My breathing hitched. I felt as though my heart had stopped beating. No one dared to speak amongst the crowd in the room. No one dared to move. The room was both silent and still, every pair of eyes anticipating the response I would give to Eleo's bewildering question. What did I know about wolves?

I stuttered incredulously having been utterly caught off guard. Why was he asking me such a question so unexpectedly? What was his underlying motive behind this? All the times beforehand when I had approached the subject, he had dismissed it with such conviction.

"Pup." Aura forewarned jumping to her feet instantly. She obviously knew what his true intention was in regard to asking me such a question. Moreover, it seemed to displease her greatly. As to why though, I wasn't quite sure. "It has been a long day for everyone. Let us be dismissed."

"No. It is but just a question." Eleo was quick to respond, his words sounding absolute and final. His eyes held mine awaiting.

"I don't know much, being quite honest." I muttered modestly looking to Aura in uncertainty. She lowered herself slowly back into her seat whilst glaring at Eleo in disapproval.

I recalled back to my encounter with the scarred wolf that had attacked me in the woods. It was like no animal I had ever laid eyes on. It was intimidating, an apex predator. Images of its gnashing teeth dripping with saliva flooded my mind. Its wild malicious eyes soaking me in craving for the taste of my blood and flesh. The way it had crouched down ready to pounce on me, ready to kill. The auburn wolf that had risked its life for mine was much alike. They were beautiful, almost otherworldly creatures.

Was Eleo offering me an opportunity to rid the many stirring questions about the wolves I had encountered since my arrival to this place? To relieve myself of all the confusion I had felt since I was taken from my life with my father unjustified?

"As far as I do know, the leader in a wolf pack is called an Alpha." I recollected apprehensively. It was the only information I could recall on the matter under the intensive pressure of his unwavering gaze.

Eleo leaned back in his chair, his plate full before him. He had barely touched any food. I couldn't read what he was thinking in the slightest. He was indecipherable. He also made no move to respond to my reply as if he was mulling over what I had just said.

Keith turned in his seat and motioned for everyone in the room to carry on with what they were doing. Some obeyed instantly and others looked to Eleo uncertain at how he would respond next. They feared him. Part of me did too.

"It is true, wolf packs are run by a hierarchy." Keith acknowledged breaking the silence amongst everyone at the table. Eleo looked to Keith with his eyebrows raised in surprise at his vocalisation on the subject. Although Keith paid no attention to him, instead he continued ripping apart a meaty rib with his front teeth chewing indifferently.

"Much like in a wolf pack this village runs on the ranking system that wolves use." Eleo continued shaking his head in critique at Keith. "Everyone in this village has a duty to perform. We are a community."

Answers at last. Aura had mentioned that it was her duty to help heal others earlier in the infirmary. Is this what she had meant?

"So that's why they call you Alpha, because you are their leader?" I queried trying to piece together the information. It explained why everyone in this 'community' when in his presence would bare their jugulars to him in respect. Just like wolves would do in nature in the wild to their leader.

Eleo's back stiffened instantly as the word Alpha slipped from my lips. He dropped his gaze to his plate of food before him and inhaled deeply clenching his fist tightly shut. His knuckles began to turn white from the pressure. What was wrong with him? Was he angry? No. No something else was wrong with him. He took in another deep breath and Keith continued in his place promptly taking notice.

"Yes. At the top of a wolf pack, or in our community as explained, there is the leader, an Alpha. The duty of an Alpha is to implement the laws of the community and to make sure that the people within in it remain safe. It involves ensuring that everybody cohabits in harmony and peace, and the Alpha must also delegate to those lower than himself to make sure everything runs smoothly."

"After the Alpha you have the Luna of the pack. The Luna is the Alpha's mate or partner if you so wish to call it. She rules alongside the Alpha. Her real legitimate pack rank however is below Omegas. The bottom of the pack rank. But no one describes it that way in our community as they deem it as disrespectful to their most beloved pack member."

"Wait, wait I'm confused." I spoke up letting the words fall out of my mouth before I could even stop them. Why would a leader as such be below the rest of the community in terms of position? That made little sense to my mind.

