THE ALPHA STRADDLE

THE ALPHA STRADDLE

Deep in the woods, very late at night, there was silence all in the camp of the Silver Crimson pack except for chirping of the insects. Elisa lay on the floor with her husband Gregor who had fastened his eyes on her.

"Surely you are not planning on getting another child tonight with that look of yours, we have three kids already" said Elisa quietly with a smile.

"Definitely not" replied Gregor as he kept on looking at her, this time beginning to move close to her.

"It is not an abomination for an Alpha of the Silver Crimson pack to want to make love to his wife, is it?" he asked.

"Of course not, but look". She said as she pointed to the left end of the hut.

There slept their three werewolf kids- Randolph, Jacob and their beautiful little sister Astoria. Gregor with a sigh gave up his advances. He turned to the side of the bed, setting his mind on something else. He thought about the heated argument he got earlier that day with Ragner, his elder brother.

He could remember him saying that "I am tired of being ruled and controlled by you. I am the elder one, I should be the Alpha. He also could also recall hearing Ragner say "This ends today" while he left. Gregor laid on the bed stunned because his brother had never acted this way before. He has never been an opposition since he was made an Alpha instead of his brother.

"But what must have happened," Gregor thought. While he thought of this he turned back to look at his wife who had already slept off. He shut his eyes to sleep.

"Gregor!" He heard his wife calling him about a Few minutes later. He stood up from where he had laid beside his wife earlier. There was a fire outbreak in their hut. He moved around the hut looking for an escape shot for himself and his family but there was none. The noise of the panting family woke the other werewolves who made an effort to rescue their Alpha and his family. They approached the hut and could only manage to rescue Astoria who had been bruised. The rest of the Lincoln family had been burned to death. Astoria wept as she was comforted by the People and her Uncle Ragner. Astoria wept for many days. It was heartbreaking. It was later discovered that someone had started the fire and the culprit had not been caught. To protect their Successor to the Alpha position, the Council of the Wolves of the Silver Crimson Pack put Astoria in a hut with guards around it to protect her.

Weeks had passed after the incident and something was certain- "The need for a new Alpha". The Pack could not go on without an Alpha because the strength of wolves was in their pack with an Alpha. A meeting was called for the members of the Ruling Council.

They were all gathered at the meeting and 2 representatives each of the five families of the pack were represented. Including Ragner and Astoria, the representative of the Royal family.

"Now let's cast our vote on whom we would want to be our new Alpha." One member of the council said.

"Is there anything to go for all these multitudes of people when our late Alpha's daughter is still available and alive." Another of the council said.

"No, it's necessary to cast our vote on this." Another said.

"It's not necessary because we already have a royal family in our midst, you know." The second spoke up again.

"Yes I totally agree with you, this pack is not a pack that is new to any leadership. We already have a leader that was taken from us forcefully,so it's only right of us to leave the leader in his lineage and not carry it over to some other family."

"You are totally right, I honestly agree with you." Another said in support. And he continued

"Our late Alpha ruled us,in a good and productive way,so I believe his daughter would do the same." He added.

"Very well then, there will be no need to begin any voting process, we already know who our Alpha is." The judge said with finality and Everytime agreed with him.

"But I have a suggestion to make." Ragner stopped up from where he was sitting.

"What's suggestion is that,speak." The judge ordered.

"Astoria is still an amateur and I know she wouldn't be able to rule us well like her father did for now, so I'm suggesting you make me the Alpha now until she turned 18 since I'm also a member of the royal family." He finally concluded his speech.

"No that won't be happening, you can't rule us." One of the members said immediately he finished his speech.

"Ragner should rule because he is mature enough to know how to handle the leadership and train her in the process." The second members of the council suggested too.

"Yes we know she is still very young but you can rule when Astoria is there." Another said.

"Astoria should be placed in the ruling seat now that she is still young,so she would get a hang of being in power,so when she finally turned 18 she would be made the Alpha." The third member said.

The argument between the members of the council about Who was succeeding as the Alpha continued as they were really seriously yelling at each other making the meeting room very noisy.

"Silence everyone." The judge yelled and the argument slowly died down and the meeting hall became calm again.

"I have decided, Astoria will rule the pack and she will be made the Alpha at her 18th birthday." The judge passed his judgement and some of the council members became happy while others left the meeting room angrily alongside Ragner who was equally angry.

In his hut he had a secret meeting with his loyalists about the next plan after killing his brother and his Family."I should have done it myself. I should have set the fire myself,' he said. "If I had, then there would be no survivor" he said further. If only Aztec had done a good job then I wouldn't have to worry being hindered from being the next Alpha" he added. He was calmed down by his loyalists. And then he was advised to lay low for a while and not attempt killing Astoria lest he would attract suspicion. He decided to let her rule until the day of her Alpha Naming Ceremony where she would officially be made Alpha which was her 18th birthday. But one thing was certain: he had to kill Aztec, the werewolf married to a human, to protect his secret from being released.

Aztec was battered after setting the fire on his Alpha's family. It was never his intention. He only wanted to protect his secret from being exposed. The secret being that werewolves are banned from marrying humans. Ragner found out his secret and protected it for a very long time until he had to use it as a blackmail for him (Aztec) to do his bidding which was to exterminate the Alpha's family. Aztec sat thinking as he looked at his wife Helena and his kids- Leo and Lisa who sat down eating. He sat down thinking about what his kids would think of him if they were to find out that their father killed the Alpha and his family. His wife already knew about it and together they decided to keep it a secret. But for how long would they keep this secret? He pondered. Aztec hut was far away from the rest of the parks' as he had made it to keep his secret of him marrying a human hidden lest he be punished to death by the Ruling council. While the family was eating, a group of werewolves led by Ragner encamped their abode calling Aztec two step outside. Hearing this Helena went with Aztec shutting the door on their kids preventing them from coming outside. Leo ran to the window followed by his sister Lisa as they both peeped out the window. Looking outside the window they saw Ragner and heard him say he would not his secret be exposed so he has to kill Aztec and his wife but he would spare their children. They saw how valiantly their Parents fought although their Mother being the weakest of them because she was human. Her parents fought on and on but were later held and beaten by the werewolves who had come with Ragner. Then Ragner himself killed both of them. After killing them he entered the hut to find the children who had escaped. Ragner had promised their parents that he wouldn't harm their kids, but now seeing that the children had taken to their heels, he was sure his secret has been revealed and as such could not let the children leave. He just could not. So he ordered a hunt. Griffin, Seiko and the others were ordered to capture and bring them alive.

