The Hunter's Wolf

Restrained Liberation

Restrained Liberation

"Amareth Rose Carson."

An elderly man adduces my name in distinct deep voice, and every wolf in the courtroom has their ears entrenched onto me.

I straighten my spine, roll my skeletal shoulders back and hold my head high, obdurate and fierce. Their eyes taper towards the way dominance oozes out of my body, where not a single sign of submissiveness is portrayed.

Despite the clear distaste they feel towards me, the elder man, nonetheless, construes to my sentence, "On behalf of our Alpha and the pack, we gather here today to witness your release from your imprisonment, through which we are looking forward for a change of approach on your following days."

Then, the details come revealed. "There was a report of transgression in the interim of the inoculation, and in the cause of your brazen call, our Alpha had to take immediate action. Due to this interference, a violation towards the protocol has been signed."

I remain in my reposeful state, all ears to the indication of yet another penalty. "In spite of all, there were no severe casualties during the attempt of escape, there forth the Council has determined to drop all charges against the convict. Other than the mentioned, the convict's disposition throughout the period of imprisonment was favorable." His subpoena takes everyone by complete surprise, and murmurs from the audience build up layer by layer, each only tells a bias reaction.

He looks at me in the eye and alleges for the final statement, "Hereafter, our Alpha shall act as your convoy; guiding you into the paths of a Luna, so you ought to serve the pack with your dutiful tasks that have long been destined."

For the first time ever since the trial began, I speak up for myself. "And what if I am not willing to become part of your pack ?" I raise my eyebrows while the sea of faces stone, waiting for an answer to that.

It seems that the elders are a step ahead of me and they have expected that answer. "We have no need of your approbation," he clips sharply, and I shake my head at them in virulence.

"You don't know what you're dealing with," I accuse their thoughtless minds, my curled palms tightening, and my nails digging into my sweaty flesh.

"The way we see it," he corrects me and says, "You underestimate how significantly powerful we truly can be."

Hearing his respond, I scoff and bite my thorn of a tongue to hold the emotions threaten to burst out.

Maniacs— It is war they are asking for, and not only the prime rulers, but every person under them will have to pay a substantial price; a price where no sum of money can pay.

For the remaining time of the release trial, I try not to listen into their list of laws, but the way the elder man narrows his eyes on me, I can't distract my mind to think of anything else. Finally, when the judge strikes the hardwood once more, the wolves disperse out of the courtroom, and I remain standing on the exact same spot, my legs rooted into the ground.

Stephen's familiar footsteps approach me from behind, and I turn to look at him over my shoulder, and notice his twin brother's silent presence beside him. "Come on," he gesticulates for me to follow him, "We'll head back to the Alpha's house and you can get yourself cleaned up."

My head nods curtly, and my feet begin to shift.

After spending almost one and a half months in the Underground, locked in the dark, nature's perception on my skin is a foreign sensation. Autumn breeze tousle my uncombed hair and pinks my cheeks. The warmth that has been in the wind just a month or so ago has either evaporated into the sky or leach into the earth. It gives life to the long grass at the sides of the bare land, still yellowing from the high Autumn sun. The strands sway out of time with the gusts brought on by the wind, and falling scarlet leaves tumble from the interlocking branches above, branches that grow so thickly only bright gaps of sunshine break through.