Clarkson
The sun's warm rays shine on my face. George's lovely smile greets me as I slowly open my eyes.
"Hello," I say quietly.
"Hello," she says, smiling at me.
She's...talking to me.
My eyes widen. "D-Did you just reply to me?" I say as I take a look around. Mr. Tuna raised his head in response to the noise I made.
She laughs and nods. "I did," she says again, smiling. Her green eyes dart around the room, taking in every detail. "I guess... I caused some trouble again," she mumbles.
"Meow." Tuna yawns and stretches.
"Hi, Tuna."
"It's fine. All werewolves became Morphe too," I reply. "How are you?"
"I'm," she gasps for air before she continues, "exhausted."
I'm glad she's okay.
"Did I hurt you?" she asks, her gaze fixed on her chained wrist.
I open my mouth but am unable to respond. My mind is racing with ideas for how to explain to her why she is chained to her bed.
Her gaze rises to meet mine. "Did I?"
I quickly shake my head, "No, you did not."
"Am I scary?" she asks me again.
I pull the chair beside her bed and sit near her. "A little," I say, chuckling. "You're incredibly strong. I'm astounded. To stop you, I even have to transform into a wolf."
"I'm sorry," she says softly.
"It's fine. By the way," I pause and stand up. I get one of the fruit baskets given to her by the villagers. "Everyone is concerned about you. They gave you all of this," I spin around with my arms wide open, showing her all of the gifts.
"Wow," she exclaims, smiling. "I feel like I have fans."
I notice her attempting to get up. My legs move more quickly. I assist her in sitting up.
"So? You want some apples?" I offer and hand her the fruit basket.
She nods.
"Clarkson," I hear her whisper. "I'm scared," she adds while staring at the apple she is holding.
"You're scared of what?" I ask and continue to eat.
"Of everything," she answers. Her gaze never leaves the apple. "I'm scared of what my future will be like. I'm scared of this great responsibility. I'm scared that I might not act as an Alpha." I watch her lips tremble.
"Don't compare yourself to others. My very first human friend told me that,"Â I say. "Don't compare yourself to others, George. I see a lot of improvements," I look at her and smile.
"I'm sure it's you," I add and ruffle her hair.
"How did you know?" she looks at me, like a kid waiting for an answer.
"Alherra, the oldest living witch, usually tells this story to kids every Feast of the First Full Moon; the tale of Red Wolf," I smile.
"Feast of First Full moon?" she furrows her brows.
"Mm, hmm," I nod. "We'll celebrate during the very first full moon of the year. Everyone will howl as soon as the first full moon of the new year shows up. Then, we'll celebrate, eat a lot and dance around the bonfire. Everyone will act like a new wolf, no ranking and position."
"You can call the Alpha casually that day?" she sits up straight. The sound of the chains rings as she shifts her position.
"Yeah, we'll spend the entire night acting like day-old full-formed werewolves. The kids' favorite part is when the witches and fairies appear and perform their spells and magic. The final part is when we all gather around the bonfire and share our stories and thoughts. It won't end without Alherra's storytelling..."
"As the immortal fanged beasts attack the furry creatures, the entire village is enveloped in darkness. How do these pale and skinny creatures live, you may ask?" Alherra walks with her cape wrapped around her body.
"Then she'll snarl," I continue.
"Blood," she continues. "Blood. Blood. Blood. They'll dig those long fangs and sip your blood through your neck."
"Then kids will ask who can stop those monsters," I say and take a bite of the apple.
"The strongest one... the red wolf with a green gaze will save us, the Alpha. The savior has a smaller body and long-looking limbs."
"This Alpha never lived in our village. In a strange world, that's where this hero lives," I continue. "The day that I met you, I knew that this story was about you."
"Have you seen my full form?" she asks.
I quietly shake my head, "I didn't see it properly."
"Oh," she startles when Mr. Tuna jumps on the bed. The cat lays on her lap. She eventually laughs when the cat rubs its chin on her legs.
"I'm sorry if we chained you," I whisper.
"It's alright." She laughs when the cat snuggles close to her. Mr. Tuna rests his chin on her arms. "Mr. Tuna is a bit different today," she says while petting the cat. "I feel something strange about him."
"I told you. It's a werewolf thing, I guess," I say as I look at the purring cat. "Maybe it's because the cat is from the enemy?"
She silently nods.
"Almond will arrive together with Cayden," I say.
"Who's Almond?" she asks, still petting the feline creature.
"Meow," Mr. Tuna sits up and looks at George.
"He'sâ"
"Ah!" Her hands crush the apple she's holding. George holds her head tightly. She firmly closes her eyes.
"W-What's wrong?" I ask.
"Liev!" I hear a cheerful male voice greet us as the door flies open.
"Cayden!" I startle.
George starts breathing heavily once again. She sharply moves her head in our direction. Her gaze stares at us sharply.
"Call Dahlia," I whisper at Cayden.
"Are you sure you can handle her?" Cayden whispers back.
"Yes, I've been taking care of her since last night," I answer while nodding.
"Alright, I'll be quick," Cayden hurriedly runs out of the house.
George's green gaze moves to the cat beside her. She quickly grabs the cat's neck and throws him on the floor.
"Meow!" Tuna painfully yells.
"Tuna!" I run to the cat and carry him to the corner of the house. "Do not take a step forward, please," I warn the cat before facing George.
"George," I calmly speak. "Listen," I say while taking a few steps forward.
She aggressively pulls the chains once again.
"No!" I yell when she breaks them once again. She snarls and tries to break the other chains.
"Liev!" Cade yells as soon as he opens the door.
Dahlia rushes to George. George stares at her. I watch how her claws grow.
No.
She breaks the chains and reaches for Dahlia. I instantly run and block her claws. My arms quickly wrap around Dahlia's waist.
"Ah!" I yell as the Morphe's nails dig into my left arm. I can feel how she tears my skin.
"Liev!" Camira yells. She runs on top of George. "Calm down, Morphe!" she yells while fixing the chains.
My gaze lands on Dahlia who stares at me with a terrified face. "L-Liev, you'reâ"
"Are you alright?" I ask her. My vision spins.
"Clarkson?" George worriedly asks. "You...you're bleeding," she slowly calms down as her gaze stares at my bleeding arms. "because of me..." she looks away. Her gaze stares at her hands with stains of blood.
My blood.
Mr. Tuna starts snarling.
"I'm a monster," George spits.
I slowly stand up and look at George.
"Liev!"
"Clarkson!"
Their voices ring in my head as slowly fall on the floor.
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