New Beginings

AYSU

“I think I regret not listening to you,” Ximun confessed after many minutes of silence. They were presently in the vehicle that would drop them off at the border of the pack. Once they alight, they would have to embark on the rest of the journey themselves.

Aysu shook her head. “I don’t… What are you talking about?”

“When Magnetino was killed, you said not to hold the mating ball. If I had listened to you, the Council Members would not have gotten a chance to carry out their plan.”

Aysu sighed and looked out of the window which presented the view of passing trees, houses, wolves and people. “That is true. But I think if you had cancelled the ball, they would still have found a way to execute their plan. Those people seemed hell-bent on destroying you, I am sure they would have taken another route to get rid of you.”

Ximun reached for her arm and hooked it with his. Afterwards, he adjusted his position and placed his head on her shoulder. “I can’t wait to delve into the truth of their plan. I want to expose those people and get rid of them before they ruin the order of The Night Crimson Pack.”

“That’s a good thought,” replied Aysu while she looked down at Ximun and played with his hair. “But shouldn’t we first think about our survival? Very soon, we will be dropped off and left alone to deal with our fate. Where would we be staying, Ximun?”

“I don’t know, Aysu.”

Aysu felt something related to devastation settle in her soul. “Are we doomed, Ximun?”

“Hey,” Ximun gently called and at the same time, he sat up and rested his fingers beneath her chin. “No matter what, we will never be doomed. It might take us a while to adjust to this sudden change, but I promise you that we will never suffer.”

“How will we survive, Ximun? We will need jobs, a place to sleep, money to eat and maybe clothes too. If we don’t have a place in mind, how can we get the remaining necessities?”

“I don’t know, Aysu. I spent a great deal of my life in the palace.” Ximun seemed slightly pissed. “I don’t know how to get a job, because being an Alpha King is the only good thing I have done for myself. Clothes? I never bothered about it because I had an official seamstress. Money? That was never hard to come by.”

“Ximun-”

His eyes darted here and there in slight anxiety. “I now have nothing, Aysu. I have nothing and I don’t know what to do because I never lived outside of the world I knew all my life. So, I am hoping that things out there will be a little friendly to me and you. I am seriously hoping that we don’t get to suffer much.”

“Ximun it is-”

“Aysu, hope with me. I know hoping is a little stupid, but let’s at least do that. Huh?”

The desperation in his eyes grew as he spoke and from that, Aysu could tell that he was scared even though he wasn’t too vocal about it.

So, Aysu, who was also frightened, let out a huge sigh and after reaching for his hand, she said, “I will hope with you, Ximun.”

His saddening expression turned to a smile. “That’s great to hear.”

The two shared a smile until a throat-clearing sound from the driver seat interrupted them.

“I am sorry to butt in, Your Majesties,” the driver said, “but I have a place in mind.”

Aysu and Ximun shared another look.

And Ximun asked the question in their minds. “Where is this place?”

“It is the Moon Guardian Pack. It is a somewhat secretive pack, but if you are able to get there, I think the prophecy will be able to come to pass.”

“A prophecy?” Aysu asked while that word triggered thoughts about the Rejection Curse which was still not certain to be fully overcome.

“Yes, Luna Queen.” The man took a right turn onto a smooth road that was surrounded by a lot of trees. “Growing up, there was a prophecy about the Moon Goddess coming down in human form to bless every Pack with her presence.”

“She will come down herself?”

“No, she will choose a she-wolf that comes from the generation of the deities. And, I think that is you, Luna Queen.”

Aysu almost laughed. “Why do you think so?”

“I think so because it is me, a member of that pack is driving you right now. It could have been any other driver, but it is me who has now told you about the Moon Guardian Pack.” The man was oddly cocky. “I will provide the coordinates and directions to the Pack. But please be careful, even though the journey is just for two days at most, the path can be very tricky. But once you reach the pack, let anyone you meet there know that Omex sent you. They’ll take things up from there.”

Ximun spoke. “Are you Omex?”

“Yes, I am.”

“How do we believe what you’ve just told us? I have never heard about this Pack, so I think I can freely believe that you might be trying to lure us into a trap.”

“I am not, Alpha King. I am only trying to help.”

“You-”

Aysu stopped Ximun with a squeeze of his hand. “Omex, we appreciate your help, but I doubt that I am a replica of the Goddess. Regardless, the Moon Guardian Pack sounds like somewhere we would like to settle.” Aysu glanced at Ximun who was wearing a huge frown. “It sounds peaceful and welcoming. I think the Alpha King and I would enjoy our stay there. So, can I have those directions?”

“Definitely!” The man excitedly stretched a cluster of thick papers in her direction.

“Thank you, Omex.” Aysu spread one of the sheets and it was a detailed map that pointed out landmarks to follow. “This will be very helpful.”

“You are truly welcome, Luna Queen.”

Aysu returned the man’s smile via the middle mirror and soon, the ride came to an end. They had reached the border. And within seconds, the couple alighted, their little baggage and Omex’s delivery the only things in their possession.

Once the car drove away, Ximun faced Aysu.

“Why did you encourage him, Aysu? What if he is a spy planted by the Council Members?”

“Ximun,” Aysu let out a deep exhale, “he seemed genuine.”

“So did the people that banished us until they actually did banish us,” returned Ximun.

“We don’t have anywhere else to go, Ximun. Does it make sense to walk into that very thick forest,” her finger pointed behind them, “without any plan? We could die while searching for a place to stay. ”

“So, you want us to believe that driver’s high tale about Goddesses and all?”

“I don’t really believe that, Ximun. I just want us to take this chance and use it to our advantage. We now have a location that we can start with. If this place doesn’t work out, we can figure things out from there. So let’s head to this pack and see if it is the place for us.”

“Well,” Ximun grudgingly responded, “I strongly hope it isn’t a trap. It wouldn’t end well for our enemies if it turns out to be a trap.”

“Well, let’s find out which it is.” Aysu started to head towards the little gate that led them to the depths of the forests. “This is going to be quite a journey.”

“Did we remember to get the water packs?”

Ximun’s question halted her steps. She dramatically turned to face him.

“No, we did not.”

Ximun’s lips smeared into a defeated smile. “This is going to be quite a journey indeed.”

“It is a new beginning for us.”

“I guess it is. I strangely look forward to what these changes will result in and… Aysu! Watch out!”