Chapter 5 - Challenging The Lycan

“I was not cursed like this!” — A menacing growl erupted from the Alpha's chest, making the hairs on my arms stand on end as I took a step back. His disdain for humans was obvious, making it difficult to understand why he would get involved with a human, or why he would save me. I took a few more steps towards the surrounding forest; the cabin was in the middle of nowhere, and there was no one to come to our rescue. Before I could make up my mind to run, a brown and gray wolf leapt out of the trees in my direction, its bared fangs indicating that it was ready to attack. Still in his human form, the Lycan king showed no rivalry, leading me to believe that the threatening wolf was his minion. A she-wolf appeared behind him, passing me by; her fur was a beautiful mix of cream and white, and her gait was majestic and elegant. She walked up to the Alpha in her lupine form, stopped at his side, and spoke warmly: “Brother, forgive this foolish human; humans are irrational when they feel cornered, fear speaks for them.” “Do not interfere, Victoria!” A thunderous growl erupted from his chest, causing her to hunch her shoulders and lower her ears. She sighed and sat up on her hind legs, looking at me. “Let's go, please…” — I begged again with tears in my eyes, aware of the disadvantage I was in. “Go where? You can't protect him from my enemies, don't be stupid!” — He shouted in anger, his eyes blazing. “If you let me go with him, I will keep us safe… I can…” Before I could argue any further, the huge head of the wolf that had threatened me earlier was alarmingly close to my body, threatening to devour me with a single bite. “Did you even notice Oliver approaching?” He taunted. I took a deep breath, determined to escape. “Test me,” I suggested. “If I can escape your little wolf here, will you leave us alone forever?” I raised my chin proudly in his direction, puffing out my chest with courage, aware that I would have to be cunning to defeat the wolf growling behind me. With a sinister laugh, the Alpha licked his lips as if savoring the suggestion. “Let's do it this way, human,” his eyes gleamed, and I was sure his counteroffer would be cruel. “You will run until nightfall, which will be soon, and if I don't catch you,” he paused, smiling menacingly, and I could see his predatory expression, relishing the situation. “You can leave with the child.” “What? You can't…” his sister tried to protest, but was immediately silenced by his threat to bite her, forcing her to lose her majestic posture. “So, human, what do you say?” The Lycan held up his chin in a declared challenge. “I…” Conan squirmed in my lap again, grumbling from the tension emanating from the forest. “Shh, my brave one, I'll be fine, okay?” I smiled gently at the little creature in my arms, who seemed to understand every word I spoke to calm him. The Alpha evaluated my interaction and reaction with his cub. “Victoria, I allow you to transform and take my cub and lead him safely inside,” he smiled. “It's time for papa to hunt his prey.” The wolf nodded, and though her transformation was slower than her brother's, she was still beautiful to behold. The fur was slowly disappearing, merging with her skin; her once massive claws gave way to delicate, beautiful nails; her long snout gave way to fine, delicate features; and the gray eyes were replaced by a blended blue, neither gray nor too blue. She was even more beautiful as a human than as a wolf, if that was possible! “Excuse me, human, let me get him out of here… I know you want to protect him, he'll be safe here with me when you return,” her smile was warm and her eyes kind; I felt the palpable truth in the beginning of her conversation, but I noticed a change in tone when she hinted at my return. “Just don't hurt him, okay?” I ran my hand over the tip of my brave little one's nose. “I'm going to take care of another big bad wolf, I'll be back for you soon, obey Auntie Wolf!” The word “auntie” seemed to shock the woman in front of me, who nodded with a faint smile and took my world into her hands. She sniffed at the baby, cradled him carefully, and hummed as she left for the cabin. “Give me your word that he's going to be okay!” I demanded, fearing I might not return. “Alpha's word, human… Shall we begin the hunt?” He skillfully changed from his human form to lupine. “I'll give you the advantage of running ahead; I'll count to 100, so you can get a head start.” “How fair…” — I quipped. — “If I can hide until nightfall, we'll be free?” — I asked, looking at him for confirmation. He nodded, his serious look indicating that this was our only chance. “And if they catch me?” — My voice trembled with fear as I asked the question. The wolf howled in response, his voice echoing through the dark forest. “I will kill you without mercy!” — he declared with ferocity. I swallowed hard, realizing that I was facing a dangerous predator who saw me as a little mouse to play with until nightfall. I took a deep breath and prepared to run. Fortunately, I had been an athlete in school and still had the habit of running. I turned to face the forest, but before I took my first steps, I looked over my shoulder and saw the impatient wolf staring at me, ready to hunt. “One, two, three, time is ticking, human… Four.' — he taunted. I started to run as fast as I could, through bushes and dry trees, deeper and deeper into this unfamiliar forest. I knew absolutely nothing about the environment, on the way I jumped over a fallen tree trunk, scratched my arms on a lower branch. Desperate, I looked back, calculating in my head the time I had before the wolf caught up with me. My heart raced with every step I took, and every sound in the forest made me jump in fright. Suddenly, I found a mud puddle covered in moss that reminded me of the necklace my sister forced me to wear. I smeared the slime all over my body, hoping to become “invisible” to the beast's scent as it sniffed me out. I ran deeper into the forest and spotted a massive tree with several holes in the middle. Furthermore, I approached it, risking a climb. If my hunter couldn't smell or see me, I might be able to overcome this challenge.