Old Adolph decided to go on hunting after being in the woods for quite a time. "Surely I have to eat to keep the human race alive" was his popular saying to motivate himself to go on a hunt. He entered deep in the woods when he saw two young wolves-Lisa and Leo headed towards him not attacking but looked like they were running away from something or someone. He was happy that in just minutes searching for food he already got wolves only for him to look and these wolves changed their shape from a wolf into a human- two little kids. He has heard of the Werewolves myth but this was too good to be true. He stood stunned and looked at the two kids as they in turn stared at him. He definitely cannot kill them; they are just kids. They in turn whispered to each other- "we cannot attack him, we are just fourteen. Let us ask him for help. "Please we need your help, our parents were killed today and those that killed them are after us", Leo called out. "Help us Please '', Lisa added. Looking at them Adolph still misunderstood them not knowing what to do until he was attacked by a very mature wolf; one of Ragner's deadliest servants Seiko who he was able to shoot with his rifle after Leo and Lisa in their wolf form were able to disturb him, Seiko. After the incident, Adolph took the kids and ran away just before Griffin and the other werewolves were able to arrive at the scene who went to give the feedback to their master.

Meanwhile at the pack, the tale of Astoria being the Alpha stunned people. Some were delighted that the crown remained on a Gregor's descendant, and some were angered at being ruled by a little girl. This allowed the Ragner loyalists to increase as some preferred Ragner ruling than an "Amateur" as they referred to Astoria. The Pack was dividing and Ragner's camp was increasing. In order for it not be discovered that he killed Astoria's family, he had to tell his supporters to pretend as he in turn wanted to lest he be caught and his chances of being the Alpha is blown. Winning Astoria's trust in the process. He further opted to help train her to unlock her werewolf abilities. He did all this to look for a way to kill her without it being traced to him. But all efforts turned out to be fruitless. He had no choice but had to wait till she turned eighteen or maybe till a good opportunity comes in handy.

Days have passed since Adolph met his soon-to-be-discovered Nephew and niece. When he met them that day and took them home, they explained their story and he took them in not wanting to let kids stay all on their own in the woods. Until today he never wanted to have anything to do with kids but here he was with two kids all by himself." Two mysterious werewolf kids``. He thought as he laughed within him until he was stopped by a sound by Lisa who got bruised in her arm. "Be careful! There are a lot of harmful objects; I am not used to having any one around", he said. "Over here let me help you with the bruise" he said further. When she got to him, he raised her dress to help her with the injury only to find a birthmark on her arm. Being surprised he called Leo and checked his arm also. He saw the birth mark on his arm. He being stunned enquired the names of their parents and after they told him he disclosed to them that Helena was his sister who he has been searching for ever since she got lost in the woods. He showed them the same birthmark on his arm. This was an epic reunion for Helena and her brother only that it was not her but her kids that united with her brother.

Five years have passed, and after several attempts by Ragner to take Astoria"s life. All attempts which failed. And it was now just three weeks left for the Full naming of the Alpha. Ragner sat in his hut thinking of what to do to kill her. While still ruminating, His mistress Tania came in. "You've been worried all day? May I ask what's keeping you worried?" She asked. Ragner told her he was worried about how he would have to kill Astoria without linking suspicions to himself. Hearing this she said: "You know for a while now I have told you that the best way to achieve your aim is to do it without hiding". She further explained that the best way to kill Astoria and not arouse suspicion was to kill Astoria and all the council members who were not loyal to him. "You have to be feared to be an Alpha!" she said. Then Ragner called for a Secret meeting with his Loyalists both from the council, the guards, and the pack as a whole. Together they planned on how the killing would go. They decided to get it done on the day of the naming which was exactly when Astoria would turn eighteen.

The sound of the door in Old Adolph's house woke the very agile Old man. He woke up to see Leo and Lisa- his niece and nephew, stealthily trying to leave the house just like they had been doing for the past five years. Not again", he yelled at them. "I told you that you don't have to take revenge on Ragner; let him be; Is five years too long for you to forget about him and just live your life to your fullest?", he said. You don't understand, '' Lisa said. "If we don't kill him before tomorrow then we will never be able to do it again". And why is that? Adolph asked. Then they explained to him Ragner's desperation to be the Alpha and how from their last attempt-which did not turn into fruition, they were able to discover that Ragner had planned to take Astoria's life on her eighteenth birthday which was to be the next day. They further explained that it was not their plan to just kill Ragner to take their revenge- even though it was very obvious that Leo wanted to take revenge on Ragner because he hated him so much, but that they had to protect the true Alpha to prevent the Silver crimson pack from ruled by an Impostor who has always been disguised a good person. Adolph stared at them as they went on explaining. He thought within him "This kids are saying the truth and want to do the right thing". He didn't want to be a hindrance but at the same time he cannot let two kids both aged Nineteen to fight against this fearsome and ruthless man as they described Ragner to be. "I am coming with you" were the words that finally came from Adolph's mouth. Leo and Lisa refused, because they would not want to endanger their "human '' aged Uncle's life. "If you are going to do the right thing, then we are going to do it together", he said. "I may look weak because I am a human but I have my rifle", he said waving his gun in the air while grinning. "And I cannot leave my niece and nephew at the mercy of whatever odds it is that they may emerge triumphant". " You would not advise me to do that, Would you?", he asked. Then he loaded the bullets into his rifle and they left even though Lisa and Leo were afraid of anything happening to their uncle.

