Chapter Eight

RAPHAEL'S POV

Walking through the path that led home, I found out that home was no longer home. The weredragons did a whole of damage than I imagined and many of the pack were either dead or missing. The weredragons always tried in the past but never had they destroyed the werewolves this much. It was evident that some werewolves fled! Could the impact of the fight be this severe because of the betrayer among us?

As I stood at the remains of my once beautiful home. I clenched my fist in anger as I determined within myself that it was time to bring the terror of the weredragons to an end.

The werewolves had an hideout,a town close to the river. Gwa together with some older werewolves worked together to prepare a place that could stand as a place of refuge for the younger and injured ones during the time of battle. Although no one had need of it during previous battles because of how well Gwa defended the forest, my instinct told me that they were indeed werewolves who were hiding there now.

"Since there is indeed a mole within us, then this mole must know about the hideout." I thought as I held my sword tighter and increased my pace.

Getting close to the town, I could perceive the scent of werewolves and I was glad I found them.

"Brothers" I exclaimed happily when I sighted some of them sitting under a tree.

"Raphael" they howl.

"What happened? Where is Gwa? Did he desert us the time we needed him more? Or was he taken by Sham and the weredragons?" Questions flew in from left and right.

"I had questions too but we had to gather everyone first, by this evening we will be meeting at this spot." I said with authority. They nodded and each of the left one by one.

As everyone gathered that evening round the big fire that was made. I stood in their midst and began to speak.

"This is the most dreadful period of our existence my fellow werewolves. Many has fallen and some are probably in the hands of our enemies, the weredragons. We had a betrayers in our midst and that was why it was easy for them to get rid of our Apha. It hurts me to announce to you that Gwa has passed on but he will always watch over us as a star in the sky." My voice echoed loudly.

What followed were gasps, murmurs which only projected fear.

"What will be our fate now?" One of the young werewolves asked. "With Gwa dead, we are going to be crushed by these fire breathtaking creatures." Another added.

" We will continue to fight. We are werewolves and not chickens who run away from the face of our enemies. If we continue to run, then will our children continue to live on the run. We will fight back and recover our Glory. Gwa fought throughout his life, we will be a disappointment to him if we continue to dance around this issue." My voice emitted such authority and confidence.

"But how?" Another asked

"By accepting our new Alpha." I said with a smile.

" What? But we all know that no one was chosen after Gwa passed on." This time it was a senior wolf that spoke.

"It was Sham". A shewolf spoke. "He stood side by side the weredragons. He laughed at our defeat and scoffed at our misery. I couldn't recognize the wolf I was once in love with. His aura was dark with hatred and mischief. To have imagined he was betrothed to my cousin who was Gwa's daughter, it suprises me more." Zaria; a fellow keeper spoke.

Immediately I heard the name, I wasn't too surprised as I had my doubts about him few moments to the the invasion of the weredragons. If there one thing I lacked as a werewolf, was the ability to trust anyone completely. I always knew that every creature had two sides; the devil and the angel side. All that was needed was for circumstance to bring out either of them. Only the strong knew how to control and make use of both sides despite the circumstances. The strength I want referring to is not the physical strength but the strength of loyalty which Sham had proven to us all that he lacked.

"Every wolf has a role to play in this circle of life. And it saddens me to see that Sham was qualified to play this role, I hope that no one joins him." I added sadly.

" I witnessed the death of our great Alpha and one who was always loyal to his pack, he didn't leave without a successor." My voice echoed through the already quiet area.

"Ye...a....h" There was shout of jubilation among the wolves..

"Where is he?" Zaria asked.

"We have to pledge our allegiance to him and start plans on how to defeat the weredragons." Another wolf spoke.

I took several breaths not sure of how they would accept a human girl seeing we've had male werewolves my lead the pack for generations.

"It's a girl, a human girl." I tried to hide my fear and said bodly.

"What? Nonsense! Absolutely rubbish! Why will Gwa choose a girl? Never! We rather remain like that than allow a weak human lead us." They all echoed which lead to an uproar.

Humans are believed to be weak and powerless. Something as small as a stone could kill humans. How is one, 'a girl to worsen things up' , suppose to lead a pack of great creatures, warriors, powerful beings who were dual in nature. I thought of it to and it made no sense. If I wasn't at the forest that day and witnessed all that happened that night, I probably would have reacted worse than these wolves.

"We would hear none of this rubbish Raphael. We would take matters into our own hands than allow one creature who had the same strength as a flea to rule us." An older werewolf spoke and walked away with others following suit.

For the werewolves it was all about strength and loyalty to the pack. Gwa was feared and respected both far and wide because of his strength and the loyalty he had for his pack. Just the mere sight of him all the mention of his name, was more than enough to chase a thousand were dragons. To talk of a human girl!? If not for the respect the pack had for me, they probably would have stoned me to death for saying such abominable words. As they all turned to leave only Zaria and three more werewolves stayed behind.

Zaria walked up to me and placed her strong hand on my shoulders.

" You know this is going to be very difficult right? She asked me with so much concern.

I could only nod as words failed me that moment.

" If she was chosen indeed by Gwa, then I'm sure he saw something that no one else could ever see. Believing in her has to start with you first Raphael, then we can walk towards convincing the pack." She said thoughtfully.

" What is she like?" Zaria asked.

"Weak, fragile! I saw Gwa transfer his powers to her. There is something else about her. She is a dragon shifter." I whispered in frustration.

" How is that possible? Did Gwa transfer that to her? " Zaria asked joining me on the ground I was now sitted on.

"I doubt that. She has this mark right in her arm like some of us do. I asked her about it and she said she was born with it. I'm so confused I don't know what to do." I added.

" Then it behoves us to take up the responsibility of training her and preparing her for the position she now carries. even though the rest of the pack doesn't accept her now they will by the time we are through with her." She suggested.

" You've always been so wise and I'm going to need your help in dealing with this girl. Seeing how weak she looks really discourages me." I added.

" Sure" she responded delightly.

" We move at first light, for now get some rest. You haven't been able to have a good rest since the battle. I'll prepare some things." She said before leaving.

" Even though I was never interested in becoming an Alpha, was it in my destiny to prepare the Alpha? I guess this is one of the times I have to put the leadership lessons learnt from Gwa into practice." I sighed deeply before falling asleep.

Not long after it was time for us to move. I felt sorry about leaving the pack behind.

"Wait for me, I wanna come along." The youngest of the group said, was a male of about ten years.