Lykos heard his name being called faintly in the distance. He knew it was coming from the north, but he couldn't place the exact location. He tried to stand but stumbled, collapsing in a heap.

His name was called again but with more urgency so he barked weakly to get their attention. As he waited in the dark and as the sounds got closer, he could feel the despair rising in him. He knew he had done something so terrible that he may never find forgiveness.

Someone entered the clearing and there was a bark of surprise. His ears perked up. Someone was here to help him. He tried to communicate using the pack link, but in its place was an empty void. He felt the panic rising in him. He could no longer use the pack link which was impossible. The lack of the link further compounded his fears that he had done something very, very wrong.

A few more wolves arrived and there were some snarls and growls of shock as they took in the scene. He could imagine how gruesome it must have looked. His fur felt thick and heavy, matted down with the excess of blood that came from his victim. The wolf he had killed had been ripped apart and mauled, with flesh strewn about haphazardly. He, too, would have been in shock if he saw what they did.

He felt a gentle bite on the scruff of his neck and felt himself being dragged along the forest by a wolf as if he were a newborn pup. From the scent, it must have been the Beta of his pack. Every step was torturous, every bump and rock biting his skin, but he deserved, needed the pain for what he did.

Judging by the quieting sounds of wildlife, they were leaving the forest and heading towards the pack home. He became aware of more wolves watching as the heir of the pack was being dragged along. They were watching him in silence, communicating through a link he no longer had access to. One wolf dared to growl at him so Vio - the Beta - growled back, his shackles rising. The other wolf must have submitted as the pace was picked up again.

Vio softly released his hold on his neck, releasing him to the ground. Judging by the heavy atmosphere, he was in front of his father.

"Shift", his father abruptly said.

He complied in silence, the sounds of his body cracking and distorting filling the hushed climate until he was sat naked in front of his father. His eyes were open, not that he could see anything, but so his pack would understand that he was without his sight.

"Lykos", his mother gasped. "What happened?"

"Vio, report", his father ordered as he took in the state of his ashamed son in confusion and concern.

"Yes, my Alpha. Kalos, my son, informed me that Lykos had wandered off and felt as though something bad was happening. We managed to track him down. There was a carcass of a white wolf and blood on Lykos's fur. I assume the carcass was Lykos's doing. Lykos was also unable to communicate via the pack link and his eyesight has been taken away".

"Healer, take a look at his eyes", his father commanded.

"Yes, my Alpha", the healer said. Lykos felt the healer grasp his face and then drop it like a hot coal, moving back quickly. "By the Spirit of Lykiana, what have you done?!"

He hung his head in shame, feeling the stares and accusations surrounding him.

"Alpha, there is an old tale about a curse that our Spirit has placed. It was to hinder any from attacking her sacred animal. The signs of the cursed one are eyes as milky as the fur of her sacred animal and having the connection with the pack removed. They are made blind and rogue".

The pack members gasped in anger and surprise. The heir to the pack was cursed by their own Spirit and made rogue. A rogue was seen as a capital punishment that only the worst of the worst received. For Lykos to now be a rogue meant that their Spirit Mother could unleash fury on them all. There were murmurs of the curse being contagious and the pack started to get angry as the kneeling, naked boy.

"Silence!" The Alpha roared. "Lykos, explain yourself!"

"Alpha", he responded, keeping the tremors out of his voice. "I was heading home with Kalos when a voice called me. It said it needed my help and I was put in a trance. I do not know how, but the voice compelled me to do as they wished".

"Healer, is there any cure for my heir?"

"No my Alpha", the healer responded, his eyes downcast. "There is none but death".

There was a rift forming in the crowd. Those who wanted him dead before the curse affected them all and those who believed in him and that he was not at fault. There were chants of anger and promised executions hanging heavy in the air.

"My child", his father said with a tenderness he had never heard before. "Raise your head and wait for the vote".

He obeyed in silence. Despite his father being the Alpha, there was also a democratic system in place to ease any unease. This system was set by their Spirit Lykiana to encourage prosperity and discourage dispute.

