MadelineFlashback.“Come back here, Zelda!” I screamed, chasing the little girl through the garden. She giggled and ran faster, her curly hair bouncing with each step. I was winded, and my legs were aching, but I couldn't give up. “You can't escape from me!” I called out, my voice hoarse. The little girl turned and stuck out her tongue, then disappeared around the corner. I stopped, leaning against a tree to catch my breath. As I stood there, I heard rustling in the bushes. I held my breath, my heart pounding in my chest. What was it?I sniffed the air, picking up a scent that didn't belong here. An outsider was in our territory. Suddenly, a message burst into my mind. “We have been attacked,” Grayson communicated through Mind link. I was shocked. My first thought was Zelda, and I raced to find her, determined to protect her at all costs. I rushed through the garden, calling her name, but there was no answer. I began to panic, fearing the worst. Has she been taken?And then I he
ZeldaAs my mother told me her story, tears streamed down her face. I could see the pain and the guilt in her eyes, and I reached out to her, wanting to comfort her.“It's not your fault,” I said, my voice shaking. “You did what you had to do to protect me.” But she only shook her head, unable to speak. I held her close, knowing that it would take time for her to heal. But I was determined to help her, regardless of what it took.A wave of guilt washed over me as I thought of all the times I had been selfish and failed to see the pain and reason behind my mother's actions. I had only focused on my pain, my desires, and I had never taken the time to see things from her perspective. I had been so caught up in my world that I hadn't even considered how my behavior was affecting her. I felt a lump in my throat as I thought of all the times I had taken her for granted.“It's okay,” I heard a deep, reassuring voice say. I looked up and saw my father standing there, his expression soft an
ZeldaAs I turned away, I heard my father's voice behind me. “I promise I will never leave your side,” he said, his voice full of conviction. I felt a knot in my stomach, a mix of emotions swirling inside me. Nervously, I smiled and walked away, following Drake out of the garden. I felt a sense of relief, knowing that my father was with me, but I also felt a sense of trepidation, wondering what the future held.I couldn't help but wonder if my father's promise was one that he could keep. He had said he would never leave my side, but life is full of surprises. I knew that I couldn't control the future, and that things could change instantly. But at that moment, I chose to focus on the present, on the love and joy that surrounded me.“What's wrong, Zelda?” He asked, noticing his serious expression. “Nothing,” I replied, giving my hand a squeeze. “Just stop overthinking things. Everything's going to be okay.” I nodded, appreciating his words of reassurance. I let out a sigh and rel
ZeldaI looked at my father, my eyes wide with fear. “What was that?” I asked, my voice trembling. He shook his head, his expression grave. “I don't know,” he said, “but I have a bad feeling about this.” The silence that followed was heavy with tension, and we both stood frozen, not knowing what to do next.And then, the sound came again, louder and more powerful than before. It was like a bomb had gone off, the ground trembling beneath our feet. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, and I knew that something was very wrong. “We need to get out of here,” I said, my voice urgent. “Let's go!” But to my surprise, my father stopped me in my tracks. “You need to stay here with your brother,” he said, his voice firm. “I will go outside and see what's going on. You two stay inside and lock the door.” I started to protest, but he cut me off. “Please, just do as I say,” he said, his eyes pleading. Reluctantly, I nodded, and he turned and ran out the door. I closed it behind him, my
ZeldaMy heart was pounding in my chest, my breath coming in short, sharp gasps. Without thinking twice, I ran as fast as I could, my feet pounding on the ground. My family was calling after me, but I couldn't hear them. My only focus was on getting to Drake. I raced through the hall, my lungs burning with exertion. But none of it mattered. Drake was all that mattered.I burst through the door, my eyes scanning the area for Drake. And there he was, standing just outside, a piece of paper in his hand. His face was pale, his eyes wide with worry. He didn't seem to notice me, lost in his thoughts. I took a hesitant step forward, my voice barely above a whisper. “Drake?” I said, unsure if he would even hear me. But he did. He turned to look at me, his expression filled with a mix of relief and fear.As I approached Drake, I could see that he was trembling, his whole body shaking with fear. I reached out to him, my hand gently touching his arm. “What happened?” I asked softly. He didn't
ZeldaI traced the path of the food tray from the floor to the person holding it. I was stunned, almost speechless, as I saw my father standing there, looking down at me with concern in his eyes. I was about to stand up when my dad said, "Stay seated, my dear,” my father said in a gentle voice. He approached the bed and placed the tray of food in front of me. I sat up straighter, still trying to comprehend what was happening. My father sat down on the edge of the bed, his expression a mix of concern and relief. “I'm so glad you are okay,” he said, reaching out to touch my hand. I could feel the warmth of his hand on mine.“Why didn't you stay inside like I told you to?” my father asked, his voice calm but firm. I hesitated for a moment, not sure what to say. “I was scared,” I finally admitted. “I heard the screams and the shouting, and I wanted to see what was happening.” My father nodded, his expression softening. “I understand. But it's important to obey the rules, even when yo
