Howl of the Unchosen

Chapter 1: Jason's POV

They seemed frozen.

We watched silently, waiting for some movement, but there was nothing. The puny humans were too dumb to do anything with what they had found.

I glanced at Fiona, the lady beside me-the only other person on this mission with me. The look lasted longer than it was supposed to, as my eyes settled on her breasts, full and soon to be mine, but hardly heaving. Clearly, she was holding her breath for more stealth.

I looked away, back at our targets, once again considering the possibility that they were frozen by the snow. After all, humans generally needed our help to survive in this climate in the first place.

"Let's go," a man said suddenly.

I tensed up a bit as I watched from above, hoping the crew would take the chest with them and leave us with no choice but to kill them altogether. That'd make things interesting.

We had no weapons-only our hands, though they could become dangerous claws if the need arose. I was already imagining tearing them apart when I spasmed in response to a short tap on my arm.

Her hand was so cold...

"They're gone. We didn't have to do anything," she said, jumping down from the ledge in the icy cave. I followed suit, glad to be out of the rather uncomfortable position.

She hugged me suddenly, tightly, endearingly...

I felt a heat rising within me at the contact of her skin with mine. I could never get used to these kinds of actions from her, and at the same time, I could never get enough.

It's more exciting, as I've known her since childhood and had been in love with her since the day I could talk. We'd been taking liberties since then, morally aided by our betrothal, but never anything more. The wedding was just two weeks away...

"You weren't paying attention; we could have missed it," she whispered.

Her warm breath on my neck added a new layer of excitement to what I was already feeling. I would have taken her there and then if not for my strong discipline and composure-just as strong as my physical strength. The rules were the rules...

I kissed her neck, savoring the taste for the moment it lasted before pulling away. "We should take it with us," I said.

Her sweet smile of agreement was like a rainbow on a difficult day, making everything right again. She's just 18, the flower of youth! She stood just an inch shorter than me, with delicate, highly defined features-high cheekbones, a perfectly sculpted nose, and those lips I could kiss all day if she let me. Her bright blue eyes glistened with a curiosity and kindness, humility and confidence. If she was not the prettiest lady in both the Frostwood and Ashford packs, she was not too far from it.

I forced my eyes off her to look at the chest. The contents were unknown, but the symbol carved into it indicated its origin. It's from the Frostwood pack and definitely contains something of historical value. It wasn't something that humans could mess around with.

Without a word, I hoisted it onto my shoulder, balancing it to handle the weight efficiently. We trudged through the snow, slowly talking about a lot of unimportant things. The wedding didn't come up, but it hung in the air between us. It was the one thing on our minds: the joining together in the flesh of two young people, best friends and lovers since childhood.

We didn't really have a choice. Our betrothal made it inevitable. Had it been any other people, it would have been a problem, but in our case, the pressure made it even better. Now, the wedding is rushed to happen a month after her birthday-two weeks from now-but I can hardly wait. I yearned for it, wished it would be over so I could have her and satisfy the raging desires within me now, so wild it was almost suffocating to be around her without being able to do much. It's lucky that we've known each other for a good 17 years; otherwise, I wouldn't be able to have a smooth, natural conversation with her at this point.

I jolted back to reality to find her tapping my arm. What was it with me zoning out these days?

"Daydreaming again, huh?"

Her voice was a warm, sweet breeze bringing me a certain calm that everything would be alright and anchoring me to the present.

"You do the same," I accused, holding her gaze. She didn't deny it but instead changed the topic.

"We'll be parting now," she said, making me take a sweeping glance and find that we were at the border. There wasn't any problem with her crossing into the Frostwood pack; she was welcome any day. But with her saying to leave, I reckoned she had something to do, in which case, I wouldn't hold her back.

I looked to the horizon, to the Ashford pack. It was more beautiful than mine, but soon to be mine anyway. They'd be more like merged after the wedding, unity within our peoples being the point. It's not done yet, but I could feel the responsibility weighing down on me already, like the crate had been before I dropped it.

She pecked me on my cheek-a sisterly kiss-but that was the last straw! I eliminated the distance between us, invading her space and holding her tight as I seized her lips in a passionate kiss. She responded immediately with a fervency that indicated she wanted me as much as I did her. It was a wonder why she held back, how she managed it. A sisterly kiss? The nerve!

After pulling away reluctantly, I offered to escort her.

"No, thanks," she said, a rejection that would cost us both. If she knew of the consequence, she would jump at the offer. If I knew, I would have insisted. It happened that letting her go now might as well be letting her go forever. I was about to meet someone-someone who would change the course of my life forever...

