The City of Wolves

The Truth

Running into the dark frightening forest, sweat trailing down my forehead, I looked over my shoulder to see four pairs of yellow angry eyes following me. Trying not to scream, I pushed my legs to run faster. I could feel them breathing on my neck. My bare feet, covered in nicks and bruises from tiny rocks and twigs, didn't feel like bare skin anymore. Glancing down, my eyes widen. Thick white fur covered my legs which were short now. The white fur even covered my feet. Wait, they're not feet. They're paws! Paws?! What is happening? I shook my head, closing my eyes, thinking I was just imagining things. I kept my eyes closed trusting myself that I wouldn't run into anything but alas, I ran head first into a tree. Lying there, I gave myself a few seconds to let my head clear. My head now bore a fairly decent cut from the bark of the tree. The blood painted the white fur bright red around the cut. But during those few seconds, they circled around me. Looking up, each figure had a double to them. Blinking a few times, my vision cleared up.

"Okay princess, stop running, you're coming with us," one of the attackers spoke.

I looked up at them, scared even worse than before. "Where are we going?" I whispered.

One of them sighed. "We're taking you back to the prince."

I tilted my head. "Who's the prince?"

They looked at each other, confused, before the one who had been doing all the talking turned to me. "The prince is Kevin."

Kevin... Kevin... The name rattled my brain, then my eyes widened. Not THE Kevin! No. I can't! Then the most muscular man came up to me and snarled as he... I shot up from my sleep, eyes wide. My breathing heavy and short. Beads of sweat rolling down my forehead and neck.

"Princess?" A voice came from the door. I slowly turned my head and saw Andrew, tall with light blue eyes, who just so happens to be my Guard and best friend. He is also the one who I've had feelings for since... Well, forever. But I would never dare tell a soul. If the Elders caught word of my feelings, they would create chaos and that is the last thing I or anyone else needs.

"Yes? What is it Andrew?" I asked, my eyes still wide, chest heaving. Andrew walked in and slowly sat on the edge of my bed, he looked at me, concern in his eyes.

"Are you okay?" He asked kindly. I nodded. He smiled and lightly brushed a strand of my hair that had fallen from my hair, which had been put up in a bun the night before, out of my face. I could feel my cheeks warming up a little. I looked over at the clock, only to see its 5:23am. So much for me sleeping in today. Glancing up at Andrew, I gave him a tiny smile.

"I better get up and get dressed," I said and Andrew nodded agreeing with me. He got up and leaned up slightly to kiss my forehead before walking out of the room, closing the door behind him. Getting up myself, I got dressed in one of my usual outfits, dark blue jeans, a tight black tank top and black knee high boots that I always wear. After putting my brown hair up in a ponytail, I walked out of the room and down the hallway, out of the house with Andrew right behind me. Feeling the fresh cool air against my skin, I sighed in content and smiled as nature and everyone in the city was just barely waking up. Andrew walked up to my side and gently placed his hand on my shoulder.

"It's a beautiful morning isn't it, Kendall?" He asked, smiling. I nodded smiling back.

"Yes it sure is," I answered. Walking over to the stairs, my mind wandered back to the dream I had. To me and the kingdom, I was just a princess and nothing more. I couldn't turn into a wolf or anything. Not like Andrew and the rest of the Guards and Warriors, or their families, all who had the ability to turn into a wolf. The wolf had its own personality, its own thoughts and opinions. What someone does in their life affects their wolf as well.

Walking to the Palace, where the Elders stayed, I wanted to know what was going on. This dream was no ordinary dream. It felt like a vision of some sort. The two guards standing at the doors I marched to, open the doors for me. Off to the side of the fairly long entrance was a door. Through that door held the room where the important meetings took place. Anytime the Elders wanted to discuss something with the Guards and Warriors, they would meet in this very room. Going up to the door, it had appeared that they were having a meeting about something.

"Princess! What an honor this is," one of them spoke, seeing me standing in the doorway. "What can we do for you today?"

"I want to know more about the dream I had. It felt like a vision," I demanded staring them in the eye as I strolled further into the room.

"Tell us about this...nightmare," they asked me. I sighed not wanting to remember the nightmare but I also wanting to tell them.

"Four foxes were chasing me at night, in the forest. But I was a pure white wolf and they caught me saying they were going to take me back to Kevin. I woke up before anything else could happen," I explained looking down at my hands that were shaking from thinking of the nightmare. I looked up at the Elders. They all had a serious thinking look on them. They looked at each other before one of them sighed.

"All right. We shall tell you. Follow us and we will explain everything," the oldest of the group said. They stood and walked into one of the side rooms where they could speak in private. I followed them with Andrew taking place outside of the door so no one could disturb us. The Elders sat at a long table with one seat left, I took the empty seat.

"You're not just a princess, Kendall. On your 17th birthday, you will become a wolf just like the rest of us," one of them said.

"So you have been lying, not only to me but the entire kingdom for over 20 some odd years? Why?" Shocked as one would be, my voice held strong anger.

"Because we wanted to protect you and everyone else. There is far more at risk with knowing the truth. If word got out that you, the princess of the wolves is indeed a wolf, this kingdom would be in grave danger."

"But that's not all I want to know. Tell me about Kevin." I leaned forward, placing my arms on the table. They looked at each other with wide eyes.

"What do you want to know about him?" The Head Elder asked.

"Everything! And I mean everything," I said. For a few minutes, everything was silent before one of them sighed.

"Kevin is the Prince of the Foxes. He is ruthless, arrogant and nasty. So far, he hasn't messed with the city but there's no telling what he is planning. But we do know one thing. He wants you as his queen. Why do you want to know?"

Unable to handle the quietness, I spoke up. "Well, what does this mean?"

One of them looked over at me and sighed.

"This means that Kevin is going to start something. He's going to plan something and take you as his queen sooner than we thought. But for now, we will be increasing the patrols throughout both the city and kingdom as well as have more Guards watch over you. Despite how skilled Andrew is, he will not be enough to protect you. So for now, you are dismissed."

I nodded and stood up heading towards the door.

"Well, how did it go in there?" Andrew walked to my side. I stopped, a deep frown buried itself into my face. He instantly knew it was not good news.

"Kevin, the prince of the foxes, is after me to be his bride. If he isn't successful, then our kingdom will be in grave danger. The Elders are going to increase security for both the kingdom and myself." With that, I took off for my room where I plan on changing into my workout clothes, a light tank top, shorts and tennis shoes. Heading to the gym, I noticed that it was empty. Good, no people to bug me. Picking the treadmill to start with, I easily shifted into a light jog letting my thoughts brew.

Still standing outside the meeting room, Andrew hadn't moved an inch. Kevin is after Kendall? Kingdom in grave danger? So much was racing through his own mind that he didn't realize that one of the Elders standing in the doorway behind him until Andrew heard someone clear their throat loudly. Turning around, his light blue eyes locked with the hazel eyes of the Elder.

"Andrew, my dear boy, we have much to discuss and very little time." The Elder turned back into the room, expecting Andrew to follow. Following the Elder, Andrew went into Guard mode. His face cleared of any and all emotions. He will do what was necessary to protect Kendall, even if it cost him his own life.