RISEN FROM THE ASHES

Far from the human world, in the untamed part of the deep forest enclosed by an unseen barrier lay a vast prosperous land where werewolves thrived. Versipellis was known for its beauty and it's stable economy among other werewolf packs. Their near independence made them stand out. But there was an ugly secret which was unknown, other werewolves had since believed that residing in Versipellis was a blessing but that wasn't the case for all their tribe members.

In the outskirts of Versipellis, where farming thrives and buildings with thatched roofs were abundant, lived a group of segregated werewolves. Separated and differentiated from their own tribe, they were the Rogues. Some believed that the Rogues were humans bitten that survived and turned into werewolves, others say they were cursed by the Moon goddess, others expanded their thoughts to werewolves who found their mates in the human clan and had children. Regardless of which was true, they were looked down upon by every class of werewolves in Versipellis and were forbidden from entering the main city unless on business and trading purposes. Though most Rogues had learned to accept their identity there was one little Rogue who just couldn't accept her fate.

"Three..Two..One..Ready or not here I come!" Auburn squealed in excitement as she looked for her two friends in the fields. Auburn even among the Rogues was looked at with curiosity, both her mother and her. Auburn was probably the finest five-year-old werewolf you'd ever see but that's not what made her stand out, she was probably the only one in the entire Versipellis with auburn hair as her name implies, her mom was even weirder, she had silver white hair which was something that had never been seen before in Versipellis. Unlike other werewolves which when in their wolf form have fur colours of; grey, black and white, brown and so many other similar shades, Auburn turned a jet black colour in her wolf form which always brought about gasps from onlookers. Her mom had since then restricted her from entering her wolf form.

"Found ya'!" She laughed as she held on to her friend's shirt as he tried to escape. He had smooth dark skin and black hair, he was really adorable.

"Why am I always the one who's caught? No fair!" Cyprian accused pouting. He was terrible at hiding, if only he knew.

"Oh come on Cyprian, don't be such a cry baby. It's not Auburn's fault that you are terrible at hiding," Colette his twin sister said plainly. She was a very blunt and outspoken girl.

"Maybe you should take training more seriously then!" I said as I dropped Cyprian carelessly on the ground. We did our own sort of military training were we would teach ourselves and practice sword fighting. Cyprian was horrible at using fake swords, to be honest, he was horrible at many things. The only thing he probably did well was eating, at least that's what Colette says. It wasn't far from the truth though. Colette wasn't so bad at using swords but I think the twins were better off with raw strength just like their element. Everybody had an element in Versipellis the most common were Earth, Water and Fire. Lightening and Air were super rare, snow wasn't an element in Versipellis at all, mom said it was only found in Otia the Tribe she came from, they lived in the snowy region and mother was the Crown princess then. She never really talked much about why she left, but unlike like others, I didn't have an element. I was so sad when all other children my age went to Mister Gregory who was the only the werewolf among the Rogues who could use a bit of magic other than mom of course. Mom knew basic magic from her home tribe, not that anyone knew. In Versipellis,a child's element can be seen from just a few months after been born in some cases while others couldn't see theirs until they were at least three years. I was five and I hadn't seen mine, saying that would make it seem like it hasn't shown. Truth is,I don't have one. Placing my hands on the orb that Mr. Gregory was holding,it turned out pitch black, it had never showed such a colour before and people around who heard of it concluded I was cursed.

"Auburn! Cyprian! Colette!!" We heard our mothers call. My mom and theirs were close friends, he only friend my mom had to begin with. We were all like family, Cyprian and Colette were like my older siblings and our moms often cooked together,so we like one big family. They were probably calling us for lunch,I was hungry. After training,a warrior must have her fill,I thought.

"Who's in for a race?" Colette asked with a smirk as she folded her arms. I nodded my head, I was always in for a competition.

"Why do we have to compete to get home too? Don't you too ever get tired?" He heaved a sigh like he had been doing something manually tasking earlier.

"You're just too chicken to join in because you're afraid you will lose to us," Colette snickered as she taunted Cyprian. She enjoyed doing this the most.

"Fine, I'm in. So what's the price?"

"Last one in has to help both our moms in the farm tomorrow," she ruled out as she smirked at Cyprian with her hazel eyes glowing in determination. I suddenly felt like this was now a deal between of them instead of the three of us but I didn't care as long as I wasn't the last. I sure wasn't planning on doing all the work.