Chapter 2

Jason's POV

I strolled into Frostwood territory, my home. The crate weighed heavily on my shoulder, contrasting with the lightheartedness lingering from my almost-date with Fiona. I shrouded it in mist to avoid drawing attention. I didn't want anyone staring.

There was always something refreshing about Frostwood, a charm layered by the humans' strange touches. I chuckled to myself-humans were so extravagant!

With elaborate, multi-storeyed buildings, brightly painted doors, intricate carvings on their walls, and decorations meant to add "warmth" to the biting cold, it was ridiculous!

It was impossible, but the werewolves had adapted, taking on the humans' way of life bit by bit. Frostwood's buildings were taller, and vainly decorated, far different from how it had been before and a testament to how deeply humans have influenced us. My own people had picked up their habits, woven human touches into our timeless traditions, until the line between our two worlds was nearly invisible.

I didn't find it annoying however, I'd rather leave that for my dad. Alpha Marcus always ranted about how important it was for our traditions to stay the same. It's probably why I have this thought now. I found humor in the fact that humans simply saw us as eccentric neighbors. To them we were just normal humans like them, but with odd habits while the reality was much different. We were the watchers, the unseen guardians but just like they've influenced us, we've also integrated with them, weaving ourselves so seamlessly into human lives that they forgot to ask questions.

I walked past groups and groups of humans- old men and women laughing over shared drinks and trading stories by fires, children running and playing in the streets. I recognised a couple of werewolves among them, co-exisisting as one. They're only so many of them that didn't discriminate and actually mingled. Humans on their parts never suspected the truth of who we were, or how heavily they depended on us for safety, though they seemed to sense something; they left the deeper less developed part of the terrain for us, and with time deemed it as forbidden, they stayed inside during the full moon, solstices and nights that stretched for days or weeks. Even to the few of us that stayed among them, they always stood a bit back, subconsciously giving us subtle gestures of respect and favour that they didn't extend to each other.

Yet something felt different tonight, like the forest itself was holding its breath. I rounded a corner and shook off a thought, dismissing the barely discernible feeling as nothing at all. I froze, suddenly noticing a young woman standing by the edge of the path, staring out into the mist with a look so intense it was as if she could see right through it. My instincts were perked up, sensing something unfamiliar about her. She was different, I could smell and taste it... She was human!

I shrouded myself in the mist, an advanced technique for the more powerful werewolves. It was my intention to simply slip by and forget the pull in my chest when I saw her but then she looked pointedly at me.

In that moment, the mist seemed to recede, like it couldn't hide me from her any longer. She had a fierceness in her eyes that caught me off guard-a quiet defiance wrapped in curiosity. It was strange that she unraveled my magic, so I let curiousity get the better of me. Instead of leaving like I intended, I dropped my crate and decided to speak with her, only to end up finding it difficult to tear my eyes away.

"Lost?" I asked, my voice steady despite the strange feeling building within.

She didn't flinch, answering with a cool that surprised me. "No." Her voice was clear, carrying across the space between us. "Just... passing through."

Something told me that was only half the truth, but I couldn't bring myself to press. My sharp eyes saw through the night like it was day, so I couldn't be mistaken. She was beautiful, yes, and in a way that shouldn't be possible for a human. Her mannerism pulled me in deeper, making the cold seem distant, irrelevant. For a second, I forgot the chest, the pack-everything except the way she looked at me, like she'd known me once, long ago.

"Shouldn't be out here," I murmured, though the warning felt hollow.

She gave a slight smile, just enough to keep me rooted in place. "Neither should you."

I almost burst out laughing at that. She had no idea who I was. I could be anywhere, anytime I wanted. She, on the other hand...

"Your people would be looking for you by this time," I urged.

Her gaze held steady, unflinching. "Maybe, but I'm going anyway."

Realizing that she intended to go further, I felt uneasy. We were having a festival today, and humans were not invited. Any movement beyond this point would be deliberate, violating the unwritten rule and leaving no excuse for pardon. She'd be killed the moment she was seen-another fodder to serve as warning.

Generally, humans didn't go past this point, but some did. Further down, the territory was dominated by werewolves, though with a shallow mix of humans. Normal humans had instincts to guide them, steering them clear of such places during events like this, making those nearby stay out or indoors. This one in front of me seemed different, however; she seemed fearless.

