It’s always the same dream. It’s always the same girl with the pleading blue eyes, and long black hair. The same dark outstretched hand reaching for her, the same piercing scream cut short. The same claws dripping crimson blood. The same sound filling the silent room, the sound of blood dripping on the cracked and broken stones.

   Nothing ever changes, it’s always the same. But it’s not mine, it’s never my dream.

My chest tightened and my breaths turned to pants. Air became an unachievable desire. I sat up clutching at my chest, desperate for the crushing pressure in it to ease. The walls closed in around me and the earth tilted beneath my feet. 
    I pressed my eyelids closed not being able to watch my spinning world. Only closing my eyes didn’t help, it just made me see her. Her pale blue eyes staring at back at me, pleading and praying. Her long jet black hair was mattered and filthy and hung limply in her face.
    I’ll never understand why they chose her, she never did anything wrong. I still miss her I’ll always miss her. I rested my face in my hands. I hadn’t realised I’d been crying until then. My hands became wet and sticky from my weeping tears.
    My chest was starting to loosen and cool night air was flowing into my lungs again. I focused on my breathing, in and out, in and out, in and out. Slowly it became easy again, but there was still the small hitch in my breath from my crying.
    I glanced around my room, it was still dark. A cool breeze shifted the thin material over my window. The room was in shadows, too dark to make out much, but I knew where everything was, as I’d lived in the same room for the majority of my life.
    Under the window was a small wooden desk, with a simple chair under it. It was scattered with papers and quills. My bed – where I was sitting – was at the back of the room. Opposite the desk was a shelf and next to it a chest of drawers. It was a simple room, nothing very special about it, but that show it’s always been simple. 
    Shadow’s swayed on the pale walls as the curtain shifted in the breeze. The shadows took forms of something more sinister. Something with golden slitted eyes, ferocious teeth and razor sharp claws. I tore my eyes away from the shadow beast dancing on the walls.  
    I pushed myself up off my bed, its creak filling the silent room with the movement. I moved towards where my red cloak was on the hook on the wall beside my desk. Its bright colour was like a beacon of light in the dark room. I draped it over my shoulders and pulled the hood over my long hair. 
    I walked across the wooden floor; my bare feet not making much sound, and left the room. I made my way through the family room and kitchen. It was completely dark, the shadows created an ominous feeling to the sleeping house. I crept my way to the front door. Carefully, I pushed open the door – the wood rough under my hands - and prayed that it wouldn’t creak.  Pausing, I listened carefully to check that the house was still quiet. Once I was sure that my parents were still asleep, I let out the breath I'd been holding and stepped out into the cool night.
    The thin material of my nightgown didn't provide much protection from the cool night air. The cold stones were rough under my bare feet. The night was fresh but pleasant. I folded my arms and shoved my hands under I my armpits. The slight breeze caught wisps of my unruly scarlet hair and took them with it.
    I didn’t really put much thought into where I was going. I just went where my feet carried me. I walked for a few minutes, I couldn't really be sure though, my brain was numb and empty. I stopped when I reached a chain fence. My eyes raked up and down the metal fence searching for a way to get in and if I remembered correctly…
    On the far right side the chain was coming away from the end bar. I prised it away further and snuck inside. It was times like this that I was thankful for my small size. Once I was through I bent the wire back in place, in a lazy attempt to conceal my entry.
    All around me was the Hunter Garden. It was a special garden for the Alpha and his family. It was rarely used, but it was well maintained by the people who worked in the Alpha’s Residence. The only people who used it were the Alpha’s two children; Dean and Morgan Hunter.
    It was slightly overgrown now, no surprises there. Small white wildflowers were scattered throughout the grass. Their small white petals glowed in the moonlight. Along the boundary were bushes and flowers. Vines and mosses were growing up the sides of the fence. Smack bang in the middle was a massive moonoak tree. Its branches stretched out like arms into the night. It got its name from its leaves; they were shaped like crescent moons. At the bottom of the tree there were many of them, but they were only small crescents. As the tree got higher the leaves became bigger and more circular and at the very top the leaves were sparse, but they were circular like the moon they were named after. On full moon, when the moonlight would hit them, they would turn a magnificent silver colour. Sometimes it looked like the tree was made out of silver.
    I immediately felt my body start to relax. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. The subtle smells of the garden filled my nose and lungs. I looked over at the huge tree and smiled. I had some of the best times of my life in those branches. I lied down under the tree and stared up into it canopy. The sounds of the night filled my ears – the chirping of crickets, the rustling of leaves, the howl's of a wolf and the occasional roar from the distance.
    I used to come here all the time with Morgan. Although it was technically her garden we always thought it was necessary to sneak in through the break in the fence. When we were younger, Dean – her brother – would sometimes come on our little adventures. He always thought we were slightly insane, but he never objected when he joined us. I always had a theory that he thought we were loads of fun but was never game enough to actually admit to hanging out with his little sister and her best friend. However, he changed when his mother died, he grew up, I guess you could say, and he became distant and was completely immersed in his training. That was nine years ago.  
    One time I coaxed Morgan into climbing to the top. She got halfway then chickened out. Instead she climbed across one it the branches and before she knew it she was at the end of it. That branch broke and the look on her face was absolutely priceless, especially when she heard the first crack. The branch fell and landed on a not very happy Dean. The whole way through Dean’s very serious, safety lecture, Morgan and I couldn’t contain our laughter. We kept bursting into giggling fits and he would give us one of his most scary scolding faces.
    Another time we were trying to get up on the lower branches. We tried to jump and haul ourselves up and we tried vaulting up, we tried everything but by the end of it we were laughing too much to even stand up. We just lied at the bottom of the tree and laughed and laughed. I laughed so much that day I actually think I lost weight.
    Memories kept flashing through my head, each one slightly more painful to remember than the last. Slowly everything faded away and went silent. I must’ve fallen asleep because when I opened my eyes next the sun was just starting to rise. I closed my eyes again and happily gave in to the nothingness of sleep.
    When I finally woke up a tall shadow was blocking out the sun. It took me a moment to register that that shadow was a person. When it finally registered I was on my feet in a second. In front of me was Dean. 
    Dean was a lot taller than I was and he always managed to make me feel small and insignificant with a harsh glare of his crystal blue eyes. 
    This morning the glare wasn’t as intimidating, it was a little understanding and sympathetic, but that’s where the niceties ended. His black hair was short and still ruffled from sleep. His mouth was set in a thin line and his muscled arms were crossed over a broad chest. His stance reminded me of a guard, but I suppose Dean was a soldier. All the same, no matter how many scary looks he gave you, he was a looker, very easy on the eyes. And I knew that deep down - even if he would never admit it - there was a caring man down there, somewhere.
    Dean had always had many admires, even when he was little. Girls from the clan would practically drool when he walked past them. I, myself will admit to crushing on him, but he was my best friends brother, so I always ignored my feelings towards him, it was just a silly little girl's crush.
    My heart clenched at the thought of Morgan. It’s been a month or so but it still doesn’t get easier. When they tell you it does, it’s not a lie but it’s not entirely true either, not really. I guess you just get used to the pain; it just becomes part of you.
    We just stood there looking at each other. I had no idea what to say or do, I was frozen, it didn't help that I was in just my thin nightgown. I just stared at him, dumfounded. After an agonisingly long moment he cleared his throat.
    “I didn’t expect on finding you here this morning, Livy,” he said.
    I chewed on the inside of my bottom lip and crossed my arms across my chest, feeling slightly self conscious. I didn’t even think about the possibility of anyone coming to the garden, especially Dean. I tore my gaze away from his intense one, and fixed my eyes on the ground. 
    “Liv . . .” he began.
    I looked up at him again and for only a moment, I saw a raw sadness flash in his eyes. I don’t think it fully registered in my brain until that moment; I wasn’t the only one who lost Morgan, Dean had lost her too. I'd been so consumed with my own moping about that I hadn't actually thought about what she meant to anyone else. Pretty selfish of me.
    I mustered all my strength and gave him a big smile, I’m fairly certain that it wasn’t very convincing but it was all I could muster and it seemed to do the trick. 
    “Let’s go grab some breakfast,” I said and started to walk away.
    Dean quickly caught up to me, his stride much longer than mine. He walked in a way that could be perceived as arrogant or cocky, but really he was neither of those things . . . most of the time.
