A Life Un-Known

Four days ago, in the forest of the Greene Oak Pack Territory....

"Mama I told you, I'm fine to come out here and forage for berries myself. I'm already 9 years old." Ash said while stomping his feet down the forest path. His mother strolled not far behind him humming a gentle tune whilst enjoying the warm sunshine on her face. She wasn't ignoring her strong-willed son, just simply enjoying the other sounds of nature. The forest was peaceful, the only things that could be heard were the birds singing and an occasional small critter skipping through the bushes. Ash moved off the path, his blonde curls bouncing as he went and found a large blackberry bush that looked delicious. As Ash started picking off the berries his ears perked up. He stopped moving and started listening to the barely heard noises coming from the bush beside him. Being a werewolf had its benefits, a human would have never heard what he did. He turned around and motioned to his mother. Through their mind link he spoke, "I think something is in this bush but it doesn't sound like an animal". Freya held her hand up as if to say don't move and she tip-toed towards the bush being very careful not to make any sudden movements or noises. Once she was peering over the bush, she gently pushed aside the branches and heard the smallest of whimpers. She gasped and started pushing more branches aside until she saw it. There, on a pile of sticks and brush lay an infant child with nothing on gazing back at her. He had a darker brown skin tone and curly black hair, she was taken back by the long, deep gash down his face and one foggy grey eye. His other eye was a bright shade of green, it seemed to darken as if he was silently pleading with her for help although he made no other sounds. She lowered herself to her knees and picked the child up while brushing the dirt off of him. Ash was instantly by her side "Oh my, is that a real-life baby? What is it doing out here? Is it human or wolf? Or maybe a fae or dragon, how cool would it be if he were a real-life vampire?" Freya looked at her son as if she were going to scold him but instead spoke in low tones, "Hush now Ash, we don't want to scare the child. I'm not sure where he came from or what he is, but we need to bring him to Alpha Greene immediately. It doesn't look like anyone is around and I can't detect any type of scent on him. We must go, move along now." She stood up and cradled the baby in her arms whilst wrapping her apron around him. She was the pack cook and always had her apron on, it may have been dirty, but it was all she had with her to cover the child. They immediately rushed back to the packhouse to bring news of their discovery. People were all over the hub in their territory moving to and from work, training, and tending to their studies. The Greene Oak Pack was fairly large, not as large as the Blue Oasis Pack but similar to the human faction that separated the two. Alpha Greene was a fair but strict leader, and no one dared to defy him. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with dark blonde hair that sat above his ears and hazel eyes that could command the room. He wasn't always the kindest, especially with his mood swings but Luna Kali was always there to push him along before chaos ensued. Kavik was plagued with intense mood swings after the death of his father as he couldn't control his emotions. Kavik just turned 21 and was to take over as Alpha with his father's guidance but after the crowning ceremony, his father suffered an attack and passed away. The tragedy had the entire territory in a state of shock at his sudden passing and still to this day, it's unknown what caused it.

Kavik went to school with Kali and he knew before he even turned 18 that she was his mate. Luna Kali was beautiful and caring, but only to some pack members, she was harsh and cold to others. Her long chestnut hair was pulled back and her bright blue eyes were like the sky. She was always the spontaneous and adventurous type. She and Kavik would always get in trouble for something in school, there was never a dull moment with them. She was outspoken and wild yet reserved and introverted. She never harmed or threatened anyone, but it was clear she favored those of a higher status than others.

Freya stood in front of the packhouse contemplating her next move in detail. Ash seemed to have run to his friends who were playing, she just rolled her eyes and laughed. She knew he would just cause more unnecessary drama if she came inside with her. Freya struggled with keeping this child for herself to raise, but then people would immediately look at him and know he's not from here. If she told the Alpha, would he hurt the child, turn him into a slave, or worse off, would he ban him to live alone in solitude. She weighed her options and decided that if she wanted her life spared, she must tell her Alpha right away. Freya took a deep breath and looked at the child while her knuckle brushed the side of his face. The cut was deep, but he seemed to be healing quickly leaving only a dark, thick scar in its wake.

