Blood Ties

14

Misty blue moon
~
Accalia
~

The Jacian pack were earthbound. Linked to the soil they walked upon despite their monstrous counterpart that sought to destroy it and that was connected to their Alpha, Koda Jacian.

He was scarred in the face and arms, scars carving into the brown skin that made him look war-like and torn at the same token.

His gentle eyes didn't seethe with hate when they met Accalia, but his marred hand that gripped hers in greeting were telling enough. This was strictly business and all issues that strayed from the past would remain behind them.

Accalia was hardly involved in pack battles. Her father sent her, Tristan and Cadence on lone wolves instead. Preparing snares and traps for them, seeking out the troubled wolves that were untameable and wanted to spread their biting disease.

Her father and her aunt, Katerina, were heavily involved in pack attacks. Plucking off werewolves one by one until they reached lycans. Using the moon's cycle to their advantage. Using silver as their friend. That was when battles became bloody.

"I have heard a lot lately," Koda murmured to Lycus, standing in direct sunlight that glowed on his bare skin. The Alpha was only wearing jeans and a pendant around his neck.

His pack members strolled aimlessly around their pack in an adrift way. They weren't particularly doing anything, other than collecting water from a nearby creek and plucking fruit from trees and bushes. Surprisingly enough, they didn't bat an eye at Accalia or Lycus.

There was an air about the Jacian pack that made Accalia want to breathe everything in, an aura shrouded in homely and natural refinement that was refreshing to the eye. It was a canvas painted in many shades of green, all that spoke of nature and mirth.

"And all I can say is if it comes down to it, we will fight by your side."

Lycus and Accalia mirrored each other, satisfied with his decision.

The Jacian pack were a territory of harvest, growing their crops and living solely from what the earth offered them. If they crossed paths with a deer, she would be dinner for the pack and a serving of their gratitude. An offering. They slumbered in huts and hammocks and were up when the sun was. Following the cycle of the moon, they preferred isolation and separation from the other packs.

"It will come down to it," Lycus said simply and shook Koda's hand. "Be prepared for anything. We've told you everything we can."

Koda nodded, bidding them a tight-lip smile in farewell and disappeared into his forest.

"Lycus, why does he have all those scars?" Accalia asked, getting into the car and cringing at how intrusive she sounded.

Lycus peeled out of the forest and drove back to the main road, clicking the windows down. "A while back, instead of trying to contain the shift or let it run rampant, Koda would try and help the werewolves control the shift. He didn't care how many scars he endured as long as his wolves could help themselves against the pain."

~

The forest slowly faded into huge and hilly mountains that peeked through phantom white clouds, reaching the unseen heavens and planting the roots on both sides of the widespread road.

The majority of their road trip was spent with Lycus chewing Accalia's ear off, incapable of settling in comfortable silence or even letting music play through the radio. He would continue to eye her, never paying solid attention to the road and it took Accalia back to last night, where she was sure, Lycus's thoughts were at too.