    After we squeezed through the gap in the fence and I had run home to put on some actual clothes, ones that weren't practically see-through, we walked towards the town square in a comfortable silence. It was strange to be walking beside him, we had often hung around with each other as kids, but as he got older he pushed everyone away. We walked away from the garden, following the cobblestone roads, past the resident area with all the whitewashed stone walls and thatched rooves. In the poorer part the houses were like wooden shacks, the richer families homes were usually made from brick and stone.  
    Once we got to the town square, we headed to the edge of it where merchants set up their businesses. I followed Dean to a bakery. The lady behind the stall gave us a sweet smile, her eyes crinkling at the sides. Her hazel eyes were kind and pleasant. Her greying hair was pulled back in a bun, showing her pointed wolf ears.
    “Hello Dearies,” she said sweetly. “What would you like this morning?”  
    “Two cinnamon scrolls, ma’am.” Dean put on a dazzling smile - although it didn't reach his eyes, as he asked the lady. 
    I couldn't remember the last time I had seen those crystal blue eyes actually smile.
    The lady’s clawed fingers reached for two scrolls. “How is the Prince and his pretty friend today?” she asked as she smiled to me. She continued without waiting for a reply. “The challenges are tomorrow, yes?” 
    Dean nodded in confirmation. 
    “Golly gosh. That is so scary! Yes, yes, so scary indeed!” She chimed, shaking her head. The baker stopped and looked at Dean, her golden eyes searching his face. “Such a pity what happened to that pretty little sister of yours. Such a pity. Oh yes, what a pity,” she said solemnly, as she handed us our scrolls.
    Dean took the scrolls and turned away. I quickly handed the lady a few silver coins and thanked her and hurried after Dean.
    With scrolls in hand, we headed towards the centre of the town square, our boots clicking on the cobblestones. We sat down on the edge of the marble fountain. It was simple but elegant, the white marble dazzling against the clear rippling water. 
    I started on my scroll and listened to the sound of the fountain behind me. I looked around at the different shops surrounding the town square. To my left were the shops such as the baker, the butcher, the grocer – where grains and crops and produce could be bought – and a few others. Next to them were the Jewellers, the Weavers and a tailor shop. Then was the pub connected to the Inn. 
    On the opposite side of the town square were the blacksmiths, the armoury and the leatherworker. Near the edge of town were where the mill and the timber yard were. Beyond the town were the fields where crops were grown and the farmers and their families lived. They were often poor and couldn't afford a house in the city.
     The town square was full of people milling around, either working hard or making purchases. Some people were fully human but others couldn’t fully take the appearance of a human and bits of wolf stuck out here and there. Some had wolf ears, or a wolf nose, or hairy arms or legs. It varied from person to person. Hybrids were what we called these people.
    A soft hum of music floated through the air accompanied by the constant clang of metal on metal form the blacksmiths in their forges. The buzz of chatter swarmed all around. The performers danced through the crowds displaying their glorious acts and the musicians played in their area surrounded by people cheering and clapping in time to the beat.
    I was halfway through my scroll when I spoke. “How have you been? I haven’t been able to talk to you since . . . the funeral,” I asked, choking on my last words.
    Dean looked at me as I took another bite of my scroll. I noticed that he’d barely touched his. He seemed a little surprised that I said something. 
    “I’ve been . . . managing,” he said slowly, as if unsure of whether he should tell me or not. “Alpha has been keeping me busy at home. I haven’t really had much time to myself or to do anything else. In a way it’s been good but . . .”
    “But, it’d be nice to hang with some friends. Go to the pub, have a few drinks, play some music, dance a little . . . Yeah, that’d be nice,” I said with a small smile. “How is Alpha and things up there? Oh, and Sophie! How is she – you know the maid that used to sneak us food and things?”
   “It’s pretty tense up there. As for Alpha, he is the same as he always is,” Dean said stiffly. “Sophie,” a small smile formed on his lips as he recalled the memory. “She still works there, I see her around sometimes. We don't talk very often.”
    “Hey, remember when the three of us tried to sneak into the kitchen and the chef caught us? We thought we were all screwed but then Sophie popped her head in the kitchen door and saw us getting yelled at by the chef. She just came in and told him that we were getting some stuff for her. Remember the look he gave us, but he believed her anyway?” I said laughing. I looked over at Dean and saw that he was chuckling softly. 
    He had relaxed a little more. He was starring to look like his old self again – the one I grew up with, the one who I shared so many childhood memories with. I had seen him since the funeral but he always seemed so preoccupied and uptight that I didn’t want to bug him. It was hard enough without Morgan but without Dean as well, it was almost unbearable. I didn't get alone with the other people my age, so Morgan and Dean we the only people I had.
    “How could I ever forget that? And all the other times she saved our butts,” he chuckled. “We really get up to some mischief in that place. I don’t think I’ll ever forget those days,” he said looking at me, his tone serious. He broke away from my eyes and ate some of his scroll. “What about you? How have you been?”
    “I’ve been alright. Ma and Da are getting anxious for my Coming of Age Ceremony. I guess it’s because of everything they have to plan and it’s supposed to be a big deal and everything, but honestly I don’t really care about all that stuff. I can't stand the idea of having to fight another Morpher,” I said bitterly.
    “I can’t believe you’re almost eighteen,” he said a little surprised. “You’re no longer Little Liv.” He smiled slightly.
    “I’m still short though,” I laughed. Dean snorted.
    We fell into a tense silence and after a moment Dean looked up at the sky and frowned.
   “Sorry Liv, but I need to go. If I’m late Alpha will have my head,” he said with a tight smile.
     I sighed but nodded. Dean stood up and started to walk away, but stopped and turned to face me again. 
    “The tournament's tomorrow, will I see you there?”
    I cringed at the thought of a tournament but I wouldn’t tell him that. “We’ll see, but I’ll see you tomorrow for my morning scroll,” I said with my most dazzling smile.
    Dean just shook his head as he turned away. I watched him as he walked across the town square towards the Alpha mansion. I sighed and finished my scroll.
    I got up and wandered around town for a bit. The cobblestone paths were wide and starting to fill with people. I decided to head home. My unexpected encounter with Dean had bought on some unwanted thoughts about Morgan.
    She’d been missing for a day before Alpha finally told us. He gathered everyone – well everyone who could get there – into the town square. After much speculation and chaos, Alpha asked for silence and said that the Dragon Clan was the reason for his daughter’s death. 
    A silence had fallen over the crowd. My mouth fell open when I heard his words. At first I couldn’t – wouldn’t believe them, then they sunk in and I lost it. I screamed and shouted at him. I called him a liar and many other words I’m ashamed of. I should have been severely punished for the way I treat the Alpha, but I was never reprimanded for it.
    He just stood there with a cold blank expression on his face and with his hands behind his back. Dean stood next to him, his stance mirroring his father’s, only his expression was very different. It was pained and broken, he looked as though he was very close to losing it as well, but he always had more control than I did. 
    I tore my eyes away from his and fell to my knees, tears streaming down my face. When I glanced up at Dean again, I was desperate for some support, but there was none to be found. His expression now matched his father’s; cold and blank.
    Alpha dismissed everyone and he departed along with Dean and his bodyguards. The crowd dissipated and I was left broken, on my knees in the middle of the town square. Ma and Da tried to console me but it was no use, it did nothing to ease the gaping chasm in my chest. Ma sat beside me and pulled me into her warm arms and whispered calming words in my ear, her breath was a soft caress on my neck. Da was on my other side, one of his big hands holding my own one. He was silent and just watched me with a pained expression. 
    It felt as though my insides had been ripped out and stomped on again and again. Eventually, Da had to leave and go to work. He kissed the top of my head and whispered that he loved me and went to the blacksmith. Ma stayed with me for a while longer, still holding me and stroking my hair, all the while she murmured comforting words. Sobs still racked through my body and my face was sticky and puffy from tears, I didn’t care though. I couldn’t get it through my head that Morgan was gone, it couldn’t be true – it just couldn’t. 
    Ma stayed for as long as she could before she had to go. She kissed my cheek and gave me a squeeze before she headed to the grocer. As she walked away, she gave me one last look over her shoulder, her blue eyes were filled with sadness and her delicate face was scrunched up – she really didn’t want to leave me. 
    I have no idea how long I was on the cobblestones for but I couldn’t muster enough strength to even think about moving. Everything after then on gets a little hazy. I vaguely remember someone kneeling down in front of me and talking to me, then they picked me up and took me home and then I was in my bed.
    I shuddered as I remembered that horrible day a month ago. I felt my throat close over and tears burned the backs of my eyes. I swallowed the lump in my throat and pushed the tears back. I’d had enough of crying, tears didn’t get anything done. It was time I stopped moping around and started living my life again, although it’s always easier said than done.

