The Longing

Chapter 51

I still havent found a good inspo on uniforms but I'll probably draw one soon when I get the chance and the vibe for it.

Titus almost carried me all the way to the car because I was being stubborn.

More like in shock.

I mean, come on. I barely met everyone here and he wants me to meet another whole population. I can handle a few people but a pack? Yeah, right.

I don't even have a clue how many there are.

"What are you so nervous about?" I looked at Kris who is seated right beside me.

I raised my brow. "Probably the fact that I'm about to meet a flock, not a single person."

She snorts, "I forgot you have this disease that you can't talk to people all the time."

I roll my eyes. Okay, I am an introvert. Everyone involved in my life knows that. Especially her, since she keeps rubbing it in my face.

"It's not a disease, it's just my personality."

"It's an idiotic personality."

"Hey, that's rude."

"What? Can't hear you over my extroverted bubble. Try again when you can talk to people without being awkward." She pretends cleaning her ear.

"You know, being introverted isn't bad. And, I can talk to people without being awkward." I chuckled.

"Okay well, it's different because they're of authority and you're trained to follow them so it's natural in that area."

"Not really, no."

"Suck my dick."

"Very mature."

Kris has this belief that communicating with other people is vital to one's survival. That if you fail to come out of your comfort zone, you'll be stuck in your own head. She calls introverted people crazy and selfish.

More like me.

It's ridiculous, one can live with a few connections in life and it'll be a good life. Went so far with only a few friends of mine, and I don't regret it one bit.

Has she not watched any apocalyptic movies? They're alive cause they're all alone. Less people, more food for you. It might be greed in her view but that's what I call essential for survival.

Our argument continued for so long, we forgot where we were going for a moment. The car came to a halt in the middle of the forest.

Kris and I stopped talking, we looked around. I'm confused because I think I missed the part of the discussion where we need to walk.

"Noooo, I hate walking." Kris whined.

"How'd you pass physical fitness?"

"Because I'm amazing. And I just hate anything physical. Why'd you think I became a doctor and not your adrenaline spiking job?"

"Weak ass legs."

"Be thankful it's not genetics."

"Oh, I am very thankful."

My side of the door opened, cutting us off, a hand reaching out for me so I took it and got out. Titus closed the door behind me and locked my hands with his.

He walked us forward. The other side of the door opened, Derek leaning down on it. I stopped in my tracks and looked at him weirdly.

Why's he doing that? He doesn't do that.

He usually heads out front, head up and shoulders wide. He doesn't like being behind anyone and prefers to be shoulder to shoulder with me.

Not a moment later, Kris steps out while holding on to Derek's outstretched arm. My eyebrows went up. Kris found my face and shook her head.

'Not a word', she mouths at me. I turned back to Titus who was watching the interaction, amusement dancing in his eyes. "What?"

"Nothing." He chuckles and turns back around.

"Okay, weirdo." I whispered to myself. I'm pretty sure he heard that but chose to ignore it. We continued the walk, Titus said it'll take at least three to five minutes depending on our phase. They usually reach it in two.

"So, why are we walking again?" Kris says, not missing the opportunity to talk.

"The road is too narrow. No vehicle can fit through these trees." Titus answers.

"You made it that way, didn't you?" I perked up.

Honestly, spending time with him gives me enough energy to watch him and how he does things. He planned to make it narrow, and made it come together.

Titus responds, "Yes."

I raise my eyebrows at him. I thought he was gonna say why and boast about it. They usually do when you ask them something about their achievements and reasoning.

Guess I haven't really read him like an open book yet. I'll get there though. But if Titus won't explain it, maybe Derek could. I turned to him, only my eyes catches Kris' smirk.

I squinted my eyes at her.

"Yes what?" She was the one who asked with her eyes covered in mischief.

I'm about to have the best conversation with them right now. Not.

"You gotta give more context when it's Katie you're talking to. She's a prude and she won't ask til' you say it yourself."

I knew it. I saw it coming from a mile away. Of course she'll call me out in front of him.

"Shut up, it's called boundaries." I turned back around.

"No, you're just too shy to ask. You were overthinking why his answer was short." Derek laughs.

"I was not." I lie through my teeth, a bit embarrassed.

Kris smirks. "You and I had been glued together since we were kids, I know you were."

"Yes, I arranged it that way because it's easier to protect them like this. Vehicles are hard to stop and the cars hitting werewolves is an instant critical condition. Just like for humans."