Jake“Where's my father?” I yelled, my voice rising with panic. The guards rushed over, their faces full of confusion. “What's wrong?” they asked, concern evident in their voices. I pointed to the empty cell, my eyes wide with fear.“He was here, but now he's gone,” I said, my voice shaking. The guards looked at each other, their expressions full of disbelief. “It's not possible,” one of them said, shaking his head.“He's not here right now,” I said, my voice rising with frustration. “How could you be so careless?” I yelled, unable to contain my anger. The guards shivered, their eyes downcast. “No one's answering my question,” I said, my voice growing louder. “Who was the guard on duty?” I demanded, my frustration boiling over. They remained silent, refusing to meet my gaze. “I want an answer,” I said, my voice shaking with rage.“He's not here,” they said, their voices trembling with fear. “Find him,” I demanded, my voice low and threatening. They nodded, and within seconds, th
ZeldaMy father and brother left the room, the door closing softly behind them. I was left alone, lying on the bed, my body exhausted from the events of the day. As I drifted off to sleep, I realized that for a moment, I had forgotten my troubles. I had allowed myself to be swept up in the relief of having my father back, the comfort of knowing that I had my family around me. It was a feeling I had been missing for so long, and it was a feeling I hoped to hold on to for as long as possible.I heard the door open and looked up to see Drake standing in the doorway. His face was etched with worry, and he looked as though he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. I couldn't bear to see him like that, so I asked, “Can I massage your head?” His eyes widened in surprise, but he nodded, sinking into the chair beside my bed. I took his head in my hands, my fingers gently kneading his scalp. He relaxed under my touch, his shoulders sinking with relief.“Any latest developments?” I aske
DrakeThree years later.I stood at the grave, my hands clutching the flowers I had brought. My kids stood beside me, their eyes fixed on the stone before them. I took a deep breath, clearing my throat. “Owen looks exactly like you,” I said, my voice quivering. “I know you're not here, but occasionally I believe you are.” I paused, my eyes hard as I looked at my kids. “He's as strong as you are. He's selfless, just like you. You would have loved him.” The words hung in the air, heavy with emotion.“Sometimes it's difficult to believe that you're not here with us, that I won't ever hear your voice again or feel your touch. Sometimes I think it's all a nightmare, that I'll wake up and everything will be like it was before. But I never do. The truth is, life without you is hard. I find it hard to trust anyone, to open up to anyone. “My kids ran off, giggling as they chased each other through the grass. I got up to follow them, making sure they didn't go too far. As I walked over to whe
ZeldaNine Months Later.I looked in the mirror, my eyes drawn to the slight bulge in my belly. I placed my hand on my stomach, feeling the life within. It was a strange sensation, one that filled me with both joy and fear. I was growing, my body changing, my life changing. But I was still me, still whole. And that was all that mattered to me. I traced my fingers over my cheeks, feeling the slight swelling of my nose. Drake said I looked beautiful, but I couldn't see it. All I saw was a monster. But he loved me anyway.He still wasn't happy that I was keeping the pregnancy, but I knew in my heart that this was the right decision. I wanted to have this child, to give Drake the heir he deserved. He might not have needed it, but the pack did. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the challenge ahead. I could do this. I could be strong for both myself and my child. I placed my hand on my stomach again, feeling the flutter of new life within. And I smiled.The door to my room burst o
ZeldaI couldn't tell how long I'd been unconscious, but when I opened my eyes, my head was pounding. I struggled to sit up, but someone helped me, supporting my weight. I looked up, and my heart sank. It was Drake. His expression was unreadable, and I was unable to remember the last time he had smiled. “Where's my family?” I asked, my voice breaking. I was afraid of the answer. “The doctor had asked that we give you some space,” he said. I nodded, my mind racing. He was staring at me with a strange look in his eyes, and I knew something was wrong. “What is it?” I asked, my heart in my throat. “Nothing,” he said, his voice monotone. I knew he was lying. We'd known each other for too long. He knew I could see right through him. I waited, the silence weighing on me like a heavy blanket. “Just tell me,” I said, my voice shaking. He let out a long sigh. “You're pregnant,” he said, his voice low and serious. My jaw dropped, and I looked down at my stomach. “I thought about what the
