Egyptian Wolf

Chapter 2

Maat’s POV

I didn't realize it was already late when I got caught up in my thoughts. Sighing, I stood up, brushed off the dust on my skirt and walked to the house. Peeping through the window, I could see everyone had already seated in the dining hall, probably waiting for dad to join them, since his chair was vacant.

“Finally, you showed up, by the looks of how you were lost in your own head. I doubt you even heard me when I passed by the tree you were sitting under,” Abubakar spoke with concern visible on his face.

“Really? How long did you watch me like a psycho?” I smacked his arm playfully.

“That hurts,” Abubakar whined, rubbing his arm.

I laughed at his exaggerated reaction. “Let’s go wash our hands and join the rest of the pack in the dining hall,” I told him while laughing.

When Abubakar and I entered the dining hall, dad arrived with Elder Pamiu hot on his heels. He did not look as enthusiastic as he always does or maybe he was just being worried about what was coming. I brushed off the thought and took my seat next to him.

Every day at dinner, my mom sits on my father’s left-hand side and I sit on his right, then Abubakar and Abub follow at my side, then Naunet and Jendayi sit at our mother’s side. Then the elders and the rest of the pack members follow according to their families. My father runs the clan with elders, guiding him in every decision he wants to make as long as it is in the best interest of the pack. Rank is never a thing for our pack, but everyone, young or old, followed without issues every rule set.

We always feast as one big happy family because we are few. However, only at dinnertime, since everyone eats breakfast in the comfort of their home. We are 150 in number, but mostly the younger generation is the biggest. Mom and a few of the older ladies cook dinner for everyone and they always opt for simple meals. Like today, we are having mashed potatoes, gravy, boiled carrots, and grilled beef and chicken. I always enjoy the food more than anything, because of how delicious it tastes with herbs. We all started eating until dad cleared his throat as a sign that he had something to share with everyone. We stopped eating and stared at him expectedly. His eyes gleamed with many emotions, thinking about how to say what he had told me earlier.

He glanced at me before talking.

“Good evening everyone, I apologize for interrupting your meal and hope you enjoy the delicious food prepared for us tonight. Without wasting your time further, I have some news to convey to all of you. Since you all know why we live in this hidden world, I have to be the bearer of bad news.” People started murmuring in confusion and some in panic. “Please allow me to finish talking, then you will ask your questions after,” Dad spoke with authority in his voice and everyone kept quiet.

“As I have said before, the bad news is... the Alpha king of the Horn has discovered us and he will visit our dimension at the end of the week. I thought it would be in our best interest to have alliances with his kingdom. In return, they will protect us in the real world, where we will leave as soon as we agree on all the terms. The good news is, we will no longer hide. We will live in the real world among other werewolves.” Dad said, looking at everyone.

“How did he find us?” One pack member asked.

Dad stared at everyone and responded, “I do not know, except that I suspect he might work with some witch who tracked us, maybe using ancient spells. But I assure you, I will find out as soon as he arrives.” His eyes glinted in regret. But I ignored it, even though it bothered me.

I looked at everyone, worry clearly on their confused faces and I couldn’t blame them, because the step we are going to take is huge, and it scares me at the same time thinking about the change that will affect us tomorrow. After answering all the questions, dad told everyone to continue eating their food. Everyone finished their meals and went their separate ways, except for dad, who left the room with mom and two elders. So that means they left me with my siblings, who were glaring at me with their knowing expressions.

“You knew,” Naunet is always the quickest one to talk.

I drank my remaining juice, staring at their adorable golden tone faces. “Yes, and believe me when I tell you I was as shocked as the rest of you when dad told me earlier. It had never crossed my mind that someday someone out there would find us, but eventually, they did.” I looked at them, still worried.

She nodded, even though she had doubt on her face. “I know you have questions and probably doubts. If what dad is doing by exposing us all to the outside world is the right thing to do, it’s up to him and the elders to decide with the reasons, of course. But can we at least talk about it tomorrow morning? I am tired.” I told them with finality, and they nodded in agreement.

I stood up from the chair. “Come Dayi, let’s go to sleep while mom and dad are busy. I will snuggle you in bed.”

She stood up from the chair and mumbled “good night” to everyone with a yawn.

I took her hand and led her to the bedroom. “Go brush your teeth and wear a nightdress. I will wait for you.” I told her while sitting on her bed.

After a few minutes, she came back, showing me her glossy teeth. “You see how clean they are?” She gave me her megawatt smile.

“You are blinding me with your super white teeth.” I playfully shielded my eyes with my hands and she giggled, jumping into the bed and I covered her with a blanket. “Do you want me to tell you a story, or do you want me to sing a song for you?” I looked at her, smiling with glee.

“Nah, the last time you told me that story of the dummies, I had nightmares for a month.” She brushed her upper arms, exaggerating her fright.

“Fine. I guess I will have to sing for you then.” I started singing a song that mom likes to sing when she is alone or busy. I sang with a low melodic voice...

“jalabat alalihat almisriat aldhiyib alsihria."

(The Egyptian gods brought the magical wolf.)

“'iirtifae al'ard yubarikuna bieazamatin."

