I breathe in the sweet, salty air as soon as I step onto the island. I have been away for far too long and have almost forgotten what it feels like to be here. However, the island is-fundamentally different. Children are running about, playing, and laughing. There is the smell of grilled fish and tropical fruits.
My gaze goes to the tall trees that line up the beach. They are the same trees I have seen so many times before. But now, they seem taller, lusher, and more alive. Or maybe, it's the residents that are more alive.
"General Brandon, I didn't know you would visit today," one werewolf remarks.
It's Roscoe, one of the adult werewolves in the hunting park. He shifts his eyes to me, and a look of recognition passes over his features.
"Kaiya!" he exclaims. Abruptly, he encloses me in a bear hug that almost takes my breath away. "You are back!"
"I am," I say, not quite believing what I am seeing now.
"You look different now," he says. "Cleaner."
"I live in a castle and am forced to take a bath every day."
"Oh, a hassle," he says, grinning. "Wait here. You should see Nowra. It will surprise her."
And so, he guides us toward the island's center-which looks different from what I remember. Not only are there small, makeshift huts, but there are also larger, well-built houses. The werewolves seem happier and more content.
And as we move into the center, I can't help but smile, my chest warming up. I am happy, seeing that they are creating a beautiful wolf pack area.
As I continue to look around, I notice something else. Amidst the hustle and bustle of the werewolves, there are other humans within them. Some are taller and more muscular than the werewolves, while others are shorter and leaner. Also, some of them are using crafted armors and swords with tools we didn't have before.
"Those are Pitchford warriors who chose to live here," General Brandon whispers. "They mated with some of the werewolves."
I can't believe my eyes. It's as if the previously hunting park–which is a place of fear, darkness, and survival–is transformed into that of hope and friendship.
I am still marveling at the change when General Brandon whispers again. "King Theo wants this place to become a paradise for the werewolves, in case they cannot assimilate on Pitchford."
"So, Pitchford kingdom supports them?"
"Yes, the rebuilding comes from King Theo. Also, he might have done it in case you want to visit or reminisce about your past. He wants you to have another home besides the one beside him."
"He told you all that?"
"No, I am just guessing."
"Or maybe he just wants this place to be a paradise so I will be trapped by his side. If Pitchford kingdom falls, so is this place."
He just shrugs his shoulders. I am about to say something when I see Nowra running towards me. There is a huge smile on her face, and she looks to have put on weight. Like me, she's no longer the thin, starved she-wolf. She seems happy and healthy.
She rams herself to me, and I accept her embrace. "Kaiya, I missed you!"
Seeing her again, finally, my tears came. My arms wind around her, and I snuggle to her chest like a child does to her mother.
"Nowra..." I cry. "I missed you so much!"
Nowra rubs my back as I cry. "It's been hard, huh?" she asks.
I nod against her chest, and she heaves a sigh of relief. "Thankfully, at least all my studying won't be a waste."
I look up at her, and she grins. She gently wipes my tears as she cups my face.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"General Brandon here mentioned that whoever passes the examination this coming month will be allowed to live in Pitchford," she says. "They provided the teachers and lessons. I am one of those students."
I stare at her in disbelief. "You mean..."
Her smile widens. "I can live with you in Pitchford, Kaiya. You don't have to miss me that much."
Instead of smiling, I burst into tears. I never imagined that she would be able to live with me. With her in the castle, it will be so much easier.
"There, there," she says. "Just wait for me for a month, and I will be there."
"I have a lot to tell you," I sniff.
"Including how King Theo is your mate?"
I nod. "But it's just one way..."
"And so you doubt his love for you?"
I nod again, and Nowra smiles. "On the other hand, I think he loves you, Kaiya. He won't care about your family if he doesn't."
"But he's... different."
"You are different, too. It just depends if you can accept that weirdness." She grins as she places a strand of my hair behind my ears. "Or maybe I am just biased with him. You see, he allowed us to learn. He freed us. And he gave us the choice whether living in the wilderness or in a more modern society like Pitchford."
"They have festivals," I interject.
"Festivals?"
"With booths and all. Their food is so tasty! And the dresses are so weird that they needed a teacher to teach me all the etiquette. And during the morning and night, you can watch the sun on the horizon and-"
Nowra suddenly hugs me. "You had some fun times, too, right?"
"And really hard times," I admit.
She rubs my back and says, "Let's talk at my house and tell me everything that happened to you."
"And you will also talk about yourself?"
"Of course! I can start with my steamy nights with the Pitchford guys," she teases, knowing I get embarrassed whenever she talks about boys.
So, when she drapes her arms over my shoulders, I wrap my hands around her slender waist. And as we make our way to her abode, a strange feeling starts to take over me-a sense of hope and a feeling of gratefulness towards Theo.