The War Of The Mallapers: A Rejected Werewolf Story

Chapter Eight

"But how, she missed out on so much. I betrayed Lily for someone who wasn't my mate, who wasn't even carrying my child." He shook his head. "I am the King of Fools." He lets out a choked sob. I can feel his whole body shake, his shoulders heave up and down. 

"Alex, listen to me clearly. I don't know what the future holds for you and Lily but both of you need to be strong for Leyla. She needs both of you. Ryan needs you to show him the road of redemption. Yes both of you have made mistakes, there is nothing you can do about the past, there is nothing you can change about it. All you can do is change your future and make up for your past misdemeanours. Ryan will need someone to show him that path. Don't let Lamia win." I explained with sincerity. With that I loosened my grip on his shoulders and made my way towards the mountains. Knowing that I needed to get our pack to safety. 

"Where are you going Reed?" Alexander questioned as he wiped his eyes away. 

"I am going to my old stomping ground." I give him a smirk and a wink. "Time for me to return home and make way for Lily's return. It's time for everyone to stop looking at the past and start looking to the future." I explain. 

"Your heading home? Your heading the Lumos Pack?" Alexander says with widened eyes. 

"Yes. It's time for us to return home and settle some scores. Our family should have been there for Lily and its time for them to welcome the return of their rightful queen and heir, Lily. Keep your mind-link open, I will call you when it's time. You will need to guide the others. I'll get them to prepare a bed for Ryan." I explained. 

With that I turned my body in the opposite direction and made my way through the thick forest. I started to feel my limbs crack and my bones snap as I transformed into my wolf. The hair on my body lengthened and as I fully transformed I let out a quick shake of my body. My paws curling into the forest ground. My fur feeling the gently breeze of the wind. My paws began to thump across the forest floor, the fallen leaves crinkled beneath me as I picked up the pace. 

Even though it had been years since I made this journey, my body carried me like it was second nature. I could hear the call of my home pack ring through my ears. I didn't need to hunt out my journey, it was second nature to me. The only thing my ears were seeking were intruders or rouges or any sense of danger. My ears peaked, they were alert, waiting for something, anything out of place. 

I couldn't tell you how long I had been running but the terrain began to slowly change. The thick forest was becoming sparse, more rocks and gravel were beginning to enter my eye sight. Before I knew it I was reaching the col between the two highest mountains of the Kingdom. I couldn't help but halt my steps. I can't remember the last time I was here, it had been years, it had been decades. Although I was a stranger to these parts, it was familiar. It was my birthplace and deep down the sense of familiarity hummed in my bones. 

My ears could pick up the thump of other's, my senses were heightened, even though I didn't share my power and my history, I knew I was more powerful than what people expected. Only my sister knew the truth, it was hard to hide the secrets of our family from her. Even though I was only a Beta in my sister's pack, I was destined to be Alpha. The Alpha of the Lumos pack. I presumed that our youngest brother took my place after my disappearance. Even though my parents abandoned my sister, I couldn't. I didn't have to even speak to know that she was innocent. I was prepared to abandon my duties as an Alpha to protect my sister. She was everything to me, family was everything to me. That was something that my parents forgot. 

I picked up my speed, I was prepared for a fight if they wanted to give me one. For even though I had committed no crime, I abandoned a pack that was rightfully mine. I don't know what their reaction would be when I came into contact with them. Would my family welcome me or would they shun me like they did my sister? It had been years since I laid eyes on my younger brother, but I hoped he would help, that he would save our sister, that he would welcome us with the warmth of a family. 

I didn't know what he would think about my return, would he be happy or would he feel threatened? Thinking that the rightful Alpha has returned. Even if I was the rightful Alpha, it didn't mean that I was the best choice. I had no interest in being Alpha, after everything that has happened all I know is that I will follow my sister wherever she goes and make sure she is happy and safe. 

I could see the boarder of the pack as I passed through the col. I knew that I needed to approach this pack with sensitivity. I wanted them to welcome me and offer us refuge. For the Mallapers were my family. It was there that I laid eyes on people who I hadn't seen in years. My mother and father were both stood tall and proud, there face was riddled with wrinkles, their hair no longer filled with colour, but filled with grey from age. Their faces were riddled with a look of confusion as they looked at my wolf, it was almost like they recognised me, like they remembered my scent. 

There in front stood my younger brother. He was no longer little but he stood proudly, his arms were thick and no longer lanky, his rather was no longer thick but thick. His baby face was now covered in dark beard. His eyes still had the same shine, but this time were no longer welcoming but were filled with uncertainty and apprehension. It was then that he threw some trousers on the floor as he stood on the outskirts. 

"Change and present yourself to the Alpha of these lands." His voice was now deep and he bellowed out an order. My wolf couldn't help but smirk at his words, his order. Even though he was the Alpha of these lands, his power was nothing compared to those who were the first born of the family. I couldn't help but feel proud as I looked at my younger brother. 

I made my way to the shorts and picked them up with my mouth and trotted behind a rock. It was there that I snapped my bones back and transformed into my human form. I quickly threw the brown trousers on and made my way around the stone and stood in front of the people who were once my family. Their mouths were gaping. My brother's eyes widened as he took in my appearance. Even though it had been nearly two decades since we last saw each other, the years had been kind to me. I still had the inherited traits of the Wilder family. 

"Reece." My father whispered. His voice was hoarse with surprise as he looked at me up and down. It was like he couldn't believe I was stood right in front of him. My brother Lucas turned to my father like he couldn't believe the words that he just spoke. His gaze flittering between the two of us. 

"Hello Father. Mother." I nodded to them and turned my eyes towards my brother. "Lucas." I nodded and bowed my head in respect. 

"Reece, it really is you." My mother gasped in surprise. The tears were welling in her eyes. I saw her take steps towards me only for her to be intercepted by Lucas who placed his arm in front of her. I gave him a small smile. The protectiveness he showed her, only added to my pride towards my little brother. 

"Reece is that really you?" Lucas questioned with paranoia and scepticism. 

I let out a chuckle. "Lucas you've grown. It's been years since we seen each other. I hope you didn't tell mum that we found her secretly cookie stash which was at the far end of the kitchen hidden behind the paper kitchen towel. Or that you don't sleep with that checkered blanket that was blue, green and red. Do you remember when you had no toilet roll and you used mum's good hand towels and you threw it in her rose bush? Remember when I took the blame and she chased me round the house so she could hit with her knitting magazine?" I reminisce. 

It's then that mother lets out a loud sob and she runs towards me, pushing Lucas' arm out the way. It isn't before long that she crashes into my chest and wraps her arms around me, crying hysterically into my chest. I raise my hand and softly rub her head. I can't help but enjoy the small comfort of my mother's arms. My father looks at the scene in front of him and I can see his eyes weld tears that refuse to drop. While Lucas' face flitters between emotions - I see the happiness, turn to relief which quickly turns into suspicion, when it finally lands on anger as he clenches his fist. 

"Hello little brother, did you miss me?" I chuckle. 

"Where the hell have you been?" He growls out.