Chapter 2: The Other Wolves
(A/N) Thank you so much for the lovely reviews on the last chapter! I hope you enjoy this one!
"We don't like...what we don't...understand in fact it scares us...and this monster is mysterious at least." - The Mob Song - Beauty and The Beast.
No one dared leave their house after dark.
The day Evie had run away from the village something terrible had happened. There were rumours that a beast had attacked defenceless patrons at the local tavern, leaving one man dead and another critically injured. Evie wasn't sure if she believed the tales, the locals who frequented the tavern often concocted whimsical stories, and if it wasn't alcohol fueling their imaginations then it was boredom, as seldom anything excited happened in their quiet village, every day like the one before. Most of the villagers ignored the usual blether of the tavern, but for some reason, this time, they listened.
People were afraid, there was no denying it. There was a thick, foreboding tension clinging to the air of the village. Even the animals- their horses, dogs, cats, cows and chickens -seemed to pick up on it, making them jittery. The people and animals of the village were wound up tighter than violin strings and it felt that at any moment the strings would snap under the tension. It was so unusual that Evie felt herself being pulled into a strange sense of caution herself. Usually, the village was alive with vibrant chatter and songs each morning and early afternoon, everyone bustling about in their chores and trade. Not now, not since the alleged attacks. Now everyone kept to themselves, watched their neighbours warily and barely a word was uttered outside.
It wasn't until one of her mother's guards told her that the beast that had said to have attacked the tavern had been a werewolf that she understood the villager's reactions. Werewolves were human as much as they were wolves. Anyone, from their neighbours to their shopkeepers, could be one, and they would be none the wiser. The monster that had harmed their fellow villagers could be walking among them, as bold as brass, waiting to strike again.
Mournfully, Evie watched from her bedroom window, hating seeing the villagers treat each other with such caution, such mistrust. There was so much suspicion and scorn in every gaze it made Evie's heart swell in disappointment.
"Has what happened at the tavern been investigated?" Evie asked her head guard, Sir Pellinore, as he came to stand beside her.
He was an older man, nearing his late sixties. Unlike the other guards - who dressed in light armour - he was dressed far more casually, but no less richly for a man of his stature. He wore a thick, green poet shirt with a black, buttoned vest, black trousers and heavy boots. His thinning hair had turned as white as starlight and was combed back neatly. Evie had known him all her life, he was almost like a father to her. He doted on her but no amount of smiles and sweet words - nor royal titles - could sway him from scolding her when needed. He was still a little sour over her latest escape attempt and refused to let her leave her cottage as punishment. So long as she behaved for a time he promised he would forget to mention the incident to her mother - provided she didn't attempt it again.
"It has indeed. Witnesses say it was a werewolf."
"So I heard," Evie replied dryly, narrowing her eyes as she glanced at the forest at the edge of the village. "But that can't be what happened, can it? Werewolves? Really, Sir Pellinore?"
"You don't believe they exist, Princess?" the old knight inquired.
"No, I don't."
"Tis a bit strange hearing that coming from a lass who dwells in potions and alchemy in her spare time when she thinks her guards aren't watching," Pellinore mused, stroking his grey moustache. "If witchcraft exists, why can't werewolves?"
"That isn't witchcraft," Evie muttered, offended. "It's science. Don't say such things so carelessly. If a villager heard you say I performed witchcraft they'd lynch me!"
"They are quite the superstitious bunch, aren't they?" Sir Pellinore chuckled, but his face quickly became dark. "But I'll tell you now they have every right to be. There are all manners of strange creatures and forces in this world, and they may be far closer to you than you think."
Evie shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. She didn't like talks of magic and make-beleive creatures, she heard enough of it all from her mother.
"I don't suppose you could leave me alone for a while? I think I'd like to get some rest."
"Depends, are you going to flee again?" Sir Pellinore asked, quirking an eyebrow. "I quite like having my head attached to my shoulders and if your mother finds out you tried to run away again-"
Evie shook her head, giving him a sincere smile. "I'll be right here where you left me. I just need some time to myself. All this talk of werewolves and magic is... unsettling."