I entered my father’s study a minute late. His cold grey eyes locked with mine, as he gestured for me to take a seat. I shook my head slightly. I hated to be seated in his presence; he always put me on edge. A muscle in his jaw twitched, but he stayed silent. He leaned back in his chair and regarded me with a blank expression. I returned the look.

    Fenrir was my father and the Alpha of the Wolf Clan. He was a large man, with a broad chest and shoulders. He was as imposing as he was threatening, with his massive muscled build and huge hands that could easily break a child’s neck. He had short black hair that was clipped close to his scalp, a severe face with strong lines, a sharp nose and a long beard. His eyes were cold and cruel and they had the power to put you to your knees with just a glance. To add to his imposing demeanour, he had a giant scar going through his left eye. He was not a kind or compassionate man and he was not someone you wanted to get on the wrong side of. 
     I got some of the strong lines from my father's face and his large body type, only I wasn't as large as he was. My mother was a tall, slender woman but she was beautiful, full of curves and soft edges. She mellowed out the sharpness of my father's features, making my own a combination of both of them, although I did resemble my father a little more than I would've liked. I thankfully got her eyes and some say her beauty, but a man doesn't need beauty, he needs power.
    I stayed silent waiting for him to speak. After an agonisingly long moment he finally spoke. “Why are you late?” he inquired in a gruff voice. It didn’t matter if you one or ten minutes late you were still late and if I had learnt anything in my nineteen years, it was that he was always right.
    “I had breakfast with a friend. I did not intend of being late,” I replied simply.
    “No, I’m sure you didn’t,” he said coldly, as he neatened a stack of papers. “I need you to make sure everything is order at the Arena and to check if everything is set for the tournament tomorrow.”
    I simply nodded and stayed silent. I never trusted myself to speak around my father, I was always very careful of what I said around him. 
    He waved his hand gesturing my dismissal. I gladly left the room and some of the tenseness in my body dropped away.
    I marched through the corridors of his residence and went back into the town. The Challenge Arena was a place where people could challenge each other and let out their aggression. In a society with people who share wolf DNA strength is everything. People are always wanting a higher rank or someone’s mate or something-or-rather.
    Tournaments are held once a month and anyone can join, there are not many rules in the arena, pretty much anything goes, and if the challenge is serious enough it can even be to the death. You can challenge anyone, even the Alpha, but you'd be an idiot if you did, for it would only end with the loss of your life. The challenges are only one part of the tournaments; there are other events as well such as melee and hand to hand combat.
    My jaw clenched as the thought of my father popped into my head, I quickly pushed him away. I was trying to hold onto my good mood as long as I could. My thoughts quickly turned to this morning. I was so shocked when I found Livy asleep under the moonoak. I think I was more surprised at actually seeing Livy than I was about finding her in the garden. It always had been Livy’s and Morgan’s place.
    A small sliver of sadness crept up on me at the thought of my little sister – making my chest heavy. Other memories threatened to rise to the surface. I pushed them away as soon as I could, but wasn’t quick enough as one escaped.
    Lifeless pale eyes staring up into nothing, dried blood smothered on delicate pale skin and the stench of blood thick in the air. I snapped the memory closed, shaking it from my head.
    I turned my thoughts elsewhere, not wanting the thought to linger in my mind. Livy had changed – she wasn’t the same girl that she was a month ago. Nevertheless, it was still good to see her again – almost like old times. I hadn’t realised that I had missed that smile of hers, until I saw it again. As much as I pained me to admit, she’d always been a constant in my life, ever since we were young. With her fiery red hair and her warm turquoise eyes, it just wasn’t the same without her around. Or without Morgan’s and Livy’s laughter echoing through the walls of the mansion. Without the two of them running around causing chaos, the mansion was cold and lifeless.
    I soon came to the Arena and where people were rushing to and fro to set up the boards and the fighting area and the many other things that needed to be done.
    The Arena was huge structure that had no roof and was made out of stone bricks with marble accents, along with marble pillars around the outside. The stone bricks were worn and weathered; some even had small cracks in them. Moss was starting to grow up the sides of the building; I should probably get someone to clean that up, I thought as I walked inside. 
    Through the large archway, it opened up into a hefty area. Bellow was the huge pit where the events would be held. The Arena was an oval shape and around the edges were tiers of wooden seating.
    I walked around and checked that everything was running as planned and everything was being done properly. 
    “Much to do, Prince. Much, much to do,” chirped an older man with greying hair. 
    I nodded at him as he rushed past with a box of weapons. A little bit a way a lady way struggling with another box of weapons. I walked over to her and took it out of her grasp.
    “Thank you Prince,” she said looking at the ground, with heat crawling up her neck.
    I gave her a small smile and headed to where the other weapons were placed. A large man with dark brown eyes and brown hair was setting up the weapons on racks. He gave me a nod before returning to his work.
    Other people were rushing around the stands cleaning everything – sweeping and dusting, picking up any fallen leaves or other things.
    I stayed for a while longer helping out here and there. By the time I was about to leave everything was almost done. I decided that I’d leave them to finish up here. A few of them waved goodbye, I acknowledged them with a nod. 
    As I left the Arena there was a group of young males, around my age, standing in a circle. It was never a good sign when they hung around the Arena. I decided to ignore them and go on my way; I wasn’t in the mood for their nonsense. 
    “Dean!” one of them shouted, as he ran towards me. I cringed inwardly, really not trusting my self-control at the moment.
    I turned to face the guy and his entourage. I crossed my arms over my chest and frowned at him.
   “You were seen with that little red-head this morning.”
    “What about it?” I asked coldly. 
    “Well, some people aren’t very happy about it that’s all. I just thought I’d pass on the message,” he said with a smirk. “Wouldn’t want the precious Prince to be challenged now, would we?”
    I frowned and held back the growl that was bubbling in my chest. “It’s none of your or anyone else’s business who I see in my spare time. Now scram!” I growled. “Before I rip you lot to shreds!”
    Their eyes fell to the ground and they backed away slowly and if they’d been in wolf form, I would’ve bet that they’d have their tails in between their legs. I spun on my heel and stormed away from those miscreants, my good mood now completely ruined and a storm cloud buzzing around my head. I huffed out a breath. Livy had always had the young boys running after her and she never had a clue, most of them stayed away because she was always near me or my family, but now that Morgan was gone, some of them were getting ideas. Especially because of her Ceremony in five days. 
    It was always a struggle to keep my temper on a leash and with everything happening with Alpha and the Treaty . . . I pushed away those thoughts; I would worry about them later. I tried to keep my mind blank as I wandered back to the town square.
    Though I tried, my thoughts soon wandered back to Livy and her kind smile. She put on a brave face for the world and like fools they all believed it, but if you looked close enough, looked into those turquoise eyes you could see that deep down she was far from okay. The grief ran deep, I could tell. I had been close with my sister but never as close as they were.
    Morgan and Livy had been so close ever since they met when they were toddlers, they were inseparable. They went everywhere together, they did everything together. They had always had each other and they hadn’t needed anyone else, but now that Morgan was gone, Livy had no one. I certainly couldn’t replace Morgan, Livy didn’t need me, but I knew that she did need someone.
    I shook my head to clear my head. I had enough of my own problems to worry about. I told myself that she would be fine without me – that she didn’t need me, but I wasn’t sure how long I could keep lying to myself.