Before I could say anything else to dissaude her, she was off. It was shocking how she slipped away from my sharp vision, like she knew I'd like to stop her and decided to run before that happened. Normally, I wouldn't budge- I'd let her go on the mission to her death but this time, I wasn't even conflicted on whether or not to save her. The feeling was definitely, causing me to move without hesitation at a supernatural speed that left the snow and shadows blurring around me.

Her presence had struck something deep within me, our conversation a note I hadn't expected, like an echo from a song I didn't remember learning. The mist was closing in again, covering her tracks. I didn't know if she was doing it or not, but I unraveled it as I gave chase. I didn't fully understand what was going on yet, but I was determined to.

Chapter 3:

Imagine a world cloaked in icy mystique, carved from the frozen wilderness of the Arctic and bordered by an endless ocean. Somehow, life flourished in this desolate terrain-plants, animals, and magic thrived in harmony. Amid this harsh beauty, werewolf packs emerged, and humans eventually found their way into this realm.

The initial arrival of humans was seen as a threat, sparking bloodshed as the werewolves sought to protect their territory. However, the violence ceased when both sides realized their interdependence. Human innovation became vital to werewolf survival and adaptation, while werewolf strength and control over the climate shielded human settlements. Over time, this uneasy relationship evolved into a fragile harmony-a delicate balance between the ordinary and the supernatural.

At the heart of this coexistence was a mist, born from the land's inherent magic. This ethereal veil served as nature's mechanism to shield fragile human minds from what they could not understand. It concealed werewolf transformations and gatherings, blurring the line between reality and myth. The mist clouded human judgment, making them oblivious to werewolf existence. To most, pack members appeared merely eccentric-reclusive during certain moon phases, adhering to odd rituals, and keeping unusual hours.

Yet, not all humans were blind to the truth. A select few, known as the Founders, possessed the rare gift of discernment-a vision that pierced the mist. This tribe had forged the original pact with the werewolves centuries ago, ensuring mutual protection and peace. Over generations, their bloodline thinned, and their abilities faded, leaving only a handful of descendants with diluted powers.

Among these descendants was Lena, a young woman whose bloodline retained its purity. Her vision was as sharp as her ancestors', allowing her to see the world's hidden truths. Growing up, Lena often felt out of place, burdened by the weight of what others could not perceive. Yet, her curiosity was insatiable, driving her to explore the mysteries others ignored.

One fateful day, standing at the edge of the thickets, she resolved to delve deeper into the unknown. But her plans were interrupted by a deep, commanding voice.

"Lost?"

Startled, Lena turned to find a man with breathtakingly handsome features. His intense gaze locked onto hers, and for a moment, she forgot her mission. His voice had jolted her back to reality, yet her curiosity about him only deepened.

"No, I'm fine," she replied, her tone steady despite her racing heart.

He didn't believe her. His sharp eyes and firm stance suggested he wasn't about to let her wander further. But Lena's determination outweighed his caution. Without another word, she darted into the fog, determined to escape his watchful presence.

Certain she had lost him, Lena emerged into a breathtaking clearing. The mist parted to reveal a hidden expanse of land, dotted with intricate buildings and vibrant activity. Her mouth fell open as she took in the sight-a world no human had ever described.

Before she could take another step, a powerful force knocked her to the ground. Her scream was muffled by a firm hand covering her mouth. Panic surged through her as her surroundings blurred, and when her vision cleared, the man from before stood above her, a finger pressed to his lips.

"You can't be here," he said, his tone low but urgent.

"Why?" Lena demanded, her voice shaky but resolute.

He hesitated, his expression conflicted. Finally, he relented. "This is werewolf territory. There's a festival tonight, and any human found here will be killed on sight."

Lena's expression remained calm, surprising him. "That explains a lot," she whispered.

His brow furrowed. "You're not surprised?"

"It just... makes sense," she admitted. "I've always seen things that others don't. I've always felt something was different."

He stared at her, drawn to her boldness despite himself. She wasn't afraid, yet he knew her fearlessness would be her downfall.

"Please help me," Lena pleaded, her voice soft but earnest.

He made his decision quickly. Time was short, and her safety was at risk. Without another word, he lifted her onto his shoulders, his touch sparking an unexplainable electricity between them. Ignoring the sensation, he sped through the territory, his inhuman speed ensuring no one saw them.

When they finally stopped, Lena looked around, stunned by how quickly they had escaped. Her gratitude was evident, and before she could stop herself, she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.

The gesture awakened something within him-a conflict of emotions he couldn't suppress. Acting on impulse, he captured her lips in a kiss that ignited a fire neither of them expected.

It was a moment that would change their lives forever.