ZeldaI heard footsteps approaching, and my heart leapt into my throat. A guard appeared, a limp body slung over his shoulder. He dropped the body on the floor, and I held my breath, dreading what I would see. The guard stood back, his face pale. “He's dead,” he said, his voice flat. I forced myself to take a step forward, my knees shaking. I knelt beside the body, my hands trembling as I reached out to touch it. I pulled back the blood-stained cloak, revealing the face of Jake.“Jake, the Fierce,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “Don't do this. You can't leave like this.” I reached out to touch his cold cheek, my hands shaking. I looked down at him, my heartbreaking as I took in his broken body. “Please… please don't go.” I cradled his body in my arms, my tears falling like rain.My mother rushed to my side, her arms wrapping around me. “Shh, my dear. Be strong,” she murmured. Drake stood in front of me, his eyes hard and unyielding. His arms were crossed behind his back, hi
ZeldaI felt Jake's hand slip from my grasp, and I heard a sickening thud as he hit the rocks below. I wanted to believe he was still alive, but I knew it was a futile hope. I sank to my knees, my eyes fixated on the jagged cliff that loomed before me. “Jake! Jake! Jake!” I heard Drake’s voice as he called out, but the only response was the echo of his own voice. Desperately, Drake yelled again, his voice hoarse and cracking. But there was no reply, only a heavy silence. I turned to Drake, his expression unreadable. “Let's go,” he said quietly, his voice heavy with grief. “No!” I cried, shaking my head. “We have to find him! We have to save him!” I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I couldn't accept that he was gone. Drake took my face in his hands, his eyes filled with sadness. “He's dead, Zelda,” he said softly, his voice cracking. “I'm so sorry.” I shook my head, refusing to accept that Jake was gone, and then I freed myself from hi
Zelda“Help!” I screamed, my voice hoarse with fear. My claws were digging into the wall, my muscles straining as I fought to stay in place. But I could feel myself slipping, and I knew I couldn't hold on much longer. My eyes darted to the ground below, my heart racing as I thought of the fate that awaited me if I fell. I heard the guards. Drake and Jake were shouting, but I was unable to make out what they were saying. I closed my eyes, my mind spinning as I tried to find a way out of this.I howled in desperation, the sound tearing from my throat. “Zelda!” I heard Drake call, his voice echoing through the cavernous space. I opened my eyes, straining to see him through the darkness. He was standing on the edge of the cliff, his arms outstretched toward me. But it was no use. I was too far away, the space between us was too great. “I can't reach you, Drake,” I cried, my voice cracking. He took a step closer, his eyes pleading. “Just try, Zelda,” he said, his voice shaking.I strugg
ZeldaDesperate, I reached out with my mind, trying to connect with Drake. To my relief, I felt him there, his mind close and receptive. I tried to send him to our location, hoping he could understand my message. Suddenly, I felt his presence grow stronger. He was coming, and he was coming fast. I sent him another message, pleading with him to hurry. He responded, his mind filled with a sense of urgency and determination.Cindy's wolf was impossibly fast, making it difficult for me to shift into my wolf form. I heard a loud growl in the distance, and my heart leapt. I knew that growl, that deep, angry sound. It was Drake, coming to save me. I just had to hold on until he got here. But I could feel my strength waning, and I knew I wouldn't last much longer. I had to find a way to keep myself safe, and quickly.Suddenly, Cindy's wolf stopped, her ears perked up and her body tensed. I could tell she had heard Drake, too. She turned to face him, her tail low and her eyes blazing with hat
ZeldaThe cold water stung my face, jolting me into consciousness. I squinted against the bright light, my eyes taking a moment to adjust. I could feel my wrists and ankles bound, my body aching with the strain of being tied up. My head pounded, a dull ache spreading from the base of my skull. As I took stock of my surroundings, I noticed that I was in a small stone room, the only light coming from a small window high above my head. The room was bare, save for a single wooden chair in the corner.The last thing I remembered was a sudden, blinding pain as something hit me on the head. Now, here I was, tied up and at the mercy of Cindy, a woman who had always been a pest in my life.“Why are you doing this?” I asked, my voice cracking with fear. Cindy's smirk only widened, her dark eyes glittering with malice. “Oh, you know what you did,” she said, her voice dripping with venom. I tried to think of what I could have done to make her so angry, but my mind was blank.“We were friends, C
Zelda“My lady,” a voice called from behind me, making me jump. I turned around to see a maid standing there, her gaze fixed firmly on the floor. “Your room is ready,” she said, her tone deferential. “How many miles is it from here to Cindy's grandmother's house?” I asked, my voice betraying my anxiety. The maid hesitated, then said, “I do not know, my lady.” I felt a wave of frustration, but I bit my tongue. “Thank you,” I said, my tone cool.I pulled the curtains closed, blocking out the moonlight. With a weary sigh, I let my shoulders slump. “My lady,” the maid said, “I hope you find the room to your liking.” I nodded my thanks, too tired to speak. She left me alone, and I entered the room, closing the door behind me. I sank onto the bed, its softness enveloping me. The silence was broken only by the ticking of the clock on the wall. I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me, and I closed my eyes, my thoughts swirling.I felt my blood boil as I thought of what that woman had d