"So, tell me… how did part of my soul become the lifeline of that damned tree?" Dane barked.
Isaiah took a deep breath as he tried to calm himself. It has been a while since he felt a strong pressure like this. He does not feel ashamed that he felt intimidated by a shifter that was younger than himself. Though, it could be said that Dane was older than him.
Soon after, Isaiah slowly explained about how part of Dane's soul was first discovered at the Oaks. One could imagine a soul similar to a ghost fluttering around in the air, looking for a body. But instead, it found the nearly dying tree. That huge tree was one of the Cairin pack's foundations and was strongly protected by the Cairin pack. However, it slowly weakened after non-stop attacks from Rehan back then.
Just as it was about to die, Dane's soul arrived and inhabited the tree. For years, it had helped in healing the tree. At first, the Cairin packs thought that it was a miracle that the tree was suddenly cured, albeit slowly. However, only Isaiah knows as he noticed a sign of a different life inside the tree. He had kept this information all these years because for his selfish purpose; he needed that soul to help cure the tree. Even if they were known as a pack that was strong in healing but it wasn't enough for the tree.
It had been years since Dane's soul had inhabited the tree. Because of the long duration of possession, it seems like the soul became disoriented as it continued to stay there. It was no wonder the soul did not react when Erick once visited the Oaks that first time.
But now that Dane has his other soul fragments, making his senses more strong, he could finally sense that last fragment.
After Isaiah was done talking, there was a moment of silence as the other shifters from the Kendall packs and Amber tried to digest all the information they had received inside their minds.
Dane then broke the silence and stared at Isaiah straight in the eye. "I want my soul back."
A couple of hours later, Dane and the rest of the Kendall packs, together with the Keene siblings were standing in front of the tree where Dane's last soul fragment resided.
Isaiah was with one of the Cairin elders on the other side, discussing on how to retrieve the soul out. At first, when the elder knew the whole story of what had happened, he rejected the notion of removing the soul from the tree. However, he took back his rejection when Dane had glared at him, threatening him without words.
Remi, who was clueless about the whole thing, kept tugging on his sister's clothes, shooting questions of whats, whys and hows. At first, he was scared when he saw his sister being stolen away by a huge werewolf. He was really shocked when he saw his big brother Erick changed to a werewolf.
It took Hamish, Jeayan and Dex some time to explain to the little boy about shifters and what they were. But being a little boy, rather than getting more scared, he was in reverence, as his eyes turned shiny with admiration. So, now that he knew Erick and Dane were the same person, he wasn't that scared anymore. Then again, it does not stop him from firing more questions at Amber.
The latter, not knowing how to answer, just quietly shushed him and said that she will tell him later.
The little boy wasn't satisfied with the answers that his sister had given him but seeing the grave look on each person's faces, he was smart enough to stop his questions and be silent.
Soon after, Isaiah walked over to Dane and said some words to him, to which the latter nodded.
Isaiah turned around to look at the Cairin elder and nodded, who returned the nod. He then took a few steps forward until he was standing exactly in front of the tree. He made a small nick on his hand and then dropped a bit of his blood on the roots of the tree.
It was eerily quiet after that little drop. And suddenly, the ground beneath them started to shake, making it feel like there was an earthquake that was happening at that moment.
Makena and Ezekiel, who had just returned from duties, quickly rushed over when they felt the sudden tremors. It seems the tremors could be felt throughout the Oaks.
"Grandfather!"
"Alpha!"
The two ran over to the two sides of Isaiah Cairin. "Grandfather, what happened?" Makena asked, worry evident in her eyes and tone as she wrapped her arm around his.
Isaiah placed a hand over hers and shook his head, saying without words that there was nothing to be overly concerned about.
Seeing how the Alpha was fine and did nothing, Ezekiel took a step back and waited patiently, behind the two.
The tremors underneath them took quite some time that it attracted many shifters to their side. It was fortunate that the Cairin pack was organized and disciplined as they were able to maintain order around them.
At that moment, people there had their eyes concentrated on the tree, ignoring the trembling below them as they awaited what would happen next.
"What the frick is going on here??"
Hamish, Dex and Jeayan turned around and was surprised to see Bastian standing not far from them, his eyes on the huge tree, looking baffled and in shock.
"What are you doing here? You're alone?" Hamish asked as they watched the other young man walking towards them.
"My pack was invited for the festival here. I was walking around when I felt the tremors. I followed my instincts and it brought me here," Bastian answered, his eyes still on the tree.
Before Hamish could answer him, Dane, who was in front of him, suddenly surged forward, towards the tree. Soon after, they could see something coming out from the tree, hovering in the air. Despite its weak appearance, they could feel the strength and power from that soul.
Once he could see the soul, Dane immediately let out a huge roar and in seconds, the soul that was drifting above rushed towards the lycan. Amber and Remi, who were standing next to him, could feel the intense pressure sweeping towards them that they nearly fell down. It was fortunate that Hamish and Jeayan were quick on their feet as they rushed to pull them away from Dane.
After moving to safety, followed by the other nearby shifters, there was only Dane crouching on his feet, in front of the tree. The soul was already inside Dane.
And at that moment, similar to the previous incidents where he merged with his other soul fragments, he felt like there were thousands of needles stabbing on his head as prickling heat overcame his body and more. His claws dug down on the ground as he tried to withstand the pain that was surging throughout his body.
Although he could not see what was happening to him physically, the others could as they watched in awe and shock.
What used to be dark had now turned to white; his front body, legs and head had now turned to white, making him look like a true Lycan. No, he is the true Lycan!
After what felt like hours but actually long minutes, Dane finally stood up. Compared to before, he became bigger with his fangs and claws more pronounced and sharp. His amber eyes glistened against the white fur, making it more striking.
He then raised his head up to the sky and howled loudly, as if to announce his return.
The surrounding shifters immediately kneeled down towards Dane.
Amber and Remi, who were still clueless about what had happened, had no idea what to do next so they too followed the others as they kneeled.
Dane cricked his neck and looked over at the other side of the area. "Seems like they are here," he commented.
Hello everyone! I'm back, hopefully for a long time. Please pray for my health haha. Anyway, I'm sorry for being MIA for some time. So, yeah, we're back to normal now. Thank you for your understanding and patience!