It was a cold evening at the Naming ground. This was the long awaited day where a new Alpha would be fully named. Astoria just got out of her bathroom about a few minutes ago and she sat and stared outside. Naomi, her family handmaid, brought her dress and dropped it on the bed.

"Princess Astoria, you should get dressed when the naming ceremony is about to begin." Naomi tells her. Tears are already coming out green little wolf eyes. When Naomi said: "Stop it! You are about to be our Alpha fully; An Alpha does not weep, cheer up my little princess", she said. "Oh sorry, my mighty Alpha" she said this time with the hope of cheering Astoria up. Astoria chuckled but said "Why should I be happy? when my family is all dead". "I do not deserve to be the Alpha and I don't want to be". "But you have to", Naomi cut in. "So cheer up for it is time for you to fulfill your destiny" she said as she rubbed Astoria's curly hair. "Your family would be so proud of you from up there" Naomi added as she pointed to the sky from within the hut.

"Hmm," she exhaled."I really wished my parents and siblings were still alive." She said, wiping her tears.

"It's Ok princess." Naomi said, walking towards her. Naomi grabbed a chair and put it in front of her . "Now sit, let me dress you up." she said and made her sit while she grabbed the string. She wore the string for her and helped her into the dress. She combed her hair and packed it up into a bum. A guard came in to let them know that it was time for her naming where they would have to find her mate and then they would be named Alpha and Luna of the Silver crimson Pack.

The ground was packed with all members of each of the five families of the Pack. All waiting to see their new Alpha and new Luna. The Purification rites had been done for Astoria and then the next thing to do was finding her mate. As was the tradition in the Silver crimson tribe, The males with sixth mark on their wrists were to be selected from each families and the destined one would be chosen and named Astoria's mate and together they would be able to strengthen the pack because the strength of a pack was in their Alpha and their Luna. The boys were called forth to know who would be picked by their ancestors. After all the kids had undergone the rites, it was discovered that neither of them were chosen by the ancestors. Then came in Rager saying "Enough of this madness! She is not destined to be the Alpha or Luna or whatever it is you chose to call her". "I should be the Alpha, I was the eldest son of my Father and yet I was not chosen and yet again you all choose to deny me the chance of being the Alpha '', he added. While he was saying this, one of the council members performing the rites discovered that there was one boy left with the mark on the wrists. His name was Tanner but he had run away with his mother long ago when he was still a child and was considered an outcast because he was a half wolf after his Father married a human. His father was killed as a result but he and his mother fled. "Wait" The council member called out. "There is one boy with the mark left" she said as she narrated everything to the council and the pack as a whole. "We need to find him, He is our Alpha '', she said. Just when she ended that statement she was stabbed by Ragner who in turn replied "I am your Alpha''. Chaos broke out in the camp as Ragner's loyalists began killing all the werewolves who were not loyal to their master. The young, the old, and even the council members who denied Ragner his chance of being the Alpha. Their goal was actually to kill Astoria who at that time was nowhere to be found. Ragner commanded them saying "Find her!".

Naomi and Astoria kept on running. It was when chaos had broken out that Naomi, the very loyal handmaid to the Lincoln's family, took Astoria and they both fled. While running, Astoria said to Naomi. "We do not have to run, Ragner would never hurt me". And how sure are you of that? asked Naomi. "I have never trusted your Uncle since he was not elected as the Alpha; Rumor even has it that he killed your parents and brothers in that fire accident" added Naomi as she stopped running and was gasping. She continued as Astoria also stopped running; "Who do you think has been attempting to kill you ever since your parents and brothers died?Tell me who do you think would want you dead?. Astoria was in shock as she came to realise that no one but her Uncle would want her dead because he wants to be the Alpha. Naomi said to her; "You have to flee, you have to run away and come back and reclaim your throne"; "Find your mate and come back and take your place". Taking her by her hand Astoria replied: "But I cannot let you stay back, he will kill you for helping my escape". "Don't worry about me, just go", Naomi said. Sobbing Astoria departed running whilst hearing the voice of Naomi after the wolves had gotten her and attacked her. She could hear Naomi saying: "Run, Run Astoria, run as fast as you can and do not look back, Run my mighty Alpha". Astoria ran all she could and while running she heard the voice of Naomi being beaten to death but she kept on running. She has to, she just has to run away for her to come back and take revenge on her uncle. "For dad, for mum, Randolph, for Jacob, for Naomi" she said as she cried. Only to be caught along the way by Griffin, Jasper, Hugo and two other of Ragner's servants. They surrounded her and Griffin said ``Little Alpha we are sorry it has to come to this but you have to die for our master to rule", "But don't worry it will be a quick death" Jasper added with a grin on his face. No way could she escape these five "trained-to-kill" wolves all on her own, not even when she was not yet Luna. Hanging to their wolf form, the five deadly wolves attacked her. She also changed and fought back all she could but she was no match for these fearsome, unmerciful, unyielding wolves. Each of the wolves was beating and was tearing her apart. After she saw that she could not handle them she changed back to her human form, killing herself temporarily in the process- A technique that Naomi taught while she was training to be the Alpha. At the sight of this Griffin checked her breath, seeing that she was dead, he ordered the rest that they go that she is dead. Jasper still wanted to hit her and finish her completely but Griffin called out "Jasper enough! She is dead, Let the animals feed on what is left of her". Hearing this he withheld from striking her and they all departed to give the news to their master.

Hours after they had left Astoria woke up. She had been beaten, battered and injured. She managed to stand up leaning on a tree. Now she was convinced that Ragner really wanted her dead. She heard strange sounds coming from afar. The sound of cars going and coming on a highway was the sound she heard. She headed towards that direction saying: "Surely I would get help from whoever is there". She just had to keep on going until she got to the road because it was better than dying for real in the woods. She ran to the main road as the sound got closer and closer. Staying on the road asking for help she was run over by a car at a high speed. She lay on the ground lifeless.

