In Search of the Forgotten

Chapter one: Lyric and Leo

   “Leo?” Lyric’s soft, melodic voice rang out through the night air, like a wind chime.

   Leo turned to face his friend.

   “Do you ever wonder…” Lyric began, her eyes wandering until they reached the inky sky above. “…What’s up there…”

   Leo smiled, barely raising his head. “Of course not. I know what’s up there. I can see.”

   Lyric shook her head lightly. “Yes, but do you really know?”

   Leo did not reply. Lyric always had, and always would be, a complete mystery to him. It was sometimes as if she spoke a completely different language from him. But that was one of the things he loved about her.

   “How can you know just by looking though?” Lyric continued. “There is so very much we can’t see…”

   Todd smiled.

   This was true…

   Just then, from the bushes, came a low grunt. And then, emerged a large, sandy coloured wolf, with large amber eyes, which seemed to burn into anyone who came in contact with them.

   “Dad…” Lyric murmured.

   “Lyric…” the sandy coloured wolf began in a calm, yet disapproving, tone. “What do you think you’re doing out here by yourself… with him?”

   “Dad, come on! I wasn’t all by myself, I had”-

   “That’s enough, Lyric. We’ve been through this so many times already!”

   “Okay, okay! …I’m gone!” Lyric sighed, just before bounding off carelessly into the moonlit forest, humming to herself.

    As soon as Lyric was gone, her father turned to Leo and frowned. “Leo… I thought we’d been through this… Come on. I’ve been reasonable with you haven’t I?”

   “I know, I know… but Kayakk… I-I… I’m friends with your daughter… I- We grew up together…” Leo spoke up, bravely.

   “Yes, I am aware of that. But now that your role has been determined… and hers, things have to change… And I mean it this time. This has gone far enough, I won’t be telling you again. Lyric is born to become a leader and you… you’ll never be able to lead, it’s just not in your nature…” Kayakk spoke slowly and meaningfully. “An Alpha and an Omega can never be friends.”

   “But…”

   “Leo… I know what you’re feeling… Coming to terms with your true role, whether you’re high up, or low down, is tough. Being in a pack is hard enough!”

   Leo swallowed hard, forcing the bitter words down his throat before they had time to do too much damage.

   “This is all for the best, Leo. You know I only want the best for you, and not only you, but the whole of the pack. I care about each and every one of you like you’re my own family. I have allowed many a wolf like yourself into the pack, but the rules within a wolf pack in general, however, still apply. Rules that even our great ancestors were destined to follow and did so. It’s always been this way.”

   “It doesn’t have to be though.” The words seemed to just roll off of his tongue, not even allowing him a short time to consider his thoughts before speaking them out loud.

   Kayakk turned to Leo. By this time it was quite clear that he was starting to get a little irritated. His voice hardened. “It’s tough being a leader too you know. But we’re given what the Gods have given us. We can’t change it and we must learn to live with it.”

   Leo still had so much to say in response to this, but due to his withdrawn personality and Kayakk’s patience, he knew he would never dare challenge the Alpha. Perhaps this was one of the main reasons he was at the bottom of the pack. That and perhaps his lack of proper judgement; which, in many circumstances would be a blessing rather than a burden.

   “Well, it’s late now.”

   Leo nodded lightly. This was the dismissal he was used to, but hated all the same. It was something he had to get used to, because now his role was known, he could only expect a lot more…

   “Please heed my advice, Leo. I know you are a kind soul, so please find it in yourself… Let her go.”

   The rest of the evening those last words echoed through Leo’s head. How could he possible let go of his best and only friend… Lyric was like his little sunshine… Like the family he never really had… He needed her company, now more than ever. What would he do without her?

   The following morning was a bright and sunny one. It was just the beginning of autumn and although the leaves were already changing colour, the temperature was still pretty reasonable for the time of year.

   A few of the younger wolves in the pack were out in the woods with Sally, a kind soul who had known from the very beginning that her role in life was to protect and nurture. She may not have been a leader, she was a little too withdrawn, but she was certainly worthy of becoming one.

   Lyric and Kayakk were left behind with the remaining members of the pack. This was quite usual- especially for the time of year- they all knew why that was also…

   Lyric, however, had never agreed with her father’s strict ways and silly rituals.

   “Lyric,” Kayakk said calmly, picking up on her mood. “You’re sulking.”

   “I’m sorry…” Lyric replied flatly.

