Born To Rule
Chapter 2:

In the woods

Chief: “Parker.”

Parker: “Chief.”

Chief: “Any leads?”

Parker: “I’m sorry Chief but there never seems to be any leads. Whoever this guy is, he covers his tracks well.”

Chief: “We need to do better. People are dying. There must be a clue around here.”

Parker: “We’ve covered everywhere, chief.”

Chief: “What’s this?”

Parker: “Oh that? That’s just a wolf print we found earlier today. We both know a lone wolf couldn’t have done this.”

In Chief’s head: This is no regular paw print. What are you?

In Accalia’s head: Where am I?

Accalia: “Hello?! Hello?! Is anybody there?!”

Unknown Voice: “Don’t worry, it won’t be long now.”

Accalia: “What? Who are you?!”

In Accalia’s head: What the hell kind of dream was that? Those eyes…

Accalia’s Wolf: “That’s what you get for watching a horror movie before bed.”

In Accalia’s head: Less sarcasm. I guess we should get up but five more minutes.

Milena’s Wolf: “Will you ever learn?”

In Milena’s head: Nope.

Milena: “Psst, Accalia. Wake up.”

In Accalia’s head: Seriously?!

Accalia: “You better start running.”

In Milena’s head: Where the hell did she get a knife?

Milena’s Wolf: “Who the hell gives a shit? Run!”

In Accalia’s head: She’s crazy.

Milena’s Mindlink: “Be ready in ten minutes.”

Accalia’s Mindlink: “What for?”

In Accalia’s head: I guess we should start getting ready.

Milena’s Mindlink: “Would you hurry up?! (in the living room)”

In Milena’s head: Where is she?

Accalia: “Why the sudden rush? I’m hungry.”

Milena: “There’ll be plenty of time for food afterwards.”

Accalia: “After what?”

Milena: “Have you forgotten that tomorrow is a certain someone’s birthday?”

Accalia: “Your point is?”

Milena: “Because…me, Cheyenna, and Axel turn twenty one. We’ve finally come of age and in honor of this event, my dad gave permission to throw a party.”

Accalia: “You woke me up for this?”

In Milena’s head: Don’t kill her.

Milena: “We can finally venture into the nearby town to shop for killer outfits.”

Accalia: “Why do wolves need killer outfits? We’re mythical creatures not teenage human girls.”

Milena: “Think about it, when are we ever allowed to leave our pack territory unsupervised? This special day only comes once in our lifetime. Come with me?”

In Accalia’s head: Oh no…not the puppy dog eyes. Damn it.

Accalia: “Sorry, Milena. You're right, it is your special day. I'm just not feeling up for it. I'm sure the other she-wolves will go with you though.”

Milena: “You're probably right. What will you do in the meantime?”

Accalia: “I'm gonna go hunting. (Gunner’s office)”

Gunner: “But it's my offspring's birthday tomorrow. Are you sure this can't wait? Understood. Me and my mate will be there.”

Gunner’s Mindlink: “Get ready. We have to leave first thing tomorrow morning. (in the garden)”

Accalia: “Do you smell that, Sesi?”

Accalia’s Wolf: “I sure do.”

Accalia: “Right, keep heading north. (in the woods)”

In Accalia’s head: Okay, target is acquired. Are you ready, Sesi? Sesi? Hello?!

Accalia: “Ugh, my head.”

Gunner’s Mindlink: “Everyone meet in the main foyer right away. (one hour later)”

Gunner: “Now that everyone is here, me and Nikita have some news that we would like to discuss with you all. We’ve been summoned to attend an important meeting that requires us to leave first thing tomorrow morning.”

Milena: “Does this mean you won't be here for the party?”

Gunner: “Sadly not.”

Milena: “Me and your father are sorry that we have to miss such an important event. However, we trust you all to be responsible while we are away. We’ll be back first thing the next day.”

Gunner: “Extra security will be posted outside the main pack house and around our territory borders. I expect a phone call at midnight to let us know how you are all getting on as we will be too far away for our mindlink connection to work. Now with that being said, I need to go and make a few more arrangements ready for tomorrow. I'll see you all later on.”

Milena: “How was hunting? Catch anything?”

Accalia: “Not quite.”

Milena: “Wanna go out and try again? I can come with you.”

Axel: “Hey, Accalia.”

Accalia: “Hi, Axel.”

Milena: “Well, I can see that this is a private conversation.”

Accalia: “What's up?”

Axel: “I overheard your plans to go hunting with Milena. Uh…I was gonna ask if you wanted to watch a movie with me?”

Accalia: “Oh. Umm, sure. That sounds nice.”

Axel: “Great, I was thinking we could watch a romance. Girls like that right?”

In Accalia’s head: I mean, I was hoping for more of a horror movie, but okay.

Accalia: “Romance it is. (Axel’s room watching a movie)”

Ross: “Wait up, Francesca.”

Francesca: “It's not my fault you're so slow.”

