Derek
"I'm right here."
I turned to see Malcolm standing behind me. I felt relief wash over me as I set my eyes on him.
Malcolm is my backbone. I rely too much on him, and he's never given me a reason not to. I wonder what I'd do without him.
"Malcolm!" I called happily.
I put my position aside and rushed towards my friend. I hugged him tightly and l held him for dear life.
"How are you?"
"Majesty," he bowed.
"Shh..." I cautioned with my hand on my lips.
I do not want to disclose my identity to these people. Not until I'm sure that there's no foul play going on here.
I mean, how is it possible that the ship that was well-checked and set for the journey would suddenly default?
How did it suddenly wreck? How could a meagre object in the sea ruin it, putting everyone's life in danger?
"I'm...fine," Malcolm got the drill and played along. He dropped the formality even though it was obvious that he didn't want to.
"How are you, Majes....?" He gulped and looked around to be sure that no one heard what he said.
"I'm fine, Mal, you?"
"All good," Malcolm smiled.
"It's amazing how you two could heal fast from so many injuries," Estrella interrupted. "I just can't believe it."
Malcolm and I exchanged knowing gazes and she went towards Malcolm.
"An average werewolf would be down for at least two days, but you two are fully healed in one day, that is amazing indeed."
I wonder why she keeps saying it is amazing. I mean, what is so amazing about healing from an injury. Isn't that how it is for all werewolves?
Which makes me wonder if she's aware of what we are, or not.
"We're just lucky," Malcolm was quick to answer.
"Lucky?" Estrella shook her head. "I don't think so."
Estrella seemed to have a lot of questions. She is more like a walking questionnaire.
"What is this place?" I immediately took her attention away from us.
"This is the Red Moon Pack."
"Red Moon Pack?" I repeated.
I have been the Alpha King for a few years, but I've never heard of this pack before. The Red Moon Pack sounded strange and unknown to me.
I looked at Malcolm and he also seemed surprised. Looks like I wasn't the only one hearing this for the first time.
"Where in the world is this Pack located?"
I wanted to know where we were and how far we were from the Dark Flame Pack.
"Dark Flame Pack?" Estrella exclaimed. "You know Dark Flame?"
Why did she scream as if the Dark Flame Pack was someplace filled with gold? She seemed so excited as if the place was heaven.
"Yes. Why?"
Malcolm stepped forward, seemingly interested in this pack now more than ever.
"Because I'm from Dark Flame too," Estrella replied excitedly.
"You're from the Dark Flame Pack?" I asked in amazement.
Why is she here in the Red Moon Pack if she is from Dark Flame?
"Yes, that's my pack," She nodded positively.
"If that's your pack then you must know the Alpha of the pack, right?"
Her eyes widened and she nodded with enthusiasm. "Of course I do. He is my brother."
Did she just say that she is Dorian's sister?
Estrella is Dorian's sister? How come?
I never believed in fate or coincidence but right now. I couldn't help being amazed. I got to meet my enemy's sister. What do I call this if not luck?
“Are you Dorian’s sister?” Malcolm asked before I could.
“Woah. Wait,” She gasped. “You know my brother. How do you know my brother?” She asked, looking from Malcolm to me.
“We are his acquaintances,” Malcolm replied quickly.
“Yes. We are his acquaintances,” I concurred.
“Wow. What a coincidence!” Estrella exclaimed. “Out of every ship that wrecks out there in the wide sea. The one we rescued happened to be my brother’s acquaintance. What an amazing coincidence.” she pointed at a blue-eyed lady beside her. "This is Annie, my best friend.”
“Nice to meet you, Estrella, and Annie. My name is Malcolm and that’s my….” Malcolm paused for a while, probably to think of the right words to use.
“Derek,” I helped him. “My name is Derek.”
“It's nice to meet you both,” she smiled.
For some reason, I kind of like her smile.
“Do you remember what happened? How did your ship sink?”
I knew nothing about the ship and how it sank. All I knew was that I was thinking about Melody and our kids. Ways to begin my apology to them and how to start anew with them. Then Malcolm rushed in to tell me that the ship was sinking and I noticed that my cabin and most of the ship were covered in water.
“The ship stumbled on an iceberg,” Malcolm explained.
“An Iceberg?” I repeated. “I thought it was a rock.”
Malcolm shook his head and shrugged. “it could have been a rock too.”
“Anything is possible in the sea.”
Estrella sounded like she knew a lot about the sea and ships.
“Besides,” she continued. “There are lots of debris here and there in the sea and your ship could have sunk as a result.”
“Thank goddess that Estrella was out on patrol that evening and she found you safely tied to a floating part of the ship,” Annie stated.
Annie looked at Malcolm and smiled with admiration. “Your friend made sure to send you to safety before passing out.”
“Yes, your friend is one indeed.”
I’ve always known that Malcolm is a friend like family. His dedication is something I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.
“It’s my duty to protect my kin....” Malcolm paused and looked at me before saying, “I swore to always protect him. After all, he is my friend.”
Estrella stopped and turned to us.
“You mentioned Dark Flame and my brother before. what….”
Before she could speak further, I interjected. “We have unfinished business with Dorian.”
Estrella smiled and nodded. “If that’s the case, then I will take you to my brother.”