Mated

"Alright. Listen up."

Keerin's voice sounded loud enough in the quiet and cold night as he called out to his pack members. They eased their talking and turned towards him, giving him their full attention.

He stood a few metres away from them at the edge of a hill, facing eastward. Despite the wind and the harsh weather, he felt calm and warm even though he wore nothing but a filthy brown robe.

"You know what the plan is." he said.

"Yes sir. We slash, stash and dash." Alaric replied with a grin.

"Can't wait to get my hands on all that gold." Aldwin commented while rubbing his hands.

From the corner of his eye, Keerin could see Marion slowly shaking her head.

"Boys. Brawns and no sense. What do people like us fear the most, if you don't mind me asking?" She asked them both.

"Getting old and wrinkly?" Alaric suggested.

"Oh no. Noone wants that." Aldwin replied with a chuckle.

"Silver you idiots!" Marion practically shouted with frustration. "We fear silver. And those men down there? They have loads and loads of silver ammunition. I can smell the damn stuff all the way from here. And worst of all, they're Maldorian soldiers."

"She's right." Keerin added. "Were not just going up against some random soldiers from Blackhorn. We can't afford to be reckless against them. Just a single arrow to the chest or the head and were done for. Trust me, I know."

"So what exactly are you suggesting, brother?" Yates spoke up.

"It's really as simple as I said it before. When I got close to their campsite I counted a dozen, all wearing silver plated breastplates and chainmail. But fortunately they looked more like scouts to me, so we don't need to be too worked up. Plus, they're feasting. Which means their helmets are removed too. We take that as an advantage."

"So we approach their camp with the element of surprise, claws aimed directly at their throats, and scavenge their remaining supplies." Yates said with a nod.

"Exactly."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Marion said. "Me, I can't wait to get out of these fucking robes. Been stuck in them for days now. They're starting to smell and I do not do well with bad smells."

"Well. You can do yourself a favour and walk without it. Give the skin some fresh air, know what I mean." Alaric commented.

She snorted. "Nice try, dickhead."

"What about the ones with crossbows?" Manning's voice was very low and calm, but still audible to Keerin's sensitive ears.

"There are two of them. So I'm leaving those to Aldwin and Alaric. Make sure you take care of them as fast as you can. No messing around. I mean it."

"Yes sir." The twins said simultaneously.

"The rest of you know what to do." Keerin said to Marion, Manning and Yates. "We take the rest of them out two at a time. Swift and precise. No mistakes."

They all nodded their agreements.

"What about me?"

A young voice called out from somewhere deeper in the woods. A moment later a figure came jogging out of a stout brush in the distance and stopped just a few metres away from Keerin.

"There you are. Where the hell have you been?" Marion asked.

"I-um, was looking for some water." Soma replied with a look of embarassment.

"Of course you were." Alaric said with a titter.

"Soma." Keerin gripped his chin in mock thinking. "Well, you're on gathering duty."

"Gathering duty?"

"We're gonna need you to gather our prized goods as soon as we finish with the bigger problem." Yates added in with a smirk.

Soma looked around at the rest of the group, his eyes narrowed. "Your kidding me right?"

"Soma listen," Keerin strode forward and placed a hand on his shoulder, "you have to understand the situation were in. This isn't one of our trial runs. This is dangerous. You're still fifteen and far too young, not to mention inexperienced, and I don't want you to get hurt."

"Fifteen my ass." He shoved his hand away. "You killed a lot of soldiers when you were this age. How is this any different?"

Keerin stared at Soma, then glanced at the rest of the pack and gave a slight nod, indicating for them to proceed on. They nodded back and started walking down the hill, leaving Keerin and Soma alone.

After a moment of silence, Keerin walked back towards the edge of the hill and glanced down. A small light was visible through the trees; the fire from the camp where they were about to launch an attack. Footsteps sounded from his right side as Soma came and followed his gaze.

"Do you know why I killed those men?" Keerin asked quietly.

"Coz you're invincible?" Soma replied.

Keerin gave a chuckle. "Why would you think that?"

Soma shrugged. "Coz, you're the alpha of the world's most feared and dangerous wolf pack. You can shapeshift into two different forms too. And, you also have the ability to control people's minds from sheer will. If that's not the definition of power, I don't know what else is."

Keerin was quiet for a moment. Soma really thought he was a divine being. That didn't sit right with him. He didn't want people to see him as a god. Especially Soma. He never wanted people to see him as a monster too. But he had no choice on the latter. He tried to be good on the outside, but he knew the darkness that lurked inside his core.

"I became an alpha when I was your age, did you know that? I wasn't even out of my teens yet but I was given a heavy burden to carry the rest of my miserable life."

Soma turned to face him with a raised eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

Keerin kept his eyes trained on the campfire light. He blew out a heavy breath and said, "I lost someone very close to me at that time. I was reckless and stupid enough that I couldn't protect her. And she died because of my own impetuous deeds."

He continued. "With her death came pain. And that pain, that pain was so deep enough that it awakened something inside of me. Something evil. Something dangerous. And I . . ." He suddenly stopped.

He sighed and glanced at Soma. "My point is, ever since then, I told myself I wasn't going to lose anyone else close to me ever again. And that means you, Soma. You're family now. That's why I want you to set this one out, let me and the others deal with this. Please."

Soma cast his eyes downwards for a moment. But then stepped closer and gave Keerin a crushing hug. "Thank you. And I'm sorry. I'll step aside."

Keerin was surprised at first, but then he hugged him back. After a moment he pulled back and said, "Now, let's go give those guys hell."

☆☆☆

PART 2 coming out soon!!