"I thought only wolfsbane can kill you guys." I questioned.

I avoided a puddle in front of me, all the while holding Titus' hand. He refuses to let go and it's starting to irritate me. I need my whole attention on my body instead of just my hand, I ain't face planting no way.

"Yes, kill. We can still survive car crashes but I won't risk it. It's my pack and I'm willing to take any precautions to protect you and it."

Titus' uses force and pulls me to him, crashing me to his side. I grabbed onto him in shock, clearly because it was so sudden and I didn't see the trunk of a tree a few feet in front of me.

He pulled me because I was about to hit it and stumble. I cleared my throat and fixed myself, letting my hands fall down from his chest back to my sides, yet still holding Titus' hand.

God, it's me. Is it such greed to ask for this man to free me from heartache?

"If you could recall back then, it was very easy for my men to enter Mystic Heart with our vehicles with no problem. I refuse any similarities towards my home."

Flashback hit me one by one. My first time coming here, knowing about their kind. The games that almost killed me a lot of times and succeeded. Titus and his men barging in to save everyone, including me and my old friend.

Tammy, the mysterious girl who was a stranger to me yet she was still kinder than anyone I've met in Mystic Heart. She saved me, talked to me, and understood me more than Sen and Van ever could. She was there for me and I was there for her.

I miss her.

Her death left a foul taste in my mouth. I could feel tears building up behind my eyes but I shake it away. I can't forget what happened, but the fact that she has a twin still unnerves me.

I could've saved her.

After burying the bodies of the fallen, those left or loss early was sent back to their packs, shame on their families reputations.

I have no news about Delora or anyone else after the games. It's like they disappeared after the competition.

"You okay?" Titus asks, I just nodded to not give away anything. Weakness is not in my vocabulary, especially when I'm in front of him.

An arc presents itself in front of us, a welcome to Titus' hard work. I heard someone say it took him ten years to build his so called 'home'.

That the pack he abandoned is nothing more than a glimpse of his past.

They told me Titus hates going in Mystic Heart, something about that place reminds him about his life that took a bad turn that scarred him for life. Or at least, that's what they believe.

"So how far is your place from your welcoming arc?" Kris groans tiredly. I snort at her. If she's gonna make fun of my personality, I'm gonna tease her about her stamina, or the lack of it.

"Just a few more steps and you'll see." Derek was the one who spoke.

I completely forgot about what he said the moment the view comes in. We stop dead in our tracks when we really do see it.

"Holy shit." Kris gasps in disbelief.

"Is this..." I trailed off, not believing my eyes as I took in the sight.

"Fuck."

I was expecting a few houses getting built, a road that is pure mud because people are trying to make a path out of it and probably a dirty water around here somewhere.

I didn't expect fucking paradise.

As soon as the trail ended, we were welcomed with a sign that says 'Step up; if you dare.'

I eye it warily, looks like a kid built that shit.

A lot of people are gathered just a few feet away from us, smiling and cheering. Kris waved back as I admired the place.

At least ten houses are lined up with each other, going so far as the eye can see. They're at least two houses tall which could accommodate a full family. A sleek wooden boardwalk winds through the forest, leading way to dozens of the brick and wooden houses beside the forest trees.

They also have built other residences behind those houses. We're seeing a nature appreciated pack and I'm loving everything I'm witnessing.

Mystic Heart was too royal and too rich for my liking. It had everything a person could want but yet it felt so empty inside.

The sky was so clear and blue, reflected by the river water that flows in every direction of the pack. Their grasses, trees grow fully green all around the place and the sun shines brightly so.

Titus pushed me forward gently by putting his hand on my lower back. I didn't get a chance to register his touch but continued looking around instead.

The people opened up a way for us as we walk forward without having to bump into anyone. Kris is behind me, guided by Derek.

My eyes fell on everyone, they waved at me when we made eye contact so I just smiled at them warmly, surprised by the kindness of Titus' people.

"How many are they?" I asked out of nowhere while still waving at everyone.

"A few thousand."

I abruptly turned to him, "A thousand?"

He ushers me forward once more, continuing our walk. I got back to admiring the houses as one particular building caught my attention.

It was the tallest out of all the houses, probably four story if I were to go inside. It wasn't because of how tall it is though, it's because of how modern it is.

All the other houses had this island vibe around it, but this one screams contemporary style.

