Chapter 3

I followed the wolf with my gaze as it disappeared into the darkness. I was still wondering of what just happened.

"Allen!" I heard my father and I saw him stepped in the clearing from somewhere in the woods.

"How did you know I was here? I thought you have an appointment?" I asked.

"I just arrived and saw you stepped in the forest." He said.

I shook my head. "I'm sorry." I said.

He heaved out a deep sigh. "It's okay. but," I looked at him. "Don't do that again unless you tell me. Okay?"

I nodded. Then we walked home together. "I didn't know there is a huge wolf in here. Well, had I known, I should've stayed home. But it seemed not dangerous." I chimed.

He took off his coat and put it on my shoulder. "Not all of these wolves, kid, can be good. And besides, wolves aren't good to humans naturally. I still don't want you to venture here alone especially at this time." He said the few last words with emphasis.

"Okay." I pulled the coat to me and it just dawned on me that it's made up of bear fur.

...

I lay in my bed still thinking about the big wolf. It was the first time I saw an animal that huge and I cannot describe the sensation as I rested my forehead against its own. It somehow felt like it's the right thing to do.

Or maybe it's an indication how I wanted a wolf for a pet.

I stared at the ceiling and I pondered I cannot sleep so I stood and went near the windows. The moonlight is traversing through the soft material of my curtains.

I leaned upon my elbows and stared outside-in that particular spot. I took a deep breath. Why didn't I feel scared when I encountered that wolf? Why did I feel wonderful when I touched it? What is inside that forest?

I took a deep breath. I guess I'll have the answer in the right time.

From somewhere inside the forest, I heard a howl. I closed the windows and stepped towards the bed, but I was stopped on my tracks when I saw my reflection on the full length mirror.

My blond hair is glowing! It's like there is a silver light at each tip of my hair.

I stepped in the mirror and examined it closely. Am I dreaming?

I pinched myself and the pain proves I'm wide awake.

My hair still feels the same, but it is just glowing. What is happening with me? Have I eaten something luminous?

I was about to run to my father when I noticed my eyes-my brown eyes and in my reflection, they aren't brown, they're blue!

I definitely ran downstairs screaming "Dad! Dad!"

I found him in the basement engrossed in his woodworks. "Dad!" I called out, panting.

He looked up. "Wha-"

"What's happening with me?" I asked.

He put down his tools and stepped closer. Basically, he recovered from his shock immediately. He checked me and murmured to himself something like "It's starting."

Wait, did I hear that?

He touched my shoulders. "Son, all of these things are just the beginning. You have to keep it low." He said.

"What are you talking about?" I asked because I really do not understand. "Do I have some sort of illness? Is it contagious?"

"No, no. Come here." He led me up to the living room and he made me seated to the sofa.

I touched my hair and still, they are glowing and if I'm not mistaken, my brown eyes are still blue.

He sat in front of me and he was smiling-wait, smiling?

"Dad? Why are you smiling?"

He took a deep breath. "Allen, it may seem odd, but I am very happy for you."

I was surprised by what he said. Is he not freaked out? "Why?"

"Because, son, you are special. You are very special. One day you will understand. And don't freak out. All of these things which are happening to you are normal."

"Special? What's special about this?"

"Now, be still. Do you have a peculiar birth mark in your body?"

"Yeah. It's just at the right side of the bottom of my spine." I checked it. "It looks like an ancient writing-I don't know what this is exactly."

Marcus chuckled. "You'll know tomorrow." He stood. "Go to sleep, we'll be going to the manor tomorrow."

"Manor?"

He nodded and smiled then he went to his room.

I was left sitting on the couch still pondering all the things that had happened throughout this day. First, with Tyler, then the huge wolf and now this glowing thingy.

I sighed. I guess I'll have it all answered tomorrow.

...

"I didn't know that it's still functioning." I muttered as Marcus lift off the covers of his mustang.

He chuckled and sort of slapped the side of the car. "This bad boy never grows old." He said.

We took the road opposite to the one I usually take when I go to school. I stared at the road, this is the first time that I skipped school. Well anyway, we're already done with the finals.

I faced the road and after thirty minutes of taking the concrete road, Marcus took a left curve and we started taking a route in between large trees. The foliage is starting to get thicker and the surroundings is getting colder by the minute.

"I'm sure you'll like the place." My father muttered as he maneuvered the steering wheel. He is obviously excited.