"I'll count. On three. One... Two... Three," Cyprian as always ran before he said three,he probably had the fastest wolf transformation among the three of us,he charged towards the house. I on the other hand wasn't allowed to use my wolf form so I quickly sprinted alongside Colette in her dark brown wolf form,we smirked at each other as we quickly overtook Cyprian who had attempted to cheat. He was probably yelling how we probably did something against the rules to catch up with him, he always had an excuse for why we beat him at almost everything. I was first to enter the house,with Colette coming in a few seconds after quickly turning back to her human form. We gave ourselves a quick high five. Cyprian came in a minute later panting as he turned back to his human form.

"You guys cheated again didn't you?"

He said between pants. He could not just accept defeat.

"A race down here,again?" Cyprian and Colette's mom asked rhetorically, her name was Eydis. She was used to us competing like this all the time.

"Don't tell me Cyprian lost again right?" and she definitely knew who always lost, she let out a small giggle.

"So what was the deal this time?" Mom asked coming out with plates of food and serving it on the table. They had cooked my favorite, Shepherd's pie and Soda bread.

"He is going to be helping y'all on the farm tomorrow," Colette spoke with all confidence and pride, I was really happy that we were free from working on the farm tomorrow. We only had to the the house chores now.

"I am not making a deal with you girls anymore," Cyprian pouted as he sat at the dining table and started eating his sorrow away.

"Okay, Cyprian, no need to be mad. This simply means you need to get stronger to protect your sisters," Eydis comforted him.

"Nah-ah, there's no way I'm going to depend on him to protect me. I think I can very well take care of myself mom."

"I'm with her a hundred percent," I backed up with my arms folded. " I think we can protect ourselves quite well. Cyprian would be better at certain things if he put more effort." I wasn't lying,he didn't like putting effort in anything.

"Okay now, it's okay honey. Let's all sit down and have lunch. Tomorrow evening, we'll do some evening lessons on sword fighting," my mom said to get us riled up. She usually taught us how to use a sword. Being a Rogue wasn't such a bad thing, we had relative freedom to do whatever we wanted to, besides, it was peaceful and quiet here. No dramas, no unnecessary disturbances. Life was actually great here.

Two weeks after, a decree was sent out by Alpha Aldous through his soldiers. This wasn't much of a bother to the other citizens of Versipellis but for the Rogues it was one to worry about. In years past, whenever a decree of tribute increment was passed, the Rogues would be the ones to bear most of the burden and failure to comply meant imprisonment for treason. People who were arrested never came back and no one dared to ask.

"The decree passed by His Royal Majesty Alpha Aldous, is as follows; 300 potatoes per person instead of 150, as for livestock triple the past amount of last year, double of green veggies, and silk should be tripled as Her Highness has taking a liking to silk wares, all other things will be double the amount of the previous year," the soldier who seemed to be a Delta rank said as he rolled the scroll back up.

"Failure to comply is a show of disrespect for Versipellis kingdom and the Alpha which you ignorant bunch should be well aware is treason," he cussed. I, Cyprian and Colette watched from inside Ms. Eydis' house. Our moms didn't like us coming out whenever officials from the main city came, especially mine - she was overprotective.

"This is outrageous! How do you think we can meet up with this decree? It simply isn't possible!" Mom raised her voice. She was definitely angry. Mom always tried to stay out of sight and level headed but when she was angry she totally losses it. Mumbles erupt from the crowd of Rogues gathered together.

"She has a point, you can't just suddenly make a decree in the middle of the year, doubling and tripling the output and expecting us to meet up!" An olive skinned man said as he came to the front of the crowd which seemed motivated by the man's courage as they all began to complain openly.

"I'm not the one who passes the decrees, I'm only here to deliver the message. Besides, you Rogues have some guts trying to stand up for yourselves. Who do you think you are to complain? " He said turning to face my mom.

"Someone who knows what is right, I guess," mom snapped.

"Don't you think it's a bit shallow of you to direct your anger at a female?" The olive skinned man backed up. The Delta ranking soldier in anger and within the blink of an eye suddenly threw a fire ball at the olive skinned man, instinctively, mom stood in front of the soldier her hand covered in snow. She quenched the attack as she caught his fist which left him stunned. Rogues were forbidden to use their abilities on other werewolves especially ones from the main city. Mom was well aware of that but she couldn't let the man get hurt for trying to support her. She had always had a sense of justice and oneness which I admired about her. Sometimes, I wished I had the element of air, with that I would be able to give Mom so much more. The air element was highly priced and placed, so even Rogues would get something like honourary citizenship in the main city and would immediately become an Elite but it was so rare even among the Elites, not to mention that I had no element.

Mom stopped as the soldier backed off, she realized what she had just done but had no regrets. She was the definition of bravery. But even mom knew her limits.

A slap across the face brought silence among the crowd, no one talked anymore. Mom stood in front of the soldier with her head down without saying anything, she was really pissed but she couldn't do anything. Not that she couldn't, she shouldn't. Doing anything rash would mean she would have repercussions in the future, attacking a soldier of the third rank was already punishable.

