He cradled the infant in his arms tightly as he ran through the woods; ducking branches and avoiding roots that have broken ground. He said nothing. The only sounds heard were the sounds of sticks and leaves crunching beneath his feet, the quiet and ever so often, cooing of the small child and his heavy breathing. Panting. He was surprised at how calm the child was. So much so because he was far from calm and the scent of his own fear was nearly blinding all his other senses.
The wolf within, pulling and clawing at him from the inside. Urging him to let go and shift for his survival. But he couldn’t do so without abandoning the child and he wasn’t going to do that. These hunters were relentless and they have grown in numbers over the years. They had already wiped out the majority of his pack; including his mate, the child’s mother. He knew that if they were caught, it wouldn’t matter if he begged and pleaded with them, to take him and not her. To let her live. He knew that no matter what, they would both be killed on the spot and without any hesitation.
He paused for a moment, ducking behind a wide tree, hoping to catch his breath. He realized his options were all but running out. Without the help of his pack, he wasn’t going to be able to protect her. Not for long and he most certainly would die if he tried. He sighed heavily, his heart still racing. His deep blue eyes fell upon the child and when their eyes met, for whatever reason, he felt like she looked right through him. That she saw past the wolf and understood the sadness in his eyes and the choices he’s had to make. He knew there was only one thing he could do to keep her safe, and as her father he knew he had no choice. But it would mean she would live a life outside of him, outside of what remained of his pack and its safety. At least for now.
He closed his eyes and opened his mind to the wolfs gifts. When his eyes opened, the blue had gone from them and was replaced with a color glowing brightly, a beautiful color. Like sun reflecting in an amber stone or a pool of honey. He looked beyond the trees, listening. The coast was clear and if he was going to do anything, it was now or never.
Sighing, he looked down at the child. His heart began to sink. “I promise I will find you again one day; if not you, me.” His eyes still glowing, he smiled softly at her. “You are a brave little one, aren’t you? My brave little wolf.” He said, knowing she wasn’t actually one of them. Not yet, but maybe one day should she choose to be. Daughters are born with the choice, sons are not. But it didn’t matter; for now she wasn’t his to raise.
He forced a smile though his heart was breaking. His daughter would have been the mother to a strong alpha whom one day would have ruled and united the northern packs; if not doing so herself by marriage. But all was lost now. He held her closely to his chest, drew in a long breath and turned around; running back towards the town. Some how it was closer running back towards it than it was running away from.
He stopped at the treeline, once again waiting until the coast was clear. Looking down at the infant who was no more than three days old; trying to memorize every feature of hers in a panicked hurry while he still could and then he looked towards the sky. He could feel the pull of the moon. Tonight was the first full moon since her birth. He and his mate would have picked a name for her under the moonlight on their ceremonial grounds at midnight; when the moon was at its highest point. Now he would have to do it alone and their wouldn’t be a ceremony in her name; nor would the pack be able to bless her.
He shook his head. “Little wolf. I’m sorry you are being robbed of this life, but at least I know you will be safe. Your life won’t be easy, but as long as there is breath within me; I will never stray to far.”
He sighed, closing his eyes. Once again he tapped into the wolfs power. The small child smiled up at him when he opened his eyes and saw that they were glowing once more. Leaning down, he pressed his lips to her forehead.
“I, Marcellus, alpha of the Shadow Ridge Pack; name you Adeline.” He looked to the sky, normally the pack would have shifted by now, howling at the moon; blessing the small child with their voices. Then, a ceremonial hunt would take place. Instead, he sighed and looked back at her; his eyes still glowing the rich, amber honey color. “You, little wolf, will grow strong and beautiful. Just like your mother. I already see a lot of her in you.”
He knew the next step was to mark the child, but she would cry and the hunters would hear that. Still he had no choice. It was pack law. Cradling her in his left arm, he allowed the claws on his free hand to emerge and pulled the blanket away from her left collarbone area. Exposing the soft, pale skin of the new born. Quickly, he looked around to make sure no one was within earshot of them.
“This is going to hurt me a lot more than it’s going to hurt you. But it will bind you to our pack without the humans ever knowing. And since they only think they’re after me right now and they don’t know about you; they will protect you.” His voice was soft and sweet, that of a loving father who lost everything. Using the nail of his index finger, he carved a crescent shape into her skin, with a dot in the center of it as if it were a full circle. The child’s lower lip started to quiver and he knew that in a matter of moments, she would start to cry. He covered the now open wound with the blanket and ran into town; cradling her once more to his chest. He knew blood would get on the blanket and he hoped that whoever found her would take pity on her for whatever reason they seemed fit.
He ran through the streets, avoiding as much light as possible until he came upon a fire station. He looked down at her and a small tear formed in the corner of his eyes.
“Firehouses are safe havens. They have to protect you.” He said.
“All of this to keep you safe. I’m sorry we can’t be together, but remember what I told you before, little wolf.” He smiled and kissed her forehead once more and laid her before the door of the firehouse. “As long as there is breath in my lungs; I will never stray too far from you. I will always be near.”
He lingered for another moment, staring down at the small child. Without further hesitation, rung the bell to the side of the door and ran off, disappearing into the trees and the darkness of the night.
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