Instead of wood and a lot of green around it that's part of the forest, it's covered in plants on vases that is controlled, not like the others where there's a tree somewhere close to it or at its front.

The other houses are all open, no barrier and straight up to their door.

Kind of reminds me of my Aunt, she likes the open.

This modern house has a terrace with a glass barrier on every floor, a nice small space in front of it and the house itself is pretty. The gate was a nice touch but it wasn't a tall one, it's fence sized.

"Yes, and more shall come once I complete all of it." Titus replied, pride dripping from his tone.

Shock by his answer, I asked him again. "This isn't all of it?"

"Darling, this is just the surface." I choke on air as soon as the words left his lips.

God, it's me again.

We got to walk far enough to see another part of his home. But before we could walk forward, Titus grabs my wrist and turns me around. I end up facing the people along with Kris who's on my left, who's beside Derek as Titus stands on my right.

My mouth dropped as soon as the people ends up on one knee and bows their head towards us.

"HAIL TO THE MOON"

"HAIL TO THE FOREST"

"HAIL TO OUR LEADERS"

They chanted, their voices filled the space around us as we stood in front of them, watching them sing their maxims.

"Rise." I jumped at Titus' dark, booming voice as he commands them. They followed willingly, their smiles brighter than ever as they cheer for us.

"Well, this is new." Kris whispered on my ear.

"Yeah, I feel welcomed." I whisper back to her.

I really do.

I have not received a single bad stare since entering their land. No murmurs, no one eager to insult me of being human.

Titus' hand falls to mine, he intertwines our fingers which had me look at him. His gray eyes were full of emotion as I took him in.

It was warm, kind, and gentle. This was a different Titus from the one I met.

He was hardly there, barely showed anything and was always angry about everything. The first thing I thought when I saw him is that he's dangerous.

But is he really?

Back at Mystic Heart, he barely showed anything apart from his dominance and the need to be an asshole.

In here he's, different. It's a good different, it feels like he is more open and more himself here than there.

It really is his home.

I smiled at him. I felt like it, and maybe because he looks really good right now I can't seem to look away.

"Welcome to Valian Solace, Catalina."

Strength.

My eyebrows furrowed, "Why do you keep calling me that name?"

"It is yours." Titus answered, giving away nothing.

"No, my name is Katelyn. Not Catherine, not Catalina, just Kate."

I've been called a few different names by now, and yes I do notice it. It's just weird being called a different name when you've already introduced and told your real, birth name to them.

"I will call you what I want." He grunts. I roll my eyes and looked forward. As long as it's not darling, then we're good.

I groaned inwardly. I'm falling deeper into his trap because of a damn nickname. "We shall go to the pack house and feast. Everything is already prepared for us."

"Really?" He nods. "I have made contact with them when we were traveling towards here. My people are excited, and excitement equals to eagerness and eagerness leads to one's action to be swift." Titus lets go of my hand to turn around, only to hold it again with his other hand.

He pulls me as we turn, heading off to where the pack house is. I could hear the other's footsteps as we walk, implying that they're following us towards the house.

"Stop trying to drag me like a dog. I can walk by myself, Titus." I try to pull my hand, but Titus holds harder.

I ignore him, walking anyway with him dragging me beside him. We make light conversations as we do, making sure that I talk to Kris from time to time because there's something really fishy going on with her and Derek.

She doesn't hold anyone's hands that easy, especially if it's a man. She hates physical touch but she loves to talk, it's a funny thing really.

People of her personality tend to always adore or crave touch with other people, the connection between them to emphasize their so called feelings, Kris calls it sympathy. Or was it empathy?

Either way, I don't like touching too. It's too intimate and I don't crave it like they do. I want my own body parts to myself, always.

And it's a huge advantage for me especially since I'm a soldier and a woman in the military. Parts of myself that I'm aware of and not wandering about, it helps me focus and I don't need to put all my energy in knowing if I touched someone's dick or if I loss a finger in battle.

Once we reach the pack house, my jaw dropped because of how big and spacious it was.

"Damn dude, you really outdid yourself. This is a fucking castle. A castle!" Kris exclaims, throwing her hands up in shock.

Rising from the landscape like a jagged crown of stone, the packhouse was a monolith of power.

Its walls were built from dark, weathered granite, thick enough to withstand a siege and looming high enough to cast a permanent shadow over the courtyard.

It didn't just look like a building; it looked like an ultimatum.

I look at it with awe.

