Nicolai took a deep breath. The sight of Dylan by his feet really sent shivers down his spine. His still heart started to pound so loudly in his ears. His cold limbs started to become warm from the blood flow.
'Gosh. what is this... It's so overwhelming.... just looking at him I'm weak on my knees?!' he did his best to stand still.
his unwavering gaze fell on his beloved who let out another howl.
The sound of the loud howl echoed wide through the sky, awakening a few other echoes from the distance. The nearby tribes heard their alpha's howl, and they replied back.
'I wonder what they are talking about....' he thought as he glanced at the huge wolf that was at his foot.
Looking at Wolfie's golden fur, he was so tempted to just comb his fingers through the fluffy fur, and he even wanted to just faceplant into his body.
'Ahem, I can't lose my dignity like that. Focus Nico,' he told himself whilst clearing his throat.
The alpha wolf glanced his way. Wolfie's sky-blue eyes had a weird shine as he glanced at him. it was expected and... there was something else hidden inside. it was a primal need and hunger.
Gulping silently, Nicolai broke his gaze and refused to look into his eyes again. It only muddled his brain and distracted him completely from his purpose.
Today's purpose was to extend his authority over to the pack. He did not expect to achieve it with so much ease. With Wolfie the alpha wolf at his feet, it showed the others that he was the new one in control of this place.
'I can't give in and touch Dylan right now.'
he had a subconscious fear that people will start to treat him second to Dylan. that was not his aim at all. if he gave in to his wishes and touched Dylan right now, that was what will happen. Everyone will rejoice that their alpha wolf had gained a luna.
he did not want to be a luna.
Nicolai silently glanced around. Even so, he could feel some contemptuous gazes focus on him. He noted all the wolf's fur color in his mind.
They had so many enemies in this pack, but they were hidding their heads and acted tame in front of Dylan. This incident only taught him to be extra vigilant.
"wow... you look stunning," a soft exclamation snapping him out of his complicated thoughts,
Glancing to the side, he noticed Darius daringly fondling Killian's black fur. He cooed and even hugged his neck tightly.
Killian's wolf visibly trembled and sat down, swooshing his tail around excitedly.
Looking at the happy pair, Wolfie, who was by his foot, moved a bit closer. He looked like a cute puppy craving his attention.
Nicolai was tempted, but he did not give in to it. "Let the hunt begin,"
Wolfie's ears lowered in a dejected manner.
He stood up glancing at him hesitantly.
Nico gave him an insistent look. "are we just going to stand here or are we going to hunt some elk?"
The other wolves hesitantly looked toward their alpha king.
Wolfie, on the other hand, was looking at him slightly, whining.
Nico did not give in to his cute appearance; he stayed firm and gave a dull glance.
The alpha wolf finally turned to the other side and let out a less enthusiastic howl. The wolves started to walk towards the woods.
A few wolves, including Killian and two other white-furred ones, moved closer to the vampires.
Nico glanced at them questionably. "Are you here to protect them?"
The huge black wolf nodded. After that, it slightly nudged Darius's face lovingly. The young vampire giggled.
Looking at the loving exchange Nicolai knew that young Darius was not really going to participate in the hunt. He was more than happy with the interaction he was having with the huge black wolf.
"Darius.... stay safe, got it?"
"we will be safe here, elder. Go on and win this hunt~"
Nicolai chuckled. "Definitely," he picked up the gun. "Kids stick together to Darius and Killian. Don't run around. Stay safe until I get back, got it?"
"Got it~" Kiran shouted happily. Elijah just nodded. Hunter and Issac were concentrated on the game to even bother him.
"Hunter! Issac! Come on, you will miss the hunt,"
"Got it, Nico," Hunter and Issac ran back exactly. "oh my god, this forest is new territory. I'm telling you it's going to be so fun." Hunter chatted about loudly.
Two wolves walked parallel to them.
Nico slowed down a bit, and they too slowed down.
"You guys are taking care of Hunter and Issac?" he questioned them.
They both respectfully bowed.
His heart became slightly worried again.
"Good. Please take good care of them. they don't have any clue how big this forest is. Don't let them get lost or hurt. They can play a bit overboard, but please be patient with them. they are only kids,"'
"Elder!" Issac blushed. "we are not kids. We can deal with this."
Nico froze. Only then did he realize he had been worrying about them like a father would his child. He really didn't want them to get hurt in any way possible. "I know you guys are grown-ups, but in vampire age you guys are babies. After a hundred, I can consider you an adult," he mumbled.
Hunter chuckled and Issac pouted. "we are not sure we will live that long,"
Nicolai snapped his head his way. "What do you mean? Don't talk like that. you guys will live til a thousand,"
"no...." Hunter paused. "elder.... Nico. I don't think you know this, but... we don't live that long. We might be vampires, but we are not the vampire race. Our blood is technically human. We live just like humans and wolves. We don't have eternal life like you,"
Nicolai almost stumbled down in shock. "w-what? Hunter, it's.. it's not the time to joke around. how can vampires be mortal.. we are immortal beings? That's what defines us. we can't die. Only fire can kill us... we can't die of old age..."
Hunter sighed and held his trembling shoulders. "we die of old age. The ancient vampire kind that you are familiar with had long since become extinct. The ones alive are just a defected versions of them. we die of old age...."
Nico could not think at that moment. His heart was racing. And there was also that weird loud heartbeat echoing in his ears. It did not sound like his own.
As he stumbled back, he landed on something soft.
The huge blond wolf gently nudged his face and licked away the tears that had escaped his eyes.
"we... our kind.... they are mortal..." he mumbled.
Dylan slightly nuzzled his neck, trying to soothe him.
But that act only brought disgust to his heart. "my kind has been reduced to this state.... all because you ignored them.... I will never forgive you for that Dylan... not now, not in the future.... I will never forgive you for that..."