   Kayakk sighed lightly. “I know you don’t understand my ways. I know we have our differences, but this is the way it is. You know, you’re really going to have to get used to that.”

   “I just don’t understand! I am perfectly healthy! I have the potential to be a great hunter, but you”-

   “It’s a no, Lyric.”

   “But…”

   “No! We stay here. This is how it’s always been since…” Kayakk’s voice seemed to wander off and eventually fade out. Then he spoke again. “Show some respect.”

   “It won’t bring her back though, will it?”

   Kayakk was silent.

   “It’s… not just about today anyway…” Lyric said, steering the conversation off into a different direction. She knew that she had gone a little too far. She knew her words had stung…

   Kayakk was still silent. Just a little something in his eyes told Lyric that he was far away… Perhaps recalling a long lost memory of the past, when times were different and every autumn was a little more magical than they were now…

   Just then, one of the younger wolves came charging out the woods calling for Kayakk.

   Kayakk’s attention immediately focused on the young wolf, Keymek’s, urgent calls.

   “Kayakk!” Meyki barked.

   “Meyki? What is it?” Kayakk’s voice was calm and even, but Lyric knew her father all too well. In his eyes this was to do with the prophecy.

   “Sally…” Meyki panted.  “Sally’s in trouble!”

   Lyric eyed her father warily. “Dad?”

   “It’s alright, Lyric. I’ll be back with Sally, safe and sound.” And with those last words he ran off into the forest, Meyki leading the way.

   “Lyric…” A gentle, familiar voice greeted her.

   Lyric turned to see Leo standing cautiously at her side, camouflaging himself cleverly amongst branches.

   “Leo!” Lyric sang out happily.

   “Shh! It’s good to see you too, but…”

   “Oh Leo… I’m sorry about last night. Was he hard on you? Did he hurt you in any way?” Lyric asked with growing concern.

   “No! I’m fine! It’s okay. He was perfectly reasonable.” Leo assured her.

   “I’m glad!”

   “But… I did get the impression… he didn’t like it… at all… And Lyric you must understand, I”-

   “Ah, yes. My father certainly is very set in his ways and does have very strong views on how he thinks a wolf pack should be…”

   “Yes…” Leo mumbled, recalling the conversation the previous night.

   “I know that it seems all wrong, maybe we’re right and he’s wrong, but for now, I just think”-

   All of a sudden a dark shadow appeared at Lyric’s side. “Lyric…”

   Lyric swallowed hard. It was Ebony, the Beta of the pack. She had never been known to cause trouble and had always been very loyal. But it would be her loyalty to Kayakk that would cause the trouble in this case.

   “Lyric… Now come on. You know that you’re not supposed to be hanging around him” Ebony said, her voice hardening toward the end of the sentence.

   “Ohh…” Lyric groaned. “I don’t see what the problem is. I’ve known Leo since I was a pup. It was never a big deal then!”

   Ebony said nothing, but gave Leo daggers.

   Leo backed away very slightly.

   “You won’t tell my father will you?”

    “Hmm… no. If you promise to end this conversation now, we’ll forget it ever happened. And Leo, I don’t want to see you with her again! Do I make myself clear?”

   Lyric turned to Leo. “Sorry, Leo…”

   “No, she’s right.” Leo nodded humbly and with that, silently trotted off into the trees by himself.

   “Yes… and that included you too Lyric!” Ebony said sharply, using a harsh tone that only her father would use.

   Lyric was a little taken back by the use of this tone, but then, Ebony was known to be a little temperamental at times. “Yes…”

   “Good” Ebony said smiling to herself lightly. And with that went off again, leaving Lyric to do her own thing.

   Lyric sighed, stretching herself out lazily on the rock she had been sitting on. The sun was shining through the leaves and the air was warm causing her to quickly become drowsy.

   This was when Lyric’s thoughts began to wander…

   “Why is it that the best of friends have to be so far apart?” Lyric thought. “Why is it that nothing ever changes and there are no exceptions? Were there others like Leo and I in the past?”

   Lyric’s thoughts soon drifted to the past. She began recalling memories from a long, long time ago. Where everything was different and everything was sweet.

   In the end Lyric began to drift into a calm sleep. And while she dozed, the rest of the forest seemed to sleep also…

   Lyric was awoken by the howls of her father’s return. She leapt up as soon as she heard the nature of the howls. Something was wrong! Was her father alright?