As she opened the door, she was immediately startled at noticing both the Alpha and Luna standing in the kitchen making themselves tea. She wondered where the rest of the staff were and why they were brewing their tea without even looking angry about it. She hurried over towards the counter ashamed that no one else was present while mumbling "I'm so sorry Alpha, Luna. I was out foraging for berries for dessert, I wasn't aware that no one was here for you. What can I get you?" As she looked up she stopped in her tracks, seeing the Alpha and Lunas confusion as to what she had in her arms. "Freya, what is that you're holding?" the Luna asked slowly. Freya released a long breath she didn't even realize she was holding in "Oh my word, oh no I apologize. I came here to speak to you both about this. As I was out in the forest, I found him in a bush. I didn't see anyone else around and I know it's not my place, but I just couldn't leave him there." She stood there trying to calm her beating heart wondering what mood the Alpha was in today. She slowly unwrapped her apron to expose the infant boy. Alpha Greene's eyes went wide and Luna Kali covered her mouth with her hands shaking her head. "What is wrong with this child, what has happened to his face?" the Alpha said but Freya couldn't tell whether he was asking her the question or merely stating the obvious. Freya bowed her head slightly, looked back up, and quietly replied "I don't know, this is exactly how I found him. He was in the bush as if someone set him there on purpose but there was no one around. I couldn't imagine that a mother would do that and leave him even if she intended to come back. He was in our forest, but I don't know of anyone who was recently expecting a pup." She extended her hands so the Luna could hold the child and to keep her from continuing to ramble on. The look on Luna Kali's face was a mix of compassion and disgust with the way he looks but she continued to hold the child close. "Dear, shall we keep him as our own? I will ensure that he's not seen as he could easily scare the other pups, but we can't just leave him somewhere." Luna Kali softly spoke as she peered up at her Alpha. His look on the other hand was ice cold. He didn't want this child, nor did he care what happened to it, but he would give the world to his Luna. He raised his hand to her face and the corner of his mouth tilted upwards "Anything for you my Luna, just don't expect me to be fatherly towards him. We will have our pup that will be the heir to this pack." He dropped his eyes to the child, retracted his hand from his mate's face, turned around, and walked out the door. As the Luna rolled her eyes and chuckled, she thanked Freya for her bravery and walked towards the Alpha wing of the packhouse. "Excuse me, Luna Kali" Freya spoke as she lowered her head. "Forgive me if I'm overstepping, but may I be able to see the child as he grows? May I help you in any way to raise this boy? I would be grateful just to be given the chance to watch him grow." The Luna stared into the distance and thought hard about what she was asking. "Are you looking to raise him as your own Freya?" A quick gasp was heard and Freya shook her head, "No my Luna, I was just hoping for a chance to see him here and there, maybe teach him things, have him learn to help so he can be put to work." Luna Kali softened her gaze and quietly answered "We appreciate your loyalty to this pack Freya. There are things I will need to decide with the boy but I think granting you a relationship with him would be possible." The Luna smiled as she turned on her heels and walked out. She needed to decide what lay ahead for this child and she knew it wouldn't be the best life. As she thought to herself, he should be grateful for what he'll have even if it's nothing, she brought the infant into the washroom to bathe him. Her thoughts were clouding her mind, she wanted to love and care for this child as her own but then as she looked at him, she wanted nothing to do with him. This would soon become a challenging situation for her that she didn't want to lose control of.

The child began to cry from hunger and Kali was already annoyed. She knew he just needed food, but did he need to be so deafening. She realized she wasn't cut out to be a mother, hence why she continues to secretly use contraception to not get pregnant. Alpha Kavik is under the impression that she may not be able to conceive just as many women aren't, but he will never stop trying. He is adamant that the moon goddess will bless them with a pup soon. "I hate doing it to him but I can't be this person." She said under her breath. Although fated to him, and automatically making her a Luna, she didn't want this. If he weren't so primal in marking her immediately, she would have run, rejected him, and ran never to be seen again. On the morning of her 18th birthday, she found him on the edge of the woods behind her house. At that time, she was already in love with him and had hoped he would be her mate. Their relationship was a whirlwind of excitement always leading them to the next adventure. She had stepped outside that morning to the most tantalizing smell of what she thought was fresh cut grass and pine trees. She was taken back by the intensity of it, especially while staring at Kavik as he stalked towards her. All she could think about was him, he looked different and she felt different. She loved him but now she truly knew it, the need to be near him was almost suffocating her. He grabbed her face and narrowed his eyes almost as a predator to prey would and growled "Mine" before his lips landed on hers, taking everything, she was willing to give. His self-control already faltered with every gasp and moan Kali let slip past her lips, he pulled away slightly while kissing her jaw down her neck until she shivered. "I knew you were mine; I've known it all along," Kavik spoke trying to reign in his urges but he was failing miserably. "Hold on Kavik, let's just talk abo-" Kali said while trying to push him away. She didn't want to move this fast. Without hesitation, he embraced her and held her tight while he nipped right where her neck curved, let his wolf surface, bared his fangs, and marked her as his. It was that moment where she felt her love for him shatter as he never gave her a choice for her future. He didn't even attempt to make it special; he took what he wanted without consent. Although she knew the bond was near impossible to break without both parties rejecting one another right away, she still wanted a choice of how it would happen. Kavik became possessive of her, having violent outbursts at times she chose to not submit. Kali learned quickly that she either needed to submit to him and stand by his side or suffer for the rest of her life. Now, she missed her freedom, it's what has made her such a bitter person to be around. She knows that at some point she will break and decide that her freedom is what she truly yearns for, even though it will destroy her Alpha. That didn't scare though, seeing how he already made her surrender to a destiny she didn't want, he already destroyed her.

