An encounter of old friends

"You should come in," Audolf said rudely to Fridolf. Both men will agree that they hate each other. Fridolf hates the guts of Audolf. He hates how courageous Audolf can be. Everything about Audolf is just unnecessary. Even to the point of his existence. If he would kill him right at that moment, he would. And when Audolf asked him to come in, he didn't appreciate him. He just walked into the corridor that leads towards the courtroom. It has been years since he last came to this room. He is one of the first who had left the courtroom with Horgan on the day, Horgan accused the Ultimate Alpha of incompetency. He marched out with Horgan even though it was not for the same reason as Horgan. He had his own beef against the Ultimate Alpha. It's not Horgan's cause that he was fighting for. Not until recent times did he join Horgan and they both have the same mission of wrecking the Ultimate Alpha.

He walks inside the courtroom right behind Audolf. A nostalgic air hit him. He remembered the days he used to come here. When everything meant well and everyone was a friend. When he just became a new Alpha. How much love he has for Ultimate Alpha Adalwolf. And he wondered how the love had turned to what he has now. He had always imagined returning to this room. This is the same courtroom he always planned on returning to one day. But not in this situation or a subordinate to anybody, not even Horgan. He had planned to be the Ultimate Alpha himself. And then he will open the barrier to the new world. The idea that humans live beyond the confines of Asark has become popular nowadays, but most of the common werewolves are not interested. Most of them are just interested in living their day-to-day life activities without disturbances from anything. They enjoy the peace they have. The comfort they have and rest of mind. But those who are in power have a different agenda. It is a popular saying in Asark that your social status will limit your aspirations. Only those in power will source more power. And those that are ruled will be comfortable with being ruled forever.

"Ah! Look who I have here. Fridolf, aren't my days coming to an end," Adalwolf greeted him the moment he saw him. He smiled.

"How have you been? And since you left, you never came back to me for once," Adalwolf pouted for a moment.

"It already hit him this hard?" Fridolf whispered to Audolf. Audolf didn't reply. The sight of Adalwolf is nothing as to what he is expecting. He was expecting to still be a bit agile. At least not as frail as he looks. This is not what he was expecting. Not this man who is near death.

"So you must have been the shadow Ultimate Alpha," he whispered to Audolf again.

"There is no need to know what I am," Audolf barked at him silently. Both of them have their guards up. Even though Audolf isn't interested in fighting him, he has to protect Adalwolf. And for this reason, he moved forward past Fridolf and went closer to Adalwolf.

"It's no fun coming to see a man who won't listen to your opinions," Fridolf said loudly. He meant every contempt that might be gotten from his statement. Audolf grinned.

"That's so like you," Adalwolf giggled.

"Why are you here Fridolf?" Audolf asked. He cut the formalities short.

"Now! Come on, don't be cold to him, he is an old friend," Adalwolf replied.

"I am an old friend? Did you consider that when your guards had my son chained up before people from my pack? Did you consider that when you kept my sim in your lock?" He barked at Adalwolf, staring deep at him. He points his fingers at both of them. He moved a bit closer towards Adalwolf. Audolf grinned and growled. Adalwolf changed his sitting position, and had his palm, carrying his chin.

"What did your honorable son do?" Adalwolf asked.

"Narration will change according to what you want your guards to say. Why don't you bring my son here to explain himself?" Fridolf said not reducing the tension in the hair. His grey hair stood out. He is brown just like his son. They aren't of mixed color like most other people pack in Asark. They are brown. The Ultimate Pack has variations in the color of their offspring.

"Oh! I heard he committed a crime by beating up a Felan. And not just a Felan, the one that is supposed to be betrothed to my son. Leowulf's perfect woman. And to crown it all, during the time of peace." Adalwolf said, smiling. He waved his hand at Fridolf.

Fridolf got irritated. His surprise can't be contained. How on earth is Leowulf supposed to get married to Mara. Mara is Horgan's daughter. Leowulf is the Ultimate Alpha's son. That's an impossible re-union. He wondered if Horgan had always known all along. And he had wasted his son's time by making his son fall in love with his daughter.

"Horgan will never do that," he replied.

"He will never do what? He will never give his daughter to me?" Adalwolf smiled.

The more Adalwolf's smile lingers, the more irritated Fridolf gets. He wanted to act. But he needed to confirm what he was hearing. He needs to understand the situation. What plans that cunny Horgan has going on.

"I do not care what he does and what he doesn't, I just need to see my son," he said calmly. There is no need to get angry over such a discussion. He will only be at a disadvantage. And the longer his son stays in the prison, the more risk they are at and the more dishonor his pack will get. He needed to get his son out of there at all costs. Fridolf gave a sharp glance at Audolf. The annoying one who thinks he is the strongest.

"What am I supposed to do to get my son out of here?" He asked meekly.

