Ring of Storms [1]

12.

Aryn

The ancient white wolves exist. 

I was so sure of it now as I watched the portal dwindle and fizzle out until there was nothing left of it but a few specks of coloured dust, floating in the air. I had my suspicions the moment I felt the surge of power that radiated from her as she tried to act oblivious to the wonders of her doing. But even then I wasn't convinced. There was a plausible explanation for the change in weather and in summer abrupt instances of heat burst were not uncommon.

Nevertheless, I deliberately moved to create an opening, sure that they would take the chance and run. And run they did. I had given them a head start on the race as I sprinted behind them, however, the speed at which they moved was preternatural and even more heightened than the normal lycanthrope. But still I knew they wouldn't go far because there was a fatal folly to their plan. They were not from here and so they didn't know the terrain. I knew the crooks and crannies of this city and combined with her maddening scent, I was sure to find her.

And find her I did. Just in time to witness the other she-wolf open up a portal. Her green eyes were the only visual souvenir that I retained before the tunnel swallowed them into another dimension. Those green feisty eyes that had denied me. As much as I had kept my cool facade and acted unbothered, Adolf and I were distraught by that, more so Adolf.

Mate rejected us, he whined and pawed at the ground. Mourning the absence of her presence.

She didn't reject us, I affirmed for the umpteenth time. I was sure of that one fact because I had felt her wolf call out to mine and rejoice at our anticipated meeting. She's protecting her clan, I mused. That was the only explanation. 

I had never yearned for a mate; it was the only way I had survived thirteen years without one. I had remained content to protect my pack and lead it to the top of the five clans, where it has remained ever since my reign. A mate was a weakness I couldn't afford. I had seen the way my mother’s death had plunged my father and elder brother into the depths of despair as well as our pack into the heat of an impending war.

Our enemies were very aware of the devastating effects that her death had on our pack and sought to use this weakness to their advantage. If I hadn't stepped up to fill my father’s position at the age of nineteen our pack would have ceased to exist ages ago. From then on I lived my life for my pack and never concerned myself with the nonsensities of mates or Lunas. I didn't need one.

But why then was I still fixated on her face. Her scent still lingered in the air and I took in a deep breath wanting to inhale it all lest another male got a whiff of what was mine. I remembered being so close to caressing her cheek and tracing the lines of her plum pink lips. Her silvery-white hair caught the reflection of the moon and her delicate beauty drew me in like a moth to a flame. She was a euphoric dream. Mine. 

Don't give me descriptions and poetic sweet nothings when you allowed her to run from us, Adolf abruptly snarled, irritatedly. 

I was drawn from my internal musings and I looked around the broken-down hall one more time, still entrapped in the brief memory I had of her, before I made my way out and unto the streets.

She didn't reject us, I reinstated but I got no reply. Adolf had blocked me out again. And even if she did I can find her now, I added.

The sudden flash of light drew my attention to an approaching car and I walked towards it.

“Taxi car at your service,” Roy stated with a wry smile as he rolled down the windows. I opened the door and entered into the passenger side.

“There's no need for the attitude,” I remarked as he maneuvered the car around the bend and made for the main street.