Luna's Howl (boyxboy)

Chapter 8: Friends or Foe

Jason POV

Another pain filled howl pierced the night for the fifth time. My ear twitched at the sound. I came to consciousness but refused to open my eyes. The cold air blew gently into the room I laid, soothing my aching muscles. I lay beneath the fur covered bed unmoving partially due to the pain racking through my entire body.

With no idea of my location or the duration of time since I fell exhausted in the forest, the only thing I could remember was my body been lifted into the air and the soft hum of power that lingered in the air -- which was similar to that of my mum after using her powers -- and snap of twigs. I guess I was saved from the killer wolves by another pack's witch.

My ear twitched again as I heard echoes of footsteps approaching the room I lay. A shiver ran down my spine as my brain screamed to me to wake up and escape while there's time. I would have done that but my body failed to respond. The only living part of my body seem to be my head, the other parts lay unresponsive.

"In here." A voice called out at the other side of the door.

I shivered again, praying silently for an outburst of energy so as to escape. A sob stuck in my throat as the door swung open.

"There he is." The same voice said. My body tensed as I heard footsteps stop beside my bed.

"No changes?" Another voice asked. There was something different about the voice. Authority. A wave of power rolled over me as the owner spoke. An Alpha. I thought.

"No, he has been like this ever since the guards found him by the creek." The other voice confirmed. "I'm beginning to worry, Alpha. He's been asleep for close to a month showing no sign of recovery."

"You're the pack healer, Wayne." The Alpha replied. "If you begin to doubt his recovery after all your treatments, what do you expect me to do?"

Silence filled the room. I felt their eyes on me. A month? I wanted to scream out. I couldn't believe it. What happened?

Another painful howl filled the serene night. It was much heartbreaking than the previous. The howling wolf is really in pain. I thought. Or probably he or she is under torture.

The Alpha let out a sigh. "It should be over by now." He said with a tired and sad voice. The bed bucked under his weight as he sat close to my feet.

"Yes." The other voice replied with sympathy. "It's almost dawn. The moon's effect is already wearing off."

"I can't watch him like this anymore. I can’t bear watching my pup suffer. It is becoming unbearable."

"Time will heal him, Alpha."

"When!? When will he stop? It's been five years, Wayne."

"I know, but you can't blame him for losing his mother and siblings in that manner. His mind can't comprehend the fact that he caused it." Wayne replied.

"I lost my mate too and my other pups. I never blamed him for it. I love him, Wayne. I can't hate him. He is my son." The Alpha's voice boomed. It radiated throughout the room with so much power.

The surge of power sent another shiver through my body. My body heat up as it sucked in the lingering power. My face flushed with warmth, spreading down my neck to my chest down my waist to my toes.

"He is the next in line. I need him sane so he can continue the bloodline and take up the role of Alpha." He continued releasing more power. "I refuse to be the last of my bloodline."

"Calm down Alpha." Wayne said nervously. I sensed he could feel the waves of Alpha power rolling off his Alpha. "You have your brother to hand over to if things does not go as you want."

"I will be damned if you think I would give the Alpha position to Jamie." He shouted angrily.

I shuddered as a blast of power hit me. Who can have such power as this? I thought. His power almost rivalled that of my new-found father, my Alpha back home.

"Then you wait." Wayne replied.

"He has to snap out of it. It is taking too long…" He said before someone busted into the room.

"Alpha, he has escaped." The person blurted out in panic.

"What!?" The Alpha and Wayne cried out together.

"He was struggling and the chains snapped. He ran into the pack house." The person replied.

"Shit."The Alpha cussed before stumbling out with the others.

My body tensed as someone screamed followed by loud growls and snarls. The room shook as the commotion continued outside. My body twitched with every bang. I willed my eyes to open but they remained closed. I tried several times but to no avail. Then, without any effort they snapped open as the seventh pain filled howl echoed through the night sending vibrations throughout my body even deep into my core. I drew in air as I took in where I laid.

The room was simple with just a bed and a dresser with a chair at a far corner. The moonlight filled the room as it shone through a small window. I glanced at the full moon, air drifted softly into the room. The moonlight bend towards me bathing me in glorious warmth just like it did back in the forest. I felt safe and contented as life flood my body filling me with energy. Soon I was rejuvenated, breathing with much ease without aches and pains.

I felt hollow despite the return of my strength; the feeling of emptiness. I sat upright with unease. I jumped out of bed into a corner as the door flung open revealing a tall slim man. I shifted into a fighting stance. Looking at his shocked face, disbelief was written all over it as he gaped at me. I growled.

He recovered quickly, straightening his messy brown hair. "I am not here to hurt you." he said softly. He kept his eyes on me.

I stood there unmoving with a doubtful look. He shouldn't blame me if I attack. Been on the run for months from killer wolves and unfriendly packs has gotten me on the edge and ever alert.

"I am Wayne." He introduced himself, taking a step cautiously towards me only to be stopped by my deep growl. "Calm down, pup."

I glanced at the door behind him as it slammed open revealing another man. A much taller man, huge with bulging muscles. His weary brown eyes rested on me. I knew instantly he was the Alpha with the aura he carried just like my father.

