Vanished (Ongoing)

Chapter 3

"It's been a while? Huh?" The words hung heavy in the air, tinged with a mix of bitterness and disbelief. For two long years, I had waited for this moment – the chance to confront Jullian, the brother who had abandoned us when we needed him the most. My emotions were a storm inside me, but I gathered my composure before his smug face.

"By 'a while,' Jullian, do you mean two years?" I inquired, my voice betraying a hint of hurt and frustration. My wolf within was growing restless, unable to fathom how he could nonchalantly resort to small talk after his prolonged absence.

Summoning my resolve, I continued, "Look, Jullian, I have pressing matters to attend to. This lackluster exchange is far from what I expected after two years of silence." His eyes widened at my statement, and a hint of surprise flashed across his face.

"Dull exchange, brother? It's been two years. I thought you'd be happy to see me," he retorted, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips. Happy to see him? How could he be so blind to the pain he had caused?

"I've been busy overseeing your territory, Jullian," I replied, my voice steadier this time, masking the emotional turmoil within. "Happiness is hardly a sentiment you should expect from me." But his laughter pierced through my façade, stoking the flames of anger within.

"So much for tending to things," he quipped, his words a dagger aimed straight at my heart. "What do you mean, Jullian?" I demanded, my restraint wearing thin. "If you had fulfilled your responsibilities to your mate, she wouldn't be absent from your side. Isn't that right? How long has it been?" he added, a wicked smirk playing on his lips.

My frustration reached its peak as he continued to taunt me, his followers echoing his amusement. The audacity! How could he belittle the gravity of his actions and their consequences? Suppressing my urge to lash out, I steadied myself, trying to maintain control.

"Perhaps," I replied, my tone measured, "instead of focusing solely on your territory, you should consider attending to more important matters," my words holding a touch of reproach. But it was too late; the floodgates of my wolf's rage had been opened.

A powerful howl ripped through the forest, its primal intensity echoing through the trees. It took me a moment to realize that the howl had come from me – a manifestation of the deep frustration and anger I had kept bottled up for far too long. My wolf craved retribution, and the temptation to respond in kind intensified.

In this moment of turmoil and confrontation, the past collided with the present, setting the stage for a riveting tale of reckoning and redemption.