The Hunted Chapter 3

Kalum followed Bram as they exited the tavern and approached an unmarked dirt trail leading into the nearby woods. The overcast sky had started to produce a slight drizzle of rainfall, and the booming sound of thunder echoed in the near distance.
With conversation no longer available as a distraction, Kalum’s mind resurfaced the emotions he had attempted to suppress. Above all others was an overwhelming feeling of guilt. Since the fateful night he had been bitten and turned, he had desperately told himself that he would be different from the others, the beasts he vigilantly hunted; he didn’t have to harm anyone, though subconsciously he knew otherwise. Despite his best efforts, the animal within had overtaken him.

Kalum’s thoughts then drifted toward Moya, the disappointment she would feel if she was aware of the full extent of the violence and death Kalum had wrought. He had brutally slain seven innocent people, not to mention that those seven included two women and a child. He could feel the bile rising in his throat as a wave of nausea passed over him. Yet Moya still cared for him, willingly took the dangerous burden of harboring his terrible secret and even seeking out a cure in the hopes they could one day be together again.

Glancing forward at Bram’s large frame, Kalum took note of their surroundings. They had wandered into the depths of the vast forest. Enormous pine trees towered on each side, forming a narrow trail, their elongated branches casting dancing shadows on the trodden path beneath. The ground was littered with the usual debris, an array of stray leaves and pinecones that crunched underfoot of the soles of Kalum’s thick leather boots. The sounds of animals calling rang in his highly sensitive ears and the fragrances of the various wildflowers and trees stung his nostrils.

Kalum trailed further behind, his palms starting to sweat profusely due to nervousness. Dread filled him at the thought of being presented before Bram’s pack. If they were to somehow figure out his true identity, a former Hunter, there was no foretelling how they would react.

Just ahead Bram came to a halt and turned toward Kalum, signaling with his large, bulky hand for him to follow, then with a final look of warning shoved through a particularly thick area of undergrowth and vanished from Kalum’s line of sight. Kalum proceeded forward and pushed the foliage aside, emerging on the other side into a large clearing. As his keen eyes scanned the area before him, he took in a sharp intake of breath.

They had arrived at the base of a nearby mountain range, and before him lay the gaping entrance to an enormous cave. Small tents littered the area in front of the entrance and Kalum could hear the crackling of fires inside them. The tent folds slowly opened and several pairs of slightly glowing eyes stared out at him curiously and with apprehensive looks of suspicion. He instinctively shrank back and reached toward his right hip where the scabbard of his silver-forged sword would usually be strapped, but his hand grasped at nothing but air as he no longer wore his blade.

A deep chuckle came from Bram’s throat, though it was more reminiscent of a growl than a sign of amusement.
“No need to be afraid of your own kind, pup.” he chortled. “They’re just curious to see the wolf that nearly exposed them.”
Though Kalum was sure it was meant as a reassurance, it made him no less weary of the eyes scrutinizing him. The fact that all his training and instincts told him that he should slay the malevolent creatures observing him didn’t help to ease his nervousness.

“Welcome to the Den.” Bram added casually as he slunk into the cave, its blackness seeming to swallow his form the moment he entered.

Kalum hesitated for a moment, his body tensing up at the thought of simply walking into the sanctuary of a pack of werewolves. Sweat started to bead up on his forehead and he swiftly wiped it away with the back of his hand, though he knew that the creatures watching him intently could undoubtedly still notice it with their keen eyesight. Knowing he had come this far and that his chances of escape were futile, he reluctantly continued forward and entered the Den.

His new eyesight immediately adjusted to compensate for the overwhelming darkness of the cave, and as he looked around he realized he was surrounded by four more werewolves gazing at him apprehensively.

Disgust boiled inside him at the thought of so many of these creatures living in one place, but a slight twinge of pity rose as well. He knew they deserved to be secluded from humanity, living in a cave like the animals they are, but some part of him felt sympathy for them. Most if not all of them he had seen appeared to be average, regular looking people, nothing to set them apart physically, but forced to hide out simply due to an unfortunate event that left them afflicted with a terrible curse.

Kalum still couldn’t help the hatred that filled him though as he looked upon the many faces watching him. Each and every one of them contained an evil within that had to be destroyed, and Kalum told himself that no matter how they appeared on the outside, that evil was always present, waiting for its time to rise to the surface and enact its bloodlust.

But that same evil know resided in Kalum himself, and this terrified him more than anything. He had dedicated so much of his life to the Brotherhood and their cause, to eradicate the unnatural species that plagued humanity, but now that he bore the curse he had fought so hard to destroy, what purpose did his life hold now?

