will still have a mane when he transforms into a beast.

We started walking towards our destination as I tried not to reveal my passive-aggressive form. It took us the whole day to arrive at the said tribe where the current alpha and his father welcomed us.