The car was fully packed, and the three of them were leaning back and listening to the playlist Mira had put together for their road trip. They had been on the road for most of the day, driving on a winding highway through a consisted stretch of dense dark woodland.
Nueva shifted her sore and aching back in the driver’s car seat. “I think the campsite is coming up next?” her voice was wary and unsure.
Mira straightaway picked up on the tone, “Is something wrong?” her red curls bop from the speed at which she turned her head to ask her friend.
Nueva couldn’t put the finger on what it was, but as soon as they drove into this area, a faint tingle stirred deep in her gut. Instead, she shook her head to answer Mira’s question.
A big wooden sign saying Welcome to Woodend Campsite was up ahead to their left. Unfortunately, the paint on the sign was faded and chipped and was long past its peak.
They droveNueva tried to lift her head as a voice spoke to her in the distance. "Wake up, Nueva." The voice came in waves floating over her where she was lying face down in the dark.Through the waves, Nueva could both hear and smell her friend's fear. Terrifying screams blended with snapping jaws and snarling monsters. Finally, she used all the strength she could muster and lifted her head. In front of her in the thick nothingness stood a massive wolf; its silky white fur glowed blue in the dense darkness."Eira?" she mumbled confusedly."Wake up, Nueva." The wolf spoke again. "You need to wake up.""I can't," Nueva sniffled. I am not strong enough. Her eyes closed again, and her head felt like a magnet stuck to a metal sheet."Your friends need you. Now, wake up," The wolf growled, baring its sharp teeth.Nueva searched within her deepest core, letting the energy of her supernatural beast flood her. Then finally, she forc
The rest of the long drive was primarily spent quiet everyone seemed to have their own issues to process. Nueva sat in the back seat with Evie and Mira while Alpha Gray sat alone in the front.Nueva scratched her messy hair and shifted anxiously in the seat."We can shower at my grandma," Mira said quietly as she could sense Nueva's uncomfortable shuffle from being caked in blood, dirt, and fur.Mira's grandma's house was on the outskirts of a tiny town if it could even be called that. This part of the country seemed to be for folks who had moved to be far away from other people. They turned down a beaten track running alongside a turbulent river. The old house sat alone in a clearing surrounded by golden and rust coloured leafy trees. The home looked well-loved and cared for, even with the paint peeling off the weathered white walls and crooked shutters.A little old lady came out on the front step as their black SUV pulled up outside the
The first thing Nueva noticed when they got back to The Wolf's Den area and Alpha Gray's farmhouse was all the extra patrolling soldiers. These men were all dressed in black with heavy weapons walking on the yellowing fields or driving up and down the road in black SUVs through the valley that the autumn had dressed for the coming season in its most vibrant earthy hues.Alpha Gray explained to Nueva that these men were from the Moonfall pack and had been lent to him by Alpha Miles to help out with the growing number of Rogue lurking outside the White Creek territory. Nueva felt like she was living in a warzone, but Alpha Gray assured her it was necessary for keeping everyone safe.He had been spending long hours at the packhouse with Declan and Alpha Miles, trying to find out how the Rogues got into the territory without being detected. Alpha Gray had one night let it slip that he thought the Rogues were getting inside help, but when Nueva asked about it, he had sh
Nueva waited until everyone had left before she headed into the change room. Her body was sore from the grading process and the intense sparring session with Harlow. But that wasn't anything a warm relaxing shower couldn't fix.Nueva signed sincerely as she walked into the dimly lit and empty shower area and hung her towel on a hook by the door. The charcoal tiled walls matched the dark tiled flooring perfectly in the large wet room. She walked carefully over the slippery floor and stopped under a showerhead alongside the wall in the middle. Nueva turned the knobs and let the hot water rush over her blonde locks, soaking them heavily. The room soon filled with the fresh scent of soap and fruity shampoo as the steam rose around her. Nueva closed her eyes and enjoyed the cold air caressing parts of her naked wet body as she moved under the water leaving goosebumps in its tracks.Nueva laddered up a bar of soap between her hands and scrubbed her arms, breast, and flat sto
The glass door to the greenhouse had been left ajar, and Nueva walked into the seemingly ordinary glasshouse. There were rows of weathered tables and shelves filled with potted herbs and other plants. But, strangely enough, Perla was nowhere to be seen in the confined glass room. Nueva walked back towards the entrance, but when she tried to step over the threshold, an electrically charged mesh surrounded the door in the form of a flickering force field.She could see Perla's cottage outside through the invisible screen, and her breathing increased as the sensation of being locked away inside the greenhouse made her feel claustrophobic and scared.Nueva carefully touched the shimmering barrier, and small circular waves rippled across the plasma-filled window, but it wouldn't let her through.Then a flicker of blue glistened on the screen, blocking her way. Nueva glanced around the room, and then she heard the faint whisper."Ego Sum Clavis"And she