Gazing ahead, Bram motioned him forward, and Kalum reluctantly followed, knowing there was nothing he could do but walk into the home of the creatures he despised the most.

“Wh-Where are you taking me?” Kalum stuttered as he reluctantly followed Bram, unable to stop the slight tremble in his voice. He was an accomplished Hunter, perhaps the best the Brotherhood had seen in centuries, but not even he could handle as many werewolves as he had seen on his way in.

“To meet our Alpha.” Bram replied simply. “He’ll definitely want to see you after what your actions last night.”

At that comment Kalum could not help the fear that came over him. He had learnt the basics of the hierarchy in a werewolf pack during his time with the Brotherhood; at the pinnacle of the ranks was the alpha, the leader. Kalum, nor anyone he was acquainted with, had ever encountered an alpha before. In the beginning days of the establishment of the Brotherhood, the first priority set forth was to track down and destroy every werewolf pack possible. As time passed, signs of pack activity decreased so drastically that most within the Brotherhood simply assumed that no more packs remained.

Yet here Kalum was, in the midst of perhaps the last remaining pack in existence.

He followed Bram deeper into the recesses of the Den, the eyes of the werewolves that had gathered at the entrance of the cave following him, watching intently as he was lead toward their leader.

The cave had significantly narrowed after passing through the large entrance. The dank passage was little more than an arms-length wide across. The rocky, moss-covered sides, slick with dripping condensation, seemed to draw closer together the farther Kalum progressed. The cave ceiling was very low; in front of Kalum, Bram had to stay hunched over to avoid scraping his head. The temperature had started to drop considerably as well, the air becoming quite brisk. Though Kalum could see perfectly well, he knew it must also be extremely dark, the sunlight not able to penetrate this deep into the cave.

After close to another minute of walking in silence, Bram came to an abrupt halt ahead of Kalum, holding up his large right hand signaling Kalum to do the same. Kalum paused a few paces behind Bram, who turned to face him. He drew a slight amount of relief for his nervousness at the sight of Bram, his enormous stature hunched over and drawn in in order to fit into the small area they stood in, but that relief quickly dissipated when Bram began to speak.

“Up ahead lies the alpha’s quarters. He is expecting you, so please proceed.” Bram’s countenance had become very serious.

“Alone?” Kalum questioned uneasily. “Are you not going to accompany me?” The prospect of facing the Alpha on his own was a frightening one, though it was to be expected.

Bram replied somberly, “It is not my place to be present while the alpha speaks with you.” With that said Bram squeezed his way past Kalum and receded back the way they had arrived. 

Kalum remained where he stood, completely alone except for his thoughts. He knew he could not leave the same way they had entered. All the pack members he was aware of were most likely still around the entrance to the Den. His only feasible option was following Bram’s instructions and speaking with the Alpha.

Reluctantly, Kalum continued onward. After about fifty paces the narrow passage opened back up into a moderately sized area. Dozens of torches lined the wall for the entire circumference of the space, their flickering flames casting dancing patterns of light and shadow around the area. In the very center of the space a large fire pit had been constructed, a crackling fire currently blazing within and providing additional light and warmth. The Alpha was seated on a large stone by the fire, his back turned toward Kalum.

“Come forth and take a seat young man. We have a few things to discuss.” The Alpha spoke. His voice was calm but strong and rang with authority. The echo of his words lingered for several moments after they had been spoken.

Kalum remained still, hesitant to comply. The all too familiar feeling of hatred surfaced once more, mingled with desperation. Here he was, alone with perhaps the final Alpha alive.

He had heard the rumors regarding Alphas during his studies with the Brotherhood. Supposedly they were stronger, faster, and more cunning than the typical werewolf, and they exuded a natural air of command and leadership that drew other werewolves to them. Werewolf packs always formed around an Alpha. Perhaps if Kalum were to slay this Alpha, inevitably causing the pack to disband, and miraculously make it out of the Den in one piece, the Brotherhood would welcome him back into their ranks with open arms even with his current affliction and he could be with Moya once again.

Sensing Kalum’s hesitance, the Alpha tuned around on the stone he was seated on and faced Kalum, rising slowly but assuredly to his feet. Kalum’s trail of thought came to an end when he looked at the Alpha.

The Alpha appeared nothing like what Kalum had come to expect. Based on the rumors Kalum had heard over the years, he had expected the Alpha to look similar to Bram, being large, powerful, and intimidating, but the man before him looked nothing of the sort. Instead he was an older man, perhaps in his mid fifties, with graying hair and slightly noticeable wrinkles creasing his face. His eyes were a sharp, piercing shade of blue and seemed to hold the wisdom of countless generations. He was also in remarkable physical condition for his age though; his body was still lined with muscle and he strode toward Kalum with a solid and confident gait.

