Chapter 108


    Beta Troy


    The forest is the most serene, harmonious ce I have ever seen. Trudging through thickets and


    bramble, I hear leaves and twigs crunch under my boots. The forest has a sense of magic about her.


    She truly is enchanting.


    Halfway through the forest, I hear the sound of trickling water. Feeling quite thirsty after such a long


    trek, I follow the sound and eventually find a stunning waterfall. I hold my sk underneath the stream


    for a while to fill it before having a drink


    In the distance, someone with a very melodic voice sings a very beautiful song.


    I make my way toward West Wallow in human form and arrive a few hourster. Had I been in my wolf


    form, I would have arrived sooner, but going undetected by the humans when war could be


    approaching, is extremely crucial


    I wander around the market in Wellmore and buy some of the juiciest fruit I have ever had. The King’s


    soldiers stop at stalls with carts and ce half the contents on the wooden tables into wooden crates. A


    soldier addresses the whole vige with an announcement


    By order of King Fenris! King Fenris orders everyone to donate half their food to their sovereign again.


    These donations will feed his soldiers when we prepare to go to war against Alpha King Damon. So,


    the rumours are true. They are nning a war, and humans outnumber werewolves greatly, and we’re


    not our strongest without a Luna,


    I look at the goods belonging to a stall beside me, and my stomach lurches when I realise what I’m


    seeing. Furs belonging to my kind, disyed on metal iron hooks, with little lox furs.


    Werewolf fur! They’re the ones killing the rogues. Pack wolves or rogues – this should not be


    happening to our kind!


    the


    A young woman identally bumps into the wooden table, and the pelts on the hooks sway from side


    to side. I’m so sorry young girl apologises, and the stall-holder assures her not to worry


    She sps a hand over her mouth to stille a gasp, shocked by what this stall is selling. Reserving my


    disgust, I purchase all of the werewolf hides from the stall and sling them over my shoulder. The girl


    watches me and then runs off


    Poor thing. She was just as horrified as I was at the sight of the furs. Odd, a human is so upset over


    them, though. No one else bats an eyelid


    Walking back toward the edge of the forest with the pelts, I try not to imagine theirst moments,


    After burying the hides, I return to Wellmore Vige. I approach a group of middle-aged women sitting


    on wooden crates, crocheting, and ask them if they can tell me anything about the wolf pelts. They give


    each other funny looks before one of them speaks


    Vigers have been scouring through the forest and going as far as entering Moon Crest to hunt and


    kill rogues and bring back their pelts to sell at market. It has helped everyone pay the tax rise. They


    fetch more at the market than a normal wolf because they’re thrice the size. Most of the viges in


    West Wallow sell these pelts. If taxes are unpaid, it’s fiveshes by King’s orders, she exins. I thank


    the women and head to the next vige


    Arriving in Treehold at sunset, a group of localsin about the tax hike and the food shortage they


    now face. An elderlydy chats quietly with her husband outside a tavern.


    We can barely afford the regr tax! War costs money, and protection from the werewolves is


    paramount, but where does he expect us to get the money? She says, her hands sped in herp.


    My dear, it puts Treehold and us in dire straits. I might have to eptshes instead’ Her husband


    says, patting her knee


    Don’t talk nonsense, Harold, you old fool! If anyone is going to getshes, it’ll be the soldiers, by me!’


    Now, who’s talking nonsense, Margaret? They’d execute you on the spot if you tried to fight them. We’d


    be very lucky if they didn’t bum our house down for it, Harold says.


    Youre nght Well just have to think of a way toe up with the money, Margaret sighs, and I approach


    the couple


    Wood evening. I wonder if you can direct me to your local Tavern, please?


    Margaret cocks a brow and looks me up and down with a smirk of approval,


    ‘What business does a handsome man like you have in a small town like this?’ Margaret asks


    flirtatiously.


    ‘Margaret!’ Harold shouts.


    Oh, calm down, dear. I’m just having a little fun.


    Even though I’m young enough to be her grandson, I reach for her hand and ce a gentle kiss on the


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    back of her hand.


    I’m very ttered you think me handsome. It’s a shame you are married, Margaret, for I’d scoop you up


    now and run far, far away with you.


    ‘Oh, my!’ Margaret blushes.


    ‘Now listen here, young man!’ Harold scolds.


    ‘Oh, be quiet, Harold, you’re ruining the moment, and for you, sir, the Tavern is straight ahead and to


    the left,


    Thank you.’ I smile and nod, parting ways.


    Inside the tavern, I order a pint and pay for a room for the night. I take my pint and find an empty seat


    in the corner near the firece. I’m going to have mind-link Alpha Damonter. I’ve been gone longer


    than expected. I’ll let him know what I have found out, so he can start prepping the warriors for the


    iing war.


    Maia


    A few days have passed since my first visit to Wellmore. I have no food, which was to be expected. I’ll


    have to go back to Wellmore today to get some food and hopefully see Vivian and her girls again. I


    reflect on the humans I saw in the forest and therge gust of wind I summoned, which almost blew


    them over. Focusing, I try to summon the force of energy again, but nothing happens. Iin to


    Ember.


    ‘I don’t get it. I know I created that gust of wind. I felt the energy around me and in me. I felt it in my


    veins, flowing through me. I need to know what I’m capable of, I sulk. Ember inspects me on the


    ground and nudges my hand. He stares intently at the palm of my hand like there’s something there. I


    look at my palms and find myself focusing. My palms are growing warm. I remain still and concentrate


    on the warmth. Arge me suddenly appears in my hand.


    I jump up and, in a panic, wave my hands up and down through the air.


    ‘My hand! It’s on fire! What do I do, Ember?’ I’m squawking and pping about like a dazed baby bird.


    Ember rolls onto his back and feigns sweetness. He isn’t worried at all. I soon realise the me isn’t


    burning me.


    You knew I could do this, didn’t you?’ I ask him.


    Ember stands and nuzzles his face against my calve like a cat. I close my hand, and the me


    disappears.


    ‘Ember, what am I? What else can I do?’ I ask him. He eyes me before running off through some trees.


    ‘Ember! Don’t you run away from me, Mister! Get back here!’ I shout as the energy fills my palms


    again, and a big gust of wind encircles me in a wave. I’m impressed and stunned.


    ‘It’s working, I say happily to no one. I take a breath and gently blow towards a pebble.


    A small gust blows the pebble across the ground.


    Hurtip up and down in excitement


    A gente breezees and goes, and I smile. It’s time to go to Wellmore.