Leo, Leo, Leo be calm, don't go, something has happened here were the words of Lisa when she was amazed at what the Naming ground looked like. It looked like the Silver crimson pack had been attacked by their distant neighbours the Rui-Guerrera's Pack. "But no the Rui Guerreras would never do such a thing were the words of Leo'' like he knew what his sister was thinking about." Then who did this' ' cut in their Uncle Adolph quietly. While they talked quietly in a hidden place they saw Ragner come out. In fury Leo wanted to attack him but his sister held him back. Ragner came out with some of the wolves while Griffin, Jasper and the other wolves approached him. "Is it done? Is she dead?", Ragner asked. "Yes she is' ', answered Griffin. They explained that they killed her and left what was left of her for the animals to feed on. Hearing this stunned Leo, Lisa and their uncle Adolph. "Yes! Now I am the Alpha and my rites are going to be done tonight" said a fulfilled Ragner who continued "Whoever stands against me shall be put to death". "You are either Ragner's pack or you are an enemy of Ragner's pack, choose wisely!" were his words as he terrified the whole pack and one of the council members who was his loyalists completed the rituals and he was declared Alpha and Tania his mistress Luna. Leo and Lisa were not convinced that Astoria was dead and they were bent on finding out but first they had to get close to Ragner and his loyalists to know if their instincts were right. They just had to move closer to them, especially now that it would be impossible for them to be recognized as the Children of Aztec and Helena.

TWO ANGELS BOND

Casey sat on her bed reading when she could faintly hear her voice being called from a distance. The music coming from her headphones was so loud that she barely knew that her Mum and dad had been calling her name not until they entered her room and shouted her name further. "What is it Mum?" she said. She got no response and then she turned to look at her Dad and Mum who were smiling. "What? Why are you smiling?" Then they both chorused "Congratulations baby" You were admitted into college. Sitting shocked she screamed with joy within her. Then Rick, her Father said "One more thing baby". Casey was lost. Showing signs of surprise she asked. "And what is that?" Kate replied "Your father and I got you a car", she said, swinging the car key in the air. OMG! She said as she hugged her parents. She was so happy that she took the car key and wanted to drive the car. She ran outside and she was surprised to see the beautiful car that her Dad and mum had gotten for her. She took the key and started the car and wanted to go for a ride. "Have fun but don't stay out late", her mother called, smiling. She drove the car outside their premises which was at the highway and she happily drove her car playing the loudest music. She was at a very high speed having fun all the way so that she did not notice the girl waving at her for help not until she hit her with her car. After she had discovered what she had done, she parked her car only to see the Lifeless girl on the road. She panicked but she dialed her mum and told her what had happened. In a jiffy, Rick and Kate had gotten there and were happy that the police had not found out what their daughter Casey had done. They rushed the young girl to the hospital.

For six months, Casey had been worried that Astoria was yet to wake up after she had run her over with her car. She was to resume college but she refused when denied by her conscience. Her conscience could not just let her. Every day, she came to the hospital to check on this girl whom she knew nothing about. Neither her name, nor her family members, nor her place of residence. So she and her parents could not just abandon someone they brought to the hospital themselves.

There in the hospital, Astoria had not woken up, but it was certain that she was not dead. This was because all her injuries had been healed in just a month due to Wolf abilities which was astonishing to the Doctors and nurses but she had remained in coma for six months. Her brain refused to wake up for all those months, not until she received a visit from a total stranger who held her hand. After the stranger had left, she woke up due to the sensation she felt from the touch of the stranger. She looked around surprised at where she found herself but had no idea who she was. She wanted to stand up when a nurse saw her and in shock called the Doctor.

Casey was still home in her sober mood as she had mostly been for Six months until her mum came to call her when she received a call from the hospital that the girl had woken up. Rick, Kate and Casey hurried to get to the hospital and were happy to see the young girl whom Casey had hit on the road months ago. The doctors ran some tests and cross examinations on the girl and they found out that she had completely lost her memory and had no idea of who she was or where she was from. Luckily for the doctors and Casey's parents, they found out that the name "Astoria" was a tattoo on her back. A tattoo her mother had given her.

Seeing that she had no idea who he was or where she was from, Casey pleaded with her parents that they take Astoria in and take care of her at least until she regains her memory. This was because Casey blamed herself for letting that happen to Astoria. Astoria was taken home by Rick and Kate who decided to help her because their daughter had asked. Due to the compassion Casey had on Astoria she extended her admission one year. Hoping that in one year Astoria would have regained her memories.

They all got down from the car and walked into the house. Rick and Kate sat down immediately and got into the sitting.

"Casey, you should take her to her room,to freshen up while I fix us dinner." Kate said.

"Ok mum," she said and turned over to Astoria and mouthed a 'let go' before leading her out of the sitting room. Cassy led her into the bedroom and went to mix a warm bath for her. She asked her to go into the bathroom to have her bath after mixing her bath.

Astoria walked into the bathroom but got confused with everything she saw. She saw a bathtub filled with soapy water and she just stood there staring without knowing what to do.

Casey waited for almost an hour for her to come out but there was no sign of her coming out of the bathroom. She had to go into the bathroom to check up on her. Casey gasped seeing Astoria sitting on the floor very close to the bathtub and was playing with the bobble on the bathtub. She smiled and walked towards her.

"Astoria, what are you doing sitting on the floor?" Casey asked her and she didn't answer, she just continued.

"Astoria, I thought I asked you to have your bath?" Casey asked again.

"I couldn't find any bathroom, but this is fun though." Astoria said while her glance was still focused on the bobble in the bathtub she had been playing with.

"Hmm," Casey exhaled. She noticed she wasn't used to the bathtub so she would set an example for her. "This is the bathroom, now watch me." She took off her clothes and stepped into the bathtub while Astoria just looked on.

