Disclaimer: I don't own anything except the plot and other characters.
Legendary Werewolf
Chapter 14: Interrelated Conflicts
It only took a few minutes to reach Sorceress Maria's home. "M-Mommy…Daddy…" whimpered the little werewolf, shuddering as the sorceress' icy hand gripped his shoulder tight. "Let him go, Maria. My son's not worth killing," said Ayame, "He's too young to have his life taken away." The sorceress let out a cackle. "I've killed newborn infants, mind you. And…" she paused as she tightened her icy fingers on Lucifer's shoulder, making him yelp as his bone ached, "I won't hesitate to kill the child of the Legendary Werewolf herself." Kouga growled, baring his teeth. "Why are you upset, werewolf?" continued Sorceress Maria, "Shouldn't you be upset at your mate for what she had done to that vampire?" Kouga suddenly looked skeptical. "She didn't tell you did, did she?" mocked the evil sorceress, "Vampire Drake wasn't killed by bounty hunters – your mate killed him herself!" Kouga stared disbelievingly at Ayame, who was clenching her fists as she recalled that incident. "It was two months after Lucifer's second birthday," began Ayame.
FLASHBACK: Disagreement-turned-murder (Ayame's POV)
I quietly placed 2-year-old Lucifer in his crib, keeping his favourite toy close. When I turned around, Drake was blocking my path. During the time he served as my 'caretaker', I noticed he was slowly developing feelings for me. "We need to talk," he said.
"I understand that you wanted to leave this castle…but I'm afraid I can't let that happen," he told me; I asked him why he couldn't. As though it was his answer, he suddenly gave me a kiss while holding me close in an embrace. "I've grown attached to you, Ayame – even though you're a werewolf – and I'll feel so lonely here without your presence if you leave," he told me.
"Drake, I appreciate that you care about me…but you know we can't be together – we can only stay as friends," I told him as I calmly pushed him away, only to have him hug me tighter than before – so tight I almost couldn't breathe. "You don't understand. You're more than just a friend to me…and I love you, Ayame – so much I would even make you leave your mate!" he confessed, "Ayame…I want you to leave him for me."
I angrily shoved him away and ran, ignoring his futile attempts to restrain me. I eventually ended up in the toolshed on the castle grounds; quickly setting up a decoy of myself, I snuck out just as he barged in. After locking up that vampire in the wooden shed, I doused it wit tons of gasoline and set the shed on fire. The last thing I heard was him screaming as he burned to death.
END FLASHBACK
"Why did you lie to me?" asked Kouga; Ayame looked to ashamed to answer. "Deep down, she liked Vampire Drake," explained Sorceress Maria as she held her grip tight on Lucifer's shoulder, "But she knew it was unacceptable. After all, she already has a mate…not to mention bearing and raising your child for two years." The Legendary Werewolf remained silent, recalling her family's 'rule': once a werewolf finds a mate, they're mates for life. "I did what I had to do," she finally spoke as she regained her composure, "It's in every wolf's nature to protect and care for the pack." The sorceress cackled again. "I'd like to see you prove it!" she exclaimed as she prepared to snap Lucifer's neck; Lucifer whimpered and attempted to pull her icy hands away.
Almost immediately, Ayame pounced onto the sorceress and the two began to wrestle ferociously on the floor, clawing and biting each other while Lucifer scampered to his daddy. Kouga picked him up and immediately backed away just as Ayame managed to dodge some fireballs escaping from Sorceress Maria's hands. Seeing her chance, Ayame grabbed the sorceress by the robes and hurled her into the nearest wall – which was right next to a curtain that had just burst into flames from the earlier fireball attack. Lucifer cupped his hands over his ears as the sorceress wailed as she too caught fire. "Ayame, let's go!" ordered Kouga, hightailing out of the room as the blazing sorceress ran around blindly and set fire to everything she touches. Ayame sneered at the damage she caused and immediately followed the guys just as the roof collapsed where she stood earlier. "About that incident concerning Drake," said Kouga, "I think it's better that we all keep quiet about that." Ayame had no choice but to agree to this idea.
However, as they reach the castle… "Murderer!" yelled Lucas as he tackles Ayame, digging his nails into her shoulders angrily, "My brother looked after you, and that is how you repay him?" Kouga dropped Lucifer and began to pry the crazed vampire away from her. "Leave Mommy alone!" screamed the little werewolf. Kouga managed to tug Lucas and hurl him away before helping a slightly confused/dazed Ayame. I knew Drake made a terrible mistake all those centuries ago, thought Lucas as he glared at the werewolves, He should never have made that agreement.
FLASHBACK: Vampire and werewolf alliance (Lucas' POV)
"Are you out of your mind? That's preposterous!" I exclaimed. Drake ignored me and continued to write that cursed letter – he plans to create an alliance of two species that have been at war with each other since the first days of existence of both sides. "The werewolves are responsible for the death of countless humans – those who trust us – and vampires, and you want to make peace with them?" I ranted.
My older brother's answer seemed unexpected. "The werewolf Lucius," he said, "There's something about him that made me reconsider my thoughts against his kind." I watched him seal the letter into an envelope before applying the wax seal to seal the message within. "If all goes well, this 'never-ending-war' will finally cease and future generations of both species can lead better lives," he continued as he proceeded to walk out the door.
"But what if one – from either clan – disagrees with this alliance?" I challenged, "Are you prepared for such an outcome?" He turned to me and smiled. "Stop worrying about it and think of the future this will bring," he replied as he waved the letter.
It was a few months later when I heard that Lucius – the 'original' Legendary Werewolf – suddenly died at the hands of bounty hunters. Drake claimed that he tried to save him, but he was too late. "He was still alive and breathing when you found him!" I yelled, "He would've stayed alive if you hadn't left him bleeding to death!" Drake explained that he wanted to, but Lucius wished to die bravely and let his legend pass on through his future generation. "It was his death wish," he added, "I believe he deserves it for the sake of his kind." I was not convinced, knowing that prior to Lucius' death, most of the werewolves would 'forget' about him and his legend will be lost forever. After Drake explained that he would help pass on the Legendary Werewolf's story, I had enough. "Sometimes, I wish you were born a werewolf rather than a vampire – you seem more fitting by being one of them!" I said as I flew away angrily.
That was the last I've seen of him…
END FLASHBACK
Lucas explained that story to them. "Drake knew my great-great-great-great grandfather this whole time?" exclaimed Ayame. "Believe me, I was more surprised when I learned that you exist. The 'legend' lives on!" Lucas replied sarcastically, "Drake made a foolish mistake when he insisted that vampires and werewolves would be great allies."
"Ayame killed your brother to protect the pack," insisted Kouga, "Even though we're supposed to be allies, she knows she can't love him as much as she loves me!" Lucas rolled his eyes, sensing it as a futile attempt to defend themselves. "If you wouldn't understand how terrible it feels to lose a sibling, I'll force you then!" shouted the vampire. Just as Lucas lunged at them, Kouga pushed Ayame away and allowed the vampire to tackle him. Lucas hissed; Kouga growled, both baring their teeth as they wrestled viciously on the ground, threatening to literally tear each other apart. Enraged, Kouga suddenly pulled a bit too hard and ripped off Lucas' left arm, spraying blood in all directions. The vampire's scream felt like adrenaline to Kouga as he continued to mutilate him…until he's nothing but a pile of shredded, bloody flesh and shattered bones. "At least you're with your brother now – in Hell," mumbled the Alpha Wolf as he stalked to the front door, followed by Ayame and Lucifer.