Runaway Alpha

Lhana shouted. I place my hand on my forehead. I told her to be careful! Yet… this… girl…

“Oopsie”

She giggled as she sat on the ground. There was a soil that is not sturdy enough to handle her weights which is why she got out of balance and fall. Should I help her? But I think she would just hate me for doing so. Thinking that I am accepting the fact that she is a burden to me. That I need to move to my own accord just to help her.

I didn’t move and just watch her stand up. Luckily it wasn’t the pond that is named to be invisible. I thought she would fall and find it. Still, there is no use for that since it is probably a millennium or centuries ago. The said lake or pond maybe now gone.

“Hah, Luckily I landed very nicely”

She mumbled. I sometimes wonder if it is really her. When we just first met, she look at me as if I make her hair go bald or something. That I took something important to her. The second time we met she seems to be neutral. As if I am a stranger that she doesn’t care about. The third time… She becomes a little friendly. She even give me pastries that her mother created. Then… she become friendlier and… things changed when the both of us quarreled about what I’ve said. She becomes a little distant. I know I am mean to her at that time.

Still, even if I haven’t had a chance to apologize for what I did… who would have thought that she will come back to the way she used to be when we met for the third time.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“So-”

“Emric! Look there is a strange stone!”

She shouted in excitement. I just look at her and follow my gaze to where she is pointing her finger. Indeed there is a strange stone placed on the spot she is looking at. What is it? A ritual stone? I wonder if it really is like that.

Walking cautiously I watch every step that I take. I don’t want to be filled with dirt just like what happened to Lhana. I look at her and to my surprise, there is no dirt left on her.

“This is weird. I thought it is a ritual stone… But why is it like this?”

She thought it is a ritual stone too. I look at the stone. It was round. As if it was polished and shaped. Ornaments surround its top which is weird since the ritual stone in our pack village has ornaments on the bottom of it. Not on the top. How… Weird.

Shing

There were fireflies showing themselves. The place suddenly becomes dim. As if the sun finally set. But… I remember we left in the morning time. Why is it dark? This isn’t supposed to be like this.

“Is it night already?”

Lhana thought.

“Something is not right…”

I said to her. The surrounding was now filled with…

“Yeguang”

We both mumbled in surprise which make both of us look at each other. Yeguang is a plant that is only written in the history. Who would have thought that the very same bush we saw today is the legendary bush that shines in the dark place. The most laughable part is that it was just near or pack. Everyone in the village thought that it is just a myth. A fable that is nothing but a mere flowery word to beauty the history of every origin.

But none would have ever believed that…

Yenguang, is something that exists in this world.

“Lhana, don’t touch it”

“Who said I would?”

She declare even if I surely know that if I didn’t warn her she will indeed touch that Yenguang.

Except for its beauty, it is dangerous for us wolves. That bush is not a flower yet if the description of this plant as a most lethal poison than the wolfsbane… then…

This…

This whole place is dangerous!

How can such a place exist right beside our pack?? The village is near yet…

Why didn’t I realize this much soon?? It will just bring us to danger! I look at Lhana. She was bending her knees to seat and get some water.

“Lhana stay still!”

“Huh? What do you mean? And why are your tone like that? I am not a pet just so you know”

I rush toward the direction of the stone that looks like a ritual stone not minding what she said. Now I know, It is not a real Yenguang. If it is more lethal than the wolfsbane then the elders will surely not let it pass. Even if it was outside the boundaries, a smell of a poison will surely dissipate in the whole area. Squandering its scent to the point that no trees will be left unharmed.

Changing myself to my wolf form, I can see how surprised Lhana is. Taking a step backward I bend myself to create a heavy blow in the thing that looks similar to a ritual stone.

‘The higher the ornaments, the stronger the power it takes to prepare the ritual’

Now I remember clearly how my grandmother replied to my question about the ritual stone. It was when I was so small and curious about simple matters. How idiot of me to forget that simple thing. Maybe that is also because…

Even the elders have a hard time making the ritual be a success. That is why it became common for us to see a ritual stone with ornaments that are almost touching the ground. If this ornament are placed on top of the stone…

Just… how strong is the one behind this spell.

“Emric! What do you think you are doing?!”

I didn’t respond to Lhana’s question and hurriedly hit the stone with my full strength.

“Emric!”

She shouted again and change in her wolf form. Majestic white with silver lines. Unlike me whose brown and black in color.

The small pieces of rocks scattered all over the area. There was a small light that almost makes us blind.

“Who are those fool who dare trespass on my grounds? Thou shall speak!”