The knight nodded before leaving her, locking the door securely after him. Evie frowned at the sound of the bolts clanking into place, sealing her in. She heard the old knight tell a few of his underlings to stand watch and make sure no one entered either. It seems he was taking no chances this time.
Evie let out a miserable sigh, resting her head back against the window frame. She pulled her legs up onto the ledge and wrapped her arms around them, starring out at the shifting clouds.
Freedom has been so close, just at the edges of her fingertips. If it hadn't been for that wolf, she could have gotten to her meeting point with the baker's son who had promised her safe transportation out of the Kingdom.
Evie shook her head, scolding the thought. She knew she shouldn't think like that, helping the wolf had been the right thing to do. The poor creature had been in such pain. But thoughts of freedom from the bars that held her made her a little bitter. She was never going to get away, the guards were far too alert now. And one more failed attempt would mean Sir Pellinore would inform her mother of her runaway attempts. The thought of what her mother would do to her made her shiver.
Someday she was going to be taken back to the castle across the way, and then, she would truly know what no freedom meant.
"Harry, what are you doing here?"
Harry cursed at the sound of his sister's voice. She had followed him, again. He was sure he had lost her in the forest but as usual, he had underestimated his sister's persistence.
"What dae ya want, Harriet? Thought pa told ye tae stop molly-coddling me?" Harry asked tiredly as he crossed his arms and leaned back against a tree. "Don't think he'll be tae happy tae hear yer still disobeying him. And a direct order at that? Oh dear."
"Oh, ye think he won't be happy about with me? Just wait tae he hears what ye've up tae!" Harriet snarled, her hands tightening into fists. "I know why ye've been sneaking off the ship more and more lately, and I'm pretty sure papa will be interested in hearing that yer risking yer safety - and the families! - all for a pretty face!"
"I've nae idea what yer talking about," Harry shrugged, feigning innocence.
"Ye came tae see that girl again! That Evie!" Harriet scoffed angrily. "Harry! This whole town is in an uproar because of ye! Ye can't risk coming back here, what if someone recognises ye from the tavern?"
"Naeones gonna recognise me," Harry rolled his eyes. "Yer being dramatic."
"I'm being sensible and smart! It isn't just yer heed I'm worried about. If they find out what ye are it won't take much for them tae figure out - or at least suspect - the rest of our family of being werewolves as well! Yer putting us all at risk just tae catch a glimpse of a fleeting fancy!"
"It's not a fleeting fancy!"
Not wanting to lash out at his sister Harry took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. He knew she was trying to protect him, as she always did, but Gods, he wished she would leave him be and stop being so over-protective. He knew what he was doing, he didn't need her constantly hovering around him.
"She saved ma life. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her. I'm just... looking out for her. That's all."
"If she really saved yer life then dae ye think she'd be happy tae hear yer risking it for nae good reason?" Harriet challenged.
She didn't believe her brother at all about his objections that he didn't care for the girl. She had noticed him sneaking out of the ship more and more and after following him one night she had found out why. It was for the girl, the girl locked away in the pretty, white cottage by the fountain in the town square. Harry would come to the edges of the forest and watch out for her, trying to catch even a glimpse of her. He never approached her, not that he could as she never seemed to be alone. She wasn't sure who the girl was but Harriet had rightfully deduced that the girl was someone of importance. Why else would she have a disguised, armed escort everywhere she went?
Sooner or later the eagle-eyed and seasoned guards would notice Harry and start to question him, perhaps even investigate him in secret. And if that didn't happen then Harry may slip up like he did last time and get caught in the moons snare.
"Then again, maybe when she finds out what ye are she'll be more than happy for ye tae risk it," Harriet said snidely, eyes flashing darkly. "Dae ye think she'd ever care for a beast? Naeone does, Harry! And ye need tae get that through yer thick skull, fast!"
Harriet knew she was being cruel but she had to do what she could to save her baby brother. The idiot didn't see what danger he was putting himself - and their family - in, but she could. She was the oldest sister, it was her job to look after her younger siblings. Even if they hated her for it.