(Soaring the earth blessing us with greatness.)

“yubeiduna ean al'adhaa , wayuhafiz ealaa salamitana."

(Tucking us away from harm, keeping us safe.)

“alta'akud min 'anana nazalu mukhtabiiyna."

(Making sure we remain hidden.)

“yuetina alhayat walquat lilbaqa' ealaa qayd alhayat nihayat jinsina."

(Gave us life and strength to survive the end of our species.)

“aldhiyb almisriu aleazim aladhi barakath alualihat almisriatu."

(The mighty Egyptian wolf, blessed by the Egyptian gods.)

By the end of the song, she was fast asleep, and I brushed her curly hair away from her forehead and kissed her. “Sweet dreams, alsaghir (little one).” I strolled out of her room and closed the door softly, then stepped away to my room. I went to the bathroom, took a quick bath and dressed in my long nightdress. I climbed onto the bed and got inside my blanket. As soon as my head hit the pillow, I fell into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.

This morning, I did not go to the river for meditation. Mom woke me, yelling for us to wake up. I stretched myself and hopped out of bed. Immediately, a wave of worry hit my heart, and I didn’t know where it was coming from or what caused it. I hurried to the bathroom, did my daily routine, and left.

“Good morning and how come you always wake up energized? I wish mom didn’t have to scream though.” Abub spoke with a yawn.

I looked at him, thinking, “Did you dream about a certain young woman?” I asked him, wiggling my eyebrows suggestively.

We walked to the kitchen and found mom busy preparing breakfast for us.

“Mom, Maat invaded my dream,” Abub whined like a small pup.

I looked at mom with a smile. “Good morning mom. And no, it was a lucky guess given to how he said, I wish mom didn't have to scream though.” Impersonating his mild, firm voice.

Mom just shook her head, laughing.

I looked around, seeing some of the pack ladies cleaning and dusting the house around. “Why is everyone so busy this morning?” I scrunched my nose. -One of my habits, by the way- but when mom was about to answer me, dad came into the kitchen excited.

“Good morning, my beautiful pups.” He smooched mom on her cheek, then took his seat.

Abubakar and Naunet walked in and grabbed their chairs as well. We all ate our breakfast in peaceful quietness, though I can sense tension oozing from everyone.

“Dad, are you aware that this Alpha King chose the day we will all shift into our wolves for the pack run? How coincident is that? It’s like he knew and wanted to see us in our wolf forms.” Abubakar stared at him with a creased forehead.

“I thought about it but decided not to press on the issue,” Dad replied.

But seeing the discomfort on his face, I helped him by changing the topic. “So, Dayi, who will you be riding on that evening?” I asked, smiling at her.

“I think I will have to ride Naunet's wolf since I haven’t ridden her. Besides, it would be fun feeling her golden-brown fur with my hands. She never allowed me to touch it." She looked at Naunet with her long black eyelashes and prominent puppy eyes. “You wouldn't want to embarrass mom and dad in front of the visitors, don't you?” She asked with a grin.

“You are one sneaky little.”

Mom cut her off with a growl. “I dare you to finish that sentence.” She scowled at her.

Naunet kept quiet, but looked at Dayi with an angry frown.

“Okay, let’s go to the field for your morning exercise and demonstration,” Dad stood up and we all stood up and followed him outside.

As soon as we got to the field, I looked at my siblings with a beam. “Who wants to spar with me?” They looked at each other.

Abubakar stood in front of me with a grin. “You should not have bothered to ask. You know I am the only one who welcomes your challenges,” He stared at me with a smug.

“Before you start your show off, I would like you to try doing attack and defend moves to teach those who are ready to learn and fight,” Dad told us, gesturing for others to come and watch.

I nodded at him and took my fighting stance in front of Abubakar. We circled each other, trying to check each other's weaknesses to take advantage of them.

“This is going to be fun,” Jendayi jumped in excitement.

I cleared my throat, watching everyone sitting around. “You need to know and understand the only self-defence tool you have all the time is your own body. Sometimes you may find yourself defenceless, but today we will show you how to turn your own body into a weapon. Most circumstances call for a quick response, in knocking out your attacker as fast as possible.” I said it out loud to everyone, who nodded their heads in response. “But remember, we will not spill any blood or kill each other,” Abubakar added with a shy laugh and the group chuckled.

We went into the centre and began circling each other. His weakness is always his right leg, but I waited for him to come at me first. I kept my eyes on him the whole time.

With his speed, he raced towards me and swung his fist, aiming for my left cheek. I ducked and kicked him in his right leg and punched him in his abdomen. He crouched low, and I took an opportunity by kneeing him in the face. He groaned in pain.

I jumped at him, then grabbed his head with both of my hands, using my knee, hitting him straight in the face again, and pushed him back.

He growled and lunged at me, punching me in my face and spinning, kicking my abdomen. I gasped and grunted.

We went on for about 30 minutes, showing them fighting moves that might help them someday.

After finishing, we put everyone in pairs for them to try what we were showing them. Jendayi also joined with pups her age. I watched them with a broad, proud smile. Just as we were about to finish. In the distance, the arghul rang louder, alerting us that someone had entered our realm.