THE ISLAND WOLF - EPISODE 67

Avril was a little downtrodden when she learned that Dakar had left the pack. She wanted to see him the next day, after her brief encounter with him. It was Camper who told her that he went on a solo trip. Surprisingly, he had come for a visit that day Dakar left.
“Any problem, Camper?” she had asked him as she saw him in the living room. Aida had come to tell her he was around.

“Nothing, just came to keep you company. Is Verona still here?” he had asked in return.
“Right here. What is it, Camps?” came Verona’s voice from the balcony of the upper floor. She was looking down at them.
“Nothing, just asked. Anyway, Fiorella, may I sit?”
Avril nodded and he sat down and heaved a sigh.
“What did your creepy prince want you for?” Verona asked as she climbed down the stairs. Avril just sat at another couch.
“He’s leaving Remus, again,” Camper replied and Avril’s neck strained.
“What? Why? Where’s he going?” she asked amd Verona peered at her for a few seconds.
“He didn’t tell me. Don’t worry, he takes random trips like that,” Camper said and waved it off like it was nothing. Avril frowned and leaned back. Was it that Dakar didn’t want to see her again? But Avril remembered that he had lost his memory so she waved it off.
“So, Fiorella, how are you liking our pack? Sure, it’s not as modern as your world but we like to keep it this way,” Camper said, he was cooking up a conversation.

“It’s nice. I like the buildings,” she answered without looking up at him.
“It’s autumn, so it’s not that pretty. Wait until it’s either spring or summer, you’ll be wowed,” he stated and grinned. She chuckled and sat up.
“So, I’m staying here forever, right?” she asked.
“Yeah, except if you want to turn rogue. Oh, I forgot, you’re human,” he replied. Verona’s eyebrows had furrowed when he mentioned rogue. Avril remembered Aida had said she was once a rogue too. But what was a rogue?

“I used to be a rogue. Crazy life I must say,” Verona spoke up.
“What’s a rogue?”
“Rogue wolves. They don’t belong to any pack and are living at dangerous and lonely places. They’re bad, scary, terrorists and killers. They usually attack innocent wolves that wander out of their pack,” Aida answered from nowhere. How did she get to the living room so fast? Verona shot her a glare and she clasped her hand over her mouth.
“Not all rogues are killers,” Verona retorted.
“Why were you a rogue?” Avril asked.
“Parents died and I ran away from the pack because I was going to get pinned down by my alpha for some sh*tty thing my dad did. I couldn’t take that punishment so I ran far away. I’m from America, actually.
Avril mouthed an “Oh,” after Verona concluded.

“Brunch is ready!” Aida announced excitedly. Camper’s face trailed up to her and he smirked.
“Hi,” he said to her. Aida flapped her lashes in a cute way at him.
“Wow. Girl, have we met before?” he asked getting up from the couch.
“Yes, we have,” Aida answered. Camper stood in front of her and pushed her chin up with his index finger. He brought his face closer to hers.
“I think you’re the prettiest girl I’ve seen today,” he mused and bit his lower lip.
“Camps, let go of her or I’ma rip your balls off,” came Verona’s harsh voice. Camper frowned and looked at the gothic girl sitting and looking at her phone.
“I need my balls,” he retorted.
“Let go of her then,” Avril chirped and he scoffed and walked away from Aida.
“Why do the pretty ones always have guardians?” he asked no one in particular as he walked out of the door. Aida chuckled and walked away from the room.

Verona looked up at Avril as they were the only two left in the room.
“So, we’re friends already. Aren’t we?” she asked.
“Yes. You’re nice. I like you,” Avril answered.
“Cool. I’ll want to meet your friends too. Hopefully, this week.”
“All right.”

They went to the kitchen few seconds later to eat something.

__________
Avril paced up and down her room impatiently. She looked at the door and back at the floor as she walked left and right.
“Won’t you at least sit down?” Gia asked from the sofa.
”I am actually releasing a lot of tension by walking like this,” came Avril’s reply.
“Yeah, I give up!” Gia announced and fell back on the couch. Aida chuckled beside her and got on her feet. It was another week and they were wearing a different uniform. They now wore a light green dress with the same style and same ribbons on their arms like the previous one. Aida had her hair down this time and she was absolutely beautiful.

Finally, the door opened and Verona walked in. She was wearing a short red skirt, and a big white sweater. It was cold outside. Her boots were white but she had chains all over and piercings. Her tattoo was also visible on her leg. An eagle.