As I walked out of the town square, I passed two men who were part of the Alpha’s Guard. It seemed odd that they were out and about, but who was I to question them? I was just some town girl who was lucky enough to be able to shift.
    Not everyone in the Clan had the ability to shift; they were just like normal humans, although some did have wolf-like tendencies. In some families the shifting gene had been bred out. Some – like me – had the ability to transform into their clan animal; we called them Morphers. Long ago there used to be many other clans, and depending on their clan animal depended on how rare the shifting gene was and how many Morphers that clan had. 
    Then there were the hybrids, they were neither Morphers nor humans, but a mixture of both. They couldn’t fully take the form of their clan animal and most couldn’t fully take the form of a human.
    As I passed the two men something in their conversation picked my interest.
    “Apparently the Treaty is close to falling apart. Alpha is doing all he can but Miss Scales is adamant about not renewing the Treaty . . .” The rest of what the guard said faded, as what I had just heard dawned on me.
    I froze unable to register what I just heard. The Treaty . . . No, it couldn’t be true. There had to be some mistake. That Treaty was the only thing that had kept us safe for the past century. 
    The Treaty was a peace offering between the Wolf Clan and Dragon Clan; the only two clans remaining after The Blood War. All the other clans were wiped out in that war. The war had many names but Blood War was the most common. 
    Long ago the clans used to live in a somewhat peaceful harmony, but one day one of the clan leaders wanted more – wanted much more. He had gotten greedy and wanted to control the whole country, he wanted to be the ruler of all, but most of all he wanted power. He was so hungry for power that they say he went mad. The legends never said which clan leader it was, none of them even hinted at any of the ancient clans. It was as if that piece of information had been ripped out of the scrolls and legends. Although, we were always told to fear the Dragon Clan for they were monsters with the faces of humans.
    The clans went to war to fight for their freedom and for their clans. Most of them fell protecting what they held dear to them. The war lasted for years, and the clans didn’t stand a chance. The war didn’t stop until each and every clan was gone, until each and every person’s blood was soaked into the land. So much innocent blood was spilt in those months 
    The legends never really stated how it had ended, only that the two remaining clans agreed to end the war, agreed that too much blood had been spilt, thus creating the Treaty. They also never said what happened to the corrupt leader. I tried many times to find answers but to no avail. That detail seemed to have also disappeared with time.
    I felt my heart start to race in my chest, thundering against my ribcage. Panic rose in my belly and my breathing constricted. The world tilted beneath me. I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself. I’d been having these panic attacks more and more frequently, ever since Morgan died. No! Don’t think about her! My subconscious scolded me.
    It was okay. I was okay. Everything was okay! I focused on my breathing, trying to calm my racing heart and my quick, shallow breaths. Panicking wasn’t going to help anyone, and was certainly not going to give me the answers in needed.
    Only one person could give me those answers and since I had the day off from working with Ma in the grocer, I had the time to do it.  

***

Dean was just walking past as I entered his home, although it felt more like a prison than a home. He was looking murderous, his crystal blue eyes burning with outrage and annoyance. His muscles were coiled tight and he looked about ready to break something. I wondered if now wasn’t a good time but before I could make my decision, he stopped dead and stared at me.
    “Liv?” he asked as if he couldn’t believe that I was standing there. “What on earth are you doing here?”
    “I – I wanted to ask you something,” I stammered under the intense look of his eyes. I felt like a small insignificant child under that gaze.
    Dean let out a breath and ran his hand through his black hair, making stand up in every direction. “Look, Liv . . . Now isn’t–”
    “Is it true?” I blurted, cutting him off. I needed to know. I needed to know if everything was going to fall apart. Panic started to rise in my chest again, but I couldn’t keep it at bay any longer. “Is the Treaty falling apart?” The words tumbled out of my mouth.
    Dean stared at me, his lips slightly part, and for just a moment I saw panic in his eyes. It vanished instantly as his face went blank portraying nothing. His chest expanded as he took a deep breath.
    “Livy you have nothing to worry about. Everything is under control. Alpha and I have everything taken care of,” he stated.
    As I looked at him, I realised that he was treating me just like any other person he had to deal with. My panic was replaced with anger, a bright burning anger. 
    “Don’t. Don’t treat me like that. Don’t look at me like that,” I spoke quietly, but purposefully. I clenched my jaw and forced my wolf down. I stared straight at Dean and spoke slowly. “Is. It. True?”
    “As I said before you have nothing to worry about,” he said again, his voice and face devoid of any emotion, his bright blue eyes turning cold. He crossed his arms over that broad chest of his.
    Before I could stop it a growl rose from my throat.
    Dean’s crystal blue eyes widened just a fraction. “Did you just growl at me?”
    I raised my brow and mirrored his stance. “Tell me Dean,” I spat his name like it left a bad taste in my mouth. After everything we’d been through I can’t believe that he would treat me just like some annoying, useless town’s person. 
    He remained silent and just stared at me.
    I hissed out a breath and ran my hands through my hair. “Thanks a lot Dean. Thanks a lot,” I said as I spun on my heel and stormed down the steps. I stopped at the bottom of the marble stairs at looked back up at him. Fortunately he was still standing there, watching me leave.
    “It’s good to know that I can always count on you when I need something,” I said my voice thick with sarcasm. I was going to just leave it there but I couldn’t, I was too angry. I saw my opportunity so I jabbed the dagger in to the hilt. “Especially after Morgan died.”
    Dean clenched his jaw and his eyes went dull. He unfolded his arms and turned to leave.
    “Also, thanks for confirming my suspicions. Even though you didn’t actually tell me, your reaction said more than a thousand words.” I paused wondering if I should stop, but it was too good. I’d been holding on and holding on for so long now, putting on a smile but I was sick of it. The one person I thought I could count on threw me to the curb. “It’s good to know that this whole world is going to hell. First Morgan and now this,” I laughed a cold distant sound. “I thought I knew you Dean, shows what I know.”
    I stormed out the gates, still fuming.

***

The cold sea water lapped around my ankles. The sand was rough between my toes. The salty air filled my lungs. My underclothes were the only things covering my body. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to get the pain in my chest to go away. I was stronger than this pain, that I knew, but it was so, so hard to escape it. Silent tears ran down my cheeks, as the wind caressed my hair and the sun kissed my face.
    I couldn’t believe I’d said those things to Dean, but when he looked at me like that, as if I was just some annoying child, something just snapped. I was still angry with him, but he had every right not to tell me about the Treaty. After all it wasn’t like I could do anything about it, I was powerless. 
    I had seen Dean since Morgan’s burial and even then we hadn’t said a word to each other. He was hurting just as much as I was, even if he didn’t show it. If Morgan’s death taught me anything it was that pain changes people.
    When Alpha told us about Morgan, it felt as though someone had cut off one of my limbs. She was my other half, the sister I never had and when she was taken from me it sent my simple little world spiralling down towards the endless abyss.
    I took comfort in the routine of my life. The way I knew what I was supposed to do and what was expected of me, but now . . . now I had no clue, especially with my birthday less than a week away and my upcoming ceremony.
    I took a step further into the water, the cold seeping into my bones. Then another and another. The frosty water lapping around my waist. 
    I smiled slightly at my own stupidity. I had acted like a child and had probably just lost the last friend I had. 
    I shook my head. I didn’t want to think about the Hunter family anymore; especially not the handsome prince or his dead sister.
    Above me the sky was blue and clear, not a single cloud in sight. In front of me stretched the endless transparent sea, which leads to many unknown lands. It was quiet today; the Sea Goddess must be slumbering for the day.
    I closed my eyes and filled my lungs with the cool fresh air. I let the sound of the sea calm my hectic thoughts and painful heart. In those moments I convinced myself that I would be okay, that everything would be okay, after all what could go wrong?

I stormed through the halls of my home looking for my father. Everyone I talked to sent me in a different direction. I was beginning to realise that no one actually knew where the great Fenrir was and my patience was wearing very thin.
    I clenched my jaw as I came up to his office again. I entered without knocking – something that would’ve gotten me in some serious trouble had he been in there. The room was as empty as I suspected. I’d searched every inch of this godforsaken place and he was nowhere to be found.
    I was about to leave when something caught my eye. I hesitantly walked over to his desk, to where the small thing glinted on the enormous wooden desk. I stared at it for a moment, debating on whether I should just leave. Curiosity won.
    It was small about the size of my thumb nail and when I held it up to the light it shone brilliantly, turning its dark colour into a variety of greens, purples and blues. I frowned as I realised what it was – a dragon scale.
    I threw it down on the desk and marched out of his office. I didn’t know what it meant but my gut told me that it was nothing good.
    My head was spinning; I needed to get out of this place. I needed time to think, to sort out the hectic storm raging in my head. I went to one of the only places that bought me peace – to the place where sea engulfed the land, to where no one told me what to do.

