Sound of Silence

SOUND OF SILENCE – Chapter 3

Kinsley

I was done with my solo training, so I went to the nearby stream. There is a spot deeper than the rest where I take a dip once in a while in my human form. The cool waters soothe my aching muscles.

Unlike my other pack members, I feel the pain more and I heal slower. Yet, I don't really mind these things. I have enough to worry with my inability to communicate with my so-called family.

Though Asher, my wolf, can be hard-headed and strong willed, he always apologized about the shortcomings we both share. He says it's because of him. He told me once that he didn't feel like himself, like something was definitely missing. And he wasn't talking about our ability to tap into the pack link.

It bothered me for a while, but after wracking my brains out, I couldn't find an answer. Maybe my wolf just tried to make reason for our disadvantage and evidently putting the blame on himself.

I made him stop thinking about what's missing in us. For all i know, I was right when I said that once we find our mate, then maybe we'll both feel complete. I look forward to that time but also dread it at times.

I was done taking a refreshing soak when I sensed four wolves closing in to where I was. I shifted immediately when my nose picked up the scents of the bullies that blocked my way earlier.

Since I was still tired, I couldn't run fast enough even when Asher fully took over.

'This way, even if they caught up to us, you won't feel all the pain.' Asher told me and I growled, knowing his stubbornness. I can control my wolf fully but I respect him as much as he does to me.

He nags a lot though when at school, I couldn't let him out when I am getting picked on. Because if I do and some human noticed the change of colors in my eyes, the alpha wouldn't like it. The omegas got scolded once when I suddenly let Asher take over when I was in middle school to defend myself from my bullies.

I like the people who look after me. And I don't want them to be reprimanded for something I did.

Asher's light brown paws dug lightly as he leaped and ran away from the four scents we were trying to avoid. Four became two and it was too late for us to realize we were running into a trap.

My left leg fell into a hole and suddenly there was a searing pain coming from the back of it. A blade had cut through my flesh and i groaned loudly from the injury.

Asher whimpered and tried to grab on to the ground around him to get his leg off the ditch. I'm sure there was some other kind of metal and sharp object embedded in on the ground surrounding the small hole where his foot landed.

'Damn, it hurts.' My wolf growled and whimpered again.

The four scents joined in and I smelled them getting very close to me.

"Well, well, well. It's not a deer that we trapped!" The tallest one said. Seriously, if he's gonna be beta, I'll just run away. The pack has no future with this jerk around.

"It's little miss deafie." The second added.

I can't communicate with them even if I want so badly to tell them how cowardly it to set up a trap even if it's intended for a deer. Wolves hunt.

The shortest one leaned down to me and flicked my nose so hard. I snarled at him and bared my fangs.

"Watcha gonna say, Kristina?" He cupped his ear and turned it to me. "What is it? I can't hear! Hahahaha!!!"

And they all laughed like a bunch of lunatics. I swallowed my anger as my wolf struggled to free his foot. The four spineless jerks walked away after throwing rocks at me.

When my wolf finally got us out, I laid on the ground, whining and whimpering while examining the damage on the left leg. A flesh was torn and hanging on the back. The bone is exposed, I will need a doctor and a full night of rest for it to heal.

"Asher!"

My vision was already getting blurry when I heard and saw the figure that came to me. It's Chester, the young future alpha of the White Moon. He's a nice kid, small but nobody picks on him. The alpha made sure of that.

"Goddess! How did you get that?!"

He may have seen my wound but I was too tired to respond. My wolf was trying to heal us by shutting off our senses and rest.

"Not here. I'll take you back."

I sensed some rustling and before long, I was riding on top of a big wolf. It must be Chester's best friend and future beta.

***

I woke up to a smell of herbal plants and clam chowder. My nose picked up somebody else's scent on where I was laying. I wasn't in my room.

"How are you feeling?" The familiar voice asked me and when I opened my eyes completely, Chester was sitting on the edge of the bed next to me. "I didn't tell anyone what happened to you yet. I put some clothes on you and I had your wounds cleaned up and dressed myself. Tell me, Asher, you do know who set the trap, right?"

At one occasion, Chester found me getting a beating from those four in school. I begged him not to tell anyone. It would only cause more trouble. And i knew from the way he asked me about the culprit of the trap, I think he knows.

"Don't tell Kelvin or anyone." I asked of him.

He sighed heavily and stood up to get a tray from the dresser across the bed. "Then at least eat."

I nodded and dug in. I was starving. I checked on my wolf and he seemed still and concentrated on healing my leg. I must have shifted in my sleep. I do that unconsciously when I feel the need to share the burden with my wolf. He told me once.

After I finished eating, Chester took the dishes away and furrowed his brows on me again. "One day when I find a land for my pack, would you consider coming with us? I could use a fast and stubborn wolf like yours."

I chuckled and almost choked after drinking my water. "Are you recruiting? You're only fourteen!"

He looked at me seriously. "How can you let your own pack members bully you? You should stand up for yourself."

I sighed dejectedly. Kelvin told me how this junior tends to be a nag. He has the heart of a true alpha even when he's small. Honestly, I admire his courage, his strong heart, and his tenacity to survive for his remaining pack members. Which are mostly children, elderly, and some, women.

How hard must it have been to lose your parents and older brother in one night...

"Sometimes, it's best to walk away from a fight, Chester."

He looked at me gritting his teeth. "I am an alpha. I don't walk out on a fight. If one day, you become a mate to an alpha, male or female, then what? Will you be proud of yourself for running away like you do now?"

I gave him a lopsided smile. "I plan to be a working member of the pack. Not some mate to an alpha. I will live my life the way I want it. In peace. Like it's always gonna be." There was hidden meaning to it and Chester is smart enough to catch on. Not being able to use the link makes me hear nothing but static noise when I try so hard to tap into it.

"Just be careful next time. Fight back when you have the chance."

We shared a small smile before he began nagging again about my leg. I told him I appreciate all the help but I really should be going back to my quarters. Chester was still rambling about when someone opened the door to his room violently.

"Skylar!" Chester was startled.

If I wasn't accustomed to the alpha's son's cold demeanor to me, I swore I saw concern in his face. But then again, I saw the flicker of his yellow eyes. It was his wolf who barged in.

He seemed angry as his eyes turned back to black, asking me about my leg. I timidly answered, nervous because even though he's a jerk, he's the son to our alpha. He has power over me or to anyone in the pack aside from his father, his brother and the beta.

"Well next time, don't be a burden more than you already are."

Skylar left, slamming the door behind him. I don't know why I felt a piercing pain in my chest when he said those words. Not even the bullies' worst name callings hurt me this much.

"Kinsley..." Chester's soft voice called to me as I tried to stand up. He handed me a crutch to use.

"Thanks, Ches. You've helped me a lot." I smiled and he smiled back.

"You're welcome. And don't think too much into it. It's good to practice my healing skills on you." He then winked at me. "I didn't have to pay you."

That made me chuckle. I knew he was good at tending to the wounded but his elders advised him to focus on his alpha training. He sneakily practices his so-called medical gift.

Well, I was off to my room in the omegas' quarters. Tomorrow is another quiet day for me. And I have a long night to let my wolf heal me completely.