Harry let out a growl, pushing himself away from the tree. He stormed over to his sister, pointing a finger in her face. "Drop it, Harriet, and mind yer own damned business for once!"
Harriet shook her head, her face contorting in livid rage. "Evie's the reason ye've convinced pa not tae leave this port, isn't it? Ye don't wat tae be away from her. Harry, she doesn't even know ye exist. We need tae leave here. This whole village is on a crusade against our kind, we can't risk being here any longer."
"Then leave without me," Harry gritted out.
He didn't mean it, not truly. Anger was just too good at filling you with the desire to lash out, tempting you into saying the things you knew would hurt the most. And there was nothing that would hurt Harriet more than the thought that her brother did not want to be with her, with their family.
Harriet flinched as if he had slapped her, her eyes widening in shock. She looked at Harry, hurt shining in her eyes.
"Harry-"
"Enough, Harriet. Get back tae the ship and leave me be."
Harry turned on his heels and left Harriet standing amidst the trees with nothing to do but watch his retreating form. In Harriet's eyes, all she saw was her little brother - a boy she had once held in her arms as a bairn - foolishly walking towards Death's grasp. She knew she could not let that happen. Even if it meant she had to cut the tie that tethered him to this place.
Big sister's always looked out for their younger siblings, no matter what.
As the weeks dragged on, the tension in the village did not fade away. It grew. The calmness and quiet was still there, but it was nothing more than a facade for the hysteria bubbling within the villagers. Sometimes the tension became too much and heated arguments and fights broke out, only fueling the resentment and suspicion the villagers felt for one another.
It was not long before fingers were pointed, neighbour accusing neighbour of being werewolves. Every day the guards stationed at the village would receive 'intel' about who was supposedly a monster in disguise. Evie heard about it all from Sir Pellinmore, the old knight at a loss of what to do.
Strangely enough, Evie's mother, the Queen, had done little to weed out the alleged werewolf living in the village. Her mother was a firm believer in the supernatural and had on many occasions sent guards to hunt down all manners of mythical creatures to ease her people's fears. Her mother's lack of action only further sowed doubt into Evie's mind that there was any real plausibility to the werewolf hysteria that had gripped the village.
Still, even with her own reservations about the matter, Evie decided enough was enough. She had to do something to help. She may not their Queen but she was their Princess, and it was her duty to help her people to the best of her abilities. The creature they feared may not be real but their fear was and it had to be eased and taken seriously.
One quiet night, Evie wrote up a letter for the town mayor, detailing what measures could be taken to help sooth the villager's worries. She gave it to a trusted knight who delivered it in secret. It took far longer than Evie would have liked for the measures to be implemented, as she had wait for the mayor's written reply. It would have been quicker to walk down the street and converse with the mayor personally, but he was not aware of her true identity. No one was. The fact that their princess lived among them was unknown to the villagers. It was a secret, one her mother had insisted upon, though why she did not know.
After a few weeks, Evie and the mayor finally came to an agreement. A sunset curfew was installed on nights of the full moon and more guards were sent to patrol the village at night. Evie wanted to do more but her powers were limited and she lacked the experience on how to properly deal with the matter. She needed her mother's council but her mother neglected to offer her help.
Despite the lengths taken to ensure the security of the village, many were discontent. Some felt that the creature that had attacked the tavern, along with any others that may be hiding amongst them, should be sought out and vanquished.
Finally, only a day before the moon would be full again, the villagers took matters into their own hands. They burned down the local butchers, the butcher and his family still inside. Evie had seen the flickering flames from her bedroom window, even through the thick, black smoke that hung over the town, darkening it.
That night Sir Pellinmore and her three guards came home, pale-faced and deathly quiet. It was the final straw for the night. The horrors of that night prompting him to do something he had never done. Challenge the Queen.
"Sir Pellinmore, surely you can't be serious?" Evie asked the knight as he readied to leave the cottage. "My mother's not going to take kindly to you telling her she hasn't handled this situation well!"
