Faint voices called out to me like whispers in a fog, pulling me in. It is the voice of a woman. "She's a human." She said in marvel. "A strange human indeed and she smell different." One of the women said, her voice dripping with awe. Her hand went to my hair, feeling it and sniffing it. I flinched and as if she sensed it, withdrew herself. I blink my eyes adjusting to the light before sitting up.
"Here have this glass of water," The lady handed me a glass of water and watched me gulp it down. My throat was pretty perched. "You were out for three days. I am Mabel and these are my friends Aesria, Serena and Martha."
They were all elderly but strong and had unusual eye colour and sun-kissed skin. They looked very gorgeous and friendly with their soft smiles. Mabel handed me a tray filled with delicacies I haven't seen before in my life. I immediately grabbed a bit of the dried, stone looking fruit. My eyes literally sparkled when the flavour splashed on my tongue. I moaned, munching more down.
"What's this fruit? I haven't had this before." I said munching down on more. "It's called Date fruit. It doesn't grow in your area only here in our territory because we have enough resources to allow it thrive." Martha said with an amused smile on her face. I ate with such ferociousness I didn't think I had.
When I was done, I wiped myself clean and stood up. I bowed in appreciation before she lifted me up with a wave of her hand. "It is no use child. You needed help and you were quite intriguing." With a curious gaze, I tilted my head, "Intriguing? I think I looked weak and different."
"Different is what you are but weak isn't by far what you smell like but anyway it's just a theory." Mabel chuckled. "As for your husband he is resting in the other room. He hasn't opened his eyes yet but he's recovering though."
"He is not my husband," I muttered clutching my head. The headaches were unbearable but for some reason I can't explain.
"The Alpha said you can rest but for three days before you meet him at his courts." Aesria murmured giving me a wary look.
Dread filled me instantly. The Alpha hated humans so much it was rumored that he wiped an entire village filled with humans.
"The Alpha took a liking to you," Mabel mused with a sly smile. "It is rare to see him offer hospitality to you humans."
Rumours about him were plenty and horrid. Even I was scared. I heard he is different from other Alphas from different packs and is superior to them. Questions flooded my mind. I needed to act fast.
"Thank you so much. You people are not what we were taught about from childhood." I said in admiration and shock. I wanted to know these people more. We were taught that they were evil, an abomination to the earth and they were created to serve us, that they were filthy and not worthy of attention or anything good not to mention how feral they acted.
"Lucien of the Blood Moon pack, you crossed into his land girl count yourself lucky you're still alive." Mabel said, a hint of pride in her voice. I stopped to think for a while. Lucien, I have heard that name somewhere before but where? "So I should see him and give me my gratitude."
"Yes darling but in the mean time focus on your recovery. You look thin and should eat more." Mabel said. She turned to her friends who were silent the whole time. "You should tend to her now. I have somewhere to be."
Mabel left leaving me with her friends. I became curious about the land. What does this land have to offer? Why is that name so familiar?
Serena touched my shoulder snapping me out of my thoughts. "You seem bothered, something on your mind?" I glanced at her before looking straight ahead. There are lies that we've been told for so long.
"Nothing really just tired," I watch her grind herbs in a bowl. I stood watching wih narrowed gaze. "Are you doing witchcraft?" I sat by her watching closely. The spice didn't seem to affect me neither was she chanting any spell.
"No not really. We have sorcerers but they mainly connect with nature and are purer than witches' dark magic." She chuckled. "I am grinding herbs for your friend over there." I chuckled awkwardly, scratching my hair. "I really want to learn about herbs though." I said inching closer. "Can I help though?"
Serena passed me the bowl and the stone and I did my best but it came out clumsily. I was sweaty and flushed and embarrassed at the way Serene and the others stared at me. "You are doing it wrong."
"I didn't realise there was a wrong way to crush leaves." I said sarcastically. Martha scoffed. "There is a wrong way to everything if you do it like a human."
Serena smacked Martha lightly with her towel.
"Mind your tongue, Martha. She's learning." Aesria shrugged, "It's true though. At least she's trying. The last one who helped spilled a whole pot of honey root on the floor."
We all laughed. Serena shows me how to go about it and so far, I'm improving.
Days passed, Marcus was getting better and I was helping the ladies get some herbs. The villagers were starting to notice my presence and it was safe to say some wasn't happy with my presence but they didn't attack me in any way.
More than three days has passed and the alpha hasn't mentioned anything about my presence as if he was taking his time on purpose. But daily Mabel report the situation to his beta and they relay it to him. I haven't seen the Alpha but I could feel his commanding presence lurking.
As I was working at the backyard, Mabel dropped by with a seal. I already knew it was my time to meet him.
The Alpha wants to see me. Was I ready to face the wrath of the leader of the people who we oppressed for generations?