She propped the child up and began to feed him a bottle of warm milk. She gazed into his bright green eye and internally fought with her own demons about what to do with this child. It was as if he was staring into her soul and knew what she was thinking. The child's face fell into a frown while his eyes remained on the Luna. She felt a pull towards him like he was pleading with her not to let him go, that he was special, and she would see that one day. Luna Kali shook her head and broke her trance while whispering to the boy "I'm not an evil person child, I promise you that but this has been my life now. It's changed me in ways that were not for the better. Kavik was a good man; he just lost his way and the power of being an Alpha has gotten to his head. I can't raise you, I'm no good for you and I fear the man you would become is not who you are destined to be. You will have a home here, food in your belly, and friends to converse with but there's not much else I can do for you. I will allow Freya to raise you and ensure that you feel the love of a mother, but you will stay within these packhouse walls, for your protection." Kali set the bottle down and slowly held the child to lull him to sleep. Though still conflicted, she knew what she had to do. She couldn't become attached to something when she knew one day she would leave. As the child drifted to sleep, she wrapped him up and walked to the servant's wing of the house. The servants stayed in the lower level, or the basement for easy access to the storage rooms, kitchen, and laundry. Luna Kali silently strolled down the hallway in search of Freya to discuss the future of the child. As she turned the corner, she saw Freya in the laundry room folding towels so she entered the room and softly said "Freya" instead of knocking. Freya jumped at the sound even though it was a whisper and spun around to face the Luna. "Oh, My, Luna Kali I apologize for being frightened. I must have been elsewhere in my head" Freya stuttered as she calmed her heavy breathing. Luna Kali chuckled and started to speak while offering the child to Freya "I've taken into consideration what you asked Freya, and I believe that would be good for the child. I do have some requests that will be followed through if you agree." Freya nodded her head and lovingly smiled at the boy. "The boy will stay here in the packhouse to live in one of the servant's rooms. He will assist your staff here in the kitchen and elsewhere if needed. You will be in charge of obtaining a tutor for him, I don't want him in school with the others. He can help for breakfast and clean up, tend to his studies, and then help for dinner and clean up. Or wherever else you'd like him to assist. I'm contemplating allowing him to participate in training once he's older given that we need more military assistance in our pack. That will be determined at a later time though. I know that you have a home outside this packhouse but I'm asking if you would consider staying here with the boy until he is of age to care for himself. In all honesty Freya, I cannot give him what he needs to survive other than food and shelter." Freya took in everything the Luna said. Could she care for a boy she knew would just be made a servant, could she stay here for years to care for him until he was of age? Would Ash be ok to stay here or maybe he could stay with friends during the week to make it easier to get to school? After a moment of reluctance, Freya smiled and said "Of course my Luna. I will move some of my belongings to a room here and ensure that the boy is cared for and can be of assistance to the staff. You have my word." Luna Kali nodded and turned to leave the room. She stopped by the door, grabbed the door frame, and turned her head back towards Freya "and Freya, this boy will probably be treated poorly at times, he has no status here and I don't think Alpha Kavik would allow him to become one of us. Just know that at some point, he will have to leave and find his true home." She turned her head forward and without another word she left. Freya was overwhelmed with emotions at this point. She didn't know if she was happy or nervous, scared, or excited. All she knew was that her life was about to dramatically change, and she needed to make certain that it was for the better.

Freya's POV:

I looked down at this child knowing that I was his chance at living and I was determined to raise him to be a strong, independent man. As I stroked his soft cheek, the child made subtle little noises as if to say he was content and happy. "It looks like I need to pick a name for you son, obviously something strong and forceful. Something people won't forget, something that plants a seed in their minds to say when he grows, he will be an unstoppable force. I will name you Malik, like a king. You will not be royalty here but I'll ensure that you have the confidence and strength as if you were." I whispered to the child. I could see the glimmer in his eye, I just wish I knew what happened to this poor child to disfigure him so badly. Who did this to you, the pain you must have felt? As I walked down the servant hall, I found an unoccupied room and stepped in. I would make this room feel like home for my boys for as long as I can but first, I need to find some supplies and furniture, I can't have the child lay on the floor and this bed is far too small to share. "Ok, Malik let's go call for Ash and see what he would like to do. I'm sure he's somewhere destroying something, let's hope you're less mischievous than him." I giggled and Malik let out a short coo which was enough to let me know he knew he was going to be ok, that we were going to be ok. Looking through the dresser drawers, I found a long, thin sheet that I folded and made into a carrier so I could hold Malik but have my hands free. I'll have to go out and see what else I can find later but for now, I needed to focus on getting Ash and going through storage to find another mattress and a crib for Malik. I walked upstairs and opened the front door, thankful to see Ash not far away I called out for him to come to the packhouse. I could see he was slightly upset he had to leave but he got up and headed my way. When he looked up and saw that I was holding the boy, he sprinted over to me and couldn't hold in his enthusiasm. "Do we get to keep him, Mom, what's going on? Where is he going, did they give him a name yet?" He exclaimed. "Hush Ash, the boy is trying to sleep. I'll explain it all to you once we get to the storage room, there are some things we need to discuss," I said as I placed my hand on his back and ushered him through the door towards the stairs. This boy had a million questions for anything and everything and would talk your ear off if you let him. He could be so utterly frustrating and exhausting, but he had a genuine love for everything, he was so sweet and compassionate, and I was truly such a proud parent.