Chapter 1 A yearly tribute

The stuffy atmosphere clung to her nostrils, making it hard to breathe. As Lyla pushed through the crowds in the arena, she strained to hear whoever was at the front. It was a familiar voice; one she had grown to hear every year.

"This is not enough!"

It was him. Bald head, long white beards that he meticulously raked through with his sharp dark claws.

"But this is all we have. It's all we could gather for the year round." Evan, one of the men Lyla knew to be the spokesperson of the Woodscrewer replied back, his grey hair standing out. "Our grounds are barren and the waters are poisoned. Unless we plan for Woodscrew to become a wasteland, there is no way we will grow foods regardless."

The bald man, tall and intimidating with predating eyes pushed forward. Evan flinched and took a step back. Everyone knew Turaq and one thing they never dared to do was stand against him. He was more like their backbone in Woodscrew. One silly mistake and they will be sent out of Reeds pack, with no food, security or anything they got with their sweat while in their territory.

It has been years since the Woodscrew sought refuge from the Reeds led by Alpha Cyrus in the Great heart of the Jungle. After the mighty war amongst all the clans, trampling over the smaller groups of Wolves, Alpha Cyrus took them in. Like an older sibling, the Alpha of the Reeds pack took care of Woodscrew and its families. To repay this kind gesture, the leader, Evans, suggested that they do whatever is asked of them. One of which is to pick a farther area for settlement. A rear end jungle that is almost cut off the Reeds territory on the map.

What a great mistake that was!

Ever since, the elders would often come annually to get tributes which is almost all of their harvest in one year since the Woodscrew are known to be healers and farmers rather than hunters.

"For many years we have housed you, clothed you and protected your people," Turaq started.

"And, this is how you repay the great Alpha's kindness?"

"That is not what I intend to do, your grace. I just ask that you reason with us." The people murmured in agreement. "There have been shortage of foods and water for the past few Moon seasons. This is all there is to give."

A small scan over the people that stood expectantly, waiting for the final verdict. Fear and

frustration written all over their faces.

"By the power and authority vested on me by the mighty Alpha Cyrus of the Reeds, I hereby…"

"Wait!" A young girl in her teens, scrawny but pretty emerged from the crowds.

Her glistening brown hair cascading down her waist and blue eyes made her exceptional from the other people. But also the confidence oozing out of her made the atmosphere more soothing.

"I'm really sorry but I think you do not seem to understand the gravity of what is going on! Our people are dying!"

Indistinct chattering arose. Muffled voices spread amongst the people until Turaq raised his wrinkled hands to maintain decorum before finally settling his gaze on the girl before him.

"And who are you supposed to be?"

"Lyla."

He raised an eyebrow in interest. "Interesting. But Lyla, don't you think this discussion is a little too advanced for you?”

"Forgive her, your grace." An identical but older woman rushed towards the girl and pushed her aside.

"She is but a child and doesn't know what she's doing. Please, have mercy."

"Mercy is not a word Reeds is familiar with. However, I'll be generous today. I give you six days to gather all your spoils or I promise Woodcrew will be forgotten in a day." His threat kept echoing even as they retreat from the arena with their horses and carts.

Lyla swallowed as she watched the dust rise and fall behind them, her heart racing at the thought of what would happen to them in six days.

"Are you crazy?" Diane spat as she looked at her daughter straight in the eyes. "You could have gotten us all killed! Or worse, thrown out of Reeds."

"Living here isn't any better, mom."

"Or so you thought, young lady!" Diane walked around the table to face Lyla who stood her ground. "Reeds has fed us for so many years and given many of us a life. If not for their kindness, we would probably be dust. Like the Golden Moon packs, or the Yellow Guardians."

"They should be more open as to what they want then. This is nothing but a mutual agreement between us and the Reeds." Lyla sighed. "If they want something from us then they better sit us down and be reasonable."

With that, she bounded up the stairs to her room. She closed the door hard behind her before falling on the bed, thinking about everything. The Woodscrewers have always lived life like slaves but no one dared spell it out. They were given privileges that they did not deserve and she was being a wimp about it. Soon, she turned over and slept off.

♧

That night was just like any other night, except this time, it was filled with panting and grunting. Heavy paws bounded the dry grasses as two heavy furry bodies wound their ways through the forest, the chilly air doing nothing to cool their boiling blood. The grey fur Wolf ran as fast as it could but did little to catch up to the jet black wolf with silver mane in front. It's speed was unmatched. More like he bewitched the wind.

The black wolf did a sudden stop, making the pebbles before him roll forward and off the cliff.

They had reached the end of the road with no kill.

"Let us go back home." Dranco heard a faint whisper in his head and knew his brother was connecting with him.

His grey eyes, slanted so they could catch a prey pretty well began to dilate. "Not until I get my kill."

Before Franco could stop him, he'd jumped down the hill and followed the pebbles that rolled. He could hear Franco's defeated sigh as he turned back to the palace.

"Coward!" His wolf shuddered in agreement.

After several hours of planning and moving stealthily, Dranco finally caught a Buffalo. He felt fulfilled within him. Nothing more could be more satisfying than having the biggest kill in the pack. Several footsteps approached behind him and as he turned, blood dripping down his powerful jaws, he was faced with not the guards as usual. This time, the Beta, Turaq, came with them.

The cracking of bones and reshaping of forms could be heard across the woods. His growls and grunts slowly losing its intensity and intimidating texture. Finally, he laid on the ground, naked.

Turaq dumped a coat on him, face expressionless.

"Meet up in the Chambers by five." He then turned to leave.

"The distance from here to the palace should take at least an hour. How am I supposed to get there in five minutes?"

Turaq paused, looked back and assessed the supposed heir apparent to the throne.

"Godspeed." He said nothing more and left with his bandwagon.

Dranco heaved an exasperated sigh. He is never allowed a time of his own. A moment for himself. He groaned inwardly before wrapping himself in the coat and making his way back to the palace.

The moon had risen high in the sky by the time Dranco would get back to the palace. He entered his room hoping he could lessen the insults he would get from his father by showing up in a nice attire. A number of women stood ready by the bathtub as he entered, each of them a sight to behold. They were dressed in tiny linen that barely covered their breasts and trailed down to cover their lady part. Dranco often sighed within himself in satisfaction knowing the cohorts belonged to him.

"Leave!" He ordered knowing his bath was ready. "Except you, Yoda."

Yoda smirked. Tonight was her lucky night; maybe not his. But if he was going to be yelled at by his father tonight, he'd rather much pleasure himself first.