ZADOK“They are coming! We need to run.” Ithra’s voice was panicked. As well as concerned. I managed to get on my feet, holding the bleeding gash on my stomach. With my movement, I felt pain all over again. “Why the hell was this taking so long to heal?” I mumbled, gritting my teeth in pain. “At this rate, you'll die before we get help.” Ithra's eyes fixed on my wound, which poured out blood. I could understand her concern, but I didn't have it in me to remind her I was an alpha and I couldn't die from loss of blood. With my delayed healing, I was losing blood and getting weak fast. The rogues used a silver weapon. Ithra helped me to an oak tree, and I relaxed, trying to preserve my breathing. “I'll just find some herbs to stop the blood.” She said and got up, “Try reaching out to the others with what you guys do in your mind.” My eyes perked at her words. Before I could ask what she meant, she was gone. Grudgingly, I tried to reach the others via mind link, all to no avail.
ZADOK “It’s a dream. It will be over soon.” Ithra said, tapping her face. My eyes narrowed at her, and she didn’t seem surprised. She didn’t seem like this was strange to her. It seemed like it was business to her. I walked to her and held her by the arm, “Have you been here before?” She struggled out of my hold and continued pacing, “It’s all a dream, Ithra. Focus.” Irritated at her constant pacing and refusal to speak, I walked to her and pinched her cheeks, and she let out a screech. “Do you still think it’s a dream?” I deadpanned. I watched as her eyes grew large, and she took in the environment again. “W-what? H-How?” She stuttered, looking around like she was only finding out where she was. “I should be asking you that,” I said, holding her again. “Have you been here before?” “Leave me alone,” she pulled her hands and put some space between us. I didn’t like the sound of that. But I persisted nonetheless. “We need to figure out a way out,” I said, and my des
ZADOKWhere is she? I wondered as I trudged through the dark forest alone. I heard the snap of a branch, and turned to see a giant spider walking towards me with the intent to kill me. Not today. I thought and immediately picked up a large, strong tree branch. Before it could get to me, I charged towards it and hit it severally till it reduced to tiny pieces on the floor. I threw the branch as I continued my search for Ithra. I can’t believe she wandered off on her own. What exactly did she think going off to her death? I followed her trail eastward, carrying a decent tree branch, just in case anyone else tried something funny, hoping I got to her before danger did. “Zadok...” I heard a voice behind me, and I turned around with a swift movement. Nobody. There was nobody behind me. I continued my journey with vigilant eyes. I had heard stories about the deadliness of the dark forest. And how it reduced even the greatest to a delusional moron. I was determined to make a mess of t
ITHRAI knew I shouldn’t have gone. I knew it wasn’t the right call. But I did it anyway.After our little fight yesterday, we decided to stick around for the night and go our separate ways at the crack of dawn. However, I got another vision, urging me to find my book and begin the journey to the heart of the forest. I didn’t want to get into another fight with Zadok concerning my decision. While I trudged farther away from him, I contemplated telling him of my vision and getting him to work with me, but I remembered what a controlling arse he was and decided against it. I believed I was ready for this. I spent the last few months of my life getting strong for this journey. There was nothing I couldn’t face. I hoped. Shaking off the fear that plagued me, I headed deeper into the forest. Dark shadows cast on my path as I walked forward, moving eastward. Just last night, Sarai visited me, telling me to find the ancient witch’s book I lost during my transition here. According to he
SHILHI’S POVI threw the last mandrake into the cauldron pot as I prepared another set of potions for Alpha Zadok. Joy filled my heart at the thought of his face when he finally realised what a fool he was - A joy I planned to share with the exterminated clan of witches after I sacrificed them at the heart of the dark forest. Poor Ithra. I wondered how she would feel knowing she was but a means to an end. The pot’s content boiled under the threshing fire, and I put in the secret ingredient of the Alpha’s potion - A sealing spell. My mouth moved, and murmurs of chants filled the air. The pot grew green, and a wicked smile touched my lips.Everything was perfect. It was only a matter of time before I took my revenge and made the werewolf race pay for the evils wrought against the witches. After 12 years, everything was finally coming into place. I dished the potions into small bottles and left them on a table in the greenhouse, just beside another bottle that held the consciousnes
ZADOKIthra stayed glued to me in a tight embrace. I tapped her back as she held tightly to me. “It’s okay,” I managed to say, “It’s over.”We remained like that for a while, and slowly, her breathing normalised. I fought against asking her why she left without a word, but I knew it wasn’t the right time. Shilhi’s words strongly reverberated inside me. I couldn’t scare her away If this thing would work between us. I needed her. And with the looks of things, she needed me to survive in this forest and get our desired results. We needed to work together.I knew that, seeing her nearly give up to the Sirion told me just how vulnerable she was to the beasts that lurked in this forest alone. It scared me how easy it was for them to kill her and bring doom to my mission. There and then, I vowed never to let her out of my sight. She needed me as much as I did her. I just had to make her see it. “Thank you,” Ithra said after stepping away from me. Her voice was so low. I almost didn’t
ITHRA Zadok’s words struck a chord within me. It was the first time I had heard about such a thing. Not only was the forest hostile to witches, but it only gave one opportunity to visit. Which meant I only had one chance to achieve my goal - one chance to get my power. I couldn’t fail. If I did, I might as well kiss my powers and clan goodbye. The only way I could be free from the Blood Hound pack was if I got hold of my powers. “What do you say? Are you willing to put the past behind you and work together?” Zadok asked. I could hear the desperation and vulnerability in his tone. He wanted me to choose him. He wanted me to help him break the curse and get the ghost orchid. I wondered how he would feel if he knew that the ghost orchid he needed to break his curse was the same way I needed to protect my clan. There was a conflict of our interests. As much as I’d love to help, I couldn’t do that to the detriment of my people. “This alliance cannot work.” I finally said, “
ZADOK “You don’t trust me,” I said after a long silence. Ithra didn’t budge - confirming my assumptions. I let out a brief laugh, “After everything? I told you all there is to know about me, and you still don’t trust me enough to continue the journey with me?” My tone was bitter. Because worse than turning me down, I hated not being trusted. I hated that she chose to keep her guard up when I lowered mine to the ground. “Trust is earned, not demanded.” “I just saved your life.” I pointed out, “I also just told you how valuable you are to me. You couldn’t possibly think I have something bad in mind.” “And there you go again.” She sighed, “Rubbing that you saved me in my face.” I raked my palm through my hair, “Listen. I just want us to be together. This forest is crawling with beasts that you can’t imagine. We have a better chance at survival together than alone.” Ithra’s eyes remained on mine. It seemed like she was contemplating my words. “We will split ways at the f