Chapter 15

I looked up to see the place he brought me to. As we got closer I could make out a small village. The entrance was hidden behind a thick curtain of leaves, creeping vines and trees which probably served as a protection against other clans and wildlife. The village was divided into different chambers and corridors. I saw different werewolves in their wolf form as we walked past and men, women and children going about their daily routine. As we entered one of the biggest buildings, it immediately felt like home. It felt like I was stepping into a peaceful sanctuary filled with tranquility and comfort. The main hall, as written on a board in front of it, was big and huge. On it, it was boldly written a phrase 'Stormclaw clan". 'This is the stormclaw clan." He announced it to me. 'This is my clan and where I grew up." 'Thank you." I told him gratefully. 'Don't thank me yet. You have to meet the head of the Clan and if she accepts for you to stay, then you stay. If not, you leave." That was very discouraging news. I wondered if the Alpha of the Clan didn't want me here, where I was going to stay? I prayed in my heart that whatever the criteria was, that I would pass it. He took me to the chamber that was dark except for the light candles at the corners. 'Wait here." He said to me and I sat in the only chair there. 'The Alpha will be here soon." He told me while he stood beside me. My eyes were weak by now and I was so hungry that I could probably eat a whole cow all by myself. I didn't even realize that the Alpha was already in the room until I was told by the strange man to stand and greet him. 'Good evening, my lord." I greeted and bowed as it should be, even though I couldn't see who I was greeting properly. He smiled at me. 'I like your courage." He turned to the strange man."Mascot, give her some food, give her some clothes, make sure she has some rest, then bring her back to me." 'But-" Mascot was about to oppose the Alpha. 'Do as you have been instructed." The Alpha ordered. I followed the young man who I had now found out his name was Mascot, out of the Chambers into another room that was much more beautiful than the one we left. 'Laura?" He called out to a woman who looked my age when she came out. 'Yes, master." 'Take care of her. The king requests that she be given food, given clothes and brought back to him. Make sure she rests too." He ordered her and was about to leave before turning to me. 'Remember, you have to appear before the Alpha tomorrow. Dress well and rest." He turned to leave. 'Thank you for your help." I said, making sure he heard me but he gave me no response. It didn't matter what was going on with him, all that mattered was that I had a shelter over my head and I was not in danger anymore. That was more important to me. 'Come on in." The lady welcomed me. 'Thank you for welcoming me." 'It all depends on the Alpha, he is the one who would reject or accept and welcome you." Laura announced it to me. I was curious as to why he didn't reject me Immediately so I asked Laura. 'He should have rejected me immediately and not let me stay for even a night." I told her. 'I believe he wants to hear from the moon goddess." She responded and It sounded funny to me. Trying to find out if the moon goddess will accept me? That was the funniest thing I had heard. So people talked to the moon goddess? After my father's death, I stopped believing that she existed because if she did, she wouldn't have let my father die and not do anything. She was just a fallacy that most people believed in. I only prayed to her out of necessity these days, not expecting anything. What I intended to do was to get some rest, take some food and clothes with me and get ready for my journey tomorrow. Laura helped me get the bath ready and I took the most refreshing bath in my life. I ate to my fullest and she also gave me some comfortable clothes to wear. She watched me eat and I knew she was wondering why a young girl like me was wandering the whole territory. 'You can ask me any questions that you have." I told her, scoping my food into my mouth. 'Is it that obvious?" She laughed. 'You've been staring so intently so I believe you have questions for me." 'Who are you?" She asked and I remembered that I hadn't introduced myself to her yet. 'My name is Naomi. I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself, I must have been so hungry that I forgot my manners." I ate more of the soup offered to me. 'This is very good." I pointed at the soup. 'That's our native food, Asigu. It was the first ever soup our ancestors made and ate in this same land. We made sure we gave it to any visitor to welcome the person." I wasn't really paying attention to the history of the soup but I nodded as she continued speaking. She said lots of things about the soup but I wasn't really interested in that. 'Thank you for welcoming me. I'm glad." 'It's nice to meet you. I'm Laura, Mascot's girlfriend." She introduced herself formally. 'Oh." That was all I could say. The spoon I was using to eat stopped halfway to my mouth as I thought about what she said. 'We are going to get married soon enough." She said again. She was so obviously happy about him because I could notice that she was blushing as she spoke to me about him. 'Your boyfriend saved me from being eaten by a lion." I said to her, 'I wanted to thank him but he seemed to be in a hurry." 'He is a hunter, a very strong one. He is also a kind soul." She spoke so highly of him. It wasn't any of my business but it seemed she was the only one upholding this relationship. 'I'm so grateful to both of you." I said, finally. 'Me? I didn't do a thing, I only followed orders." She was a humble one. 'I'm still grateful." I said, not trying to drag the issue. 'You have a long day tomorrow, I think you should go to sleep now." She said to me,"Take this." She offered me a cozy blanket and a soft pillow. 'Thank you. I'm grateful to you." I said taking the blanket and fluffing the pillow, realizing that Tomorrow was a big day for me as she had said.