"Come on, take off your clothes and join me." Casey asked her in. Astoria quickly took off her clothes and also joined her on the bathtub. "Now how do you feel here?" Casey asked, smiling at her. "Good." She mouthed and smiled.

They both stepped out of the bathroom with towels tied around their bodies and smiled like old times friends. Casey opened her clothes and took out two pyjamas and handed one over to her While she wore hers.

Astoria took the pants and put in her hands into the part made for her legs. While she wore the shirt like a skirt.

"Are you ready Astoria can we go and have dinner now?" Casey turned her glance to her.

"Yes I'm ready." Casey raised her brows at how Astoria was dressed and bursted out laughing and holding her stomach in the process.

"Come on Astoria, this is so funny." Casey continued laughing while Astoria stared at her and also looked at herself. After Casey, laughter subsided. She walked up to her and took off the pants she had worn like a jacket and also the shirt and helped her wear it correctly.

"Now, this is how it is worn, now you are good to go." She said,"Thank you." Astoria mouthed. "And you are welcome, so shall we?" Casey asked and she nodded as they both headed out.

Months had passed and it was looking like Astoria would remain that way with no recall of what her past life was like. Casey did not care at all because she already grew attached to Astoria who now was already more like a human. Her Wolf-like abilities had gone dormant due to her memory loss. Rick and Kate in turn also fell in love with Astoria whom they took in as their other daughter and took good care of. Casey was also very good to Astoria who she took to be her friend even more than a friend. She took her as a sister. She taught Astoria all that she needed to know as a human. She taught her the Alphabets and Math, and also how to dress- one that Astoria didn't like as she developed interest in baggy clothes and did not really fancy fashion. Casey also taught her how to walk because she would always work on hind legs-one thing that Casey did not always like but usually laughed about. They had grown so attached to each other. They became two Angels in a bond.

When it looked like Astoria's memory loss would be permanent, Casey suggested that her parents let Astoria join her in college. Casey waited for Astoria to take the exams and get admitted before she also resumed College.

Casey wanted Astoria to join her in history but it seemed Astoria preferred Theatre Arts. She seemed to develop an interest in arts especially dancing which she loved doing so much. She had love for all forms of dancing but took a liking in ballerina which she did excellently.

In college, Casey and Astoria were inseparable. They were like sisters even though their differences were very clear. Astoria was a blonde with curly hair and green wolf-like eyes, while Casey on the other hand had red hair with a freckled nose and a loud voice, one which was cons-tract to her petite figure. Oftentimes, people would complain about her voice and she would be hostile towards them. Astoria also would say jokingly "You need to lower the volume of your loud voice a bit before you cause an earthquake." It is funny how Casey would wave it off like it was nothing because it was Astoria. That was how knit they were.

On one evening, Astoria had just come back from a tiring Ballerina rehearsal coming home to their apartment in College. She found Casey in a really serious mood with her glasses and a pile of books on her table. Casey had not even noticed that she was back. She went on to meet Casey and hugged her from her back while saying "What's with you today?" "You must really be serious today" she continued. Casey just noticed that Astoria was back when she heard that statement. She replied "I am, I just found out something I have always liked since I was little" she said in a very active voice which stunned Astoria because she had never seen her like this before. "What did you find?" was Astoria's reply as she helped herself to change into her pajamas. Standing up, Casey asked her "Do you know that mythical creatures exist?" She continued "Vampires, Fairies, Dragons, Phoenix and even Werewolves are all real and have all once lived in this world". "You cannot be serious" replied Astoria as she did not like what she was hearing. She had never liked any of these mystical creatures ever since Casey had been telling her about it before they both got into college. She remembered Casey would always talk about fairies in particular which she did not like. "Are you hearing me?" Casey called Astoria who was recalling past events. "Yeah I am", Astoria replied. "Okay good because I am about to tell you what I learnt tonight which has got me dumbfounded" Casey said. Astoria showed no signs of being willing to know. "Werewolves are real and are still alive till this moment. Can you imagine?" Casey said, showing so much astonishment at what she had just said. Astoria did not even consider what she had said that important. She thought Casey was just talking about something that does not make any sense.

Astoria just pretend to be listening but her mind wasn't really there. She wished she could just walk out on those mysterious and unreal words Casey was saying.

"Casey I'm so tired and famished right now, I think I should go and have my bath and come down for dinner." Astoria said, trying to stand up from beside Casey.

"Ok but just take a look at this." She said, trying to convince Astoria to see what she was showing to her. Astoria sat back and Casey showed her a drawing of the werewolf. Which made her feel a little strange.

"I have seen it, so can I get going now?" Astoria asked and Casey just gave a sigh.

"Ok, you can go ahead and have your bath but you have to come back soon because I'm not done showing all this to you." Casey said and Astoria quickly stood up from beside her and hurried over to her bedroom before Casey would call her back. She sighed immediately as she had successfully got to her room.

"Why is she always interested in all this supercilious creature she always talks about, I'm really not buying all of this." She thought feeling disgusted with Casey's love for all those creatures that she knows doesn't exist.

She walked into her bathroom and took off her clothes and got into the bathtub to have her bath. She stayed in there for a while before finally stepping out of the bathroom. She took up a towel and tied it around her chest before walking over to her bathroom. She took some clothes from her closet and dressed them before going out of her bedroom. She got to the living room and also saw Casey still seated at the spot she had left her earlier and she still looked very focused on the books she was checking out.

"Don't tell me this is what you would be doing all day?" Astoria asked. "No dear, I'm almost done with this but believe me I'm still very much overwhelmed with this discovery." Casey smiled looking up at her. "Hmm,"Astoria exhaled. "I guess you have decided to fill your head with all this discovery today, so just get it done with, so you could move past it tomorrow." Astoria said.

"You and I know, I can never move past it especially now that I just discovered werewolves really exist, I will have to go deeper into detail and try to find one." Casey said.