"-How could he kill our Spirit Mother's sacred companion?!" A voice yelled out. "Even the pups can recognise its presence".

A cry of agreement swept through the crowd and the achingly familiar voice spoke again, fanning the flames of the anger of the crowd.

"What if our Spirit Mother Lykiana curses us all too for letting such a traitor live? What if destruction ruins our land because of his disobedience and sin? We cannot allow this for our pup's sake!"

More agreements rippled through the crowd as more and more were swayed over. Lykos felt his heart drop as he recognised his uncle's callous way of talking. His own uncle was calling for his execution.

He heard Vio calling out in favour for and against and waited with bated breath as he could not see what the people voted for. There were hardly any murmurs of conversation as most had cruelly chosen to speak via the pack link so he would not hear anything.

"My Alpha, unfortunately, the people have voted for the execution of Lykos, the heir of the pack because of his curse and to appease our Spirit Mothers anger".

He felt his heart being squeezed in a tight vice at the thought of his people hating him and firmly reminded himself he deserved it for what he had done.

His mother gasped in anger and stood abruptly, her claws elongated. Her thick black hair framed her enraged, beautiful face as she studied the crowd in a barely concealed rage.

"Surely, such ignorance has not touched our pack before! How dare you insinuate our Spirit Mother is not kind and forgiving! She has taught us to be kind and just. She would never punish us all for the mistake of one. Do not lie to fearmonger the crowd, Skia. I shall only warn you once", she snarled.

There was a silence as some began to realise how they were being foolish and reacting inappropriately.

"But as the healer said", Skia called out with a hint of smugness to the crowd. "That there is no cure but death! I wish my dear nephew to live a life free of this curse and death is the greatest freedom. We should show mercy on him!"

"I would rather my son live as a cripple, sightless and alone than to be executed! The curse is punishment enough. Lykos, come", she ordered as she stepped off her throne and to her awaiting son. Her warm slender hand enclosed his as she led him out of the arena, away from their prying eyes and cruel gossip. Wrapping her excess robe around him to cover his bareness, she guided him to her room and pulled him close to her chest. The tears flew from her eyes as she stroked his head rhythmically, lulling him to sleep.

Lykos woke up fatigued to his mother's insistent but kind touch. "Lykos, wake now, quickly!" Seeing his sleepiness, she picked him despite his size and cradled him close to her body as she carried him outside, judging by the wind on his face. She strode on, in a direction he couldn't recognise in a tense silence.

Reaching her planned destination, she allowed his feet to touch the ground but kept him secured in a bear hug, stroking his back gently.

"Lykos, my son, my Moon", she whispered, emotion thick in her voice. "I cannot stop what they will do to you but I can delay it. Wipe your tears my sweet. The blood of the Alpha runs thick in your veins and will guide you. Do not let your lack of eyesight hinder you, instead, use it to overcome your weaknesses. Trust none and love none until your name has been cleared. Avoid all no matter what. I will always love you and support you. Even if I am not by your side, live for me. Live in hopes that one day we can reunite safely".

Lykos felt thick heavy tears stream down his face uncontrollably. Oh, what he would have given, in order to see his mother's face one last time. He raised his hand and traced over every curve and dip, the bridge of her nose and her lips. She placed a lingering final kiss on his forehead and placed a weighty bag on his shoulders.

"Mother", he whispered. "I am sorry".

"No need to be", she whispered, hushing him. "We all have to follow the dance of the threads of fate. I will pray that Lykiana forgives you and your thread brings you home and returns you to your rightful position as the Alpha".

He nodded mutely, overcome by a storm of emotion, sweeping him almost off his feet. His mother gave him a gentle push towards the forest.

"May the moon and our Spirit guide you", she murmured. He kissed her one last time, sobbing with grief.

He ran into the forest blindly, holding onto the lingering scent of his mother, his heart heavy with raw agony.

Hi everyone.

Let me know your thoughts on how the chapter was.

Don't forget to Vote, Comment and Share

Xx