"You are awake?" He blurted out glancing at a nervous Wayne.

I started blankly at him holding my ground. I won't go down easily. I thought.

"Calm down pup. We won't hurt you." He said. "We are here to help."

I stepped backward growling as I watch the Alpha take few steps forward. I stared at him blankly. He kept my gaze and growled as I refused to back down. His eyes flashed, gritting his teeth, his wolf surfacing at my challenge. I knew better so I turned my gaze to Wayne who looked frightened at the eye battle I had with the Alpha. A really dangerous thing to do but I really didn't care.

"Friend or Foe?" I blurted out. I watched them as they relax but the Alpha's eyes still flashed. "Which are you?" I asked again.

"We are friends obviously." Wayne answered innocently, his eyes lit up. "I am Wayne." He said again. "And this is my Alpha." He turned to the Alpha whose eyes were still fixed at me and obviously angry at my disrespect. Wayne rested a hand on his shoulders and that seem to do the trick. I saw him relax and his eyes returned to its brown colour.

"Alpha James." He said with a hint of power.

I flinched at the wave of power he emitted. "Care to tell me where I am?" I said coldly.

"You ventured into my pack territory. You are in the Silver Creek pack." He answered with equal coldness.

I tried as much as possible not to stare at him too long. I shifted my gaze to Wayne who seemed to cower behind the Alpha with his head down, the Alpha power forced him into submission. Then, it hit me. Submission. I didn't submit to the Alpha when he came in. I was never really a submissive, not even to my Alpha but now I know why. All because I am also an Alpha.

"I am Jason Evans of Lockwood pack." I blurted out. "I acknowledge you as an Alpha but forgive me I can't be submissive to you.....yet."

He relaxed at my words. Every province knows of the Lockwood pack so he would understand why I said that. Besides, I am a wolf on the run for months and he shouldn't expect me to be in my nice and happy mood.

"Very well." He muttered. "You can relax. You are in safe hands. Alpha Derrick is a friend."

I relaxed a bit as he mentioned my Alpha's name. "Am I in the south?" I asked cautiously.

"Yes." He replied. "The very heart of the Southern Province."

I relaxed in my stance but remained at the spot. My father asked me not to stop but go south. Guess I made it after all. I breathed deeply soothing my nerves with the cool air.

The sky had brightened a bit but the moonlight still glowed softly. I eased the tension, welcoming the calm sensation that flooded my whole body with a sense of safety. Then I felt tired all of a sudden as the moonlight faded. I staggered in mys tep as my knee grew weaker. Wayne rushed and held me in place as my knee gave out. He carried me like I weighed nothing to the bed.

"Thank you." I whispered as the fatigue intensified.

"Relax yourself, Jason. Your body needs to heal." He brushed my almost white hair. "I will be here when you wake up."

I nodded, drifting back to sleep with the thought of the past months. I had finally found rest. No more running and sleeping out in the open forest. We are safe. I thought to Era but got nothing in response which felt strange. I fell asleep before I could think further on it.

It felt like years when my eyes slowly opened to see brown eyes staring back at me. Wayne smiled. His white teeth shone in the mid-day sun. How I knew it was midday baffled me but I ignored it.

"Hi. You're awake at last." He grinned. "…thought you died in your sleep." I raised a brow in confusion, staring blankly at him. He sensed my confusion and laughed softly. "You've been sleeping for days now." He said.

"Days?" I asked.

"Four days to be precise." He stood up and moved closer to sit beside me. "You needed it Jason." He said. "You were totally exhausted when we found you. I would be lying if I said I wasn't surprised you are alive."

"Four days?" I repeated.

"No need to worry, you're safe here." Wayne soothed me, brushing my now overgrown hair out of my eyes. "No one will hurt you here." I nodded staring deeply into his brown eyes filled with care. I felt a sting as I cleared my dry throat.

"Water?"He asked. He quickly poured a glass and pulled me upright as he fed me some.

I sighed in relief after few gulps. I felt content. I closed my eyes breathing deeply the warm air.

"How long have I been here?" I asked. Wayne hesitated. I opened my eyes to meet his. "How long?"

"A month and few days now." He said.

"What?" I asked "Over a month? That long?" I gasped. I have almost spent half a year of my life running and hiding. Literally, it has been over four months since I left home. This is really not happening.

"You needed the rest, Jason." He said. "You can't deny your body what it needs."

I fought back a sob. I never wanted this. My life was full of joy and happiness not until I was thrown out and into this life of unrest. Why me? I never expected this to happen to me. I never imagined my life as this.

My head snapped to the door as the Alpha stepped in. He looked better than the last time we met, which was quite brief. His sleeveless shirt showed off his bulging biceps and he could have passed easily as a college boy but his beards betrayed him. His aura filled the room causing Wayne to tremble a bit. I flinched as waves of his Alpha power hit me.

"See you are awake." He said.

"Yes. Thank you for the hospitality." I answered politely. "Sorry about the first impression, it was wrong of me" I mumbled.