Kris' eyes were wide as she takes in the place, her smile growing by the second as she stared at the pack house, or well, castle.

"It's big." she breathed, her voice uncharacteristically small.

Derek laughs, "That's what she said."

I heard a loud grunt behind me. I spun around just in time to see Derek doubled over, clutching his ribs and gasping for air that refused to return to his lungs. The radiant glow on Kris' face had vanished, replaced by a scowl.

"What's wrong with you?" Titus asked him, sending a questioning gaze at them both. Kris refused to answer, her arms crossed.

"I'm f-fine." Derek manages to wheeze sharply, still holding the side of his torso.

I pressed my palm against my mouth, masking the smirk that was threatening to turn into a full-blown cackle. I knew that look. Kris had a literal "mean streak". She definitely elbowed him, she has a nasty habit of doing it when she's annoyed.

"Let's go."

The beautiful view of the pack house disappears as we enter its huge oak doors, opened by the house's two pack members. Titus, who's totally oblivious to the silent war behind us, leads everyone inside, me beside him, Kris and Derek behind us a few feet.

"I fucking knew it." Kris gasps in disbelief, again.

"It may look dull, but it will be lively with time." Titus speaks beside me.

I continued to observe the structure, stunned by its size and because of how out of place it is.

I looked up, feeling small beneath the arched rafters. The scale was dizzying, a strange blend of medieval fortress and modern luxury that felt entirely out of place in the middle of the forest.

"It's beautiful, Titus," I admitted, the word feeling too light for the gravity of the room. "Really."

Titus turned to me, a flash of something like pride softening his features as he nodded in appreciation.

We manage to get a little tour around the house, Titus insisted on being the guide. He proudly walked around and told us everything there is to know about it. Titus looked excited doing it.

The pack house is very big, I can't remember well but Titus said it holds thirty three rooms and each of those rooms have their own bathrooms, plus there are also bathrooms outside. It has three kitchens on each side of the house.

Titus also said that anyone is welcome to sleep here as long as they follow the rules and behave. There's a total of a hundred residing inside, including the generals and himself.

I asked where the others sleep, he responded with, "They go back go their own houses. They prefer to be with family rather than in big, empty spaces. The pack house is a refuge to anyone who seeks it."

Cleaning it is definitely a fucking nightmare. The walls were so high up, they would need the longest broom around to reach the highest point. I would never dream of cleaning a house like this.

My feet hurt with the whole tour. Titus insisted that he should carry me to avoid anymore complications but I declined because my dignity was still intact and I could use the exercise, it's been so long since I've trained so might as well.

After that, he led us to the dining room, a very big one as well. It had everything on the table already and everyone was already waiting for us there.

I felt bad they had to wait but with their smiles, I didn't press on it further. We sat down and ate, Titus beside me, Derek to his right and Kris on my left.

We're tabled with Titus' commanders and their family, our table being the biggest one.

"Miss, may I ask what they call you?" A green eyed woman asked to which I responded kindly with my name.

A lot of them also asked me about my life and where I come from. I felt comfortable telling them and didn't regret it when I don't see malice behind their eyes and only warmth.

"Miss Katie, your eyes are really beautiful. It suits your raven hair and face. Your lips are pink an-" Another woman, probably my age, gets cut off when the man beside her grabbed her attention by covering her lips with his hands.

He smiled sheepishly at us and said, "I apologize on behalf of my sister, she tends to talk a lot when she meets new people."

I smiled warmly and said it was no problem at all. I was happy to talk to them and didn't mind their questions about me.

It was so natural, I just know Kris is smiling.

Our conversation cut off when the doors abruptly opened, making contact with the wall.

"Sire, I must speak with you."

A tall, burly man came in, wearing Titus' crest on his chest. He's wearing a lightweight armor, a sword on hanging on his waist. His face was covered in dried blood, however his armor remains polished. He didn't bother to look around and kept his attention on Titus.

"General." Titus nodded, dropping the utensils beside his plate. He excused himself and led the general away from prying eyes.

They left us alone and Titus told everyone to continue with their day, nothing to worry about. Though everyone was shocked, they ate like nothing happened.

"Who was that?" I turned to Derek who was about to put a bunch of food in his mouth.

He put it down and smiled grimly. "That's General Kaden. He's the general and our Delta. If he's here then it's not good news."

"Why is it not?"

"He's the frontline of our warriors, anything about him is considered bad. He's not just any general, he's the General." He picks up a fork and stabs the food in his plate but he doesn't eat it.

