Chapter Five

His head rest against the frosty cool grass. He seems to stare at life and yet, nothing is exciting, nothing new to him. Everywhere where he looked he saw Alpine trees, other kinds of trees, mountains covered with ice, crystal lakes, wild deers, and flowers. What excites him? Nothing, he lives his life in the woods. In the mansion in the center of the woods, are the residents of the powerful pack. He belongs to a wealthy pack, the Wildfang Shadows. He's not even new to city life. He's been there for their trades. He possessed ordinary man's knowledge and that makes their pack unique.

He's Beta next to the Alpha. His position is the strongest and second most important title in the Wildfang Shadows. He was young and yet strong that's why he was appointed by Alpha Maximo to be a Beta. He stared at the serene heaven and smiled. The top of trees rhythmically sway in his sight as winds blew.

Every mission given to him by the Alpha was successful at ease. Because of his ability to carry out his mission smoothly, he was praised and loved by the packs. Other Beta and Gamma females shows affection to him but he didn't mind. He doesn't give a damn. He's forlorn and he doesn't want a mate. He always goes into the woods alone, he often plays with rabbits and chases wild deers without hurting them. Woods is much more friendly to him rather than the packs.

His name is Liam Grayhide. Yes, he's the jubilant child saved by Mr. Fergus, the best hunter in the village. Liam knew that Mr. Fergus is now old but the latter didn't have any chance to meet him even once in a decade. Liam got all the opportunity staring him from afar. He often visits the house where Mr. Fergus raised him. He didn't want to take off his eyes on Mr. Fergus. He wants to protect him at all costs. But he doesn't want to show up. Liam has his reasons why he doesn't want to show up even though his heart longed for Mr. Fergus.

It was last night when he met that city guy and he still remembered his name, Keiran. t

That latter didn't scare exploring the woods alone and at night. Keiran doesn't scare of meeting a stranger in the middle of the woods. Liam wants a friend, he's out of the pack even though he has the highest position but he feels that he's not belonged with them. He wants a new friend like Keiran, a daring explorer. But Liam doesn't trust anyone in his life, he doesn't trust Keiran, a city guy.

He closed his eyes and a memory flashes back, it waving in his mind. One year ago when he heard the news that Mr. Fergus was seriously ill he secretly went out of the mansion and went amble to the village. His wolf shadows scared the rouge and other packs and they let him pass. But he, unfortunately, met the ruthless hunters. He knew them, they were the ones behind the death of his mother. Mr. Fergus didn't hide the secret from him. He told Liam about his own mother that killed by the hunters. But Mr. Fergus hides the truth that Liam is a werewolf that's why the night he finally finds his nature shocked him to death and disappointment.

He was chased by those hunters. They were in number, he was shot in his leg. Fortunately, he fell on the cliff and fell off to the strong river and survived. The wound healed and it left scars. It does remind him that humans are sometimes greedy, they want power, and if they couldn't have the things they want they will use kind of abuse and inhumane power. They are ready to hurt and kill. That's why Liam doesn't trust ordinary men, only a man like Mr. Fergus.

"Hey?" The familiar voice called him and he was forced to open his eyes. He was about to fall asleep.

"Maximo is looking for you!" The voice added.

He knew it belongs to Brien, the Wildfang Shadows messenger. He sat beside him and Liam woke up from lying in the grass. What a new mission that he'll receive again this time from Maximo? Easy or not he'll do it.

"You left early this morning," Brien said looking in the crystal lake nearby.

"Yes," He said in a soothing voice. "I enjoyed how the mushrooms grow this morning." He laughed.

"Oh, you attempted to witness how it grows? Mind to tell me, Liam"

Liam shook his head. "Dude, I can't. You can't imagine how the blue and pink mushrooms break forth, they sprout pushing foliage. I'm thrilled. They springs out, I checked that every early in the morning and just this morning I witnessed it." He happily announced.

"Do you enjoy eating them?"

"Nah, I didn't mention eating them."

"But Giel often goes to the market in the village and bought mushrooms," Brien said referring to their cooker.

"But there's plenty of fresh mushrooms in the woods. I will collect them next time."

"Forget that, the Alpha will get disappointed." Brien tapped his shoulder.

"Why are you here by the way?" He asked, changing the subject.

Brien let out a sigh. "Telling you that Alpha Maximo wanted to meet you this evening for a new mission I guess."

Liam nodded.

"I will go to the city next week and live there for a while."

The Wildfang Shadows has a family in the city. They adapted to human culture. They knew how to control their werewolf power.

"So Maximo appoints a new Messenger?" Liam asked looking at him. He could see a sadness in Brien's eyes.

Brien nodded "Yes, I feel Maximo these days is odd. I can't tell why. Liam be careful with the next mission. It's about choosing the position or your loved ones."

His eyes widened in shock even though he didn't get what he mean. "Tell me, Brien, what do you mean?"

"You'll see!" Brien shrugged.

"I won't ask then. Man, for sure, you aren't going back here in the woods anymore!"

"This is home for me. But I have to live in the city for my own sake. Ah, Liam, thank you for being good Beta, thank you for being a good friend." He messed Liam's hair. "Tho, you don't treat anyone as your friend."

He laughed. "I'm thankful too."

"Permit me to say something my dear, Beta. That Gamma, Adriana, looks dearly and intimately interested with you."

"I feel it. But I'm not interested."