"Casey, don't tell me you are planning to go deep into this madness?" Astoria asked, feeling disgusted with all things. "Yes darling I'm going deep, because I really want to prove to you and everyone else that has ever doubted me that I know what I was doing when I talked about that creature." She said with all seriousness.

"You know what?" Astoria asked, and Casey focused her glance at her and thought her next speech would be to her favor. "Keep dwelling in your world of fantasy while I go to make dinner." Astoria said and Casey hissed . "I thought you were going to say you would join me in my discovery." Casey smiled. "I won't be joining you on that ok dear, because I'm just not interested, I really wished you could be like me too and focused on something more important." Astoria spoke in a soft and calm tune. "Astoria, you won't understand but I have loved this creature from when I was a child and this is so exciting for me." Casey said.

"Ok fine, you can continue with your discovery while I go and make us dinner before we die of hunger while you are busy doing some discovery." Astoria teased her and she just smiled. "Just go make dinner always because I know how much you love eating rather than discovering new things." Casey smirked and Astoria faked a frown before standing up from the couch she had been sitting on while talking to Casey all this while. She walked over to the kitchen and went over to the refrigerator and took out all what she would be needing to make dinner and also a bottle of water. Astoria dropped them on the sink and opened the bottle of water and poured out some into a glass before zipping it down her throat. Sighed heavily as her mind drifted back to Casey and her world of fantasy.

"But what if Casey was right about all this creature she had been talking about, what would happen then." She thought and pulsed on her thoughts for a while before she continued. "If those creatures still exist then they would be very dangerous and could even harm anyone that they ever come across because they aren't humans. I can only allow Casey to read about them, but she shouldn't think of going to search for any evidence that they really exist." She sighed and grabbed a pot from the kitchen cabinets and started cooking immediately.

Astoria dished out the food and arranged the dinning table before walking over to get Casey who was still very busy in her historical work.

"Casey dinner is ready." She yelled trying to get Casey's attention."Give me a minute, I will be there shortly." Casey said, raising one of her fingers. Astoria stood there waiting for a while but saw Casey was still very much busy with what she had been doing since she got back. She went closer to her and said in a calm voice."It's more than a minute already and you still haven't gotten up from that couch."

"Please give me a minute, I will be up soon." Casey said again.``I'm not buying that anymore." Astoria said and grabbed the book she had been reading and covered it up.``Now let's go to the dining room when you are done eating you can come back to this." Casey frowned hearing that and Astoria smiled. Casey stood up reluctantly from the couch and they both walked over to the dining room.

BACK AT THE SILVER CRIMSON PACK

Ragner ruling as the Alpha of the pack made the werewolves family live in fear and trembling in the pack. There was no peace of mind for any of the other werewolves families living in the pack house. There was always one reason or the other to be sad. Ragner was brutal to every single werewolves in his pack. He punished them for any little mistake they made and he treated them very inhumane and oppressed them. He kills any that tries to rebel against him without any form of compassion and also ensures he wipes off the family of that rebellious person. This made everyone sad to speak up for themselves because they weren't ready to put their lives at risk and that of their children. They had no other choice than to stay quiet and suffer in his leadership. Some of the pack members team up to try and run away from the pack but the news was talking to him and he ended up killing those of them that tried escaping but some managed to escape to the human world and stayed hidden.

While others that could not escape remained in the pack and kept suffering from his ruling. But hope in their hearts that one day redemption will come to them and their children but they hope they will stay alive until someone comes to save them from this horrible Alpha that has turned their lives into something miserable. They wished their Alpha hadn't died from that accident years ago then they won't be in this mess right now.

Daily Ragner became even more brutal towards everyone that was around him that even some of his loyalists at the time of his brother's ruling began to regret supporting him secretly. They wished they could turn the hands of time and make their wrong deed right but it is rather too late now. They just had to keep following him and allow him to treat them in whatever way he pleases and none has the power to man up to him because of the fear he had planted in their hearts.

BACK AT THE HUMAN WORLD

Astoria was on free period after her first lecture for the daily. She walked towards Casey lecture hall because she knew they were also on free period. She wanted to spend some time with her best friend before she would have her next lecture. She walked into Casey class and saw her seated at her desk and was surrounded by some other students who were showing her something and they all looked excited about it.

"Hey Casey." She called walking closer to her. "Hey, dear, come sit beside me." Casey gestured to her to say beside her which she did.

"So what's so exciting that you are smiling ear to ear?" Astoria asked, waiting for her to speak up.

"Well baby there is a party tonight and I believe the girls are going to have fun." She screamed with smiles.

CHAPTER 3

Astoria pulsed for a while trying to digest what she just told her before she smiled. "Wow, that will be so amazing, I can't wait to attend it then."

"Yeah me too." Casey said."So now guys it's settled, we are going to rock that party tonight." Rita, one of the classmates, screamed and everyone smiled. Astoria stayed with Casey until the free period was finally over and she quickly stood up and hurried back to her class. On her way to her class she met a lady and a guy. She could tell they were twins from their looks.

"Hi dear." The girl said, trying to get her attention.

"Hey." Astoria replied, trying to walk away.

"Is it since you are in a hurry?" The guy asked. "Yes I am, the lecture would be beginning any moment, so I don't want to be late for my class." Astoria said.

"Ok but can we just introduce ourselves first?" The girls asked."Ok fine." Astoria said and focused her attention on them.

"I'm Lisa and this is my twin brother Leo and you are?" Lisa asked, looking at her with a smile. "I'm Astoria and I'm pleased to Meet you guys." She said and gave them both a handshake. "It's so nice to meet you too." They said in unison. "Yeah, I will see you guys around then, but I have got to get going now." Astoria said. "Alright what lecture are you having right now?" Lisa asked. "Dance class." She replied. "Wow, we are heading there too." Lisa smiled. "Then let's go then." Astoria gestured for her to lead the way which she happily did as they all went over to the dance class.

Later that evening Casey got dressed for the party and walked over to meet Astoria in her room.