"You have a lot of guts for a woman," he smirked as he lifted mom's chin with his index fingers. Running outside, I jumped in front of mom and pushed the soldier back with my tiny fist.

"Honey, what are doing? Go back inside",she whispered. I knew she didn't want me interfering but I couldn't let anyone not even the Alpha hurt my mom.

"Don't you dare you touch my mom!" I didn't know when and why I started crying. Probably because seeing mom being hurt was upsetting, she was my everything. Mom quickly puleed me close to her as she got on her knees and hugged me. Her warm tears dropping on my neck.

"Like mother like daughter," the same soldier scoffed. "You take after your mom well in beauty," added. Attempting to touch my mom's face, I quickly grabbed onto his hand and bit him with all the strength I could muster. He shouted in agony as he spun around trying to get my off, I brought out my canines and bit even harder. Mom was finally able to get me off, the man looking at me in pure terror as mom secured me in her arms.

Mounting his horse, along with his men, "I'll be back and when I come back you'd regret it!" He said still holding his hand in pain as he left with his men. Soon the talks died down and we had to start working on the farm immediately to be able to meet up with the new tribute in place. Mom hadn't said a word to me, I guessed she was still mad at me.

"Mommy, didn't mean to disobey you," I said tugging at her trouser to get her attention.

"Honey, I know you did that because you felt the need to protect me but still you shouldn't. It's my duty to protect you not the other way around, what if something had happened to you? What would I have done?" She touched my face caringly as tears gathered in her eyes. I quickly ran away and sat on a log not too far from her farm plot. I just wanted to help her out, I didn't mean to make her angry or sad. I began to touch the flower in front of me as I cried. The flower suddenly turned black and then into ashes, I stopped crying in astonishment. What had just happened? I turned back to see mom's stunned face as well, she had seen what I had seen.

"Mom... I...," before I could explain, she cut me short.

"Did you do that honey?" She said unable to hide her confusion and surprise. I was as confused as her, I didn't think I was the one who did that, maybe there was something wrong with the flower already. I stood there looking at my mom without responding, she came closer,

"Auburn, try touching the tree with the same anger you used to touch the flower," she said in her usual calm manner. I obeyed her without replying. I touched the tree and the tree withered, something was not right. I quickly backed away scared of myself.

"It's okay honey, it's perfectly fine," she assured, beckoning to me not to move away from her but I was afraid I would hurt her. I began to cry in confusion, was I really cursed like what people said? Would I hurt my mom because I'm cursed? Mom rushed to me and hugged me, nothing happened. She didn't dissipate.

"It's okay baby, I'm right here. Nothing happened and nothing is gonna happen," she cooed. Nothing really did happen.

Rubbing my teary eyes, "Mommy, I'm I really cursed?"

Beaming a smile at me,"No, you are special my angel."

I didn't want to interrupt the throne room meeting but I also needed to get to the meeting room in the nick of time. I walked hurriedly but gracefully through the palace hallways. I stopped as I approached the throne room,it was unbecoming and unladylike to barge into the throne room even if the meeting was over without first waiting for the army officials to exit the place. As a Luna, our sole duty was to support and be submissive to our husbands.

Walking into the room, genuflecting, "I wish to speak to you privately My Lord," I said in a calm tone as all Luna should have. Aldous immediately dismissed his attendants, leaving us alone.

"What do you wish to talk to me about Annora?" He asked as I walked up to him.

"Aldous, you know I want to know what the next step is. You didn't tell me what happened after and whether my plan worked out," I said impatiently. As long as I wasn't in front of any dignitary, I could call the Alpha by his name. He was my husband after all and calling his name didn't remove the respect and reverence I had towards him.

"I nearly forgot about that, well as expected your plan did work and it will be easy to get rid of her without any hint of suspicion or malice. I'm still surprised how you knew Eira would fall for it, you never cease to amaze me," he complimented. Sitting on his thighs and caressing his face,

"Weren't you the one who said that she had since had a sense of justice? Someone like that would obviously instinctively intervene in matters like this. But I'm wondering, no I'm actually surprised how you still remember her name."

"She's not one to forget, after all, she is the daughter of Alpha Lutheran and if she wasn't such an idiot probably the next Alpha of Otia," he said in disgust.

"Let's not forget that we owe our rulership to her," I said sarcastically. I hated Eira from the core of my bones.

"So when do we execute the plan?"

"Tonight or tomorrow night,"

"Didn't you say she had a daughter? Shouldn't we get rid of her also?" I inquired.