***

I discarded my boots behind the building and let my feet sink into the sand. I closed my eyes and breathed in the fresh air and willed it to calm my raging thoughts. I focused on the sounds of the beach. The lapping of the water on the sand, the wind whistling in my eyes, the birds crying their songs.
    I was starting to get a handle on my temper and my spinning head when I came across a discarded tunic and pants. I looked up to search for their owner. I spotted a figure a little way from shore with long bright red hair. The water was up to her waist and she stood motionless in the sea.
    I wondered if I should call out to her but the memory of her delicate face scrunched with anger stopped me in my tracks. She was no longer the little innocent Livy that I had grown up with, and the sooner I got that into my head the better.
    I understood why she was angry, I didn’t – couldn’t give her the answers that she wanted. She didn’t need to worry about the misconceptions that Alpha kept from his people. She didn’t need to know any of it. I would get the bottom of it and fix it, after all this was my home and my people. I may not be Alpha yet but I would be and when that happened I’ll make sure everything is made right again.  
    Take care of her, please. Don’t let anything happen to her, please. Promise me. I shoved the pleading voice away – I shoved it as far down as it would go. I would not think about that now.
    I knew I should keep walking, but there was something so peaceful about her standing in the sea, something so calming about it.
    A small smile spread across my lips. I knew I should get back but just a minute longer couldn’t hurt, could it? I walked a bit away and lied down, looking up into the clear sky.
    I smelled her come out of the water long before I heard her. I didn’t look at her or acknowledge her in anyway; I just stared into the endless blue of the sky.
    “I’m sorry,” was all she said, her voice so quiet that I almost didn’t hear it. It was all that she needed to say.
    I listened as her feet padded quietly across the sand to where her clothes were piled on the ground. Her steps paused then slowly got quieter as she walked further away.
    I turned my head to look at her as she walked away. Her hair swished as she walked and hung in a wet mass of red to her lower back. The water on her pale skin glistened in the sun. I sighed inwardly and watched her until she left the beach, until I was the only one on the white sand.
    “I get it Livy,” I murmured quietly.
    I turned my gaze back to the endless blue of the sky. In the corner of my eye I could see huge grey clouds looming closer – the perfect day soon to be ruined by a storm. Feeling sufficiently calm and composed I prepared myself to go back to the mansion.  

The water from my skin was seeping into my clothes bundled in my arms. I walked along the beach a little further, close to the shore, until I reached the path which took me past my house. I soaked up the last rays of sun as the storm clouds rolled in. My feet padded on the dirt path. Green blossomed around me, as the shrubs from the beach turned into lush bushes and small trees, and sand turned to dirt.
    The breeze had picked up and chilled my skin as it flew across my body. Soon the dirt turned into the stones and took me back into the town. I walked past one block of houses and arrived at mine.
    It wasn’t the biggest house but it had always been home. It was a timber framed house with a thatched roof and whitewashed walls. Wooden shutters were closed over the windows. I pushed open the wooden door and was greeted to the smell of Ma’s cooking. Candles and lanterns lit up the dark rooms – the flames danced along the walls.
    Ma stood by the fire stirring a pot. At the sound of the door opening she looked up and smiled at me. I walked towards her and into her warm embrace. I snuggled into her chest and inhaled the subtle scent of her – a mixture of spice and something sweet.
    “You’re all wet Sweetheart,” her voice like velvet – so soft and sweet. “Go put on something dry and tell me of your adventures.”
    I pulled away from her arms, nodding and headed towards my room. Once I was in dry, warm clothes I went back into the main room of the house. The circular table sat to the left of the room, near the benches where Ma prepared our meals. I usually helped her but tonight she had just shaken her head and smiled warmly at me. The fire was on the other side of the room. There was a couch along the opposite wall and a rug on the stone floor.
    Grabbing a cushion off a chair, I moved towards the fire and sat down on the stone floor. I wrapped a blanket around my shoulders and hugged the cushion to my chest. The house was fairly silent apart from the clang of the spoon on the pot and the crackling of the fire. I sat watching the fire in content silence.
    “I saw Dean today,” I said after a while, breaking the silence.
    Ma stopped stirring briefly as she looked over at me. Ma was a petit woman, with short auburn hair – which was more red than brown – that stopped just below her shoulders. She had kind blue eyes, that crinkled at the sides when she smiled. Her face was warm and delicate, with a small nose, large eyes and full lips. Ma had always been very pretty, and even as she aged she still retained that beauty.
    She stirred the pot one last time then sat beside me on the floor. “And how is the young Prince,” she asked. The light from the fire flickered in her lovely eyes.
    “He’s . . . okay, I think. You know how he is,” I murmured. “It’s like he’s the same Dean, but not . . .” I thought out loud.
    Ma was silent for a moment. “Pain changes people, Sweetie and maybe keeping busy is his way of coping. Don’t forget Livy, you weren’t the only one to lose Morgan. She was Dean’s sister too.”
    My heart gave a squeeze at the mention of Morgan. I must’ve had a sad expression on my face because Ma wrapped her delicate hand around mine and gave it a small squeeze.
    “I know you miss her Sweetheart. We all do. But I’m sure she’s watching over from up above and keeping you safe from harm. She’ll always be in here.” – She put a hand over my heart – “Remember that.” Ma’s eyes twinkled as she gave me a small smile and pulled me into her arms.
    She was a small woman, but she was in no way weak. Ma was one of the strongest people I knew. Sure she couldn’t hold a sword and wasn’t the strongest fighter but she was strong in other ways.
    Tears burned the back of my throat and pushed against my eyes but I pushed them away. I wrapped my arms around her small waist and held on, like an infant clinging to its mother.
    The creaking of the door alerted us that Da had come home. Ma placed a kiss on my forehead and untangled herself from my arms. She headed to my father and greeted the burly man with a hug.
    Where Ma was small and delicate, Da was strong and huge. If Ma was a fairy, Da would be a pirate. Da had broad shoulders and huge arms. His face was covered in black from spending all day in the blacksmiths. His jaw was square and strong and the rest of his face shared the same strong lines. His eyes were a pale green and his hair was short and a mousy brown.
    He headed towards me. I got up off the floor and met him halfway, wrapping my arms around his middle. I felt like a little girl again, but I needed the comfort that they gave me. They grounded me when I was spinning out of control.
    My father was a tall man and I only came up to his chin, whereas Ma only came up to his shoulders.
    “Hello my little Princess,” he said with a deep husky voice. I couldn’t help but smile at the name he always called me ever since I was little.
     Ma set the dinner on the table and we all sat down around it. I breathed its delicious smell of chicken and broth. My stomach grumbled loudly. Ma laughed and chastised me, telling that I should eat more.
    I scoffed down the soup and leaned back in my chair. Once we were all finished Da decided to tell us one of his stories.
    Da was an excellent storyteller, everyone always loved hearing his stories and the ones of when he was younger were always a classic. He used to tell his stories in the pub and people would come from all over just to hear them. Unfortunately we didn’t get to hear his stories very often, but when we did it was always a privilege.
    “Long ago there was man,” my father began, moving his enormous arms so that his elbows rested on the table. “He went by many names and many titles, but there was always one that remained. He was known as the Fire Bird.
    “Many had claimed to have met the illusive Fire Bird but there was never any proof of their claims. It was also said that if you were to catch the flame of the Bird then you’d be given his abilities. Many a man had set out on the quest for the flame of the Fire Bird and many a man lost their lives on that journey, but that didn’t stop the conquest for it.
    “There used to be many tales of the Phoenix, but they have disappeared with time just as our fellow clans have. Now just two remain, and the line on which they dance around each other is rather precarious.” He shook his head and continued to speak. “Where was I? Ah yes. This particular tale is about a man who wanted nothing more than to possess the power of the Phoenix.”
    Father continued his tale of the Phoenix, about the man who had made it his life’s mission to steal the flame of the legendary Fire Bird. This man went from clan to clan hearing every tale about the Phoenix and tried to discover everything known about it. But as he continued his search he started to lose his mind. Da said it was called the Fire Fever, where one becomes so obsessed with obtaining the Phoenix’s power that they go insane.
    As the man’s madness got worse, every town the man went to he destroyed in some way or another. This went on for months. Numerous towns were destroyed and numerous amounts of people were killed.
    Then one day the man disappeared without a trace. It was rumoured that the Phoenix had come for him and turned his to ash in reprimand for his sins, but there was another rumour that the crazed man never died. That he just went to hide in order to create a scheme to obtain the power.
   I shivered as Da finished his story. An uneasy silence fell over the table. It was never easy talking about the clans or this type of loss. Although they’d been gone for many years it was still a horrible thought to think that what used to be a once beautiful land filled with clans and life, was now an empty barren wasteland.
    How was it possible for every single clan to be wiped out? What had warranted such an attack? There were so many questions without answers, but there was no way to get those answers and what’s done is done. There’s no changing that.
    I pushed all those thoughts from my mind, there’s nothing I can do to bring them back. I said my good nights to my mother and father and headed to my room.
    As I pulled the blanket under my chin, I tried not to think about the tournament tomorrow or that I was one more day closer to that dreaded day, which caused me so much conflict.
    That night I dreamt of the same girl with pleading pale blue eyes and mattered ebony hair. With a blood smudged face and of the dark clawed hand reaching for her. Of the blood dripping onto the stones. But just as the clawed hand went to strike at the girl cowering on the cold damp ground, the dark room was engulfed in flames. 