"Astoria are you dressed, come out it's time to get going." Casey yelled in a way that she would hear her while hitting her door. "I'm coming I'm almost ready." Astoria spoke up from inside the room. She was standing in her closet confused on what to wear. Her closet was filled with bigg clothes with even a single dress, she had packed out all the dresses she had a trashed them now she was going to a party and she wouldn't be able to wear a bigg clothes there. She sat on her bed frustrated on what to do. Casey knocked on her door again reminding her Casey was still outside waiting for her.

"Casey came into the room." Astoria asked her and Casey over the door and walked into her room."You aren't dressed yet?" Casey asked with a raise of brows. "No Casey I don't know what to wear, I only have bigg clothes in my closet and I can't possibly wear that to the party or can I?" Astoria asked, staring directly at Casey.

"Oh mine, how can you possibly wear those Bigg clothes to a party? Or do you want to be mocked at the party?" Casey asked and she nodded negative while she continued. "what about the dresses I and mum got for you, where are they?" Casey asked.

"Mmm, abo..ut tho..se dresses. I trashed some of them because I thought I won't be needing them." She replied.``So where are the others?" Casey asked again, staring attentively at her. "I left them at home before coming to college here." She said and Casey sighed heavily and walked out of her bedroom. She thought Casey was angry and she had gone to the party leaving just her in the house. She just relaxed back on her bed and glanced up at the ceiling feeling angry with herself. Her bedroom door flipped open and Casey walked into the room with some clothes on her hands.

"Astoria, stand up and come try all these clothes on until we will find something more suitable for you." Casey said and she quickly stood up and took one dress from the one she had brought and tried it on.

"I thought you had gone to the party earlier when you left," she said."I thought you were angry." She added. "No I wasn't angry, and how would you think I would actually go to the party without you?" Casey asked. "That was my mistake, I actually thought you were really angry and I totally understand why you should be angry."

"Look Astoria, you are more than a friend to me and I really love you as a sister and believe me, I can't get angry over little things at that." She said and Astoria smiled and hugged her. She kept trying out the dresses until she settled for a more suitable dress and she got her heels and purse as they both walked out of their apartment.

They got out of the cab that took them to the party and paid him off as they started walking into the party ground. They could hear the loud and crazy music playing in the party venue as they walked further in. People were already on the dance floor dancing to the tune of the music. "You guys are late." They heard a voice behind them and Casey recognized the voice as Rita and turned to her with a smile. "We were busy with something else and that actually took our time."

"Oh ok, come this way." Rita led them to the table where some other of their classmates were seated drinking and having the goodies on the table. They took their seats and joined in the excitement. Drinks were brought to their table and placed in front of them. Casey and Astoria were still having their drinks while a guy in a red t-shirt and jeans pants walked up to Casey and asked her for a dance. "You can go I will be fine." Astoria tells Casey and she nodded and went with the boy and they both stepped on the dance floor. The other also joined in the dance with their different partner living just Astoria on the table. She started pouring out drinks for herself and zipped it down without any exceptions. She kept drinking until she was drunk and she screamed in excitement and also stood up and stepped on the dance floor.

"Can you dance with me?" She asked a guy seated alone at one table opposite hers. She didn't even allow the guy to reply as she grabbed his hand trying to pull him up. The guy just stood up by himself seeing how desperate she was trying to pull him up. She grabbed on his shoulder and couldn't even dance for a second before she puked all over the guy's shirt. Casey quickly noticed and left the guy she was with and hurried up to her.

"I'm really so sir." She apologized to the guy. "It's fine, I understand she is drunk, just take her home." He replied and Casey just nodded and held Astoria as she walked over to the party with drunk Astoria who was still rattling nonsense as they got out to the road. Casey stopped a cab that took them home. She dropped Astoria on the couch immediately then got into the house and took off the dress she had puked on and dropped it on her laundry before helping Astoria up into her room. She dropped her on the bed and covered her up with the blanket before turning off her bedroom light and going back to her own bedroom.

The morning sun woke up the next Astoria sleeping head. The drink had a very big effect on her last night, causing her to wake up pretty late. She stretched her body and yawned loudly as she sat up on her bed. She glanced at the wall clock and gasped.``Oh mine it's already 9:30am I have overslept." She mouthed to herself and quickly got down from her bed. She was about walking into her restroom when her room door flipped open and she saw Casey walk into the bedroom.

"Good morning sleepy head,"Casey said. "Good morning, Casey, how was your night?" She asked as she stepped into her restroom without waiting for her to respond. "It was fine." Casey said in a loud voice so she could hear her from inside the restroom.

Astoria came out of the restroom after spending some time there and walked towards Casey who was sitting on her bed and sat beside her. "Casey my head aches." Astoria complained, holding on to her head. "Why won't it ache when you had too much to drink last night." Casey says to her. "It wasn't my fault though, I was just left with drinks so what can I do?" She asked. "There are other things you could do instead of drinking." Casey said. "Things like what?" She asked. "Dancing besides you love dancing instead of having too much to drink and puking on someone." Casey said.

"What do I puke on someone?" Astoria asked with a raise of brows.

Casey kept quiet for a while before nodding her head in response to her. Astoria felt sorry for the innocent person she had puked on and she could see the person and apologise.

"You should be grateful the guy isn't like those arrogant looking folks that are so ready to tear you apart when you cross their paths." Casey said. "Oh I actually puked on a guy." She spoke softly. "It's not just a guy who isn't a calm and gentle guy at that." She corrected her. "Ok whatever but they are all addressed as guys either gentle or not." Astoria said. "Ok whatever you say." Casey replied." Ok, I really wished I could meet the guy and apologise to him properly." Astoria thought out loud. "Yes, I wish so too, but he looks new to me, and I don't think I have ever seen that face in college ever before."