Kris pipes in, "Care to elaborate?"

He sighed, "Fine. General Kaden is what we call the shadow. You don't see him unless he shows himself. And right now he did which means something's wrong. He's farther into the pack territory, closer to the Codiciá territory. It's where the bad things happen."

"Bad things like?" I asked, sipping water.

He leaned in and we mimicked his actions.

"That territory is where majority of werewolves die.

Nobody knows why and we aren't willing to risk warriors dying just to check so we patrol it everyday, every hour and every minute.

General Kaden leaving his post means something's wrong and it's really really bad. "

Then he ate again like he didn't tell us anything mind boggling. I looked at Kris with a questioning gaze when she was pouting towards the door.

She did it again but this time with her eyes. I looked over and my face fell. I shook my head at her, refusing to follow Titus and the General.

Kris made a face as I look at her weirdly. 'Go, bitch.' She mouthed at me.

This little shit. I groaned inwardly and sighed. "I gotta go to the bathroom real quick."

After excusing myself from everyone, I slipped inside the door where they went. I remember this one, his office is somewhere here along with three bedrooms.

I hear muffled voices coming from Titus' office and so without a care in the world, I walked towards it. This time their conversation was a bit louder and I can make out pieces of it.

"Territorial disputes...end."

"Fix...situation."

"New-"

"No."

"Lost...one." A grump voice said, their voices getting clearer the more I come close to the door. The next person to speak sounded like Titus as I stand there and lean in to get better hearing.

"Dispatch more. I need that area tightly secured. No holes." Yeah that's Titus all right, fucking commando shit.

I wanted to know how bad it is, what went wrong and, I wanted to offer help. I might be human in their world but I still am a Captain, and I have a few of my squad back in Mystic Heart. I could easily request for them to come here.

The shuffling of noises stopped my train of thoughts and the next thing I know, the door opens abruptly and there stands Titus, holding the door knob with a questioning gaze at me.

I leaned back, turning my face to them. I awkwardly chuckled, searching my brain for excuses already.

"Hi."

"M'lady." My eyes darted towards Kaden, who was now on one knee as he addresses me by a new title, the blood on his face absent.

"Please, stand." I replied, I don't like it when they do this in front of me. I'm just visiting and it feels so weird to witness it since I only see those shit on TV.

He does so hesitantly, looking over at Titus before back at me.

"What are you doing here?" I direct my attention to Titus who was still looking at me.

"I wanted to know who he was and why he's here." I pointed towards Kaden who was looking at us with wide eyes.

"That's Kaden, my only Delta. He's just here to report."

I scoot a bit closer, "Report what?"

As if he can read my mind, he opens the door farther, tilting his head to signal me inside. I wasted no time walking in and took a seat at one of the chairs in front of his desk.

Kaden followed shortly after when the door shuts, then Titus plops down on his own chair. He observes the position we are in.

"I need to renovate all my offices." He clicks his tongue in annoyance.

"Sire..." Kaden trails off, probably not sure why Titus is suddenly talking about renovations in this situation.

He clears his throat and motions for Kaden to continue. "As I have mentioned, we are in need of more trained warriors up the south. We lost too many to the lone wolves."

"Lone wolves?"

Kaden nodded. "They're a far more greater force than rogues. Rogues still have packs while lone wolves are wild and well, alone."

My face contorted in confusion. "You saying there's more to you guys than meets the eye? Why are you afraid of them?"

Kaden looks at Titus nervously, as if he's waiting for permission to what he has to say next. Titus briefly nods his head, having Kaden to continue.

He turns to me, his tone full of malice. "Those bastards killed more of us than we did of them. I don't know what makes them special that they're able to fight us so easily. But because of that, we train more than we already do and it's only a matter of time before we go to war with them."

"War?" I questioned.

"Indeed, M'lady. We must go to war with them in order to stop their destruction. If you've seen how the rogues fight, lone wolves do it worse and brutal." Kaden growls, the sound setting off the emergency alarms in my head.

Lennox fights fair and so does his rogues. But recalling how he smashed someone's head because he was a thief, makes me curious how these lone wolves move if they're more dangerous than Lennox and his rogues.

In order to do that, I'm gonna have to see it with my own eyes, fight them with my own hands and since Kaden basically lacks information on them, we can capture at least one to question.

If they're able to have the lone wolf talk, that is.

"I heard you guys need more people. I can help."