Fenrir sat on his mighty chair gazing down at the ruckus bellow. Today was the tournament, the day where people proved themselves, the day where blood was spilt, where faces were torn, flesh shredded and prides were ruined.
    My wolf was restless and itching to get out. I was edgy and patiently waiting for the time I could shed this skin. I could think of nothing better than forgetting about this place and running wild for a few hours. Testosterone and anticipation were thick in the air.
    People from all over our land were coming to see the challengers. I watch as people slowly filled the seats and waited for it to begin. The hum of chatter filled my ears.
    I looked up at the sky; it was going to be a glorious day, the sun was shining and there wasn’t a cloud in sight. The birds flew through the air and sung their merry song. Maybe this day might not turn out so bad.
    The seats were almost full and the numbers of people entering were dwindling. I had a slight suspicion that Livy might not show up. Just as the thought crossed my mind, there she was, her fiery hair pulled back in a braid running down her back, her turquoise eyes darted around the crowd of mingling people.
   She was dressed in all black, from her tunic to her boots. When she looked up towards where my father and I were, her eyes didn’t land on me, instead they landed on my father. An unreadable expression crossed her delicate face and when I turned my gaze to my father a smirk played on his sinister face.
    By Livy’s side were her parents. Her father was still in his black smithing gear. He was a big man with large arms and broad shoulders. His hair was short and a mousy brown; his eyes were a pale green. Black smudged his strong face. On Livy’s other side was her mother. She was a small delicate woman – just like her daughter, with short auburn that stopped just below her shoulders and kind blue eyes.
    Her mother bent over to her and said something, and then they parted ways. Livy met my gaze briefly before she strolled into the arena.
    I watched as she took a seat near the front of the stands. I could tell from here that she hated this place. Every muscle in her body was tight and rigid.
    Soon after the bell tolled, the tournament began. The commentator’s voice ran through the Arena, calling up the different events. First up was hand to hand combat – this was where no morphing was allowed, only your human fists. Matches went quickly. People cheered for the men down in the pit, encouraging them to do better. Fists were thrown, blood bloomed on faces and grunts and groans were sounded.
    After that the melee rounds began – there were rounds for both Morphers and humans. The first round was a Morpher round. Wolves would attach long metal claws to their paws, making a deadly weapon even more lethal. Growls sounded over the roar of the crowd. The scratch and clink of metal scratched my wars. Like the hand to hand rounds, the matches didn’t last long.
    The human rounds were a little more interesting, they used hand held weapons like swords, axes, maces, whatever they could get their hands on. There were no rules in tournament except one – don’t kill your opponent unless instructed to.
    The archery rounds came next. This was more a competition than a match. Whoever scored the most points by getting their arrows closest to the centre would win. Any winner of any of the rounds would receive a small sum of gold as a prize.
    In between the rounds challenges would be held. The reasons varied from trying to gain more power to solving a dispute and everything in between.
    The sun was getting low when a sudden quiet fell over the arena. People slowly turned to look up to where the Alpha and I were. I soon realised that everyone’s eyes were resting on me.
    I glanced sidelong at my father, but he just sat in his chair with that frustrating smirk on his face. I looked down at the rink and there stood one man looking up at me, a challenge burning bright in his eyes.
    The man with messy brown hair raised a hand and pointed directly at me. “I challenge you, Prince!” His voice ran through the Arena. Quiet murmuring passed through the crowd. “I challenge you to a fight for your title!”
    With a slight nod of my head I replied, “Very well. I accept your challenge.” There was a long moment of silence, and then cheers erupted.
    It didn’t matter who was in the fight, a fight was what the people wanted and they relished in the violence. It was who we were, it was in our blood.
    I made my way down to the pit in the middle of the Arena, to where the man waited for his fight. The metal gate lifted, allowing me entrance to the pit. The man waited in the middle, watching me with keen eyes that followed my every move.
    My step almost faltered as I got a good look at his face. I knew this man quite well – he was the older brother of one of my old friends. Arthur was a fairly large man, with messy brown hair and caramel eyes. His tall form was well toned especially his shoulders and arms. His face was blank, his lips pulled in a thin line. He had appointed chin and a slender nose.
    “I been looking forward to taking you down for a long time now, Prince,” he said with a certain cockiness. “I look forward to seeing you lie in the gravel.”
    “Cockiness doesn’t suit you Arthur,” I replied. My face blank and emotionless, just like I’d seen my father’s so many times before. “But be sure of this I don’t plan on losing to you or anyone else for that matter.”
    A smirk crossed Arthur’s face. “Say goodbye to that pretty head of yours,” he taunted, discarding his tunic and going down on all fours.
    A ripple passed over his as the change flowed over him. A crackling and popping of bones filled my ears as Arthurs’s bones lengthened and reformed themselves. Fur sprouted over his body, his face reformed itself and his canines lengthened, as did his claws. Shortly after the popping and crackling begun, it ended and a wolf now stood in front of me. His pelt a light brown like his hair, his chest was white as was part of his face – just above his eyes and under his muzzle.
    Arthur’s chest rumbled as a growl rose from his chest. I watched as he lowered himself into a position ready to pounce.
    Make a move, Prince. My gift to you.
    I stretched my neck and cracked my shoulders. Clearing my head, I thought of nothing else but the wolf in front of me. Arthur’s tail swished back and forth in impatience.
   Move, Prince! His voice screeched in my head. I stood my ground.
   Arthur had always had a short fuse, always quick to jump to violence and now was no different. I could sense his growing frustration and anger. He rocked back and launched himself at me. I whirled to the side, as I’d already sensed his moved before he did it. Fortunately for me he was very easy to read, this shouldn’t be too hard, I thought to myself.
    He regained his footing and launched at me a few more times. I easily dodged him each time. Arthur grew more and more frustrated. He bared his teeth in a growl at me.
    I couldn’t resist I growled back, the sound rumbling deep from my chest. Arthur reacted instantly. He snapped his teeth together and sprung towards me his craws outstretched. I crouched down to escape his claws, my knees bending slighting. When he was in reach I threw my fist up, uppercutting into the soft flesh of his belly. He let out a breathy whine as all the air was forced out of his lungs. As he began slumping to the ground I grabbed a handful of his fur and threw him away.
    Landing on the gravel awkwardly, he let out another tiny whine. He quickly regained his footing and stalked towards me. Growling, he prowled around me, jumping slighting forward to snap at me.
    I watched him carefully, waiting for him to slip up. I curled my hands into fists as my claws grew and I clenched my jaw as my canines lengthened.
    He circled me for a moment longer and when he was heading towards my back I twisted myself around and tackled him to the ground. My hands grabbed his fur and my claws dug in. he thrashed and snapped his jaws at my throat.
    He flailed his paws, in an attempt to be rid of me. I quickly jumped backwards out of his reach. As he rose to his feet, I bared my teeth at him. Arthur sent his claws flying towards me. I raised my arm and deflected his blow, immediately I crouched down and swung my leg out, swiping his hind legs out from under him. Again rose, his claws kept coming, unrelenting, desperate to get a blow.
    I used my arms, blocking blow after blow. Arthur panted as he began to tire, but his caramel eyes burned with a frustrated anger. He rose on his hind legs and slashed for my throat, I slept back just out of his reach. I quickly closed my hands around his ankles, holding him there. I stared into his eyes and dug my claws in. I tightened my grip around his legs, almost so much that a little more force would’ve broken them. Arthur whined again, as I tossed him to the ground.
    My body hummed and my blood pulsed in my veins. Cool air filled my lungs as I approached the rising wolf. A crimson patch was starting to matter his fur just above his shoulder.
    He bounded towards me claws outstretched. I dropped to the ground and grabbed his paw in the air above me, yanking it down. Arthur hit the ground with a sickening crack, a whine of pain rising from his throat. I rose to my feet. His blood dripped down my arms and was sticky on my fingers.
    The brown wolf struggled to his feet favouring his right front paw. Crimson stained his chin as it dribbled from his mouth. A weakening growl rose from his chest.
    I will not lose to you, Arthur that is not an option. Surrender now and keep your life.
    Never! I will beat you. He replied, his voice – even in my head – struggling to mask his pain.
    “Very well,” I said out loud.
    I stepped towards him. Arthur lunged forward and I jumped back out of his reach – having already seen his move to lunge forward. I saw my opportunity – he was vulnerable just after his attack – and took it. I growled as I kicked his face. He slumped to the ground. A moment later he tried to rise on wobbly legs. He finally succeeded and leaped for me again. I swiped his legs away with one arm, while the other came up and punch him. He slumped, so I grabbed the scruff of his neck and sent my fist flying into his stomach again and again.
    With him still slumped in my grasp, I grabbed him with both hands and tossed him to the ground, my claws raking through his pelt as I released him. His blood now coated my hands. I quickly leaped to where he landed – his blood splattering the gravel red – before he could rise. Kicking him again, he released a howl of pain as he rips cracked. He was whining now.
    I knelt to the ground, the stones digging into my knees and closed my bloody hands around his throat. He thrashed so I dug my claws in and over him, so he was now pinned to the ground. I pushed my knees into his sides, grinding against his broken ribs. He yelped in pain.
    Blood matted his brown pelt and dribbled out of his mouth. His white chest was almost completely red with the liquid. My chest rose and fell with each breath and my blood pounded in my ears. My body alight with adrenaline.
    “Surrender!” I growled through gritted teeth.
    Never  . . . was his weak reply.
    I turned my gaze towards my father. The wolf was a weak lump of flesh and fur beneath me. My claws were still embedded in Arthur’s flesh. My eyes met the cold cruel ones of my father as he held out his hand, his thumb out but stretched to the side.
    The crowd’s voices molded together in one chaotic call. Some yelled for me to end him other for me to spare him. In the end their opinions didn’t matter, it was the Alpha’s choice.
    After an agonisingly long moment my father’s thumb turned down. A sign to me that I must end Arthur’s life.
    Arthur’s eyes met mine as I glanced down at him. I wouldn’t give him the shame of me apologising to him, he knew the rules. I raised my clawed hand, blood dripping off it. Arthur closed his eyes as he prepared for death. I was about to bring my hand down when–
    “STOP!” her voice ran out through the entire arena. Another silence fell over the arena. My head snapped up to where the voice came from and I wasn’t at all surprised to see Livy standing. Her breathing was rapid and her eyes were wild.
    “He’s had enough. You won! You won! Just stop! Please, just stop,” Livy’s voice trembled slightly. The look of disgust she gave me was so strong, I almost recoiled from it. Her eyes shone but she broke away from my gaze. With a shake of her head she ran down from the stands and bolted out of the arena.
    I gritted my teeth as I glanced up at my father, who was watching the whole thing fold out with silent contentment.
    I pulled back my wolf and settled back in my human skin. I glanced down at the wolf sprawled out on the stones beneath me. His crimson blood splattered the pale stones – it matted his fur and dribbled down his chin. His pathetic little whine whistled in my ears.
    “I hope you learnt your lesson runt,” I sneered, as the final bell chimed, signifying the end of this month’s tournament. I lifted my arms and turned towards the crowd.
    Their cheers and applause erupted in an explosion of sound. I gave them my most dazzling smile.
    I would play along with this charade for now.

