Scarlet's Daughter

Chapter 1: The Elders

     After yet another failed experiment I find myself being called to my alpha's office. A child I suppose must have looked through the basement window, I had yet to cover up. I discovered an old cave nearby that was once occupied by a shaman, they seemed more focused on healing and the properties of the vegetation around them. Thought it was something I would take up, although I found more than just herbal properties in the cave I left all that there. I thought to myself as I was preparing to leave my home that I probably should pack my stuff before leaving. I kept getting the feeling that not only was I in danger but I was being watched...very closely. 

     I finished packing all of my belongings, which isn't much. I lost everything to a fire back when I was 18 years old living with my mom and dad. Everything was burned up in the fire, including my parents. My neighbors although there was a good distance between our houses were Joseph, Lillian, and Orwin Blood Moon. They were the leaders and future leader of the pack. Joseph saved me from the fire, and the death of my parents forced my healing abilities to come late. I honestly thought they wouldn't come at all. Orwin and his family took me in, making me feel at home. Orwin and I became close friends since then, well until I started dabbling in herbology. I still don't understand why, it's natural resources that everyone has access to and should be learning about instead of relying on me all the time. 

    As I made my way up the stairs of the pack house I nodded at a few elders who only growled, glared, and gave me evil smirks. Good thing I packed my bag I guess. Holding my head up high, giving no sign that they intimidate me I continue to ascend the stairs to the alpha's office. I didn't even get to knock on the door before they opened revealing a pair of bright blue eyes, Orwin glared at me before aggressively grabbing my arm and pulling me into his office, slamming the doors behind him. Once he made sure the door was locked he let me go and started pacing his office. "Damn it Scarlet, I gave you TWO not ONE, but TWO warnings!!! That's more than what MOST get. This is your THIRD offence, I cannot let this slide any longer. The pack started talking, saying I've gone soft because you're a close family friend. I cannot have my pack thinking I've gone soft!!" Orwin runs his fingers through his jet black hair that is currently being held back and in place by gel, only his natural hair is visible in the back. I always admired them, tight little curls. My hair is a dull brown that's long and slightly wavy. "I don't understand what the big deal is." I pleaded, "all I'm doing is using the plants around us as medicine. I've been only practicing on myself. I don't understand why this cannot be accepted!! I'm doing no harm." "The matter of the fact is that most of the pack is made up of elders, Scarlet. You should know how they react to change. You've been dealing with them for a lot longer than anyone! If we had more fresh blood among our pack it would be different, but our pack... my pack isn't ready for change. What you are doing, even though it doesn't go against my rules and I honestly think what you're doing is great. The elders don't like it nor appreciate what you are doing, and it goes against their way of doing things." Orwin looks down at the ground, he looks defeated. "I'm guessing you've actually talked to them about it..." I sit down on the closest chair. "Yeah I did, I exhausted every route I could to get them to accept the new practice of yours." Orwin stops pacing and leans up against his desk before putting his face in his hands. "But you're the alpha, what you say goes! Can you just accept my practice and tell the others to mind their own business?!?!" I yell at him, although I shouldn't have.. but he's not trying. He's the ALPHA the HEAD DOG. EVERYONE has to listen to him. If nobody listens then what's the purpose of having an alpha? "I wish it worked that way, Scarlet. I really did, but since I don't have a mate I only have so much power over them..." Orwin lifts his head up, just enough that I can see tears running down his face. "If I don't find my mate before the haze, I'll lose the pack." I gasp and cover my mouth. "They cannot do that to you! Most of those guys didn't find their mates till they were 40. Granted we are only 35 but still!!" I walk over and rub Orwin's back, while he cries on my shoulder. 

    I pushed away from him after I was sure he was done crying. "So what's the plan?" I ask, Orwin gives a dry chuckle in response. "I don't have a plan. I guess I'm just gonna run through the forest till I find her... as for you... you left me with no option but to banish you. I need to warn you first-" Orwin was cut off due to a loud aggressive knock at the door. Orwin goes to the door and opens a hidden peephole and runs past me to his bookshelf behind his desk. He carefully looks for a certain book and pulls it, making the bookcase swing back exposing a well lit hidden tunnel. I look confused when Orwin has a look of fear on his face. "What is it?" I asked his face pales and began to talk quickly. "They want you. Some child had spread allegations about you. Horrid ones. The elders want to treat you the way they treated witches back in the day." Grabbing my throat "You don't mean hanging... or burning... do you?..do you really think they'd do that to me?? I've done no harm to them... Who was the one to spread allegations?" I ask my voice wavering with every word on the verge of tears. He gets a far away look in his eyes and I know he's mind-linked to some and he whispers "Olivia". She came to me while I was searching in the forest for a certain flower. It was to have the remedies to take away headaches like Advil. She had asked me about making a love potion for her. I simply had told her I only practice healing magic nothing dealing with love and that I didn't believe such potion has ever existed and that when she finds her mate she'll know it. Of course like any hormonal 16 year old, I got told "What do YOU know about finding a mate you're old. You'll never find him or her, if you're into that sorta thing." After she stormed off I hadn't seen or talked to her since. "Take this tunnel. follow it straight till the very end. It'll stop just beyond your house, make haste. You need to run and never look back. They will find you if you do." Orwin hugs me good-bye and shouts after me "I, Orwin Moon, banish you, Scarlet Nightingale from the Blood Moon pack..." I feel tears falling down my face, I've lost my only friend because of my practice... This must not stop me. I must keep running and I mustn't be spotted. At the end of the tunnel there was a ladder leading up to a hatch, but on a wall was a cloak a reversible scarlet red cloak. I couldn't help but giggle at this, cause right next to it was a gringham basket. I rolled my eyes, "I'm gonna miss you Orwin." I slipped on the cloak making the scarlet red on the inside and deep brown on the outside... I grabbed the basket and climbed the ladder and slowly lifted the hatch up checking my surroundings as I got out. As soon as I saw the coast was clear I made a mad dash to my house picked up my small bag that had only a few items I hold dear and placed them in my new basket. I was about to turn and leave when I hear footsteps behind me. I silently moved to my secret hiding spot only Orwin would know. Under the stairs. A few moments later a mob of footsteps invaded my home. I heard a lot of things being broken and people going upstairs and downstairs. It's only a matter of time till someone finds me. Earlier today I was trying to mask my scent but it failed. So my hopes were not high. Although, I've been hiding now for a good 10 mins and I've heard a lot of feet leave through the front and back door. Just in case I sat for another 10 and sure enough the staircase door swings wide open.