"It doesn't matter,I

I heard she's worthless. She has no element and she's very small. She won't be a threat later. Sooner or later she'll die off without being able to look out for herself." He had a point, she was probably the only werewolf without any ability, what threat could she possibly pose? Wrapping his hand around my waist, he pulled me closer to himself.

"Why are we still here talking about work matters?" Seductively kissing my neck. He could be really naughty sometimes.

"Aldous! We're in the throne room," I said in a raised but hushed tone.

"Don't you want to give Conrad and Versipellis a little Luna?" His breath hitting my neck arousing all forms of inner desire. He went further using his tongue like a compass to perfectly mark out all the lines, depths and curves of my neck and shoulder. He was really going to eat me up if I didn't do anything.

"Aldous, you're quite naughty for a supposedly cold, ruthlessAlpha," I teased.

"Does it matter?" He asked rhetorically without paying attention to my words. His attention was already fixed somewhere else.

"I don't feel the need to give Conrad a little sister yet but I'm more than willing to enjoy the moment but not just here," turning around to face him, placing my index finger on his lips, " You can have me all you want and as much as you want but I think it will be better and more relaxing in our bed chamber," I said as I leaned against his neck, breathing against it. I don't know how he does it but I fall in love and lust over him everyday, it's like I can never get enough of him. Pulling my face closer to his,he engages me in wet kiss. Our tongues laced and our saliva intermingling, he was my cupid.

* * *

"Mummy, are you ready getting me my personal sword?!" I was all over mom in excitement as we headed to the blacksmith with Cyprian, Colette and their mom. Our moms had just announced to us that we were going to have our first weapons crafted for us.

"Are we there yet?" I asked as I ran aimlessly about in happiness.

"Somebody likes fighting," Cyprian and Colette's mom teased.

"Why is it only Auburn and Colette that gets something? So what do I get?" Cyprian stomped his foot on the ground wanting to throw a tantrum as he pouted. He was a big baby.

"A meal banquet," Colette teased Cyprian as we laughed at him. He really was mad this time.

"Honey, there's no need to be angry. I already had something in mind for you but I wanted to keep it a secret as a surprise for you," Ms. Eydis comforted Cyprian. Our moms had already asked for our weapons to be made earlier as they needed sufficient time to pay for the weapons.

"We'll have what we asked for earlier," my mom and the twins mom echoed after exchanging pleasantries with the blacksmith. He brought out three items, one which was obviously a sword in it's sheath and the other came in a pair. They were daggers, so that was what Ms. Eydis had in mind for Cyprian. He was normally skilled at using even a kitchen knife, his mom must have noticed his subconscious talent for knives. A dagger was probably the only thing other than brute strength that he was talented at using. I was happy with my sword and so was Cyprian, he quickly unsheathed his daggers and spun them around with dexterity and finesse. He really was good and I was happy that he's found his thing, though I wasn't planning on saying so.

We went on to the Fletcher, with that, I knew Colette was getting a bow and some arrows. She wasn't bad at using a sword but she wasn't her thing either. Her aim had always been too precise, I guess she took after her mom. Her mom was so skilled at shooting arrows and I sort of envied that since I had little or no skill for using arrows. After picking up Colette's weapon,we headed back home, the three of us arguing which weapon was better. Mom and Ms. Eydis needed to get back to work because they still had to meet up with the tribute increment. We gladly decided to help,they had gotten us what we wanted, of course we had to appreciate them somehow. We knew they really didn't have the money but our moms will go the extra mile to make us happy that's for sure.

Since we couldn't do much on the farm with our tiny hands, we just weeded the plots, though Cyprian insisted on helping our moms lift somethings. We walked till sunset before heading back home, we decided to have dinner over at the twins place. Mom and Ms. Eydis discussed something in hushed tones as they cooked the potatoes, something was off and whenever any of us passed, they'll stop talking and smile at us. Maybe it was work stuff or things mothers usually talk about. I eventually stopped caring, I carried my sword to show off my moves to Colette and Cyprian who seemed to be showing off to each other.

"Dinner is ready," Ms. Eydis called. We ran like the hungry cubs we were and began to eat our food even before sitting down.

"Honey, why don't you stay with Ms. Eydis and the twins they'll be happy to hear that you are spending the night with them," mom said as night approached. We were still in Ms. Eydis house sitting out in front. For some seconds, I wondered why mom suddenly wanted me to stay over but I quickly realized that it was probably because of my excitement after getting my own weapon. She probably thought it was best for our trio to stay and talk all our excitement away.

"Thank you, mummy," I replied as she patted my head and beamed a smile at me. Something about that smile made me sad, I didn't know what but it somehow did. I pushed the thoughts aside and ran into the house to tell Cyprian and Colette that I was staying over. Leaving mom outside in the eeriness of the darkness.