“Did you get them?” Avril quickly asked.
“Chill, Fiorella. I told you I was going to get them,” Verona drawled with an eye roll. She pulled out two tickets from under her sweater and waved them I’m Avril’s face.
“Whoah! You got them,” Avril excitedly yelled and snatched the tickets. It was a Friday, one week after Avril and her friends were brought to Remus. Her branding was already miraculously healed and hurt only when she pressed it hard. She and her maidens had been walking around the concubines quarters for a few days until they got tired of rotating the same place. She wanted to reach the main palace and not Prince Dakar’s Chambers only. It was then she remembered about The Weak End Fist. It was already Friday morning when she remembered but she still let Verona know. Unfortunately, the tickets were already sold out so she had to wait until the next Friday. Avril really wanted to go to that fight, so Verona decided to use backdoor means to get her ticket. She was warned that it might not be successful if truly all the tickets were sold out. Avril’s hope was crushed again. But, Verona had returned with the tickets.

“I didn’t want to go this week, but I changed my mind because of you. I’ll accompany you there.”
“Thanks, Vee,” Verona scowled at the mention of that name.
“Don’t call me that,” she grumbled.
“I will think about it,” Avril said with a smirk and she walked to the sofa with a chuckle. She sat between Aida and Gia then stared at the tickets in her hand.

***
Prince Dakar had taken a long shower after he returned and was wearing a black bathrobe. He had not showered for five days straight and had been walking through a not so friendly environment until he reached his destination. Sure, Anthena was expecting him. She was a creepy old witch. She heard his complaint and offered to help him but he had to keep doing something since her help was only temporary and not fixed.

Camper was surprised to see Dakar already back but he didn’t press him with questions knowing he could snap. But he noticed something about his best friend. He appeared lively and would even wear something resembling a smile on his face. It wasn’t a smile, but it wasn’t anything near a frown either. However, Camper was shocked when he noticed Dakar doing something new.

“Smoking?” he asked with a dropped jaw. Dakar ran his fingers through his long hair and exhaled. He didn’t want Camper or anyone to know he now smoked.
“Don’t run your mouth out,” he ordered.
“When did you start smoking? Is that weed? Why not start with a cigarette first?”

Dakar shut his eyes and held his breath. What was he going to do with this friend of his?
“Camper, do me a favor and don’t stay in the same room as me,” he said gently.
“You returned a few minutes ago and now smoking without handing me a souvenir.”
Camper frowned and was about to leave the room when he heard Dakar’s voice again.

“Get me Fiorella for the night,” he ordered firmly.
Camper turned like he didn’t hear anything. He stared at Dakar’s back as he gazed out of his window, smoking a brown paper. He didn’t utter any other word so Camper just strolled away. He reached Avril’s house in no time and luckily, he met her outside with her maidens.

“The prince is back,” he announced and Avril’s eyes lit up.
“Really?” she asked.
“Yeah. He wants you in his room right now,” Camper said and Avril froze. The world seemed to have been paused and her breath seized.
“What?” she managed to ask.
“Prince Dakar doesn’t like being kept waiting. He’s not really a patient man so please come with me.”

Avril’s heartbeat increased and got louder. She had really wanted him to return already, but wasn’t expecting to be called upon. She was heading to Verona’s house so they could go outside the palace to the Weak End Fist. Now she was going to the prince instead? What was going to happen there? She looked back at her maidens a d they giggled at her. She frowned and looked at Camper.
“Okay, take me there,” she said and walked with him. They reached his castle in a few minutes and he opened the big door leading inside. It wasn’t her first time in, but like the first time, she was extremely nervous.

She knew what could happen in there with the Prince. He didn’t call his concubine to sing him a lullaby. Avril didn’t want Dakar to touch her if he didn’t remember her. She wanted her own Dakar from the island to be the one to hold her.

“Go in,” Camper said with a smirk as he pointed to a half closed door. She pushed it open and entered a magnificent room. It was way larger than hers and more beautiful. The touches of red in the room gave it a tough aura.

Then, she saw him sitting by a study table and reading something. Her heart totally stopped working that second. His hair was down and he was wearing his bathrobe still. He pushed his chair and it swiveled around. His gaze met with hers.

“Prince Dakar,” she found her lips pronouncing. He got on his feet and took gentle and slow strides towards her. He was like a predator trying to pounce on his prey unawares. Avril moved back as he got nearer to her.
“Fiorella,” his voice drawled and Avril’s back hit something had. She cussed. Why had there got to be a wall there at that moment?
His hand moved up and rested firmly against the wall beside her. He peered down at her. The herbs he smoked worked. He was not feeling any pain or hearing Dojo’s voice.

With one hand, he pulled Avril’s waist and away from the wall and to himself.