We took a steep terrain until we arrive at a sort of village where houses are made of woods. In a distance, I could see little children playing and laughing in a carefree manner. I wonder if during my childhood I was as carefree as these children.

My father pulled over in front of somewhat like an open cottage with plenty of tables and chairs.

My father stepped out of the car and a woman with a curly hair greeted him rather excitedly.

I stepped out of the car too.

"Oh, is this Allen?" She asked as she looked at me. Her smile has warmth in it that I cannot resist to smile back.

Then she ushered us inside the cottage and there is plenty of food inside-mostly meat.

"So your hunt have been good huh." Marcus commented.

The woman nodded. "Yeah, thanks to the packs."

"That's great." He answered then put his hand on my shoulder.

"Isn't this place wonderful?" He asked.

I looked around with a smile and was about to nod when my eyes caught a group of guys, my age or so, jogging towards the cottage. They were laughing and they seem to make fun of each other and the best thing is, they're half naked!

And their gorgeous bodies are displayed before me. I didn't mean to stare but they are so tempting.

"Indeed, it is beautiful here." I muttered as if in a trance.

I realized what I was doing and I automatically looked down. Damn you idiot Allen. I scolded myself.

I really hate myself for being so easily distracted by views like that. Ugh, I'm starting to become a voyeur or worst maybe I already am.

I sighed and shook my head but then I almost trip when someone bumped at me and when I looked up, I saw one of the guys who stood in front of me, rather shocked and somewhat apologetic.

"Oh, sorry." He muttered as he rubbed his hand at the back of his head. Upon doing so, his armpit was exposed before me together with his lean, muscular body.

"It's-uh-" I cleared my throat. Dang! "I'm fine." I said and refused any unhealthy thought registering my scumbag brain. I turned around, waiting for my father as he talked to the same "woman with a warm smile."

I expect that the guy walked away. But then he talked.

"You're new here?" I heard from the back so I turned again.

"Yeah." I replied and gave him a quick glance then look sideways as if looking at the large redwoods looming above us. But the truth is I feel awkward talking to him especially with the fact he's half naked. From my periphery, I noticed that he's got a large circular tattoo on his right bicep with an intricate design.

"Well, welcome to Ravenwoods. I'm Drake." He said and extended his hand.

I reluctantly took it and I don't know if it was just me or if he really pressed my hand at the contact.

And goodness, he was smiling!

God, this man is gorgeous. Way more gorgeous than Tyler.

"Allen." I said.

"Well, nice to meet you Allen. I hope you'll enjoy it here." He said.

His jogging companions were approaching and they have the same outfit and the same fitness when it comes to the body.

Well, you bet. I'm enjoying it already.

And I realized what I just thought. Oh god, what's happening with me?

"I'm sure I will. Thanks." I muttered.

"Good. See ya then." He said and joined his friends and they went jogging again.

Maybe that's the secret for their godly bodies. With the thought, I felt self conscious because I am so skinny. Ugh.

"Allen, let's go." My father called.

...

From a distance, I could see a five- story gothic-looking building. Though old as it may look, it seemed to posses a warm ambiance that instead of being afraid, I feel like I'm being attracted to it. The building stood proudly at the top of a hill a few meters from the village. It has large windows with complex ancient design.

When we got closer, I noticed that the pillars were coated with ivory, the floors as well. Some of the walls have tiny cracks here and there but these just add to the building's mighty aura- that it stood against the challenges of time.

I heard my father took a deep breath. "Ah, it's nice to be back." He muttered.

He then guided me to the entrance. It is made from two huge wooden doors-well, very huge so to speak. However, these doors were open and inside, I could see a grand staircase so wide. And on top a large chandelier.

Hanging on a wall on the second floor just above the grand staircase is a portrait of Mr. Hayes.

Wait, what?

I rubbed my eyes and looked again. It wasn't a mistake, the portrait is Mr. Hayes!

"Dad, why is Mr. Hayes' portrait here?" I asked.

He chuckled. "Son, this is his home."

"Home? Wow." I muttered in awe.

I was still awestruck with my head tilted up to gaze upon the other ornaments found inside when I heard a sweet, woman's voice.

"Marcus!"

"Margaret!" My father beamed. "How are you?"

"No, how are you? Look at yourself, you look great." The woman exclaimed with particular sweetness in her voice.

Marcus just chuckled.

It looks like everything in her reverberates positive energy. And although there are little age marks beside her brown eyes, she still looks beautiful-radiant even.

