Chapter 12 The Werewolf Village

As the werewolves were leading us back to their village, they kept on glaring at me. I made sure to stay close to Aaron, who was carrying Jacob in his arms. He is telling him a whole bunch of stories of things that's happened to him, and Aaron listened to them all with the warmest smile I have ever seen on him.

When Aphmau saw Aaron smiling at his son, she smiled herself.

"We're here", Melissa said as she suddenly stopped walking. Then, Aphmau took a look at the place they had arrived at.

The werewolf village didn't really look all that different from Phoenix Drop or Brightport. The only obvious difference was, of course, all the werewolves walking around.

"Grandma", Jacob suddenly yelled excitedly. Aaron then put him on the ground, and he ran into the arms of an older woman.

"Jacob", the woman said, before wrapping her arms around Jacob and picking him up. "Oh, thank Irene that you're okay!"

With this, Jacob's grandmother put him on the ground and began checking him over. "They didn't hurt you, did they sweetheart?"

"No grandma", Jacob replied. "I'm okay! Also, I met my daddy!"

"You're daddy? Wait, does this mean…", Jacob's grandmother said. Then, she looked up, and saw the person she was looking for. "Aaron?"

"Hey Mom", Aaron greeted as he walked up to her.

"Aaron? I…I can't believe it", Aaron's mother said. She then wrapped her arms around him, and he hugged her back. After staying in this embrace for a few moments, the two pulled away from each other. Then…Aaron's mom smacked his shoulder. "Where have you been?! It's been five years, Aaron!"

"I'm sorry, Mom", Aaron apologised regretfully.

"This dummy here was worried we'd be in danger if he stuck around", Melissa revealed as she walked up to her mother and brother.

"Aaron", his mother said. Then, she put her hand on his cheek. "Have you forgotten what I told you? We're family. Family faces hardships and challenges together."

Aaron did say anything to his mother, and looked at the ground instead. Even with his eyes covered, I could tell that he seemed very regretful.

"Mom, dad", Lowell suddenly yelled. Then, he ran into the arms of a werewolf couple.

"Lowell" the woman said with relief as she pick him up and held him in her arms. "Thank Irene that you're alright!"

"Did they hurt you, son", the man asked Lowell.

"Don't worry, Dad. I'm okay", he reassured his parents. "Luckily, Jake's dad came to rescue us!"

"Jacob's father", Lowell's father said in shock. Then, Aaron walked up to him.

"Greetings, Bodolf", he said. "Thank you for looking after my family for the past five years."

"I was wondering when you would return for your son", the werewolf (who was named Bodolf) said. "Thank you for rescuing my son, Ultima."

"Ultima", Aphmau said in confusion; which got Boldof's attention.

When the man named Boldof noticed me…he did not seem happy.

"Human", Boldof said with an angry growl. He then started approaching Aphmau, but Aaron blocked him with his arm.

"It's okay, Alpha. She's with me", he reassured him. "Plus, she's not from Brightport."

"Is that so", Boldof asked as he looked at Aphmau. "Very well. You can stay here, human."

"Thank you so much, Sir", Aphmau said nervously.

"Dad", Lowell said after looking around. "Where's Kiva?"

After being asked this, Boldof let out a sad sigh. "I am sorry, son. Kiva has still not returned."

"Is Kiva the wolf pup that has gone missing", Aaron asked. "I've heard that that's what caused the unrest between the werewolf pack and the people of Brightport."

"Yes", Boldof replied. "For many years, our pack and the people of Brightport have not gotten along. However, for the sake of our people, the lord of Brightport and I agreed to a peace treaty. A few days ago, he came here to discuss the details of that treaty. However, while we were in the middle of discussions, a Shadow Knight suddenly appeared and kidnapped Kiva!"

"What", Aaron exclaimed in shock. "Do you know why the cub was kidnapped?"

"My guess is that the Shadow Knight wished to use Kiva is some type of revival ceremony", Boldof replied. "We chased it to the Nether portal it came from. However, to ensure we didn't follow it to the Nether, it threw an explosive to destroy the Nether Portal just as it went through it. Before the portal was destroyed, the lord of Brightport managed to get through it."

"So that's what happened to the lord of Brightport", Aaron said. "Did you tell his villagers that?"

"We tried, but they would not believe us", Boldof replied. "They believe that we are holding their lord captive here. That is why they kidnapped our sons, to try and force us to give them their lord back."

When Aaron heard this, he started growling in anger. Then, he took a few deep breaths to calm himself.

"Alpha, what is the plan now", he asked Boldof.

"As it just so happens, we have just about finished rebuilding the Nether portal", Boldof replied. "Now, we are going to be sending a group through it to rescue Kiva."

"Alpha, please allow me to go to the Nether to rescue Kiva", Aaron said.

"What? Are you sure, Ultima", Boldof asked. Then, Aaron pulled his sword off his back and held it up.

"This is a demonic broadsword", he revealed. "It's one of the few things that can actually injure a Shadow Knight."

"Is that so", Boldof asked Aaron. "In that case. Ultima, please go rescue Kiva."

"I will, Boldof", Aaron reassured him. Then, Melissa put her hand on his shoulder.

"I'll go with you, Aaron", she said. "You're big sis has got your back!"

"Thanks, Melissa", Aaron said. Then, he looked down at Jacob when he tugged on his pants.

"Are you going to save Kiva, Dad", Jacob asked him.

Aaron then kneeled down in front of Jacob and put his hand on his head. "I am. So you wait here with grandma, okay?"

"Okay", Jacob said. Then, he wrapped his arms around his father's neck. "Come back soon, okay Dad?"

Trying not to get emotional, Aaron wrapped his arms around his son. "I will, buddy. I promise."

After Aaron said this, he pulled away from his son and gave him a pat on his head. He then stood up, and looked Aphmau. "You stay here, Aphmau."

"Can't I go with you", Aphmau asked.

"The Nether is a dangerous place", Aaron replied. "Trust me. You're better off here."

"Oh", Aphmau said. "Okay."

I wanted to go with Aaron, but I knew deep down that it would be better for me to stay in the werewolf village. However…I ended up going to the Nether anyway.