Melissa’s POVThe weight of the judgments that still needed to be taken seemed to be weighing down the air in the room. The mark on my wrist pulsed softly, as if alive, and I tightened my hands. Dennis and Damon were standing beside me, their eyes determined and worried.I said in a firm voice, "I'll do it.""No, Melissa! Damon yelled. "This danger is not necessary for you to take. We can figure out another method.I looked him in the eyes and said, "There isn't another way." "You listened to the guardian." I have to carry this responsibility. The pack might be gone forever if I don't come forward.Dennis took a step closer and shook his head. "You constantly give up yourself so easily. However, have you considered the costs this time?"“I have.” I took a big breath to regain my composure. But first comes the pack. It has always done so and always will.Cold and unflinching, the guardian's voice rumbled from the darkness. "You exhibit bravery, but you don't realize how dangerous you a
Melissa’s POVWe were all deep in meditation on the sombre drive back to the pack. Dennis followed a little behind, his eyes on the floor, while Damon remained at a safe distance to my right. I couldn't get rid of the impression that the guardian's warning was directed at someone close to me, not merely someone in the pack.The packhouse was uncomfortable when we got there, as though the air itself was full of unsaid anxieties. Members of the pack moved around in little groups, their hushed chatter stopping as soon as they saw us. Their eyes were filled with scepticism, curiosity, and doubt.I stepped forward, squaring my shoulders. "Come to the main hall, everyone. I called, as firm as I could manage, "We need to talk."They complied, slipping into the corridor like reluctant streams, but the muttering got louder. Damon moved in closer, briefly putting his hand on my arm. Melissa, watch what you say. They're tense already.I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded. "I understand."
Melissa’s POVAs I walked to Dennis's room, the note in my pocket seemed heavier than it should have been. I was unwilling to accept it. Dennis had supported me through good times and bad. Was he a member of the council? The guardian had warned me of a betrayer; might he be that person?I hesitated as I got to his door. My ribs were hammered by my heart. I knocked at last.Dennis's steady, quiet voice beckoned from within, "Come in."I held the note closely as I pushed the door open. He was browsing some documents at his desk when he noticed my expression and his smile vanished.Melissa? He stood up and asked. "What's the matter?"I displayed the note. "This. Dennis, what does this mean?"He looked at the message as if it were a live snake, and his face went pale. How did you obtain that?""In your room," I firmly stated. "It was on your desk." What does that mean? Don't duck the question."Dennis let out a deep breath and combed his hair. "Melissa, it's not what you think.""Then tel
Melissa’s POVI sat opposite Dennis and Damon, and the atmosphere weighed heavily with unsaid tension. The air was heavy with their annoyance as they glared at one another. Dennis appeared to be holding onto a secret too huge for him to bear, and Damon's fists were clenched at his sides.The silence was broken by me. "You have to start talking, Dennis. Right now.Dennis paused and looked away. "I've been hiding something from you... from everybody. But you know, it's time."Go on," I said in a calm but forceful tone.He inhaled deeply before starting, his voice shaking. Another prophecy exists. Something about a "Void Queen."Damon laughed. "Queen Void? Is this a twisted fairy tale, or what?"“The prophecy says that someone with a connection to The Void—someone with a mark like yours—could rise and bring devastation,” Dennis said, ignoring him and turning to face me. The Void Queen would be the name given to that individual.I went cold. His remarks were like a mountain pressing down
Melissa’s POVDespite being bruised and abused, the council member's black eyes examined each of us with a smirk, and he appeared pleased rather than terrified as if he were holding onto a secret we would never discover. He was restrained to a chair in the middle of the room."Start talking, or you'll wish you had," said Damon, growling low in his throat.“You wolves think you’re so clever. But you’ve been playing into our hands from the beginning,” the man said with a laugh that was brimming with derision."Who are you working for? What does the council want with Melissa?" Dennis said, his face stern, as he stepped forward.“Ah, the golden question. Your little Melissa isn’t just some wolf. She’s the key. Her bloodline ties her to The Void and its destruction. Without her, nothing moves forward,” the man said, tilting his head and deepening his sneer.My stomach dropped. "My bloodline? What do you mean?""Your family has always been connected to The Void. Your ancestors fought to con
Melissa’s POVI sat by myself in my room, the weight of everything pressing down on my chest. Long shadows were created on the walls by the flickering candles, reflecting the uneasiness that was eating away at me. The answers I sought were urgently needed.I could still hear the council member say, "Your bloodline ties you to The Void and its destruction."My wolf shifted. "You must see for yourself, Melissa. Explore the recollections of our predecessors. The truth is waiting there."How can I accomplish that?" I muttered."Close your eyes. Pay attention. "You can rely on me to lead you," she said quietly.I inhaled deeply before closing my eyes and allowing the night's sounds to meld into the distance. As my wolf's presence intensified, an odd feeling crept through me. I was suddenly plummeting, not physically, but through layers of voices, memories, and time.I was outside of my room when I opened my eyes. I was standing in a large, glistening hall. Around me, ghostly forms moved, w