Eleo looked up at me and released his tight fist from hold returning to his composed state. The more I looked at Eleo, the more I could feel a pull like factor towards him. But wasn't that the fundamental quality most cult leaders possessed? A luring persona to entrap those foolish enough. I struggled exceedingly to take my eyes from him.

He once again took over from Keith.

"You see the Luna is the prize possession of the people she rules over whereas the Alpha is more feared and respected amongst the people. She puts everyone in the pack or 'community' before herself. Without a Luna, the pack suffers greatly."

Eleo studied my countenance. The Luna sounded like a selfless person. Like she was the backbone to entire stability of everything. "It makes sense that the wolves or community would love and need her."

"They do need her." Sophia clarified smiling weakly at me. Once again, she looked troubled in deep thought. As did the rest of them, including Eleo and Aura.

"Next is the Beta of the pack. Whom, is the closest ally and friend to the Alpha." Eleo motioned to Keith. Keith lifted his head up holding it high in great pride. "The Beta is the second in command and enforces the Alpha's laws and commands for him. When the Alpha is not present, he rules and if should I die without birthing an heir he is next in line to take my position."

"And I know what you're thinking. Why not just kill me off and take my place? Throughout bygone years in human history, people would just kill off kings in order to take their lands. Unlike your world killing for power is the greatest crime one of us could commit. We would be condemned if we murdered in cold blood for selfish needs. Besides, to an Alpha your Beta is your most trusted companion and friend which is why it is a much-respected position." He spoke defensively, however not aggressively. He was passionate. But why was he telling me all of this?

"Next you have the gammas, the warriors. They keep our village safe from outside harm alongside the sentinels that fall within the same category as them. After that you have your deltas, the hunters and doctors. Then lastly you have the dependents, all other members."

"Omegas." I declared and Eleo nodded sitting forward to lean on the table before him.

"Yes. Omegas. The most important members of the community. Those that I as Alpha must protect. Without the omegas a pack or our said community would be nothing. You see Eliza these people are all my family. No matter their position. And I will do whatever it takes to protect my family as it is the only thing in the world that I hold valuable. You understand that don't you, you would want to protect your family at all costs yes?"

I didn't answer him straight away. I merely stared at everyone around the room whose eyes all remained fixated on the floor. I understood exactly where he was coming from. Exactly what he was trying to tell me. These people were his family, maybe not by blood, but by tradition, compassion and belief.

"With my life." I acknowledged nodding my head in empathy.

"Then perhaps you are no different to us."

I could tell from the way Eleo spoke of his people that he genuinely cared for them as if they were all family. But what I couldn't understand is why he wanted to protect them so much from the outside world. Something was telling me that there was something bigger going on out here in this village that he solely wanted to conceal and protect. What was he hiding? What were they all hiding?

None of this justified or explained why people had been going missing and were being brutally murdered by those wolves they were keeping here. None of this explained why people were coming to murder the people of this community. There was definitely more to this bewildering story than meets the eye.

".... but why so far away from civilisation? Why hide yourselves away from humanity? Your village is not even on any state maps?" I delved more questions arising in my mind. The answers I had received only sprung forth new questions that I desired to know about. "It still doesn't make any sense. I mean the wolves, like why are they here?"

"They're a part of us. A part of our community" Aura spoke up glaring at Eleo with so much fury and distain it radiated from her in waves. She seemed beyond angry now. Although, Eleo paid no heed to her.

"This world was a gift for mankind to live in Eliza. Building your high rise cities and destroying the beauty of nature for numerous stupid meaningless reasons is not how mankind should be appreciating what was given to us. Here we are a community within ourselves and we differ in many ways that you may never be able to fully understand. We want no part in your destroying or polluting of this world so we have no reason to be on your maps for the outside world to see. Yes, we have our houses and whatever necessities we need. But that is all. What need have we for anything more than that?"

"But the people trying to hurt you - " I began.

"Eleo." Aura spoke unnervingly calm. It was the first time I had heard her address him as such. "Let us talk... Privately."

A mesmerising voice spoke from the opposite end of the room and I watched as Eleo's eyes widened in shock to whomever it was. I turned in my seat to see whatever everyone was so entranced by. I gulped at the sight.

"Now now, don't leave on my account. The story telling was only just getting good. And my dearest brother... is that any way to treat the future Luna?"