An unusually big wolf with a lush black fur walks towards me, pride and authority in it’s every step. All the other wolves around me lower their heads in respect.

If I’m not mistaken, he’s the alpha of this pack. He turns his head towards the other wolves and they all transform back into humans, even the one on top of my back, as I feel the burden lighten a little but the force is still too great for me to get up.

Werewolves. Hallelujah. 

If only I could be happy to see my kind.

“What are you doing in our territory boy” The one on pinning me asks in an infuriated tone.

“I ran away from home” I lie, well, half-lie.

“Do not think for a moment you can deceive us” another one, a female who steps out of the shadows, says in a harsh tone. The alpha just stares silently at me without transforming back, “I know you’re on a run from the rings, lowlife” she walks around and pokes my ankle where the etched emblem of the 'seven rings of hell' is prominent.

Maybe if I just play dumb “I don’t know what you are talking about. I’m a simple farmer boy who ran away from home” I snap

The alpha shifts a human, they all bow down with a gasp. He ties a knot on the robes he just pulled over his bare torso “How did you escape, little one” he demands, his voice is dripping with privilege, as if he’s used to getting answers.

Well, he ain’t getting any from me “I told you I don’t know about anything”

“Let’s just send him back, my lord. You don’t want another war with the circle of blood over this” the woman says, her tone does not match well with her appearance, considering how kind and beautiful she looks from a distance.

The alpha raises his hand and everyone goes quiet “I cannot help you if you don’t tell me anything” he states

Can I really trust this man? I just gaze back at him silently. He looks over my head and nods. The weight lifts from my back and I sit up.

He sits cross legged on the ground in front of me “Did you flee all by yourself?” his pack looks like they want to dig into the ground just so they could relocate themselves to a humbler position than their boss. 

I nod my head.

“Well then” he smiles, it could’ve felt like a gentle smile if all the people around me didn't have such a resenting look in their eyes, “I have a very special job for you, think you can prove your worth?” he adds. The woman shoots daggers from her eyes, looking at the guy as if he’s lost his mind. She must be the omega, judging by how rattled he looks from her blood lust. Omegas are the only ones who have the authority to oppose alphas.

I shrug my shoulders this time.

He takes my arm and helps me up “Welcome to the pack little wolf, what do they call you?”

“Adham” I say, trying to sound confident under the stress of broken bones that have not healed yet

“Just Adham?” The omega asks this time, strapping me onto a horse she had hidden in the shadows.

“Adham Rayyan” I say, as I find the nerve to smile. Despite her harsh words she does not treat me in a rough manner.

I think whatever place I’m headed to, it’ll be better than the one I left behind. I lightly touch my ankle to feel the skin without the burden of that damn shackle. Rayyan, I’ll survive with my head high.