"Receive the punishment every defaulter of the law will receive,"

"Hmmm!" Adalwolf grunted. Fridolf saw the look of discomfort from him. His eyes winced. It felt like something was troubling him. Well, there could be many things bothering him. His longevity should be one. He doesn't care what happens, he just needs to get his son out.

"So every defaulter must be punished regardless of their positions right?" Adalwolf asked.

"Yes! Brother. Every single one of them. Even if it is me who breaks the law for no just reason. Even if it is I who attack dames for the sake of exerting dominance," Audolf said angrily. If he gets the chance, he acts like he could spit at Fridolf and kick him out of the room.

"Lord Adalwolf," Fridolf called. His face lit up in confusion. His anger dissipated and a bit of apologetic face took over.

"I know. Fridolf I understand. That's my brother's verdict," he smiled.

"You know how strict Audolf can be. At times, he scares me too," Adalwolf smiled looking at Audolf. Audolf has his eyes on Fridolf and he doesn't know what his brother is doing. Adalwolf sticks his tongue at his brother. He nodded his head and mocked him. Fridolf switched his eyes from Adalwolf to Audolf. But he tried his best to avoid Audolf's eyes.

"So this is it. There might be some exceptions for the execution of the law. Your son is supposed to be punished according to the law. He is supposed to stay in confinement till the next moon, but for the sake of old friends, I will release him tomorrow," Adalwolf said. Audolf looked uncomfortable with the decision, but he didn't say anything.

"Do you want to see him now? If you want, you can go. Audolf will take you there," Adalwolf announced with his eyes brow raised for his brother's reaction. Fridolf also expected Audolf to turn to his brother and ask why he would be allowed to see him. But he remained static and focused on Fridolf just like he has been.

Fridolf looked at Audolf. Fridolf nodded in approval.

"Audolf, please take him to his son. Don't worry, your son is in good condition." Audolf stood. He nodded to Fridolf to turn and move towards the door. Fridolf walked towards the door. Audolf looked at his brother. He smiled. He bowed and turned to leave. Adalwolf returned his smile.

"One more thing," Adalwolf raised his hands to his lip. He covered his lips. Both of them turned at him.

"Both of you should not cause a scene," he said. He waved his hands at them, and they turned.



"Is this what they call good condition?" Fridolf screamed immediately as he entered the entrance of the cell. It's unarguably the worst one in the whole palace. It reeks of everything horrible in the world combined. Even Audolf couldn't come in.

"Father!" Aaron cried from within the darkness he was confined to. His thick manly voice broke his father's rail of thoughts. His father's appearance gave him hope. He came out. But he couldn't embrace his father.

He looks pitiful. He has no injuries but his face is stained. Everything disgusting could be found on his body.

"Aaron! What have you done?" His father asked him coldly. Even though Fridolf is concerned about his father's appearance and health, he acts less concerned and shouts at him.

"I am sorry father. I am so sorry," Aaron apologizes on his knees.

"Why? What led you to hit Mara. Hitting Mara is even the least of my concern. Why didn't you carry out the mission? What happened? Why did Mara come into the picture?" Fridolf asked, whispering.

"Father! It's Lord Horgan. He is at the center of it all," Aaron cried out. His voice was shaking. Fridolf didn't look at his son's eyes at that moment. His son crying? That is something that he can't stand.

"I met Mara at the market. Father, Lord Horgan allowed his daughter to move freely with Leowulf,"

"I know about that. And I am confused as to why he allows that. Couldn't he have warned his daughter not to be in danger front?" Fridolf asked angrily.

"Has he lost control of his home or is he toying with us?" Fridolf wondered.

"I am sorry father," Aaron said again. "I let love take over my duty and logic,"

"It's okay son. Why didn't your crew try to rescue you?" Fridolf asked.

"They locked the door to the market's entrance. They asked for reinforcement. If they had tried rescuing me, it would have got worse," Aaron replied.

"I know," Fridolf said sadly. He knows the two disgrace he would face at the next meeting of the Alphas. First, his dear son whom he is so proud of failed the mission assigned to him and he was caught. His son nearly compromised their secrecy.
But his son should not just be blamed. Horgan needs to be questioned. What was his daughter doing at the market?

"Father, when did they say I am getting out?" Aaron asked.

"Tomorrow. Tomorrow, I will be here to pick you up with new clothes and entourage. You have to keep the same energy you have always had. Be proud of who you are," Fridolf encouraged his son. He couldn't touch him. Well if not for any other reason, the dirt of course.

"Thank you father," he cried one more time.

"Stop that! Keep your spirit up. Till tomorrow," Fridolf said, and he stood up. He looked at his son who was trying to clean his tears with dirty palms. He waved at him and turned.

Still at the entry, he met the fierce-looking Audolf. The nightmare of most warrior werewolves. He didn't say a word to him. He just went ahead.