Archie's POV
All werewolves can shift into wolves, but I am an exception. I first realized I was different from others when I was eight.
At that time, my father, the Alpha of Golden Crest, was out for patrol in the territory, and enemies seized the opportunity to launch an attack on our pack. My little brother and I were spotted by the enemy, with only a few guards by our side. The only luck thing was that there were just several werewolves enemies, so I instructed the guards to take my brother and run while I and the remaining few engaged in combat to buy time.
As the enemy's claws sent the small sword in my hand flying, I knew I was defeated. But unwilling to surrender my life so easily, at the last moment, I forced a special strength out of my body-a little wolf appeared behind the enemy all of a sudden in the air. Seizing the opportunity, it clamped onto the enemy's neck, refusing to let go despite their struggles.
Taking advantage, I grabbed my fallen sword and pierced the enemy's body. Our thoughts synchronized, the wolf and I, wordless yet understanding each other's intentions, cooperated seamlessly to vanquish the enemy.
It turned out, this was my wolf, existing independently of me. I was initially elated to have such a unique friend, but unfortunately, my uniqueness was seen by others as an aberration, a freak... even a curse. Not even my mother Stephenie was exempt.
On the way as the guards escorted my brother to leave, he encountered other enemies and tragically perished. When Stephenie learned of this, she cursed me in madness, "It is all your fault! You caused your brother's death! You didn't protect him, you monster! Why couldn't it have been you who died?" It felt like my heart was frozen.
It was said that my wolf
Upon my father has return to the pack, he concealed the news about me and my wolf, strictly prohibiting discussion. He led us to wipe out the enemy who attacked us, decimating their pack. But my heart remained cold.
My grandmother Shaunda worried about me very much after she knew this thing. She embraced me and gently said through mindlink, "You and your wolf are a unique existence in the world, the special gift from Moon Goodness. Trust me, you are a miracle. You will be loved by all of us. Your mother doesn't not love you; she is just too devastated and overwhelmed. She will be okay once her emotions settle down."
I appreciated my grandmother's concern, but I knew her words weren't entirely true-mom would never love me. I was doomed to be hated by others.
From then on, I never displayed my wolf in front of others. Relying solely on my human physical strength, I defeated many werewolves in their shifted form. I spoke less, including with my mother. I enclosed myself and my wolf in our own world, rejecting everything from the outside.
Later, I felt my wolf became talkative even too noisy, perhaps because we were both lonely. With no one else around, it seemed it never stopped talking. Otherwise, the world was eerily quiet, which was frightening sometimes.
The change all began with a kidnapping.
Knowing that Golden Crest had many enemies, I wasn't surprised when I was abducted while alone. I thought I would easily take them down, but during the battle, they used a hallucinogenic herb gas. Inexperienced, I inadvertently inhaled some strange vapor, causing my movements to slow. Before I could release my wolf, I fell into unconsciousness.
When I woke up again, I found myself in a corner of a wooden hut, tied up with ropes. There was another little she-wolf beside me. Seeing her for the first time, I thought I might meet an angel. Her eyes were brighter than the stars at night; her slightly curled hair fell over her shoulders, despite smudges and disarray, her sweetness remained.
"You are awake, are you alright?" she softly asked as she saw me open my eyes.
" What place is this? Who are you?" I asked, finding my voice incredibly hoarse.
The angel answered, "This is Dark Forest. I... I have been kidnapped here by bad people.. You can call me Selena," she said, pointing to the other girl next to her, "This is my servant, Erma. And you?" It was evident she avoid to reveal her true identity or background to me. Understandably so; I wouldn't randomly disclose my father's position as the Alpha of Golden Crest under such circumstances.
So, I simply answered, "I'm Archie."
She nodded and whispered, "You must have, like me, accidentally inhaled their poison, causing you to fall into a coma. That is why they didn't leave anyone to watch over me. But now we woke up early, so let's be cautious while talking, in case of alarming them."
Confused, I asked, "Woke up early?"
"Yes, this drug is potent, a unique herb from Dark Forest. Once inhaled, it causes a three-day coma at least. But I have a special method, so we woke up earlier," she said, her tone mysteriously proud when mentioning this.
I guessed her pack must be nearby Dark Forest, which explained her knowledge.
The angelic girl continued, "Do you have any way to contact others and get us out of here? Although we woke up early, we are still bound and can't leave. If the kidnappers return, what should we do?"
Hesitating for a moment, I considered the two little she-wolves before me. They seemed too young to shift, unable to assist much. There was only one way to escape – to reveal my wolf. Even though this might make this girl scare and dislike me, for some reason, the thought of her beautiful eyes reflecting disdain towards me made me restless and uneasy.
But with no other choice, I had to summon my wolf to rescue us; otherwise, if the kidnappers returned, we would have no chance.
I attempted to contact my wolf, but it seemed to remain in a comatose state because of the herb gas. Frowning, I wondered why it hadn't woken up yet.
Noticing my distress, the girl asked with concern, "Are you feeling unwell?"
"How did you wake me up earlier? Can you do it again?" I hoped she could help my wolf too.
"But you are already awake."
Reluctantly, I explained in a subdued voice, "I have a way to get us out of here. My wolf... it can act independently of me. If I awaken it, it can bite through the ropes, and we will be free. I'm not lying or abnormal; believe me!"
After saying this, anxiously, I looked at the girl, expecting fear or disbelief in her face, but instead, there was none of that. Her eyes shimmered with a peculiar light, a radiant sparkle that seemed to skip a beat in my heart.
"Really? My wolf can exist independently too! What an incredible coincidence!"