She would kill him, this Evie knew without a doubt. Her mother loathed to be questioned and did not take it lightly. Sir Pellinmore's decades of loyal service meant nothing to the Queen.
"I have to do something, my dear girl. I swore an oath," the old knight said quietly as he put on his cloak. "I have a plan that may help the village. The only one who can implement it, without question, is the Queen. If she agrees it'll happen immediately and end this wretched werewolf business."
"What is your plan?"
"I want all the villagers rounded up when the next full moon rises. Under the light of the moon, we'll find out once and for all who the werewolf is," Sir Pellinmore sighed. "Then they can all see for themselves that they're all nothing but human. Horrible humans who have let an innocent family perish for nothing more than paranoia."
Evie walked the knight outside the cottage, watching as he mounted his horse, several guards following after him. "Stay in your room, your Highness. I've left two guards with you so you'll be safe and to prevent any escape attempts you've been concocting."
Evie rolled her eyes at the knight's chiding tone. She bid the knight fair well, praying she would see him again.
That night Evie couldn't sleep, her dreams haunted by smoke and fire and screaming villagers. Every time she closed her eyes she saw the smiling, friendly faces of the villagers she had come to know morph into twisted expressions of hate and fury. She saw them standing in a hollering mob, torches and pitchforks raised into the air as they marched through the village, lighting everything ablaze.
The same thing happened the next night and unable to get to sleep, Evie decided to head downstairs to the kitchen. There was a small heap of clothes that needed to be sewed and the activity had always helped calm Evie's nerves. She may even modify them a little, as the guard's uniforms sorely needed some improvements.
The moment Evie went downstairs she knew something was wrong. There was a thick, metallic smell in the air, something that tugged at her memory. If she didn't know any better, she would have sworn it smelt like blood. Cautiously, Evie tiptoed into the kitchen where the smell was thickest.
The kitchen door slammed shut behind her, causing her to jump. Evie tried to open the door but it wouldn't budge, like someone was holding it shut from the other side.
"Hey!" Evie shouted, hating how her voice pitched in fear. "Open the door! This isn't funny!"
The mild fear Evie felt about being stuck in a dark, candlelit room was nothing compared to the fear she felt when she heard the warning growl behind her. Evie spun around, her heart jumping into her throat when she noticed that she was not alone.
There was a wolf in the kitchen with her.
Evie stared at the creature, momentarily stunned. Much of its body was cloaked in darkness, only the light from the flickering candles dotted about the room allowing her to see any of it. It's once beautiful white fur was stained red with blood and its mossy coloured eyes glowed brightly with bloodlust, it's lips curled back into a snarl that bared fearsome fangs dripping with saliva and blood. It took a step forward and let out a terrifying growl.
"Guards," Evie whispered, taking a step back before calling out more loudly. "Guards! I need help! There's a wolf in here!"
No one came and Evie felt her stomach churn, unable to stop her herself from linking the blood on the wolf with the absence of her guards.
Frantically, Evie's eyes darted around the kitchen, looking for any means of escape or weapons for protection. Her eyes landed on a knife on the countertop. The wolf, sensing her plan, let out a vicious bark before lunging forward, its claws scratching against the wooden floor.
Evie screamed and darted out of the way. The wolf crashed into the door, snarling and snapping its jaw as it tried to get back to up onto its paws. Evie tried to grab the knife but her fingers knocked it off the counter, sending it clattering to the floor. She had no time to retrieve it and instead and ran to the door at the other end of the room. If she could get there she could go through the living room, into the corridor and get upstairs. There she could get back to her room and lock herself away and call for help from her window.
Only it didn't happen like that. There was another wolf waiting for her on the staircase. It was a bit smaller than the other one and had hazel fur and light blue eyes. It growled at her before bounding into the air, claws extended to rip flesh. Evie barely managed to get out of the way, having to throw herself to the floor before scrambling to her feet for the front door.
