Among The Wolves

Black Axis

When we were outside, it all felt surreal. It seemed like just a week ago we were wrapping summer up and now, with a chill in the heavy breeze you could smell spring in the air. Just like that, I had lost eight whole months of my life. I took a deep breath. It was a severely depressing thought.

To my chagrin, the hum in my blood started when I let the sadness fester. I mentally stomped my foot in frustration. This was worse than being around Mes'Mu. At least around her I could hide my feelings while still feeling it.

Blinking tears away I scanned the scene around me, looking for a distraction. I did not recognize any of the areas around me. I tried to spot the golf cart port but when I caught sight of the pack house… or one of the three of them I realized that I was no longer with the MoonDust Pack.

Three,  five stories tall, red brick mansions stood side by side. A wide pergola connecting each of the buildings to each other. I saw flags atop of each of the buildings. It was grey with a white silhouette of a wolf holding a black, crescent moon on a large staff.  I was shocked. It was the same design as what was on my wrist. I glanced at the tattoo and back at the flag, definitely the same.

The wide grassy expanse behind the pack houses stretched a ways and then ended with a treeline in the distance. It was nothing like the very woody Moondust pack. Where am I?

After scratching a supposed bug bite on my neck I turned to the Eta who was leading me to his Alpha, “What is the name of this pack?”

“Black Axis Pack.” I could tell he was proud of it when he said it, there was no mistaking the puffing of his chest.

However, in addition to the cold flurry of wind, the pack name sent a shiver through me. So this is where Alpha M’est’r, Hem'Lar and Ty'Mee all reside.

We did not walk far from the pack houses when I noticed an open arena. A large oval in the center was filled with sand. Tall wooden bleachers surrounded the oversized sandbox.

If I had to give a rough estimate, I would say there were about 30 to 40 men (too beefy for my taste), sparring with each other.

It was easy to spot the Alpha amongst the troop. He was the beefiest and you could almost see the power rolling in waves off of him.

The subtle buzz came back, exposing the anxiety I was having being so near this huge he-wolf again.

As we neared the bleachers we caught the attention of the men, most ignored us and continued sparring but the Alpha and those around him stopped. The Alpha glared in my direction. The Eta next me stopped and saluted and I bowed my head.

This little interaction was already reminding me of the cell where he “interrogated” me. A flashback played before my eyes of him punching the wall and also holding me up by my neck. I could almost feel his grip on my skin again.

A tremor in my fingers started, I tried balling my fists and holding my hands against my legs but the shaking went up to my shoulders. There was no hiding my fears anymore. The buzz was starting to make my head vibrate. I was tempted to rub my scar but held my hands where they were. I stood stoic where I was before the Eta turned to me. “You may go to him.”

Still not looking up I walked forward until I could see the Alpha's feet about ten feet away. They looked as if they could crush a cinder block if he merely stepped on it. My poor heart was beating sporadically. A small pain below my chest grew as my stomach twisted with anxiety and why? Why was my skin so itchy?

“Speak.”

I jumped at his voice, although I had heard it before, it startled me every time. A small ringing began in my ears. In an attempt to drown it I talked to myself. This is going to work. It has to, otherwise it is going to be the end of me.

With a deep sigh I spoke with as much courage as I could muster. I was not going to let this annoying headache demoralize my new fervor. “I have my memories back.”

The attitude in the air changed as quickly as instant noodles. Looking up I could see the Alpha nod to the Eta next to me. The man saluted and walked away.  I regretted looking up at this prestigious man. He had no shirt on and the morning sun reflected off the sweat that covered his chest. Blinded by the glares I squinted, half grossed out. The Alpha grabbed a towel off the bleachers and began to dry himself. He pointed to the bleachers nodding at me. I quickly sat down. He took a swig of water. “Go on.”

I found a small string on the dress and started to nervously twist it with my two fingers. Calm your heart.  “Beforehand, you requested information on Joinervetti.” At the mention of him I could audibly hear the towel ripping in the hands of Alpha M’est’r. I swallowed hard. “I tell you all this in good faith. Needless to say, just like my first interview with you I have nothing to hide. I only feel that I have been unfortunately placed in a position where I am somehow the person of interest and the beholder of information. Even I am unsure how I stumble onto such predicaments.

Moreover, Joinervetti first came to me. Not I to him and not directly. I have never met, seen, or heard him. Rather he used communication through the means of a rogue. I do not know the guy's name but because of this rogue, I was able to do some transactions for said Joinervetti.”

I took a fleeting look at Alpha M’est’r’s face but he was unreadable. I continued, “I do not know much about either men...” I told the alpha everything I thought he would want to know. Including the part where Mr. Rogue insisted that I was Joinervetti's Nu (spy). I made hints about Bal’Tiq being innocent. Yet, the entire time the muscular wolf-blood remained expressionless. Not a single indicator or clue about whether he approved of my spilled beans.

When I wrapped up Alpha M’est’r set his water bottle down. “What did Joinervetti have you do as his Nu?”

I frowned , “I am not his Nu. I worked so hard-I” Grabbing reins on my anger when I noticed my joints aching, I tried again. “Back home I worked so hard, and the only thing in my way was the skills training. I avoided it for over six years. I just wanted it done with. I wanted nothing, absolutely nothing with you guys. And yet, because of that buffoon, Bratir, I am stuck here. Away from- …everything.”

Another sigh had my toying with the loose string again. “Joinervetti had told me that because he did things for me, like give me medicine when I was sick that I owed him. He wanted me to breach the rules and go into the upper levels of the packhouse and try to get paperwork or anything that would help him out. But I never did! I tried to appease him with random papers I found in the trash. Still, he never was satisfied.”

I rubbed my forehead after the rant. The headache was not improving. I knew I would have to go straight away to Ty'Mee after this. “I gave him nothing valuable. Even Mr. Rogue was annoyed with me.”

The Alpha gave a short nod and began to walk off. I stood up quickly. Him leaving like that would be the death of me. I had to stake my worth while I had the chance. “Wait, even though I don't have much, I know how to get more information.” Alpha M’est’r stopped walking but did not turn around. I took that as permission to keep talking. “I have a proposal, and please hear me out. I know the ways of Vakusians and rather still look like them. I can go and find out more information on Joinervetti.”

The Alpha laughed humorlessly, giving me a daring look. “You want us to send you back to Vakusi?”

I kept my eyes lowered, “Yes, but you and I know that I cannot stay there. I am a blasted werewolf now, if my people found that out. Even people who knew me from before would kill me. Staying or even just going there would be suicidal.” I took a pause, balling my fists. “It might seem silly to you but they did this. Bratir… Joinervetti … if they somehow did this to me, I want to know why.”

When my little monologue was finished Alpha M’est’r walked off. Just like that. No words, no nod, or hand gestures. Nothing to imply that he liked the idea, or would think about it, or disregarded it completely.

To my left I could see the Eta coming back. I was worried, now that I had told everything I knew, was my usefulness gone? Was I expendable now?