"Hmm," she exhaled."Maybe he is new in college and we might like to meet him someday." Astoria said. "Yeah maybe." Casey added. "Alright enough of all that,so what are we having for breakfast? because I'm so hungry right now." Astoria said, holding her stomach softly. "I have had breakfast already, so you can go over to the kitchen to take yours." Casey said and pulsed to stare at her before she continued. "Honestly if today was a weekday, you wouldn't be able to attend class today, I just can't believe you woke up at 10am today." Casey added. "Yes I know I would have missed the lecture for today, alcohol is just not good for me." She grinned. "Just go and freshen up and go and get your breakfast from the kitchen." Casey tells her and stands up from the couch. "Ok I will do just that." She smiled. "I will be in the sitting room when you are done." Casey said and Astoria just nodded before Casey walked out of Astoria's bedroom.

Astoria stood up from her bed and walked tiredly into her bathroom. She took her bath and hurried out of the bathroom. She did everything in a haste because her stomach kept clumming. As much as she remembered she didn't actually have any food to eat last night she only had so much to drink and right now she is so very hungry. She grabbed her usual Bigg clothes and wore them as she hurried out of her room. She meant Casey seated on the couch and her glance was fixed on the cell phone that was in her hands that she didn't notice Astoria's presence in the sitting room. Astoria nodded her head negatively as she walked passed into the kitchen. She took her food and put it into the microwave to warm it up. She took out the food after a few minutes and also took a bottle of water from the refrigerator before heading out of the kitchen. She dropped her food on the dining table and fed her hungry stomach.

"What are you doing on the phone that is taking all your focus?" Astoria asked as she walked towards Casey on the couch and sat beside her. "It's nothing serious though, just trying to make a new discovery." Casey said. "Oh please don't do that again." Astoria frowned while Casey started laughing.

"Ok, so do you have any plans for today?" Astoria asked. "Yes but it's a secret I'm not telling you." Casey smirked. "Hmm," Astoria exhaled. "Please stop doing that." Astoria said. "Doing what?" Casey asked, smiling. "You know what you are doing, so I don't need to remain you." Astoria said.

"As far as I know, I didn't do anything wrong,"Casey said. "You know what, let's just forget about that." She stopped for a while before she continued. "But come on Casey, what are your plans for today?" Astoria asked again. "I still stand on my words baby." Casey grinned. "You are so difficult." Astoria complained. "Yeah I am and I'm happy about that." She said and stopped for a while to see Astoria facial expressions before she continued. "Well if you want to know my plans for today,go into your room and get changed." Casey added and Astoria smiled knowing she had prepared something special for her. "I love you so much Casey." Astoria said, touching Casey softly on her cheek before walking off to her bedroom. Astoria came back with a change of clothes and a little purse hanging around her shoulder.

"I'm ready,so can we go now?" Astoria asked with a small plastered on her face. "Yeah let's go." Casey replied standing up as they both walked out of their apartment.

Casey took Astoria to a mall and bought some dresses and also her usual Bigg clothes that she really loves before they finally left the mall. They were heading home when Astoria requested that she wanted a coffee."I want a coffee Casey." Astoria requested. "But why can't we get home first with all these shopping bags before coming to get a coffee." Casey suggested. "But I really feel like having a coffee now." Astoria insisted. "Ok fine then, you will stop by a coffee shop while I take all these shopping bags home, you can meet me at home later, after having the coffee you so wished for." Casey said.

"So you don't actually feel like having a coffee?" Astoria asked. "It's not like I don't want to have a coffee, it's just that I don't feel comfortable carrying all these shopping bags into a cafe all because of the coffee." She stated. "Ok fine, I will have mine and get one for you on my way back." Astoria suggested. "That's totally fine by me." She said in agreement. "Ok then." Astoria introduced the cab driver to stop her by her favorite coffee shop. She got out of the cab and mouthed a 'i will see you at home' to Casey before the cab driver drove off.

Astoria sighed and walked into the coffee shop. She walked over to a table and sat waiting to be attended to.

Tanner on the other hand was attending to other customers when he noticed an empty table that a customer was sitting from afar. He hurried over to the table to take her order. He could feel the bond of his mate on the customer he was supposed to attend and he wondered why.

"Hey sir I'm still waiting for you to take my order." Astoria spoke up and that brought him back to reality. "I.. I'm sorry miss," he apologized. "It's fine." "So what do you want to have, ma'am?" Tanner asked her. "I need a coffee." She replied. "Ok ma'am, I will be back with you coffee shortly." Tanner said and walked away. On his way to get her orders he thought of a possible reason why he felt his mate bond with her and that could only mean one thing, which was that she was not a human. She would definitely be some other being that is actually not a mere human. He took her coffee to her and he could still feel the mate bond so much.

Astoria had her coffee and ordered an extra one, which she had planned to give to Casey when she got home. Her coffee was brought to her after a while and she paid for everything and left the coffee shop. She got into her apartment and handed over the coffee to Casey. "Thanks darling." Casey smiled after taking the coffee from her. "So Casey, have you made dinner already?" She asked. "Not really, I actually wanted to but I don't know what you would have loved to have, so that's why I decided to wait for you." Casey said. "Ok but you would have just called me up." Astoria frowned.

"Oh so sorry darling, I will go make dinner now." Casey said standing up from the couch she was sitting on. "Please be fast about that because I'm famished." Astoria complained. Casey walked out to the sitting room leaving just Astoria there.

After the close of the day Tanner was finally home and now looking at his bathroom having his bath. His mind drifted off to the lady he had seen in the early hours of the evening. "How can I have a human mate?" He asked himself. "That's not possible a human can't be mated to a half werewolf but she doesn't look like someone that had the same feeling as me earlier." He thought "But could it be possible that I have a human mate because I am half human." He added. But heard a knock on his room door which disconnected him from his thoughts.

"Tanner, dinner is ready, come down immediately." His mother spoke up. "Ok mum, I will be down in a minute." He said in a way that she would hear him. "Ok son, I will be waiting but don't keep me waiting for too long." She said and he could hear her footsteps fade away.