ALPHA'S REDEMPTION

A'S

The crisp autumn air filled my lungs as I urged my legs to keep up. It was not getting away

lls ringing out like a chorus of encouragement. Squirrels scurried from branch to branch, their tails flickering back and forth as

to a halt, clutching my chest, hands on my knees, heaving as I tried to catch my breath. I scanned around for a

ievous creature, for like the thousandth time. It le

loudly as if scolding me for stopping. I turn a sharp glare to Zephyr, a name I had given t

right?" I called after it as it vanished into

as painful memories of the shameful move flooded my memory. I mean there wasn't much I could remember. I was just three after all. But I do remember the struggle of trying to create a new life all over without any support, finding our plac

s when my parents summoned me to tell me that the tenure of our banishment was over, they had received word that we were welcome

onniving with the rival pack, the Bloodmoons to attack the pack. My father had been both horrified and speechless and desp

ected me and my family. My stomach churned with dread and unease. What would they say? Would they still

troke his feathers, drawing energy from his familiar presence. Zephyr had been with me since I was a pup. I had found him very s

happen, Zephyr," I murmured. "

shoulder and circles around me, his eyes gleaming. Suddenly, the air seemed to sparkle and tremble

Closing my eyes, I felt a surge of power coursing through my veins. I felt like I could run for miles

ized. Zephyr let out an excited chirp, as

rs. The bird simply gazed at me with his piercing eyes as if questioning

ic Ze

I began the long trek back to our makeshift pack

belongings were stacked neatly, ready for the journey. My mum was busy fussing over all the stuff we h

arely above a whisper. They both turn to me, their express

on't know what awaits us." My mother admitted. "But we have to at least tr

nue building our lives here. The thought of leaving all we have created behind, Ethan especially filled me with dre

entle hand on my shoulder. I look up at him

Who knows how long this offer will stand. And we can't really get answers t

down he was right. As much as I wanted to resist, cleari

n. "Alright, I'll go with you guys but I

r eyes. They knew it was a difficult decision for me and they would have respect

o let out as they laughed, re

stopping by to have a mini feast as our send off. Ethan was grumpier th

and the others slowly depart

rare softness in his eyes, his voice low and

person I'll visit." He nodded, seeming to accept this, and then his expression turned serious. "And promise me you'll use what I taught you if the situation demands it." He said, his eyes narrowing.

stible. Then, in a rare display of affection, he reaches out and braids a section of m

int of a smile. "And so I can kee

gives me one of his scarce hugs and walks away. And as I stood there, watching his fo

**********

ded to verify who we claimed to be. As the hours ticked by, they realized there was nothing else they could hold us with and had begrudgingly let

clung to the ceiling and walls, leaves and debris littered the floor, crunching under my foot as I made my way fu

a pacifier as if no one had given it a second thought before leaving. Cabinets hung open, their contents spilled on the floor. The air was thick with the pervasive smell of decay as the countertops were littered with the remnants of a long abandoned meal, plates coat

e overwhelming feeling, there was a glimmer of hope that flickered within me. This was my home, the place I had taken my first walk

re do we

th the tenuous work of making the house feel like a home again. I stepped out not really

overhead. A gentle breeze blew, lifting the strands of my hair, caressing my face with a so

in deeply savoring the earthly damp scent of the forest. The gentle rustling of leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl calmed me, reminding me that my life might

ulating how I would reach its peak and without a moment's hesitation, I reached up gripping the sturdy branch an

ity of each branch before committing my weight to it. I couldn't help smiling bitterly as I thought of how Ethan would have probably been screaming "Monkey! Queen of the

und of the night seemed muted by the canopy of trees around me. It was as if I had

m here, I could see the faint outline of the house in the distance, a spark in the dark. A sense of peace a

t on my life. The sight of it filled me with a mix of terror and excitement. My eighteenth birthday had passed just a few da

t help but doubt them. I had heard the stories, whispers from older pack members and from Ethan too. But to actually experience the trans

n goddess. I wondered more often than I would like to admit how it would be to have such a person. It was exciting but terrifying. The uncertainty swirled in

h, willing myself to calm down as I took a whiff

ergy for the days ahead and keeping in mind my dad might come out any minute searching