Melissa’s POVThe pieces of the relic glistened dimly in the room's low light, their sharp edges pulsing with unearthly energy. With the largest piece in my shaky hands, I stood in the middle of the group. Dennis, Damon, and the others gathered in a circle around me, their faces displaying a mixture of fear and resolve.Damon broke the stillness by forcefully saying, "This is it." "There is no turning back once we get started."I gave a nod. "There is nothing we can do. Everything for which we have battled will be lost if we do not shut The Void.Dennis took a step forward and spoke more softly. "Are you certain you're prepared for this, Melissa? You might be harmed by the ceremony. Or worse.I looked into his eyes and saw that the remorse was still there. Dennis, I don't have time to question my abilities. We must take action immediately or risk losing everything.Once more, there was silence in the room as everyone felt the impact of what I had said. Like a continuous flame, my wolf
Melissa’s POVThe area was filled with a harsh, otherworldly light as the relic shards' glow grew stronger. I chanted the last lines of the ceremony while standing in the middle of the altar, my voice shaking. The air's force was oppressive, weighing me down like an unseen burden."Remain resilient, Melissa!" With his blade slicing through one of the shadowy creatures that had surfaced from the swirling darkness, Damon yelled from the other side of the chamber.Dennis stood next to him, fighting off another with his daggers flashing. "We've got you covered! Just get this thing done!I ignored the commotion around me and closed my eyes. The energy of the Void flared like a storm on the verge of erupting, loud and ominous.A deep, rich voice roared from the whirling darkness, "You can't stop me."I went cold. The Void itself was now acquiring shape in front of me; it was no longer just energy. An enormous, shadowy apparition appeared, staring into my crimson eyes.It said, "Melissa," as
Melissa’s POVThe clearing's air felt heavy as if the entire world had paused to listen. With their eyes focused on the unfamiliar man in front of them, the pack formed a tense circle. The presence of the messenger sent by the Void was poisonous.It was only partially human. Its eyes were two black pits that appeared to stare straight through me, and its grey skin was pulled taut over jagged bones. Its voice, like a serpent creeping into my ears, was frigid as it spoke.The emissary's tiny lips curled into a sort of smile as it said, "I come with an offer." "Your bundle is of no interest to the Void. It solely looks for the girl.A shiver went through my body. Everyone was aware of "the girl."Melissa? Gregor stepped forward and inquired, his voice a little shaky.The emissary turned to face me with a hollow expression and murmured, "Yes." The Void will spare the rest of you if you give her up. The army of the Void will destroy everything if you don't resist.There was a ripple of mur
Melissa’s POVThe rumours were already spreading before I even went into the conference chamber. All heads turned to me as I pushed open the heavy wooden doors. I could feel the weight of their looks and the oppressive tension in the room.Someone whispered, "She's here."My legs felt heavy, but I forced myself to move forward. With his steady and comforting presence, Damon was at my side. However, he was powerless to stop what was about to happen.Gregor, an elder wolf, came forward. His eyes were as hard as stone, and his arm was bandaged from the training mishap. "Melissa," he stated in a firm, loud voice. "We must speak."I nodded and swallowed hard. "All right."Gregor started by saying, "You've guided us through some difficult times." But this—this is something else. The episode from yesterday demonstrated your loss of control. You pose a threat to us.A wave of murmuring went across the room, and I felt my heart drop.I trembled as I said, "I didn't mean to hurt anyone." "I'm e
Melissa’s POVThe first thing I noticed when I woke up was the silence. It wasn’t the calm, peaceful sort. No, it felt thick, and tense, like the air was holding its breath. I blinked, peering up at the wooden beams of the ceiling. My body felt strange—light and heavy all at once.Melissa?” Damon’s voice broke through my haze. I turned my head to see him seated next to me, his face pallid and tight with worry.“I’m… I’m fine,” I whispered, though I wasn’t sure whether it was true. I pulled myself up, but a rush of disorientation made me falter. Damon was there in an instant, steadying me.“You collapsed during the ritual,” he added, his voice low. "Everyone was scared of you."I spoke slowly as if I were dragging my words through molasses, "I had to finish it."Damon looked at my face for a moment before answering. "You seem different in some way.""What are you saying?"Kael and Liora showed up at the doorway before he could respond. Kael seemed suspicious, his eyes narrowing as he g
