The Traveler From Damancas

Chapter Nine: The Traveler from Damancas.

Darren stood before the great castle that once belonged to Alpha King Titus of the Green Valleys pack. 

Now belongs to the Alpha of the Black Claw Pack. A Lycan at that. Being a trained Lycan hunter from birth, Darren had more reasons to resent the new Alpha.

Lycans were hunted down and annihilated back in the day. To know that more lived, made all their ancestors' efforts nothing. 

The Lycan Alpha walked out of the door, accompanied by a young woman (Jade) and two other men (Cade and Sorren) behind him.

Darren sensed that two of the men were Lycans; one was likely a Lycan hybrid, and the young woman was a normal wolfess.

He made a small bow at them.

Cade raised a brow, then turned to Sorren and Stefan. "Who's this man?"

Stefan exhaled and leaned on a pillar. "He is a traveler, seeking refuge in our lands."

The three wolves stared at Stefan, still with a questioning expression, so he added. "Also, he said the former Alpha of the pack owed him a portion of land within this premises."

"Well, that former Alpha is dead! He should get lost!" Cade yelled, making Stefan frown.

"I actually hope to give him the portion of land since it's his right."

"And if his words are lies?"Sorren asked.

Stefan closed his eyes. "He actually has document proof." He raised a rough piece of paper. "A piece of land was promised him."

"Very well, then. Since you want to give him the new Alpha of the pack, Cade said with a mocking expression, "Why did you call for me, Alpha?"

Stefan sighed. "The thing is, he speaks a different language. I barely understood him the first time." 

Sorren and Cade glanced at Darren.

Jade sighed and turned away from the men. "You three can handle the traveler then. I'm no good with languages either." She walked away.

"Me either. Why did you?"

"You either? Weren't you a spy for me two years ago?" Stefan raised a brow. "I expected you to pick up something."

Cade scratched the back of his neck. "Well, I used a lot of hunters during that mission. I barely picked anything up. And what're the chances I know his language?"

"He said something familiar. You've said it before, too. 'Buen día, Alfa'. I presume he's a native of Damancas."

Sorren stepped forward and looked down at Darren. "Hablas el idioma de Damancas?" (Do you speak the language of Damancas?)

Darren stepped forward. There was one of the Alpha's closely ranked members who knew the language of Damancas. 

If he slipped up and revealed he wasn't actually a native of Damancas, he'd be thrown into a dungeon. 

That wouldn't be a problem, as he'd get to see the princess, but that would also mean they'd both be trapped there.

"Sí, vine a recuperar la propiedad de mi tierra prometida por el alfa." (Yes, I came to recover ownership of my promised land from the former Alpha.)

Sorren dimmed his eyes. "Notaste que este paquete tiene un nuevo alfa?" (You noticed this pack has a new Alpha?)

"Una vez más, sí, pero también espero ser tratado como un invitado y tomar mi propiedad." (Again, yes, but I also hope to be treated as a guest and take my property.)

Darren flashed a smirk at the young man. Sorren frowned but released his face later. He turned away from him.

Stefan had been watching the two converse, trying to make sense of a word. 

Sorren turned to him. "Give him that which belongs to him, but grant him no entry into our scared hall." With that, he walked off.

Cade stared at the man with scrutiny. 

Sorren said to be careful with him, even if he looked like a harmless person. It wasn't all the time that Sorren warned others to be careful.

"You heard Sorren, Alpha. You know him for his intuition and intelligence, so listen when he says, Don't trust the man." Cade added, then left as well.

Darren had an unsatisfied look. If the Alpha wasn't inviting him in, then it had defeated his plans. 

He wanted an avenue to get the princess out of the hellhole. He has to begin his backup plan.

"Joven licán!" (Young Lycan!) Darren called for Sorren.

Both Sorren and Cade stopped in their tracks. 

Darren stepped closer to Stefan. "Tengo otra propuesta que hacer." (I have another proposal to make.).

Sorren faced him. "Listo para decir para qué estás realmente aquí?" (Ready to say what you are really here for?)

Darren nodded. "Un mensaje para su alfa." (A message for your Alpha.)

"He bears a message for thee." Sorren glanced at Stefan.

Stefan gestured to go ahead. Cade folded his arms curiously.

"Vengo en paz, Gran Rey. Me habían prohibido pisar aquí, años atrás, por desafío al alfa, pero ahora vuelvo." I come in peace, great king. (I had been forbidden to step on here years ago, out of challenge to the Alpha, but now I return.) Darren made a small bow.

Sorren translated to Stefan, making him gasp. "He is from this pack, then?"

"Not really. Maybe he was just banned from coming here." Cade replied.

Darren smirked. That misunderstanding had been cleared; he cleared his throat and added. "La tierra que es mi derecho cubre una cuarta parte de tu reino. Lo dejaría libremente si el alfa amablemente me concede un deseo." The land that is my right covers a quarter of your kingdom. (I would leave it freely if the Alpha kindly grants me a wish.)

A dark shade fell upon Sorren's face. He was quiet before translating to Stefan again.

"One-third of the kingdom? That's huge. And what do you want in return?" Stefan asked.

"Qué deseas?" (What do you want?) Soreen asked.

A smirk played on Darren's lips. "Lo que es igual a mi tierra prometida es la hija del alfa. Deseo que me la den." What is equal to my promised land is the daughter of the Alpha. I wish you had given her to me."

"NUNCA! ESO ES IMPOSIBLE!" (Never! It's impossible!) Sorren barked.

Stefan was taken aback by his outburst. He understood what he meant but wondered why he said that. 

Cade was stunned too, and Sorren never showed too many expressions or emotions.

Darren wasn't spared from the shock. He had a stamped document that entitled him to one-third of the Green Valleys pack, which was actually Silent River. 

It was given to his father by Alpha King Titus that Darren stole as he left the pack.

The only thing equal to the promised land was Alpha's daughter, who was to be auctioned to his father on her eighteenth birthday.

If they were ready to listen to his request, why was it so difficult to release the princess? Surely, they were only keeping her as a trophy.

Sorren sighed and translated to Stefan the words of the traveler. Stefan was dumbstruck at first before making an 'hmm' sound. 

The traveler wanted Laurel. Did it have something to do with her nearly being auctioned out on the day they attacked?

"Just deny him," Sorren said.

Stefan glanced at him. Why was he being pesky? He couldn't just deny the man.

"Why deny him? I say you let him have the girl, and we keep the land. It's a very good trade." Cade suggested. 

Sorren scoffed and walked off. "I shall rest my case. Do as thou pleaseth."

Stefan stared at Darren, ravaging thoughts floating in his head.

With a head tilt, Darren asked. "Algún problema?" (Any problem?)

Stefan understood and frowned. "Sí, un gran problema." (Yes, a big problem.)

He couldn't bring himself to give Laurel to a strange man, even if he didn't want her.