***

The people loved him, they absolutely adored their Prince. Too bad he was just another disappointment. Too bad he didn’t have what it took.
    He was up to something though – too bad he was too late to understand. Silly naïve boy.  He had that little spark in his eyes, the one that promised a challenge, the one that promised discovery to unwanted knowledge. Well, boy, that spark will be extinguished soon enough.
    A gloriously sinister smile spread across my face as I watched the Prince’s little performance. Two can play that game, boy.

The images kept flashing through my head. The reek blood, the sickening thump as the wolf hit the ground, the sickening sound of flesh tearing, the blood-curdling yelps of pain.
     I felt sick to my all over. My stomach was doing flips, my head pounded and my body was in spasms. I was so glad it was over – until next month. Then I remembered my ceremony.
    On their eighteenth birthday, every wolf must fight in the arena to prove their worth to the pack and their loyalty to the Alpha. The thought of me having to do that made my skin crawl.
    I pushed the ceremony from my mind; I would worry about that when the day called for it.
    I hurried home, in the fading light. The sun streaked the sky a brilliant shade of gold, it was stunning. I stopped and basked in the last little bit of warmth it offered. I hoped that it would burn away the horrible images that were etched in the backs of my eyelids.
    Dean was a different person the moment he laid eyes of his challenger. It was like the Dean I knew and spent my childhood with vanished in an instant and was replaced with this ruthless beast wearing his face. I know that we are predators – that bloodlust is in our blood but . . .
    I shook my head, clearing the unwanted thoughts. I hurried home, desperate for the comfort of my Ma’s warm embrace. My boots slapped the cobblestones as I ran past the Alpha’s mansion and headed home.
    Ma and Da didn’t go to the tournament; they said they had some errands to run but that they’d be home by dusk. So I was surprised when I approached the house and it was dark.
    I steadied my breath and pushed the door open. I slowly stepped into the house, the floorboards creaking under my weight.
    “Ma? Da? I’m home,” I called. My voice echoed through the dark house. “Ma! Da!” There was no reply, but I didn’t expect one. I knew that no one was home. The smell of them was everywhere, but I couldn’t feel anyone’s presence. The house felt empty and dead.

***

I ran through the whole house, looked in every room. I yelled and yelled but of course there wasn’t any reply. My heart thundered in my chest and panic thrashed in my gut. Before I knew what I was doing I threw the wooden door open – it creaking in protest and bolted out the door.
    Before I knew it I was at the iron gates surrounding the Alpha’s mansion. I didn’t stop there though. I barged through the large front doors; the howling wolves engraved on the surface seemed to glow in the minimal light.
    Guards yelled as I sprinted through the front garden, the sound of their boots loud behind me. The rustling of their clothes grew louder as they gained on me. I thought I was alright by the time I got to the front doors but more guards were already there. I ran straight into them.
     Strong hands locked gripped around my upper arms, their grips like iron. Their voices were a distant buzzing, I could only make out a few words.
    “Stupid girl,” one muttered.
    “Throw her out on the streets, like the pest that she is,” another one said.
    I thrashed in their grasp, trying desperately to get free. I didn’t want to go back out there – I didn’t want to be alone.
    “Let me go! Let me go!” I screeched.
    I kicked and screamed. It was like someone had put a clear film over my eyes. I felt out of control and panicked. All I could think was that this was a horrible, horrible dream and that I would wake up any moment, but that was just wishful thinking.
    Shooting pain in my knees and wrists bought me back to my body. My body protested at the abuse of being thrown to the cobblestones. I hissed as I let the change roll over my skin. Unlocking the cages of the wild animal that was kept inside.
    The guards were already walking back to their posts as I was nearing the end of my change. They laughed and muttered taunts as they left.
    With a growl I bounded down the path, bowling over the guard in front of me. He quickly regained his footing and shouted obscenities. There were more shouts erupting around me as I focused on my target – the door. I quickly maneuvered around guard, leaping and bounding to dodge them.
    The night was clear for my wolf eyes, the noises loud for my ears, but I could smell everything. It was like a sensory overload. The rocks were sharp under my paws and the breeze was cool as it caressed my brown pelt.
    I feigned to left before leaping right, as I leapt through the door. I grinned inwardly as I got past the guard. Then a heavy body slammed me into the wall. I scolded myself – of course there would be another guard, how could I have been so stupid?
    Slumping to the floorboards, I let out a small whine and half closed my eyes. The guard grinned.
    “Stupid wolf,” he spat.
    With a bark, I bought my legs underneath me and jumped up. The guard jumped back, surprise filling his face. Unfortunately for him, he wasn’t quick enough and I closed my jaw around his arm. My teeth sunk into his flesh, a metallic taste filling my mouth.
    I loosened my grip and he ripped his arm out of my mouth, swearing vigorously. I took my opportunity and bolted down the hall, as fast as my wolf legs would carry me. Behind me I heard more shouting and footsteps thundering after me. My claws clicked on the boards as I ran. My blood hummed as adrenaline set my blood on fire, crisp air filled my lungs with each gulping breath, propelling me forward.
    I skidded to a halt and quickly shifted back to my human form. As soon as I was fully human I pounded on the door. My fist protested at the abuse. The echoing shouts go closer. I pounded the door again.
    “Calm down! I’m coming!” There was movement on the other side of the door. I continued to pound on the door. “In the name of the Gods, be patient! What do you–” Words failed him as he opened the door and saw me standing there. “Liv?”
    I must’ve been some sight, with my wild eyes and wild hair and a heaving chest. My limbs shook and my heart pounded. It also didn't help that I was naked, but I was too wired to really care. I glanced down the hall again. I opened my mouth to talk, but words failed me.
    Dean followed my gaze and heard the shouts that were just around the corner. I looked at him with wild eyes, as he frowned and waved me inside. I hesitantly walked into the room, my breaths still heaving. Panic churned in my stomach, adrenaline running through my veins. Closing the door, he walked over to his bed and threw me one of his shirts. I quickly pulled it on and did up the buttons and then he turned to face me.
    “They’re – they’re gone . . .” I panted. “Dean they’re gone . . .”
    He frowned and crossed his arms over his bare chest. A scrolling black tattoo – made up of spirals and weaving lines – ran down the left side of his body and disappeared over his shoulder. Those tattoos were the marks of an Alpha’s bloodline. When Dean finally took his place as Alpha they would become more complex and striking.  His dark hair was mussed and curling at the nape of his neck.
   The room was spacious and fairly orderly. His bed was large and neat and sat in the middle of the far wall. The left wall had bookcases along the whole wall. Some were filled with books – both old and new, big and small and in an assortment of different colours. The other shelves had weapons neatly organised on each shelf. There were daggers, knives, short swords, as well as a bow with some arrows. A large wooden desk sat in the opposite corner. It was made of a dark lush wood, with swirling engravings – very similar to the design of the tattoo on his chest – on the legs. It was strewn with papers as well as a few knives and other nick knack things. The walls were pale and the wooden floors were a dark reddish wood.
    “Who? Livy, who?” he spoke softly. His eyes searched mine, as if willing me to calm down.
    “Ma and Da . . . They’re gone.”
    He was silent for a moment. “Are you sure?” he inquired. All I could do was nod.
    He breathed out and ran a hand through his hair. “Alright. It’s too late now to do anything. I’ll look into it in the morning.”
    I wrapped my arms around myself as shivered tore through my body. I felt so cold and alone. I turned my gaze to the ground as I wondered what I should do next. Why had I come here? I thought to myself. Of all the places, why here? Because he’s the only one you have left, a tiny voice whispered at the back of my head. I pushed it away. When I looked up again, I met Dean’s intense blue eyes.
    “Do you need somewhere to sleep?”
    I didn’t want to spend a night in that house without Ma and Da, it wouldn’t feel right – it wouldn’t be home without them. I shook my head very slowly.
    Dean turned and walked over to his bed and took a pillow off it, and then he walked over to the wardrobe and pulled out a blanket. “You take the bed, I’ll take the floor.”
    I stared at him. I was not expecting that. I shook my head. “I can’t do–” I started to protest.
    He shot me a look, those blue eyes of his turning cold. “It’s not up for discussion Livy. Take the bed or I’ll throw you to the wolves, quite literally.”
    Dean made himself as comfortable as he could of the floor at the end of the bed. I hesitantly got into his bed and pulled the blankets up to my chin, trying to get this cold deep in my chest to go away. I blew out the candle after a few moments of silence, then snuggled into the warmth of the blankets. The musky smell of man and leather and water and wind wafted around me.
    “Thank you,” I whispered after a long time. I never heard a reply, but I knew he heard it because his breathing wasn’t that of one who was asleep.
    Closing my eyes, I prayed that I wouldn’t dream tonight as I fell into a restless sleep.