"Where's Michael?" My father asked.

"In his study as usual." She rolled her eyes upon saying this. "He doesn't even run with me anymore." She scowled.

And my father burst out laughing. "You never change."

And she slapped my father in the shoulder. Then her eyes darted on me. And her scowl dissolved and replaced with smile. "Is this Allen?" She beamed and came closer to me.

Why does everybody seem to know my name?

My father nodded at her question.

She then playfully pinched my face. "Stay sweet, sweetie." She said then patted my head.

Ugh. I'm not a child anymore.

I must have frowned because she automatically removed her hand and then covered it daintily in her mouth then she giggled. "Forgive me. I missed patting heads. Last time I did that was when Ken-Ken was still seven years old and goodness, it was 15 years ago!" She muttered. "Well, go now. I'm sure Michael will be happy to see you." She added then went out the huge doors.

I touched my throbbing face where she pinched me. "Who was that?" I asked.

"That's Margaret. Lady Margaret to others. She's the wife of Michael." My father explained.

I raised my brows. "And who's Michael?"

"That one in the portrait." My father said chuckling.

I've known Mr. Hayes for many years now but I just learned his first name. Hah.

My father led me upstairs into a long corridor and the walls were carpeted, there were large portraits lined in the walls as well and as we go farther from the grand stair case, the portraits seemed to date older and older. And they all have the same pose. Odd.

My gaze then landed on a specific portrait. Of all the faces in the portraits hanging on the wall, he is the only exception. He's the only one who had a young face. Maybe twenty's.

And this one is handsome-perfectly handsome. However, he is frowning. I wonder how he looks like when he is smiling?

I looked at the caption.

RAVEN HAYES - 1327 BC

What? Oh my god, I can't believe I got a crush on an ancient man.

My father knocked a certain door, then a low but authoritative voice resonated from the inside.

"Come in."

There was no mistake, that voice is Mr. Hayes'. I mean, the Mr. Hayes that I know, not the Raven Hayes.

Oh so that's why Mr. Hayes looks handsome too. It's in the genes.

We entered into a huge room. All the furnitures seem antique or maybe they all are.

"Marcus." Mr. Hayes stood from his seat behind a huge wooden table with intricate carvings.

There is a smile on his face.

"Michael." My father beamed.

Then Mr. Hayes looked at me and there is something in his gaze that made me automatically look down.

"Allen, it's nice to see you here. Welcome." He said.

I looked up and smiled. "Thank you. Your house is huge." I commented and I heard him chuckled.

"Oh, apologies, please sit down." He uttered.

I followed the direction where he gestured then saw my father already sitting in a long wooden chair, grinning.

"Thank you." I uttered again then sat beside my father.

Mr. Hayes then followed with a bottle of martini in his hand.

He sat down on the chair opposite us. Then I noticed hanging above the wall, just behind Mr. Hayes, was a waxed head of an antelope with its antlers displayed like art.

Then I was awestruck when there were also waxed bears, lions, tigers and other mammals I didn't know. Maybe some of these are already extinct.

"Excuse me Mr. Hayes, but do you go hunting?" I asked while looking at the displays.

He and my father chuckled. "I do hunt but not the kind of hunt you have in mind." He added.

"You'll soon find out son, very soon." He said then put down the glass of martini and crossed his arms.

Mr. Hayes's light mood changed, and I could feel that the atmosphere is getting heavy.

"So it's starting." He said and my father nodded.

"What's starting?" I asked.

"The signs are already beginning to reveal." My father said, talking to me.

"The signs? Are you talking about my glowing hair and the sudden discoloration of my eyes?" I asked.

He nodded.

"Allen, you're a werewolf." Mr. Hayes said.

I looked at him. What did he just say?

"Marcus found you in the eastern border of our territory and from the reports of the border guards patrolling in the area, the Bloodpack has been trailing you. "

"Bloodpack?" I asked. I still do not understand.

Mr. Hayes nodded. "Marcus knows more about them well."

My head tilted to face my father.

"Bloodpack is a group of wolves who hunt for blood, thus the name." He said. "Blood is a precious commodity to them as it gives them strength and power. Before, humans are their perfect targets. They bathe in human blood or if the human seemed to have importance for them, they drink its blood."

"What? If humans are their target and I am a werewolf, as you told me, then why were they trailing me?"

"It's because you're special Allen." My father answered.