He stopped a few paces in front of Kalum and, looking Kalum directly in the eyes, spoke again in that same calm but commanding voice. “I insist you sit with me. I promise I mean you no harm at the moment. I simply wish to talk.”

Kalum knew the Alpha must be up to something. Surely he wanted more than to simply talk. From his studies Kalum knew packs were extremely territorial, and being a newly turned werewolf who had just killed several people with this pack’s territory, he wasn’t betting on his chances of just having a chat and then being permitted to leave without consequence.

The Alpha held his eye contact with Kalum until Kalum finally gave into the commanding presence of the Alpha and proceeded to take a seat on another stone across from where the Alpha had been seated.

The Alpha resumed his spot once Kalum was seated, and gazed at him over the flames.

“My name is Ulric.” The Alpha began casually. “What shall I call you?”

Kalum hesitated for a moment, debating whether or not to give Ulric his actual name. He figured that since his chances of leaving the Den alive were slim, no additional harm could come from something as simple as using his real name.

“K-Kalum.” He stuttered, unable to help the nervous tremble in his voice.

“Well then, Kalum. I understand your first Change brought with it some unfortunate consequences.”

Kalum couldn’t contain himself any longer. Before Ulric could continue, Kalum interjected alarmingly, “I did not mean to kill those villagers! You know as well as I do that my will was not my own at the time! I swear to you that I had planned to lock myself up! It’s just that certain… events… forced me to forgo my plans! I beg of you to just let me leave!”

Kalum could not stand having to grovel and plead before a creature he hated with every fiber of his being, but his primal instinct to survive was too strong. If he did not want to live for himself, he at least owed it to Moya to stay alive, to fight the vile curse that afflicted him. After everything they had been through together, now that she was risking everything by keeping his secret from the Brotherhood, to give in would almost be a greater evil than the abomination he had become.

“Calm yourself, lad.” Ulric demanded when he saw the frantic state Kalum was in. “The first change is rough for every pup.”

Kalum studied Ulric’s face carefully. The Alpha did not look at all angry with him; in truth, he appeared almost sympathetic.

Kalum decided to push his luck. He knew from his years in service of the Brotherhood that Lycanthropy was incurable, but in the off chance that the Brotherhood was somehow incorrect, he had to see if Ulric could give him an answer.

“I just want to be rid of this curse.” He choked, lowering his head into his hands.

Ulric looked at Kalum with a hint of sorrow. “I am sorry, Kalum, but Lycanthropy is a permanent condition. Many before you have sought to find a cure, but none have ever succeeded.”

Kalum was disappointed to have his suspicions confirmed, but he wasn’t surprised. He raised his head and peered into Ulric’s piercing eyes desperately.

“What will you do with me?” he plainly inquired. He had said what he could to try and sway Ulric’s decision, but he was ready to accept whatever fate was in store. If Ulric was to kill him like he expected, at least he would be rid of this unholy curse, though the thought of leaving Moya behind pained him greatly.

Ulric sat silent for a brief moment before finally replying to Kalum.

“You are aware of the trouble you have caused my pack, are you not?” he questioned.

“I am.” Kalum responded, slightly confused.

“It is true the deaths you are responsible for have caused quite a stir in the village and have drawn unwanted attention to my pack. However, we have been through far worse.” Ulric continued.  “I truly do sympathize with you, Kalum. The first change is not an easy experience to go through, and yours is by far no exception. The blood of those innocents is on your hands, it has stained your soul, and I know more than anyone that is a burden you shall bear for the rest of your days. I see no reason to punish you further than you already have been.”

Kalum stared at Ulric in surprise. He had not expected such words from the Alpha, but he was nonetheless grateful for his kindness.

“How should I go on, then?” he asked sadly.

“While it is true there is no cure for our affliction, you can learn to manage and live with it. I, as well as countless others, have found that companionship with other werewolves can aid in coping with Lycanthropy.”

Ulric paused, then silently nodded his head as if he had just come to a decision, and continued.

“I can see the struggle you are experiencing, Kalum. Your affliction is weighing heavily on you. If you wish, I am willing to allow you to become a member of this pack.”

Kalum nearly tumbled off his stone seat in shock at Ulric’s response. He was stunned that Ulric would so readily accept him into his pack, especially considering the trouble he had caused. At the initial thought, Kalum was repulsed by the prospect of accepting the camaraderie of the beasts he had relentlessly hunted for the majority of his life.

Upon further contemplation, however, Kalum began to consider it. If he could learn to manage his curse, to suppress the bestial instincts and impulses, then maybe it was possible to still have a future after all, perhaps even with Moya.

After a moment of hesitation, he finally accepted Ulric’s offer.