Ficorpio
Chapter one
Chapter one
SHADOW PULL
Thump! Thump! the sound of the drums echoed through the forest, wolves howled in response, branches on treetops swayed from side to side. The moon Goddess smiled upon her children, sounds of paws pounding against the forest grounds from all sides reached the ears of Marcus, a smile formed its way to his lips. It was the full moon a much-awaited one.
For centuries all packs gather together at such a time as this to determine which pack reigned supreme over the rest, the wolves feed off the light the moon provided it was like their personal drug, a source of the life force flowing within them. Loyalties were formed and alliances made, as everyone put aside their grievances to work together for the common good of their species.
Wolves soon began trooping in, walking majestically knowing fully well they were untouchable in their beastly forms as they gathered around the large flame of fire, the drums stopped indicating that all were present. They waited for the command of Marcus, the elder supreme.
He and the rest of the six elders, all dressed in white robes with a mark of a half-moon on their foreheads indicating just who they were and how much power they held. The six elders stood in pairs of three in their human forms on a gigantic platform few steps lower on each side to where Marcus stood tall and proud on the Moon Rock, where the light of the moon was most felt. Marcus stretched forth his hands, all wolves present howled in response, it was the ultimate call no werewolf could resist.
“On a day when the Moon Goddess looks down on us with so much warmth, we gather to pay our respects, show our gratitude, and most importantly, establish ranks. This night is not for the faint of heart, neither is it for the sluggish, it is for those who live by their sweat and blood! Those who would stand for what they believe in, only he who is worthy would emerge victoriously!!
Sounds of bone-cracking filled the air, werewolves gone in their place stood men and women, naked as the day they were born. Marcus had ultimate control and on full moons like this he could command the entire community without saying a word, they all fed off his emotions.
“There is one ultimate rule” He continued with a powerful voice, “To the last wolf standing do all bow!!”
“To the last wolf standing we all bow! To the last wolf standing, we all bow!! Chants filled the air as the drums beat in unison, the winds raved, even the trees affirming that this was the ultimate rule that could not be broken as they swayed from side to side. Omegas cowered in fear as voices thundered through the night, in instances like this one could differentiate a higher ranking pack member from the rest, as they stood strong and proud no wavering, no fear.
seven packs made up the entire werewolf community, and ranks were given according to their strength which was determined by the outcome of the shadow pull, a fight in which the strongest wolf from each pack usually the alpha came forward to defend the integrity of the pack. The strength of the alpha proves just how capable the members of the pack are.
Each alpha stepped forward, onto the arena half the size of a football field surrounded by bars of gold and bronze. Once inside there was no going back, it was a fight to the last. Cheers echoed through the crowd as the much-anticipated fight was about to begin.
Alpha Vernot!!! of the Raindown pack come forth, Marcus bellowed, Alpha Vernot! alpha Vernot!, the screams and cheers from his pack filled the air. They were the seventh in rank but still crucial as they were valued for their ability to gather information even about the smallest things.
Alpha Steven of rockslide pack…Alpha Belhod of frankincense pack, Alpha Ruldoph of Warbreak pack, Alpha Vernof of tornado pack, Alpha Boarhod of the Shark-kill park.
These alphas marched forward the chants of their park prominent egging them on as they hoped to come out on top this full moon, but one thing was on the mind of every alpha present, how to defeat the one man that has held the ultimate rank for over a 100 years, just as his ancestors had.
one pack continuously reigned over the rest their very name brings fear into the minds of other packs, they stood undefeated and has carried on this trait thanks to one man with a strength no one has seen before Alpha Kalista. Silence suddenly descended on the gathering as weaker wolves cowered back and all heads bowed in submission even the glint the eyes of Marcus confirmed who was soon to appear.
“And now, show your submission to the alpha of all alphas, Alpha Kalista of the Blood Born pack!!!! the crowd roared in response, as every pack chanted the name of the ultimate alpha.
Chapter two
Chapter two
SHADOW PULL 2
A large man walked into the arena and the gates closed behind him, he towered above all other alphas not even bothering to spear them a second glance. He nodded to Marcus to get started, he was not a man of much patience either he wanted to get this done and over with.
30 minutes had passed and there stood two alphas. Alpha Kalista scrutinized his opponent, claw marks and bites that caused for loss of chunks of his flesh covered his body, but not as much as would be expected for an alpha who just climbed ranks and defeated the preceding park.
‘Alpha Vernof I see you are now second in ranks "
“Make no mistake Kalista, today your reign ends " Vernof slipped out a snarl on his face.
Gasps were heard throughout the crowd he dared to address an Alpha inappropriately.
a roar of laughter sounded in the air, as Kalista laughed at Vernof’s futile attempt to get him off his game by enraging him.
Somewhere in the crowd, a red-haired beauty stood in awe of the man laughing, her father. Aliyah was the only child of Alpha Kalista, as her mother had died as soon as she was born, she was the apple of her father’s eyes.
She looked up to her father, most times she cursed the fact that she was born a girl as it would be impossible to take over the pack when her father was gone. she shook such thoughts from her mind, it broke her heart to think that the man who had nursed her, read stories to her at night, and protected her all her life would one day be gone, she knew it would happen soon, that’s why she worried anytime the period for such fights came near. Her eyes shone with pride as she gazed at her father standing in all his glory nothing but, a leather strap to cover his buttocks and front, with barely a scratch and the blood of other alphas on his skin. She was soon cut off from her thoughts by Vernof’s next remark.
