SEEKERS

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Tolu sat on a jagged rock overlooking the dense forest below, the early morning mist clinging to the trees like a veil. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine, the faintest whisper of wind stirring the leaves. Despite the calm before him, Tolu's mind raced. The events of the past few days weighed heavily on him, and every step he took seemed to draw him closer to a path he didn't fully understand.

His pack had grown stronger, more unified in their purpose. But even as they trained, honed their skills, and prepared for whatever came next, Tolu felt an undeniable pull in his chest—a nagging sense that he was on the edge of something far greater than he had ever imagined.

The sun had barely begun to rise, casting long golden rays through the mist, when Tolu heard the rustle of footsteps behind him. He didn't turn immediately. He had known the moment she stepped onto the rocky outcrop that it was Abeni. She had a way of moving that was both graceful and calculated, her footsteps light but sure.

"I thought you'd be up here," Abeni said softly, her voice carrying with it a hint of warmth that made Tolu's heart beat a little faster. Her presence was like the calm in the storm that churned inside him.

He glanced over his shoulder, offering her a faint smile. "Couldn't sleep. Too much on my mind."

Abeni stepped beside him, her sharp eyes scanning the vast expanse of forest below them. She didn't need to ask what was troubling him. Tolu's worries were often written across his face for those who cared to notice. And Abeni cared.

"You're thinking about your father, aren't you?" she asked, her tone gentle.

Tolu nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "I don't know why, but I keep feeling like there's something I'm missing. Some part of his legacy I haven't uncovered yet. The training, the power, everything… it all feels like it's leading to something, but I can't figure out what."

Abeni placed a hand on his shoulder, offering comfort in her quiet, steady way. "You're not meant to have all the answers yet, Tolu. You're still learning, growing into the role that's been set before you. But the power inside you, the legacy of your father—it's all yours to shape. You'll find your way. We all will."

Tolu sighed, looking down at his hands, the faint, primal markings running across his skin. They had been there for as long as he could remember, but only now did he understand their significance. His connection to the wolf inside him, to the alpha blood running through his veins, was undeniable. Yet it was also terrifying. The weight of that power was immense.

"I just wish I could shake this feeling," he muttered. "Like I'm being watched… like there's something lurking just out of sight, waiting for the right moment to strike."

Abeni's eyes darkened, the ever-present edge of caution sharpening in her expression. "You're not imagining it, Tolu. There's something out there. Something powerful."

"Is that why we've been training so hard?" he asked, finally turning to face her. "Because of what's coming?"

Abeni nodded. "There's no way to know for sure, but we all feel it. The land, the air, even the wolves. Something is stirring. And when it does, we need to be ready."

Tolu's thoughts drifted back to the mark he had recently discovered on his body. The more he trained, the more the strange symbols on his skin seemed to shift and change. Sometimes they burned with an intensity that made him flinch. Other times, they faded into a soft glow, as though they were waiting for something. But what?

He stood up, feeling a sudden surge of determination. "I can't wait any longer. I need answers. There's only so much I can learn from training. I have to know what's out there and what it wants with me."

Abeni stepped forward, her hand on his arm to stop him. "And how do you plan on finding these answers?"

Tolu met her gaze, a fire in his eyes. "I'm going to the elders. They know something, I'm sure of it. My father must have left something behind. Something that will help me understand why I'm being hunted."

Abeni hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I'll go with you. We'll face whatever comes, together."

Tolu smiled, grateful for her loyalty. He had come to rely on Abeni in ways he hadn't expected. Her presence was grounding, like a tether to the world when everything around him seemed uncertain.

"I appreciate it, Abeni," he said, his voice sincere.

The two of them walked back to the camp, where the rest of the pack was already awake, preparing for the day's training. The pack had come a long way since they first formed, their bond growing stronger with each passing day. Tolu had given his blood to each of them, marking them as his, as part of his family. And in return, they had sworn loyalty to him, ready to follow him wherever his path led.

As Tolu entered the camp, he was greeted by the familiar faces of his pack members. Each one had their own unique skills and strengths. There was Duro, the sharp-eyed strategist who never missed a detail. Chidi, the towering warrior whose strength was unmatched. Temi, the healer with a calming presence who could mend wounds in the blink of an eye. And of course, Oyin, the quiet yet fierce fighter who had proven time and time again that her loyalty to the pack was unwavering.

They all gathered around him, waiting for him to speak.

"We're going to visit the elders," Tolu said, his voice commanding the attention of the group. "There's something I need to understand about my father, about what's been happening… about the darkness that's been following us."

The pack exchanged glances, but there was no fear in their eyes. Only resolve.

"Let's go," Oyin said, her voice steady and strong.

And with that, they set off toward the village where the elders lived—a place known only to those who were bound by blood to the land. The journey would be long, but Tolu was ready. Whatever answers he sought, he would find them. He would confront the darkness and take his place as the alpha he was destined to be.

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