"What are those" Nueva stopped in her tracks and swallowed hard. She pointed into the tangled network of green plants.Perla also stopped, and her eyes narrowed as they tracked the dense forest. "Hm, when you speak of the devil", she mumbled more to herself. "I think they can sense you?" Perla added and looked slightly puzzled."What do they want?" Nueva's voice trembled as she could sense these sentient beings moving closer towards them."I am not sure?" Perla answered honestly and scratched her flat, damp hair. "In all my years coming here, they have never bothered me before. So, we better wait and see what they want." Perla's smile didn't reach her clouded eyes.Nueva could tell that Perla felt worried about the forest dwellers approaching them, mainly since she had never dealt with them before.There was a soft swishing amongst the network of vegetation easily missed for any untrained ears. They nervously waited for the native Fay to initiate c
Nueva sat on the surprisingly comfortable bed made from smooth logs and weaved soft grass in multiple layers looking out through an open window. From here, in the lengthening light of the afternoon, the summit of treetops glistened in soft emerald tones. Soon this bouquet of greens turned into the centre stage for the colourful birds as they performed their sunset chorus.Down below, the scattered cylindrical-shaped huts in the trees, lit up by the golden orbs, reminded her of birds' nests surrounded by sparkles of fireflies.Elowen had shown Nueva to a modest guest room containing a queen-sized bed and a bathtub carved out of a solid piece of wood so that she could rest before dinner.However, although Nueva was asked to perform a dangerous rescue, moving around on the forest floor in these parts was equally treacherous during the dark. So, she had been asked to stay the night, and she would be transported to the portal first thing in the morning.Nueva
Nueva didn't sleep much that night; the horrific sounds coming from the Fay Forest kept her up for hours. It felt like she was listening to unimaginable carnage that only seemed to disperse with the sunrise's light.Nueva wasn't sure what time it was when she finally fell asleep, but when she did, she collapsed into a moveless slumber. She sank deeper into a bottomless altered consciousness reducing her muscle activity and making her unaware of any immediate surroundings as they muted and vanished completely.Nueva's eyes started moving rapidly under the eyelids as a series of images and sensations occurred, playing like a fast-moving film in her brain.There was a picture of her grandma Naya and her father flashing by repeatedly. Nueva desperately tried to slow the images down to understand what they were trying to tell her. But she wasn't in complete control in this state of body and mind.Suddenly she was in her grandma's extensive and
Nueva pov. Alpha Gray's face stayed on her retina as bright and clear as if he was there with her. His tender smile comforted and followed her on the first stretch of the journey into the unknown. But then, as the darkness became more dense and sunken, his calm, reassuring countenance disappeared into the void. "Don't go. Stay with me!" She called out and chased after his fading image. Nueva soon realised she was not only lost but utterly alone in this strange dark place. She was dressed in a sheer bright white fairytale gown, and her pale locks draped perfectly down her back. Nueva's creamy complexion formed an aurora glowing light blue in the heavy blackness. She didn't feel scared despite being alone in this alien world. Neither was she cold nor hungry, sad nor happy. She just existed. "Is this how it feels to die?" Nueva thought to herself as she strolled tirelessly forward. "I had pictured a very different place. Definitely more light and welcoming. Maybe this is a half
Perla was waiting for them at the front door. She limped down the steps as the pick-up came to a screeching halt.Alpha Gray jumped out, carrying Nueva in his arms."I have been waiting for you. I knew something had happened when I saw the light beam." Perla called out in a raspy voice.Nueva's hand fell down and hung lifeless by her side as Alpha Gray ran past his grandma.Perla gasped, and her age-worn hands cupped her thin, cracked lips. She hurried after her grandson."Put her down on the couch", she instructed in uneven breaths. Marigold came running from the pick-up, and Perla waved her past her inside the door.Alpha Gray gently placed Nueva on the old couch next to the crackling fireplace. The small living room was warm and smelt like wood smoke and chocolate cookies.The light was dim and yellow, lit up by a tall foot lamp standing in one corner behind the rocking chair and a few pillar candles burning above the fireplace, giving the place a cosy feel. "What happened? Did s
Alpha Gray lay still in the shallow water.His face was resting on Nueva's chest. Her breathing was slow, and she rocked his head in an irregular movement.He was confused over the event that had just transpired, and it took him a moment to collect his thoughts.The winter sun touched their faces and left warm rosy trails on their skin from its butter yellow kisses. Alpha Gray sighed at the sunshine's comforting caress.Everything felt more intense, the sunlight's bright rays burning his eyes and brushing over his skin. It was like he could see and feel things more apparent, and his senses seemed to be buzzing with a new form of energy that he couldn't explain.Then, suddenly Alpha Gray remembered where he was and what had just happened.He scrambled onto his knees, and his eyes darted around the clearing for any imminent danger.Marigold stood to their side, bowed head and hiding her eyes, but Alpha Gray could see light streaks of salty tears on her cheeks."Marigold, You are alive?