He laughed softly."I understand. You really are from the Lockwood pack. I would have been a bit disappointed if you didn't behave in such manner."

I smiled weakly peering at Wayne who never let go of my hand. He smiled before shifting to the Alpha. "He's feeling much better even more than I expected." He said to him.

"That's good to hear." He said. "You weren't in good shape when we found you. You were almost gone." I shivered. Wayne tightened his hold as he felt it. "Wayne never gave up on you. He had lots of sleepless night trying to nurse you back to health." Alpha James continued. "Pup, I must say, you are tough.”

I laughed out loud. Only if you saw me several months ago. How much the fight for survival can shape one especially when ones pursuers are the killer wolves.

"Sorry about that…” I saw the confusion on both faces. “…if you knew me several months ago, I was one of the weakest wolves in my pack."

Wayne turned to the Alpha; they both stared at each other for a while. I knew they were conversing through mind link though they looked confused still.

"What?" I asked.

"What would killer wolves want from a weak wolf then?" Alpha James stared at me with a raised brow.

I looked at him then to Wayne then back to him again. I wasn't sure of them yet so I thought quickly on what to say rather than opening up completely.

"Just say a naive wolf was in a wrong place at the wrong time." I shrugged.

"What do you mean?" Wayne asked. He sensed my hesitation. "It is okay if you don't want to talk."

I nodded. "They wanted me to do some things but I disagreed which landed my best friend and I in a lot of mess." I said trying as much as not to reveal much. It is better they don't know. "My friend got hurt and I was rescued by my pack later but that didn't stop them from coming after me. So, I did what I do best. I ran away from my pack."

"You ran? Alone?" The Alpha asked. I nodded. "Do you have any idea how many leagues the Northern Province is from here?" He glared in disbelief. "You ran alone with killer wolves on your trail and you telling me you are not important?" He huffed.

Wayne shifted in discomfort as power radiated throughout the room. "It's too early to ask him this." Wayne intervened. "Let him rest." He said meekly.

"Killer wolves don't go after unimportant wolves not to mention a young one?" He boomed.

"For reasons, we don't know which might be good if we don't. Just let him be. He will talk once he wants to." Wayne countered.

"I don't mean to be pushy but I want to know why killer wolves are after him?" Alpha James paced.

"I don't mean to cause you any harm. I will leave as soon as am much better." I said quickly trying to ease the growing tension.

"Where would you go?" Alpha James asked. "Back to the forest and into the hands of the killer wolves? I don't think you can survive without your......"

"Stop!" Wayne shouted.

The Alpha paused. "Or back to your des-"

"Don't!" He glared at the Alpha.

I was surprised at how he commanded the Alpha who seems to agree and stop in his speech. Only an Alpha mate can do such but Wayne is just a pack healer. I glanced at the Alpha, his face softened as he stared at Wayne. His look held a sense of respect and care. Maybe they were more connected than I thought after all.

"You can help me get back to my pack." I said with hope.

The Alpha stared at me for a second then turned away but I caught something in his eyes.

Pity.

I knew the look very well. He pitied me. Why? Wayne's hold softened as he refused to meet my gaze. Something was wrong and they aren't telling me.

Era. I thought to my wolf but heard nothing. I felt an emptiness greet me, like Era was not with me. I frowned. Era....you’re okay? I’m sorry I should have called on you when I woke. I said but I got no response. I couldn't feel our bond.

I flinched as Wayne shook me. "What wrong?"

I looked at him speechless. My eyes tear up. My lips quivered as I held down a sob. Era is gone. How?

"Jason?" Alpha James called out. I stared at him. He held my gaze for a while then sighed. He shared a quick look with Wayne before sitting beside me.

"Era?” I whispered. “My wolf, She is not replying."

“She?” I nodded at Wayne’s question. I expected the shock on his and Alpha James’s face. Who would believe a she-wolf in a male gender.

He recovered quickly. "I am sorry." He held my other hand. "You were too exhausted."

"What?" I asked hoping he wouldn't say what I had in mind.

He glanced at Wayne who refused to lift his head. "Your wolf helped you survive long till we found you. He kept you alive but it took a toll on him." Wayne said painfully. Either he refused to accept my claim that my wolf was a female or he'd forgotten what I said.

"Tell me." I screamed, tears fall freely from my eyes as Wayne sniffled. I knew he was crying.

"Jason..." He crooked looking at me with teary eyes. "I tried all I could but I wasn't fast enough."

"He is gone, Jason and so is your pack back home." Alpha James blurted out."The Lockwood pack was destroyed months ago."

I stiffened as his word hit me. I blanked out vaguely feeling Wayne's arms hug me tightly. I knew something was wrong when I felt hollow and empty.

Then I flashback to when I was in the forest. The exhaustion, as well as Era's cry for me to continue, then the loud snap. I thought it was a twig but I was wrong. It was our bond breaking under the weight of exhaustion and strain. I had snapped our lifeline and caused her death, Era's death.

I sobbed silently in Wayne's arm as I remembered everyone back home. They are all dead now all because of Evans Meloie and his killer wolves. Above all, because of me, the True Luna.