Melissa’s POVWith the amulet glowing dimly in my hands, I sat on the edge of my bed. I was still troubled by the vision from earlier—the power, the darkness, the warped me. I kept worrying that this artefact—the very item we had put our lives in danger to recover—might prove to be my downfall.I was startled out of my reverie by a gentle knock on my door. Melissa? Damon spoke in a soft but tentative tone.I said, my voice just above a whisper, "Come in."With an anxious look on his face, he entered. You haven't said anything since we returned. What's happening?"I looked down at the amulet and hesitated. "I noticed something, Damon. I got a glimpse of the future when I touched this. A terrible future.”His brow furrowed, and he sat beside me. “What kind of vision?"I took a deep breath. “I saw myself… consumed by the Void. It was like I wasn’t me anymore. I was… something else. Something dark.”Damon reached out and placed a hand over mine, steadying me. “Melissa, it was just a visio
Melissa’s POVThe red eyes of the shadows glowed like embers as they raced toward us. They surrounded us, their claws tearing at the air, and their growls sent chills down my spine.“Behind you, Melissa! I whirled just in time to avoid a creature's strike as Damon's voice erupted. I tightened my hold on the shimmering amulet, feeling its warmth pulse in my hand, my heart racing.As a wolf, Kael growled and lunged toward the closest shadow. The thing dissipated into mist and reformed seconds after his claws ripped through it."They simply never stop coming! Damon yelled as he swung his blade in broad arcs to block another wave.Liora shouted, "Keep moving!" in a steady, crisp voice. They cannot ensnare us here! She moved quickly and precisely as she stabbed one of the beasts with her blade.But despite our best efforts, the shadows persisted. They went on and on."To your left, Kael!It was already too late when I screamed. He was attacked by a shadow that scoured his side with its claw
Melissa’s POVI sat on the edge of my bed and gazed at the moonlit sky outside my window. I had a heavy heart, but I was determined. Even though the ritual was risky, it was my best chance to free myself and everyone I cared about from the Void's hold.I was startled by a gentle knock on my door. Liora was sneaking inside, her dark cloak blending with the darkness, when I turned around.I said in a low voice so no one could hear, "You came."With her sharp green eyes meeting mine, she answered, "I don't have much time." "You must realize what is at stake if we are to proceed."With a dry throat, I nodded. "Explain the ritual to me."Liora, whose voice was hardly more than a whisper, came across the room and sat across from me. “The ritual requires an artefact powerful amulet hidden deep within the Forbidden Woods. It’s the only thing that can sever the Void’s connection to you. But retrieving it won’t be easy.”“The Forbidden Woods…” I shivered at the name. Everyone in the pack knew i
Melissa’s POVWith my arms folded tightly across my chest, I stood close to the meeting room. The air was nearly oppressively tense. I didn't want another surprise after everything that transpired last night. However, Kael had precisely that in mind for us.As he entered the hall with a woman by his side, Kael declared, "She's here to help."I had never seen a stranger like this before. Tall and slender, she had piercing green eyes that seemed to be able to see every secret we were keeping. She had short black hair, and the pack shift felt uneasy around her because of the danger she exuded.“This is Liora, everyone,” Kael added. Despite being a rogue wolf, she is knowledgeable about the Void that we are not. She is, in my opinion, the secret to beating it."A rebel? From the rear of the room, someone whispered."We cannot rely on her!” another voice called out.“She’s here to help,” Kael continued, his tone stern. “We don’t have the luxury of turning away allies right now.”Liora step
Melissa’s POV“Kael, we need to talk. Now!” I snapped, storming toward him.Kael looked up from the circle of sigils he had been studying, his face calm but his eyes heavy with unspoken words. “What is it, Melissa?”“What is it?” I said, my voice rising. “You knew, didn’t you? You knew something about my family and the Void. You knew this curse was tied to my bloodline, and you didn’t tell me!”He groaned, massaging the back of his neck. “Melissa, I didn’t know for sure. I had suspicions, yes, but I didn’t want to burden you with something I couldn’t prove.”“Suspicions?!” My voice shook with rage. “You let me walk into this blind! You let me believe these sigils were just marks of power when all along they were a curse, binding me to that... that thing!”Kael walked nearer, his demeanour softening. “I was trying to protect you. You’ve already been through so much, Melissa. I didn’t want to add to your pain unless I was certain.”I took a step back, folding my arms tightly over my che
Melissa’s POVThe air around me crackled with dark energy as the Void’s voice slithered into my mind.“See your legacy, Melissa. Witness the truth your bloodline has hidden for generations.”Before I could react, my vision blurred, and the world around me shifted. I stood in an ancient clearing surrounded by towering trees, their twisted branches clawing at the sky. Shadows flickered like living things, and in the centre of the clearing, two figures knelt before a swirling black vortex.One of them, a woman with the same fiery hair as mine, clutched a small child to her chest.“Please,” she begged, her voice trembling. “Spare my pack. I’ll give you anything.”The vortex’s voice bellowed, dark and booming. “Anything, you say? Then I will claim your bloodline. Your descendants will carry my mark and fulfil my purpose.”“No!” I cried, but my voice was drowned out by the woman’s cries as she bowed in acquiescence.The Void pushed forward, surrounding the lady and her child in tendrils of