***

Blood was everywhere. The stench made me choke – getting caught in my nose and my throat.  It splattered the dark stones. The room smelt stale and musky, with an undercurrent of rotting flesh.
    A girl covered in crimson was splayed out on the ground. Her ebony hair mattered and clumped. Her pale blue eyes were lifeless as they stared towards the ceiling into nothingness. In the corner of the dark chamber were glowing eyes, their iris’ almost as red as the blood which coated the room. Claw marks were huge gouges ran down the walls – their owner, the monster which lurked in the darkest shadows.
    A screech filled the eerily quiet. Then the room exploded into flames. Before the fire completely consumed the room, I saw the screaming faces of my parents. I screamed out but no sound exited my lips. I watched in horror as their screams filled the air and consumed them, along with the poor broken girl on the battered stones.
    I woke up screaming, the sound tearing itself from my throat. I became disorientated as my eyes danced around the foreign room. Rushing into a sitting position, I curled my fingers around the blankets as I panted heavily. My skin was sticky and clammy, a cold sweat breaking out on my back. My skin prickled as the images continued to flash before my eyes.
    Dean was on his feet staring at me with alert eyes. They seemed to glow in the dark room. In his hand was a long dagger, the silver blade glinting subtly. He was still shirtless, the scrawling black tattoo standing out on his on his chest – the black lines seemed to absorb all the light that hit them. His hair was mussed from sleep.
    I broke away from Dean’s icy blue stare. His lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but he stayed silent. The sound of my panting breaths was the only sound in the dark room. After a moment, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and put my face in my hands. My loose hair tumbled around me like a veil. If only that veil could conceal me from my slowly tumbling world.
    I didn’t want to think about where Ma and Da could’ve gone. Did they leave or were they taken? A little voice whispered. No, they would never leave me – it just wasn’t like them. I needed to find out who’d taken them, but who would want to take them – they were loved by most and known by many.
    I heard movement and then a flickering light filled the room. The bed sunk under Dean’s weight as he sat down next to me.
    “I’ll get to the bottom of this. You don’t need to worry.”
    I scoffed and looked at him through my fiery hair. “They’re my parents, so if anyone’s going to look for them it’s going to be me.”
    “Then why did you come here?” he asked as he met my eyes through my hair.
    I sat up and looked at the ceiling, resting my hands behind me. “You’re the only person I have left,” I said softly.
    Dean stayed silent at that, although I could still feel his intense eyes on me. We sat in silence for a moment, and then I got to my feet. The ground was cold of the bare skin of my feet.
    “You take the bed. I’ll take the floor,” I murmured.
    “You need your sleep,” he stated.
    “So do you,” I said turning to look at him. “Besides, I’m not sure I want to close my eyes again,” I muttered very quietly.
    I expected him to leave it at that but his gaze met mine. The strong lines of his face looked almost severe in the flickering candle light. “What do you see?”
    I stared at him for a long moment before I spoke. “Most of the time I see Morgan. I see Morgan covered in blood.”

***

I laid on Dean’s bed, staring at the ceiling of the dark room. After I had told Dean that I saw Morgan’s lifeless body covered in blood in my dreams, he had gotten up and walked across the room. An unreadable expression contorting his face. He faced the wall, resting his forehead on the wall, his fist above his head. He was silent for an awfully long time.
    “Go back to sleep. I’ll figure this out in the morning,” he said turning around to look at me. His eyes flickered with a deep sadness before he put up his shields again.
    Dean had become hard and unreadable as he got older – even more so after Morgan’s death. He had built up these impenetrable shields, that he rarely let down. And even when he did let them down you’d be lucky if it was for very long. It was hard to know what was going on in that black-haired head of his.
    That bought me back to now. I had made up my mind; I was going to find out what had happened to my parents. I had debated whether or not I should tell Dean, but I had come to the conclusion that Dean would advise against it.
    I got up as quietly as I could and walked over to the window, yanking it open. As it opened a gush of cool night air hit my face. I breathed in the salty night air and looked out onto the beach. The sea lapped lazily at the sand. The sky was cloudless and a little chilly, and the moon shone brightly as it started it descent.
    I hauled myself up and swung my legs out of the window. I sat there for a moment. Looking over my shoulder back into the room I listened carefully. The room was eerily quiet. I looked back out into the night and was about to jump out, when large hands closed around my arms – their grip like a vice.
    “I had a feeling you’d do something like this. At least you weren’t stupid enough to go out the front,” Dean muttered softly behind me.
    I rolled my eyes. “Nice to know you think so highly of me,” I said, my tone thick with sarcasm.
    “However, there are still guards positioned around the entire mansion, even around the back. And from what I heard when you got here, you’re one that they are on the search for,” his breath was like a small caress on the back of my neck. “It doesn’t make them look good if Alpha finds out they were outsmarted by a girl.”
    “What about you?” I asked. “What if they find out that you hid me in your room?”
    “I can take care of myself,” he said flatly.
    “You can’t stop me from doing this, Dean. It’s something I have to do.”
    “What about your Ceremony. It’s only a few days away?” He loosened his grip on my arms slightly.
    “It won’t mean anything, if my parents aren’t there with me,” I stated. “Dean, I need to do this, please.”
    I shifted my weight to try and turn around to look at him. His loosened his hands, so that I could. I took advantage of that – tearing my arms out of his grip, I jumped out the window. As soon as I landed on the sandy dirt I shifted into my wolf and sprinted down the beach.
    Behind me I heard a light thump of feet landing on the ground, then the sound of paws behind me, coming closer and closer. All I could think was shit.