She heard the wolf's paws banging against the floor and the next moment Evie screamed, hot pain searing through her back. The wolf had leapt up onto her back, its claws tearing down her flesh, down her back and upper thighs.
Panicked, Evie grabbed the nearest thing, an old broomstick that was always by the door, and used it to thwack the wolf across the face. The wolf fell to the floor with a whimper before shaking its head and getting back up again. It gave Evie just enough time to grab the door handle and slip out, bolting the door shut behind her.
Tears streaming down her face, Evie limped away as fast as her aching body allowed her. She had to get to a neighbours house, it was the only safe place. She called out for help as loud as she could but the pain caused her voice to croak and crack pitifully. No one would be able to hear her and no one was out this late to stumble across her, not with the curfew in place.
Evie didn't get far before the pain overwhelmed her and she dropped to her knees, shrieking in agony. She could feel the blood running down her back, seeping into her clothes. It stung and ached and she was almost sick from the pain.
The door to her cottage burst open and Evie turned around, her terror tightening around her heart at the sight of the two wolves creeping towards her. The loss of blood was starting to make her vision blur at the edges and her head was getting lighter and lighter. The energy sapped from her hands and she collapsed completely to the ground, grit and stones digging into her bruised body. Evie could only lie there, watching as the wolves got closer and closer.
"Stay away," Evie whispered, her voice cracking. "Please."
The white wolf stepped in front of the other wolf and lowered its front legs, ready to pounce. Evie let out a sob, hoping someone would come to her aid. She didn't want to die. Not like this.
Evie's heart jolted as an ear-piercing howl ripped through the air. A shadow swooped over her and there was a loud thud as something landed in front of her.
It was a black wolf.
The white wolf barked out a warning to the new wolf, no longer looking ready to pounce. The black wolf bared its fangs, its ears bent back and fur bristling with fury.
Evie tried to keep her eyes open but she was so tired and the sleep was bringing with it a wave of numbness that took the pain away. It was too tempting to resist and her eyes fluttered closed.
Clouds rolled over the full moon, hiding it from view. No longer were there three wolves, instead, three siblings stood face to face. Harry and Harriet glared at each other while CJ stood a few paces behind, looking unsure and confused by her brother's behaviour.
"Harriet! CJ! Get the hell away from here!"
"How about ye make me, little brother!" Harriet hissed.
Harry shook his head. He turned away and knelt beside Evie, his fingers hovering over the bloody rips in the back of her dress. One of his sister's - God's help whichever one of them it was - had hurt, Evie. And badly by the looks of it. Carefully, Harry picked her up in his arms, wincing when she whimpered as his hands skimmed her injuries. He hushed her, offering soothing promises that it would be okay, that he would take care of her.
"Put her down, Harry! She's not worth it!" Harriet said heatedly, unable to shout as she wanted to in case the villagers looked out there windows, draw by the commotion.
"What in Davy Jones name are ye playing at, Harriet?" Harry asked, narrowing his eyes at his sister. "What did ye think ye could accomplish by attacking an innocent lass?"
"This is for yer own good! Ye won't leave cause she's here? Then we'll just take her out of the equation."
"And ye think I'd let ye?" Harry asked, his eyes flashing dangerously. "Yer no that stupid."
"Harry, please," CJ's whispered. Harry glanced over Harriet's shoulder to look at his younger sister, uneased to hear the usually loud girl so quiet, so unsure. It wasn't right and it pained his heart. "We need tae leave. This place isn't safe."
"I'm not leaving without her."
CJ looked away, disappointed and Harriet scowled, her eyes ablaze with rage. It was not the answer they had wanted.
"Listen here and listen well," Harry said lowly, the ferocity in his words and eyes causing his CJ - who was unused to having her brother's anger aimed at her - to take a step back in alarm. "If any of ye's touch Evie again I'll rip yer hearts out with ma teeth."
Harry turned his back on his sisters and disappeared into the forest, Evie secure and safe in his arms.
