Chapter 3

MYLES

I watch Bruce as he runs back into the forest and I sigh heavily. I'm happy now that I'm away from the wolves Packs and I'm now in the human territory.

At the same time, I'm sad since I don't know where I'm headed to. My stomach rumbles for the umpteenth time and I suddenly miss home. If I was just a normal child, my parents wouldn't have been murdered in cold blood and I wouldn't have escaped to this place where I know absolutely no one!

I walk further into the town, my clothes dripping wet and I'm shivering. I can't stop praying for a miracle even as I walk along towards the centre of the town.

I just wish I will meet someone who'll have pity on me and give me some food, or even a change of clothes!

I meet several people who just greet me then pass by. I know that humans are naturally kind but right now no one seems to recognise that I'm in despair. Maybe I should apply a different tactic.

Tired and worn out to the core due to sleeping on a tree, I walk towards the bus stop and I spot a vacant seat. I lower myself onto it and my mind wanders away, trying to come up with a solution to my predicament.

I still remember that in my class there are several humans who keep on speaking about children's homes where destitute children and orphans go to and they finally meet families to adopt them.

I also remember that they keep on talking about other homeless children and adults who decide to live in the town, eating food remnants from the trash cans and if they get lucky enough, they meet people who buy them fresh food. They usually sleep in the gutters, in incomplete buildings, under shades or even on the seats at the bus stop. I don't want to end up as one of them....no!

Alternatively, I'd have decided to go rogue and start terrorising those who killed my people but I won't stoop that low! Right now all I need is to interact and mingle with the humans as much as I can. Maybe...just maybe, I can get lucky enough and get a roof over my head. Or should I go looking for a job? Oh no! Who'll employ a ragged young man who's barely eleven?

I sit at the bus stop, trying as much as possible to suppress my rumbling stomach, hoping someone will be keen enough to take me with them.

My buttocks are tired from sitting and I can't help but stand up, pace around then come back to the same position to sit once again.

I yawn in a combination of hunger, thirst, tiredness and lack of sleep and it's like the moon goddess is on my side because she sends one woman who's selling some provisions at the bus stop and she pities me.

She offers me a bun and I take it abruptly, biting onto it and swallowing half of it all at one. After I'm done with the bun, I murmur a thank you to her something that makes her to sit beside me, offering me another bun which I eat the same way I ate the first one.

I'm sure she notices my hunger and desperation because she offers me a can of juice and I take it willingly, gulping it down in a single swing.

My stomach is now full and I turn to face her, a smile of satisfaction and gratitude being plastered on my entire face.

“Thank you ma'am!” I say, trying to be friendly. Maybe she'll take pity at me and take me with her to her home. I won't mind as long as I have a roof over my head!

“What is your name and who are you here with?” she asks and I eye her confusedly, my eyes filled with tears.

“My name is Myles and I'm all alone.” I reply genuinely.

“Who brought you here? Where's your home?” She asks me once again.

“I'm all alone and I can't remember my hometown. I was carried by an overflowing river and after panicking, I passed out only to find myself at the river bank, far away from home!” I lie smoothly. If I tell her the truth, she might decide to take me back home and it'll be disastrous! She'll trust an believe in me since my clothes are wet.

I can smell her scent and she's human and if she discovers that I'm a werewolf, she'll end up not helping me!

“Oh my God!” she gasps. “I'm so sorry for everything.” she says genuinely.

God? That must be their divine being whom they pray to. I've heard the human students in our school mentioning him severally.

“It's okay.” I reply.

“Can I take you home? Your clothes are dripping wet and and you might catch a flu. We can start searching for your parents when we get home!”

I nod in understanding, my heart filled with gratitude. It's true what they say about humans. They're kind hearted and full of love...I'm ready to experience this love!

“You can call me Susan.” she says as she stands up.

She gives me strict instructions not to get up from where I'm seated and not to take any food or drink from a stranger because people around here are dangerous and they might be interested in kidnapping me. I shudder at the thought of being kidnapped and I nod, assuring her that I won't go against what she has instructed.

Just like any other werewolf, I matured early and since I have a strong Alpha blood, I shifted immediately I turned ten, only three months ago and when I excitedly ran to uncle Cedric to inform him, his mate dismissed me, calling me proud and stupid! Till now, I haven't been able to fathom the genesis of her hatred towards me!

I'm also fluent in spoken languages and I learn fast. I'm able to express myself clearly but I'm not going to sell myself out because any clever human can differentiate a werewolf from a human just by listening to their speech and judging by their level of maturity even at a tender age!

After she's gone, I lean back on the sit and within no time, I'm in dream land, all thanks to the buns and juice I've already eaten.

****

I'm walking all alone in the wilderness, having strayed far away from my mum and dad who had taken me out for a run. I'm in my wolf form and however much I try to mindlink my parents, I'm met by a block.

I walk further to the direction I assume we followed on our way here but I can't seem to find my way back to where my parents are.

Tired and worn out, I resign to my fate and I lower myself to the ground, lying on the grass, my tongue stuck out helplessly as I wonder what to do next.

I don't want to shift back to my human form because I might risk being spotted by hunters and I might end up being killed or captured.

As I lie there, howling in sadness, I see some bright light being flashed in front of me. I look up, happy thinking it's my mum or dad but I'm surprised to see the source of the light.

A beautiful woman dressed in a sparkling white gown is floating mid air, eyeing me pitifully.

”Myles my son!” she calls me to my shock. How did she know my name? She even called me her son!

“Who are you? Where are my parents? I can't find them!” I find myself talking to her verbally even in my wolf form. This is strange!

“Your parents are in a better place Myles. As for you, you're also landing in good arms and I'd like to assure you of my loyalty. Wherever you go, whatever you do, I'll be with you.”

“What are you saying? I don't understand you!” I ask in confusion. I'm really lost!

“Just stick to the original lie that you don't know your home place, that you're human, that you can't remember anything else about you and I'll guide you all through. With time, we'll reveal everything to them, of course when you're old enough and from then, I'll show you the way. Meanwhile, I'll be visiting you from time to time to encourage you and guide you where possible!”

I don't understand what she means by all that and my efforts to get an explanation from her are met by her waving hand and she beds me goodbye, disappearing just the same way she appeared!

****

Someone is tapping my shoulder and I spring up on my feet in confusion. Where am I? Who was that woman?

I look beside me only to be met by madam Susan who's eyeing me in confusion and upon realising that I was dreaming, I shrug and apologise to her for sleeping in her absence.

She smiles when she realises that I was just dreaming and she informs me that we're supposed to leave to her home. I follow her and we board a bus at the same bus stop and when it starts moving, I ask her if her place is far from the town and she assures me that it's not far.

I reach my pockets and I feel the piece of paper with Bruce's number inside my pocket. I smile, promising myself that I'll call him immediately I settle just as I promised him.