“Even if I can’t defeat you, in a few moons your pack’s reign would be over…seeing your dead wife could not bear you anything of worth but this pathetic excuse for a daughter. Vernof strode towards Kalista who was now fighting for control, looking him in the eye he continued “When she is mated to an alpha what are the guarantees he would be as strong as the alphas from your bloodline "
Aliyah fought hard to keep her wolf at bay, she was more worried about her father who’s eyes had changed color, showing his wolf wanted to come out and play, this has never happened in years, her father has always fought in human form.
an evil smirk made its way to Vernof face, he got exactly what he wanted the crowd watched in anticipation and fear.
“Father, don’t listen to him, block him off don’t let him get in your head” she desperately tried to link her father but she wasn’t sure he heard her.
it happened in a flash, Vernof’s arm was ripped off its sockets, blood splattering to the ground, his screams of anguish filled the air just as his leg was twisted backward in an awkward position. Kalista went for the kill…
“stop Alpha Kalista!, Marcus commanded but it was like pouring water on a stone. Kalista wrapped his hand around Vernof’s neck squeezing the life out of him, an average wolf would be dead by now, Marcus command seemed to not affect Kalista.
“How?” Vernof asked weakly, he had planned this all out, small needles coated with silver and dipped in the sap from the root of the mut flower were inserted under his nails, one touch of that can weaken the strongest of all alphas, how was it that Kalista was not affected.
As if reading his mind Kalista whispered, “I have one smarter than you”. Vernof’s eyes were about to pop out of their sockets.
“Father”! stop, please!” Alyiah shouted, after 10 painful seconds Vernof hit the ground in an almost lifeless heap, Alyiah sighed in relief it was against the law to kill in the shadow pull, Vernof would be okay after 6months since he was an alpha. Once his arm is attached to the rest of the body it would slowly realign, it was a painful process no different from torture.
Kalista let out an ear-piercing howl to announce his victory, all present except the elders howled in response and got on one knee with heads bowed to show respect to the reigning champion.
Elder Marcus was relieved the night was not ruined by bloodshed, “let the run begin "
Alpha Kalista turned into his wolf, dominant, unyielding…..black as the night, even in that form he towered over every wolf present as he led the run into the forest howls of victory echoed from the members of the Blood Born pack they were still undefeated.
Meanwhile, behind the bushes, a dark-haired young man stood as he observed all that took place a smile on his face
“you’re welcome alpha”.
Chapter three
Chapter three
ALIYAH
Aliyah loved the feel of the wind against her skin, as she drove to school radio on full blast. The beauty of nature could be fully appreciated in these areas, the evergreen fields, trees standing proud, and a clear view of the city. Her pack, the Blood Born pack was hidden from the world, surrounded by nature.
It had always been this way for the entire werewolf community. The wind blew hair across her face blocking her view, she tried to control it resulting in the coffee beside her taking a dunk.
“Oh, what a mess”, she muttered trying to rectify the situation, she reached for the wipes at the back seat.
“watch out lady!!!” a frantic scream rang out
she jolted forward as she stepped on the breaks to avoid colliding with the van making a sharp bend….too late.
she collided with a black mini truck that now had steam coming from it and a big dent by the side. Her car on the other hand was left with only minor scratches.
she slowly lifted her head to see a very angry truck owner with a scowl on his young face, nostrils flaring as he clenched his jaw.
An African - American around the same age as she was, stood akimbo glaring at her.
“step out of the car lady!” the boy shouted already down from his van, Aliyah noted he was human, had it been a wolf she certainly wouldn’t have gotten the same reaction. Instead of an apology, a quick compensation would suffice, she reasoned.
“Listen, calm down, I’ll pay for the damage” she reached for her purse.
“say what now?” he huffed out in surprise, “get out of the car before I lose my patience and call the cops "
she stepped out of the car, “I said I’ll pay”, she was frustrated, this was supposed to be a perfect day. It was the day before her 18th birthday.
“young lady do you know what is called manners? you don’t even look sorry…”
A deep voice interrupted them, it seemed to Aliyah that there was another person in the truck sitting there unfazed all along
“let it go, Mike, it seems she won’t apologize just take the money, we have a place to get to”
Aliyah looked in the truck and what she saw took her breath away, he was perfect, dark hair, perfectly sculpted face… How can a man’s skin be so flawless, and those eyes… she snapped back taking in a deep breath, from his scent she knew he was a wolf, why hasn’t she noticed before?…not just any wolf an Omega …wait and he dared look her dead in the eye?…not even stepping out to pay respect?
“no way Elijah, she’s a brat! my front light and the side of my truck is all messed up while she got off with barely any damage at all!”
Aliyah was no longer interested in the scuffle, she felt insulted, walking over to the person she now Knew was called Elijah who seemed to have no plans of getting down from the truck.
“Hey! red-haired brat!” Mike called “I’m not done talking to you, hey!” He spun around following her movement frustration evident in his voice.
Aliyah glared at Elijah who just stared back…after a few minutes.. she broke the silence
“you are telling me you do not know who I am” she pointed out in a calm voice.
Turning to Michael, Elijah asked “can you give us a few minutes bro?.
He stepped down from the truck as Michael stepped away reluctantly muttering curses under his breath.
“I’ll cut straight to the point, I know who you are Aliyah, but that doesn’t matter in this situation, you owe my friend an apology and a cheque- please do make it quick we really have to be on our way”
As much as Aliyah would want to bring him to his knees she needed to be at school, fuming she marched towards her car, grabbed her checkbook scribbling on it,
" here, for the damage,” she handed it to Micheal
“keep the change “.. getting into her car she zoomed off leaving a cloud of dust as a testament to her rage.
Draping his arms across Elijah’s shoulders Mike moved his head from side to side as they watched Aliyah drive off.
" that girl needs a touch from the lord”…
Elijah looked at him for a while a twitch tugging at the corner of his lips before they both burst out laughing.