Ross: “Slow am I?”

Francesca: “Okay, okay. Please stop!”

Ross: “Say I win.”

Francesca: “You win.”

Ross: “Marry me.”

Francesca: “What?”

Ross: “You heard me, marry me. I love you with all my heart, please be mine.”

Francesca: “Yes.”

In Axel’s head: I bet she's feeling emotional.

In Accalia’s head: That's one hour of my life I'll never get back.

Axel: “So, what did you think?”

Accalia: “Ah yeah…it was good. Very, uh, romantic.”

Axel: “Thank you for spending time with me.”

Accalia: “No problem. You know I'm always up for a movie.”

Axel: “I'm gonna get a drink, want anything?”

Accalia: “I'm okay, thank you.”

Axel: “Okay, I'll be right back. (twenty minutes later)”

In Accalia’s head: Where is he?

Accalia’s Mindlink: “Axel, where are you?”

In Accalia’s head: So much for coming back.

Reporter: “My name is Freya Smith, bringing you the breaking news. It’s been reported that three men have gone missing while hunting in Canada. This takes the total to a shocking nine victims this year alone. I have the chief of police with me to give us further details. Chief Kan! Can I call you Kane?”

Chief: “No.”

Reporter: “Oh Kane, you crack me up. Anyway, on with the interview. So Kane, can you tell us why these disappearances keep happening?”

Chief: “We can't. The perpetrator is exceptionally good at covering up his or her tracks. No human prints are found at the crime scene. The public always have similar stories, such as last seeing the victim's head towards areas teeming with dense forests. It's like the victim vanishes.”

Reporter: “You heard it hit first folks, the criminal is still at large with no leads. I doubt these men will ever be found alive and they most certainly will not be the last to be taken. Kane, don’t leave. Come on, don't be like this. (later that night on the cliff)”

In Accalia’s head: I don't know why I'm always drawn to this spot. Maybe it's the feel of the cool, crisp air, tickling my skin. Maybe it's how the world seems to fall silent, except for the sound of crickets playing a sweet melody throughout the night and the waves crashing against the rocks. Simply because I feel at peace with myself and everything around me. Even though Sesi isn’t currently communicating with me I can still feel her snout rise high in the air, taking in every scent from miles around. Ears perked up high at the top of her head, taking in every little sound. Eyes squeezed shut, enjoying the feeling of the cooling breeze brushing over her white, thick fur. It sounds like this, we don't even need to speak.

Elya: “I knew I’d replace you here.”

Accalia: “Elya? What are you both doing here?”

Elya: “Someone needs to put you in your place.”

Accalia: “What do you mean?”

Elya: “You might already be the omega of this pack but you're dead weight. Think about it. You don't participate in any activities with us and as an unrelated she wolf, there's no way I'm letting you potentially become the new luna.”

Accalia: “I don't wanna be the pack’s new luna.”

Elya: “You could never be the ruler of any pack. You're only with us because your parents died. You really think the alpha and luna wanted to raise a pup that wasn't theirs? You're nothing more than a burden to everyone and I release you.”

Accalia: “What do you mean? (Elya pushes Accalia over the cliff)”

Elya: “Goodbye, Accalia.”

In Accalia’s head: I don't know what happened. Everything went dark.

Unknown Voice: “Stay awake!”

In Accalia’s head: You again. The same voice for my dreams. Tell me who you are.

Unknown Voice: “I can't do that, but I need you to stay awake.”

In Accalia’s head: Are you some kind of spirit?

Unknown Voice: “Listen to me Accalia, if you stay in this water any longer you're gonna drown. I need you to snap out of it. Our time will come, I promise.”

Accalia’s Wolf: “Accalia, I'm taking over.”

In Accalia’s head: It all happened quickly. In less than a second, Sesi appeared from the furthest part of my mind and took full control. We switched places and I was at the mercy of her actions. The all too familiar sound of bones bending and breaking pierced my ears. Surprisingly it didn't hurt…not anymore. Sooner or later you become habituated to the feeling. Coarse, thick fur surrounds my entire body. All four canines extend to five inch, razor sharp fangs. My spine elongates until I'm on all fours. My senses become intensely heightened. My reflexes become sharper. I’ve transformed into the world's most deadly predator. With a few strong kicks, Sesi breaches the surface of the water and smells the calm air feeling in our lungs. She proceeds to swim over to the water’s edge and climb out. Sesi checked her surroundings before arching her head back and letting out a mournful howl. She then lets me reclaim control. After taking a few sharp breaths I headed home in the hopes that no one from the pack would detect me. (in the bathroom). A wave of emotion washed over me all at once. Pain, confusion, betrayal. Anger. How dare they! I could feel my core temperature rising like a volcano ready to erupt at any moment. Tears began to strain my eyes. I’ve never felt consumed by my emotions. Soon they’ll pay. They’ll all pay. (Accalia breaks the mirror glass). What just happened?!