Harry watched Evie as she slept. His heart ached as she visibly struggled against whatever nightmare plagued her mind. Every toss and turn of her body aggravated her freshly tended to wounds, causing her to flinch and whimper. Eventually, Harry had laid down beside her on the pillow and blankets he had set up in his secret hideout - a small cavern by the ocean - and gently pulled her into his arms, preventing her from thrashing in her sleep.
As he held her a surge of protectiveness overwhelmed him.
He was furious at his sister's for hurting her. He should have seen Harriet's plot a mile away. She was far too protective of him for her own good and always felt she knew best. She had been right in her assessment that Evie was the reason he refused to part with this land. But it was more than a fleeting crush.
Evie had intrigued him, the mysterious girl who risked her safety to protect a wolf, a creature the world had taught her to fear and loathe. The plights she had recounted to him had resounded with his own and it had inspired a desire to help her, to protect her from those that wished her harm or caused her grief. The last few weeks he had watched her in the marketplace - she was never alone, always guarded - and the more he saw of her the more drawn to her he felt. She was kind, always giving to those less fortunate than herself, offering to pay for her fellow villager's groceries, and more than happy to assist anyone when they needed it. She was friendly and sweet and it was clear that everyone who interacted with her enjoyed her company.
With seeing such goodness it came as a surprise - though a pleasant one - when Harry noticed she wasn't completely an angel as she let on. The girl had mischief in her blood. It had taken a while for Harry to realize it but when he did his adoration for the girl only deepened. She had a rather mean fondness for playing pranks and tricks on the villagers and no one seemed to have twigged that she was the one responsible.
On one occasion the village had been bewildered to find the bakers bread for that day was all blue, the baker dumbstruck and clueless to Evie having slipped a potion into his dough batch when she had gone there to pick up some pastries. Another time she had slipped something into a particularly cheeky lads drink and the next day the boy was sporting bright green hair. Harry had also overheard a couple talking about an incident a few years back where all the farm animals had burped bubbles to the alarm of the farmer and Harry suspected Evie may have had a role to play in the story.
His brave little witch was quite the trouble-maker and clever enough to get away with it.
Harry pulled the sleeping girl tighter against his chest, one hand reaching up to push her hair behind her ear.
He didn't care what his sister thought. Evie wasn't just a pretty face that had caught his attention. She was more than that. He owned this girl of mischief and sweetness his life. If it hadn't been for her the prophecy that had haunted him since birth would have played out very differently. He would protect her. Always. And no one, not the villagers, not his sister, not anyone, would stop him.
Outside the cavern, the sun began to rise.
(A/N) I'm gonna use a line from The Mob Song for inspiration for each chapter. Curious, if you could choose a line from the song to inspire the next chapter what would you pick? xx
Reviews:
T. F. Crosby: I'm so glad you liked it! Thank you for reading it and for your review! Ah, muses can be quite fickle when they want to lol. Oh my stars, it would be really cute having him being as expressive as Maximus! I pictured something similar in my head but while I was writing Harry in his wolf form I found it really hard trying to convey his expressions and emotions and had to google lots of stuff on wolfs cause I had no idea how wolfs showed their expressions and stuff lol. Hope you enjoyed this chapter! And I'm looking forward to writing the reveal when Evie finds out about Harry being a werewolf.
ataharcot: So glad you loved the last chapter! Seems you were right, my muse did come back. She just likes to take extended holidays lol.
Thunderfiredragon: Thank you for your lovely review! I'm glad you loved it! I've decided to continue cause I've gotten a few more ideas :D Well learn more about Evie and her running away + the strange set up her mother has with her in future chapters :3
Baddest. of . them. all: I'm so glad you liked it! Thank you for reading it and for reviewing! I'm hoping to give this a few chapters since I've got a few ideas for it :D p.s your username is awesome!
Guest: Here you go!
Shinrie: Thank you for your lovely review! Glad you liked it and hope you enjoyed this new chapter. I'm super excited about writing the scene when Evie realizes who and what Harry is! Hopefully, we'll see that soon. Interesting theory shall have to wait and find out ;)
Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to read this! Please let me know what you think. I love reading everyone's comments and thoughts on my stories.