Moonlit haven

Chapter 3

Third Person POV

Selene woke up with determination etched on her face as the night drew to a close and the first rays of dawn began to peek through the window. She rose from her bed, ready to face the challenges that awaited her, with a deep breath. Her driving force was the search for her parents, which would be her beacon of hope amidst the darkness.

With urgency driving every step, she hastily gathered her belongings. She packed essentials into a worn out bag that had seen its fair share of adventures with determined precision in swift movements.

Leaving behind all familiarity, Selene stepped outside into the cool morning air and headed towards the bus station where transient souls sought their destinations.

she boarded a bus back to Washington, where she had just left a day ago – conflicting emotions washed over her. The once familiar sights and sounds now carried an unsettling weight of uncertainty that stirred unease in her stomach.

She peered out the window, watching as the peaceful countryside transformed into a bustling cityscape. The towering buildings cast shadows over her thoughts and emotions.

Finally arriving at her destination, she stepped off the bus on familiar ground with a mix of apprehension and determination. She stood on the edge of Rock Creek forest — the largest in Washington —feeling both trepidation and excitement coursing through her veins. Her uncle's instructions were clear: navigate through the labyrinthine paths until reaching its center.

As daylight began to fade, She hastened her pace in response to her uncle's warning about what lurked in the darkness. Though fear threatened to paralyze her, she refused to let it take hold.

With twilight settling over the forest, her GPS indicated that she was nearing its center. But an unsettling sensation crept over her, as though someone or something were watching from nearby shadows. In a fleeting moment of terror, Selene caught sight of a shadowy figure moving between trees before disappearing once again.

Her eyes fell upon a commanding figure emerging from the shadows. The air crackled with tension as she spoke hesitantly but curiously.

“Who are you?” she shouted, the sound of her voice reverberating through the tranquil woods.

“Selene,” the man called out, his voice laced with familiarity.

“Uncle Fester?” her heart pounding in her chest. A flicker of recognition sparked within her, mingling with a flood of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.

“Baby girl,” he replied, his voice soft and comforting, as if a missing piece of her soul had suddenly returned.

Without a second thought, Selene ran towards him, her steps quick and purposeful. Tears streamed down Her face, a blend of joy, relief, and a hint of lingering sadness. The weight of uncertainty that had burdened her for weeks seemed to dissipate in her uncle's embrace. At that moment, she felt safe, protected, and deeply loved.

“I've missed you so much,” Selene whispered, her voice choked with emotion. “Where have you been? What happened to mom and dad?”

Her uncle's grip tightened momentarily, a fleeting shadow crossing his face. His eyes, usually warm and filled with mirth, held a hint of sorrow and weariness.

“We have much to discuss, Selene,” he replied, his

voice tinged with a mix of sadness and determination. “But now is not the time nor the place. We need to get you to safety, away from the lurking dangers that surround us”.

A figure emerged from the shadows, standing just behind Uncle Fester. Selene's eyes widened with curiosity, her voice trembling slightly as she spoke.

“Who is that?” she asked, her gaze shifting between her uncle and the mysterious newcomer.

Uncle Fester turned to face Selene, a knowing smile playing on his lips. He extended his arm towards the figure, introducing them with a sense of intrigue.

“Oh, looks like I haven't properly introduced you,” he said, his voice filled with a touch of mischief. “This is Levi”.

Selene's eyes locked with Levi's, and at that moment there was an undeniable connection between them, an inexplicable bond that transcended words. It was as if their souls recognized each other.

Uncle Fester's voice broke the enchanting silence, pulling Selene back to the present moment. “Levi, this is Selene,” he reiterated, a playful twinkle in his eyes.

She managed to find her voice, her words carrying a mix of wonder and anticipation. “Nice to meet you, Levi,” she said, her voice filled with a sense of intrigue.

Levi's lips curled into a warm smile, his eyes holding a glimmer of recognition. “Likewise, Selene,” he replied, his voice a gentle melody.

“Lead the way, Uncle Fester,” she said, her voice firm and resolute. “I'm ready to face whatever lies ahead, to discover the truth and bring my parents back.”

With a nod of agreement, he walked ahead, leading Selena as Levi followed right behind.

Together, they ventured deeper into the enchanted forest. The moon bathed the surrounding woods in a soft silver glow, casting ethereal shadows on the path that led to her uncle's hidden school. The stories her father had shared about this place echoed in her mind, stirring a mixture of excitement and trepidation within her.

She stood before the grand iron gates of The Moonlit Haven, her heart pounding in her chest. As the gates creaked open, revealing a sprawling campus cloaked in mystery, Selene took a tentative step forward. The air was heavy with the scent of pine and wildflowers, and the gentle rustling of leaves whispered secrets only the night could hear.

The Moonlit Haven emerged before her, a majestic structure with ivy covered walls and tall spires that reached for the heavens. Its architecture exuded a timeless elegance, blending seamlessly with the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. It was a sanctuary, a place where wolves of all races could come together and learn to harness their unique powers.

“Welcome to the Moonlit haven” Fester said as he led the way.

******

“I'll be leaving you guys for now,” Fester said, his voice tinged with a sense of urgency and concern. He looked at Selena, his eyes filled with a mix of protectiveness and sadness. “Please take her to her room, Lucas,” he added, his words rushed as he hurried away.

They found themselves walking through the dimly lit halls of the dormitory, the silence between them palpable and heavy. Each step they took seemed to amplify the growing tension, as if the weight of unspoken words hung in the air, begging to be released. Selena's mind raced, her thoughts swirling with a mix of confusion and curiosity.

Just as Selena mustered the courage to break the silence, Lucas abruptly stopped and turned to face her. His eyes met hers, and at that moment, A sudden, inexplicable energy seemed to bridge the gap between them. The flickering hallway lights cast an ethereal glow on his face, highlighting the intensity in his eyes.

Without a word, Lucas reached into his pocket and retrieved a set of keys. As he dropped them into Selena's trembling hand, Their fingers brushed for a fleeting moment, sending a jolt of electricity through Selena's veins, a wave of emotions washing over her.

With a warm smile, Lucas gestured towards the open door. “This is your room, make yourself at home,” he said, his voice filled with genuine kindness.

“Thanks,” Selena replied, her fingers gently pushing the door wider. She was ready to retreat into her new space, to process the whirlwind of emotions that had engulfed her. But just as she was about to shut the door, Lucas's voice broke the silence once again.

“How about we meet out on the lawn tomorrow morning, 9am?” he asked, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Selena found herself momentarily speechless. It had been ages since a boy had flirted with her, and the sudden attention left her grasping for words. She stood there, looking at Lucas, her mind racing as she desperately searched for a response.

Before she could find her voice, Lucas continued speaking. “I could show you around, but it's okay if…"Selena interrupted not allowing him finish the sentence sentence. Summoning her courage, she interrupted him, finally finding her voice. “Sure, that would be nice,” she said, a soft smile playing on her lips.

Relief washed over Lucas's face, his enthusiasm evident. “OK, cool,” he replied before turning to walk away, leaving Selena standing there, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and uncertainty.

As she closed the door to her room, Selena couldn't help but replay their brief conversation in her mind. She marveled at the unexpected.