"Is it because -" he cannot continue when both of them sniffed in the air and a scent of a good man fell in their nostrils. "He seems close to us." Brien's eyes were alert.

"Run Brien, run as fast as you could just don't turn yourself into a wolf. Tell Maximo that I'll meet him tonight." He commanded.

Brien stood up and ran in no less than four seconds he was already out of sight. That scent is familiar to Liam so he hides in the back of a tree and secretly looks in the woods. Liam is out of the woods near the lake. He knew that it was Keiran, that scent belongs to him. Why he's going into the woods again?

"Stubborn," he mumbled.

He waited for a few minutes before the man he waited come out of the woods. Yes, it was Keiran indeed. He's watchful. Keiran kept looking everywhere. There's no sign of being scared drawn in his face. That's bold city guy. Plain stupid thinking it's possible to explore the entire forest. Keiran doesn't have any idea that the forest is home to wild animals. Is it necessary if Keiran aware that the cruel animal sometimes can be found in the city?

It was last night when he realized that Keiran is the nephew of Mr. Fergus. It was a piece of good news for Liam. He doesn't have any idea if Mr. Fergus tells Keiran about him. Why is he curious about that? Mr. Fergus cannot scare his nephew, oh, perhaps Keiran is here exploring the woods because of driving curiosity or what?

When Keiran saw the lake he immediately fell in love with its crystal and beauty. From the surface, you can see how clean and cool the lake is. It was a lake of werewolves, that's the name of the lake. It got its name because the lake is the bathing area of a werewolf hundred years ago. But today werewolves just visit it rarely or sometimes not. Who cares? Maybe only Liam. He loves the place, it's at its finest serenity.

Keiran kept looking unaware that Liam is just nearby and hiding. Keiran's hands were on his waist and inhale and exhale. He's exhausted. He bends down and picks up some stones and throws them in the water.

Liam asked himself if he should come out and join Keiran? He holds firmly in the body of the tree because of hesitation and the thought that Keiran might be shocked.

Keiran washed his face and was amazed because of how cool the water is. Kind of relaxation and he feels enraptured. He attempted to explore the woods and he went to the spot where he saw the man he met last night but his feet bring him there in the lake. He looked up, there was a mountain just a few meters away, he kept looking and amaze by the heart-shaped huge stone aloft on the mountain crest. Why is it romantic, nature is romantic. This place is kind of damn more peaceful than the city. He wonders if it's only him who discovered the place.

Liam shook his head as he kept observing Keiran. The sands in Keiran's feet are soft and fine and the water gently flows. He could read what's into the city guy's mind. He guesses he wants swimming and Liam is right when Keiran took off his shirt and he dives into the water. He disappeared and when he appeared again he was now at a distance from the lake marge. He swam farther and farther.

Liam came out and went near the lake. He kept looking where is Keiran. Oh my, he's now in the middle of the lake. He's a good swimmer. And when the city guy, Keiran, noticed Liam he stopped swimming. Liam waved and he could see Keiran warm smile. Keiran swam back and a few seconds he's coming out of the water.

"Hi!" He's exhausted.

"What if there's an alligator?" He asked Kerian. He's trying to scared him.

"I'm the fastest swimmer. And, I'm not scared. Did you appear from where? I'm looking for you and fortunately, you are here," Keiran's chest-thumping.

"From somewhere." He said, smirking. A werewolf attitude is little bit cold.

Keiran shrugged. "Somewhere from?"

"It's I who must ask that question: What are you doing here?" He glanced at Keiran.

"Look dude, the lake has a serene mien, the woods lovely and calm. What else?" Keiran thinking. "Ah, I want to be like Uncle Fergus, do you know him? He's well known in this place, my Uncle is a good hunter. He's the best hunter."

Liam feels like he's been stabbed in the chest ten times. He missed Mr. Fergus's embrace.

"Keiran, listen the woods aren't safe," Liam said with full concern.

Keiran burst into laughter. What's funny?

"Are you a hunter?" Keiran asked looking at him.

Liam shrugged his shoulders.

"C'mon tell me" Keiran begged.

And, later his face lit up and it shocked Liam. What did the city guy see in him? Keiran's lips drew a smile. He look at him in the eye and their gaze met. They look into each other eyes. Liam feels uncomfortable but he couldn't lower his looks. A calmness reign through Keiran's eyes. Keiran's face is enticing. This is his first time staring in the face of a man from city that he couldn't do before. Liam could read what was in Keiran's mind. He couldn't understand and it was impossible. He could hear Keiran's breathing and even in Keiran's scent, prevail his being.

Why? He asked himself. Is that the reason why Keiran looking for him? Because Keiran's heart beating for Liam. Does ordinary man like Keiran when he fall in love become a fool? Liam is clueless. He takes his eyes off Keiran and looking in the lake.

Keiran remain silent yet, in Liam's peripheral vision he could see that Keiran's biting his lower lip and smile. Liam stood up and stretched his body.

"Keiran go home safe and don't wait for the night just go home now."

"Oh, thanks for your concern dude."

"If you're listening you'll be safe." He said with a scowl.

"What's your name?" Keiran stood up too.

"How about calling me. Mr. Whoever."

He burst into laughter again.

"I'm going home now," Liam said and turned his back from Keiran.

"I'll be seeing you. Mr. Whoever."

Liam nodded and started walking. His mind was filled with questions.