Shadows of the past

Elise had always felt like an outsider in her own life. She had a strange, unexplainable energy building inside her, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she was being watched.

That night, at the Moonlight Masquerade, Élise wore a stunning red gown and a mask that shimmered like diamonds. She danced and laughed with her friend Sophie, feeling carefree for the first time in weeks.

It's also the night the ancient witches choose the heir to the covens and also bestowed the witch the first three wiccan covens.

As the night wore on, Elise felt a strange, unsettling energy building inside her. She tried to shake it off, but it only grew stronger.

Meanwhile, a mysterious figure stood alone, his eyes scanning the crowd with an intensity that made people shiver. He was searching for something, or someone.

I think I've had enough for tonight. Let's get out of here. Elise said looking around her surrounding

Elise, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost. Sophie who was having a great time looked at her friend concerned.

I just feel like something's off. And I keep hearing strange noises. She added

Strange noises? What kind of noises.

I don't know...whispers, I guess. And footsteps. But whenever I turn around, no one's there. Eloise said now sounding more serious than before.

Oh, Elise, you're just spooking yourself. Let's go get some fresh air and clear your head. Sophie said teasingly.

No, Sophie, I'm serious. I think we should leave. Now. She stated firmly.

Fine, but if we leave, I'm blaming you for ruining my night. Sophie sighed as she realizes there's no way she'll be able to keep Elise stay longer

(They make their way through the crowd, but Elise can't shake off the feeling that she's being watched)

Do you feel that? Elise asked. Feel what? Sophie asked confused about what's going on.

Like we're being herded towards something. Or someone. She added nervously.

Elise, you're really starting to freak me out.

(Suddenly, the lights flicker and the music stops)

What's happening?

I don't know! Elise answered

"I don't like this," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "Let's go back inside and find the others."

"But what was that noise?" her friend asked, her eyes scanning the darkness.

"I don't know, but I don't want to find out. Come on."

As they turned to go back inside, a figure emerged from the shadows. "You shouldn't be out here," he growled, his eyes gleaming with a fierce intensity.

"What do you want?" she demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.

"You're in danger," he replied, his voice low and urgent. "You need to come with me."

"I'm not going anywhere with you," she said, trying to step back, but her friend grabbed her arm.

"Wait," her friend said. "How do we know we can trust you?"

The stranger's eyes flashed with anger, but then he seemed to regain control of himself. "You don't have a choice," he said grimly. "Come with me, or face the consequences."

"I don't think so," she said, trying to sound braver than she felt. "We're not going anywhere with you."

The stranger's face twisted in a snarl. "Fine," he spat. "But don't say I didn't warn you."

With that, he turned and disappeared into the darkness, leaving the two women staring after him in confusion.

"What was that all about?" her friend whispered.

"I don't know, but I don't like it," she replied, her heart still racing from the encounter.

As they turned to go back inside, she couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. She glanced over her shoulder, but saw nothing.

"Let's get out of here," her friend said, her voice trembling. "I don't feel safe."

But as they reached the door, they found it locked. "What the...?" her friend muttered, tugging on the handle.

"Looks like we're stuck out here," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

And then, they heard the footsteps. Heavy, deliberate footsteps, coming from the darkness.

"Oh no," her friend whispered, her eyes wide with fear. "What do we do?"

"Shh," she replied, her heart racing. "Don't make a sound."

The footsteps grew louder, closer. She could feel the ground vibrating beneath her feet.

Suddenly, a hand clamped over her mouth, and she was dragged backward into the darkness. Her friend screamed, but the sound was muffled by some unseen force.

She struggled and kicked, but her captor was too strong. She was pulled deeper into the shadows, her friend's cries growing fainter.

Just when she thought all was lost, she was dropped to the ground, gasping for breath. She looked up to see a figure looming over her, its features obscured by the darkness.

"Who are you?" she demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.

The figure didn't respond. Instead, it reached out and pulled off her mask.

She felt a jolt of fear as her face was exposed. "What do you want from me?" she pleaded.

The figure still didn't speak. But as the moonlight illuminated its features, she saw something that made her blood run cold...

...a face that was identical to her own.

She gasped, shocked. "Who are you?" she demanded again, trying to scramble backward.

The doppelganger didn't move. It simply stared at her with an unblinking gaze.

Suddenly, her friend appeared beside her, shaking and pale. "What's going on?" she whispered.

The doppelganger slowly raised its hand, and her friend froze. "Don't move," it said in a voice that was eerily familiar.

She tried to speak, but her voice was caught in her throat. The doppelganger began to circle around her, its eyes fixed on her with an unnerving intensity.

"You're me," she whispered finally, her mind reeling. "But how?"

The doppelganger didn't respond. Instead, it reached out and touched her face. She felt a jolt of electricity, and suddenly, visions flooded her mind...

Memories that weren't her own. A life she'd never lived. A past that was hidden from her.

She stumbled backward, overwhelmed. "What's happening?" she cried.

The doppelganger's gaze never wavered. "You're remembering," it said. "You're finally remembering."

And with that, everything went black...

As the room spun around her, she felt a surge of memories flood her mind. She saw herself as a child, playing in a grand castle. She saw herself as a teenager, wielding a sword with deadly precision. And she saw herself as a young woman, standing beside a man who wore a crown.

The memories were fragmented and unclear.

The doppelganger's laughter grew louder, more maniacal. "You're remembering," it repeated. "You're finally remembering."

She stumbled forward, her eyes fixed on the doppelganger. "Who am I?" she demanded. "What am I meant to do?"

The doppelganger's grin grew wider. "You're the queen," it said. "The queen of a forgotten kingdom. And you're meant to reclaim your throne."

As the words echoed in her mind, the room stopped spinning. She felt a sense of clarity, of purpose. She knew what she had to do.

With a fierce determination, she turned to face the doppelganger. "I'll do it," she said. "I'll reclaim my throne."

The doppelganger's laughter stopped. Its eyes narrowed. "You'll never succeed," it spat. "You'll never be queen." She said repeating the sentence over and over till Elise mind was filled and haunted with it.

Deuce's eyes narrowed as he listened to the beta's words. "A new Wiccan of the witches, you say? With power connected to the moon?"

Lucas nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, Deuce. And if she harnesses it, it could mean the end of us all." I was in the courtyard when the moon portal opens revealing a white globe emading from it. He added.

Deuce's grip on the chair tightened. He had always known that witches were a threat, but this was different. This was a power that could destroy their very existence.

"What do we know about her?" he growled.

"Not much," the beta admitted. "But we know she's young, inexperienced. If we can get to her before she learns to control her power..."

Deuce's mind was already racing with plans. He would not let this threat slide. He would do whatever it took to protect his pack, even if it meant taking out the new queen herself.

He stood up, his eyes fixed on the beta. "I want to know everything about her. Where she is, what she's capable of, everything."

Lucas nodded and scurried off, leaving Deuce to his thoughts. He knew that this would be a dangerous mission, but he was willing to risk it all to ensure the survival of his pack.

Little did he know, the new queen was not one to be underestimated.