Alpha Gray found Nueva lying motionless in a large shallow water puddle on the thawed ground.She was on her side with her back facing him. Her pink naked body stood somewhat out against the colourless backdrop.Alpha Gray's heart hammered in his chest, and a sudden stab of fear crossed his grave face.He ran towards her and sunk hard onto his knees in the freezing silverly coloured water.She opened her swollen eyes, and he could see that she had been crying. Her plump lips turned into a tender smile when she saw his face. But before Alpha Gray could speak, a tall, dark shadow fell over them.The attack was swift and sudden.The blade sliced into his back towards his heart. His chest ripped, and his ribs broke in a sickening crunch.Alpha Gray wobbled and fell onto Nueva; his dark blood stained her naked body. Nueva screamed in shock. His warm damp, and heavy body pushed the air out of her twisting her chest small."Leave him alone." Nueva cried out. Her voice was weak and airless.
Thawing Thiago's heart had erased the cursed demon in him, turning back the time to before he became cruel and ruthless in his pursuit of power. So, instead, in front of Eira stood a young and spirited strawberry roan wolf. Thiago stared at her, and his impressive wolf form seemed to grow with every breath after hearing Eira's word, turning his stance confident and proud. "Mate," Thiago said in return, and his hackles glowed in gold when speaking this loaded word."What has just happened?" Nueva stuttered, confused."He's my mate," Eira answered, equally bewildered."But, how?" Nueva started, then it hit her, and the unanswered pieces fell into place. "I know what needs to be done," she continued in a vacant voice. "What do you mean?" This time it was Eira who was clueless. "Sometimes, the best thing to do is not overthink. Instead, just breathe and have faith that everything will work out for the best," Nueva whispered in a bittersweet tone. "I don't understand what you are tryi
Eira's coat glistened from sweat in the low light of the wintery sun. Her breath was laboured, and her pink tongue flapped in the wind.They had been galloping over the crusty frost-covered fields forever.Both of them were desperate for a moment of rest. But the demon had sealed the fog and the only way out.So instead, Nueva and her bestial wolf were trapped and locked away from their earthly world, running tirelessly to escape the imposing peril.Eira cut over the fields into the quiet woodland, darting between the weighty branches bowing down to the white land.The fresh, clean air was loaded with the unmistakable scent of snow. Dirty clouds floated over the sky with the promise of an impending refill of crystal stars.Suddenly the faint whispers returned. "Make fire with ice." The woman's voice sang beautifully with the winnowing breeze. "I don't understand?" Nueva groused, confused. But the voice only repeated the exact words."Eira, do you hear a woman's voice? Nueva asked her
Nueva cried out as she saw Marigold's stunned face, paralyzed in shock, falling through the ice sheet.Her brown locks and arms blended in slow motion as they flung into the air when the frozen floor gave way under her feet.The beast tumbled and fell sideways into the roughly wedge-shaped cleft. Marigold's small frame disappeared under the massive creature's flaming fur, and her horrifying screams echoed before fading away as she slipped into the unknown. Alpha Gray came running to Nueva, where she lay on the thin ice above the bottomless pit. He placed himself on his stomach and carefully leaned out over the gaping hole; a gust of wind from within ruffled his dark hair as he reached his hands out."Take my hand." Alpha Gray called out. A spasm of worry crossed his face.Nueva held her breath, and the tip of her fingers grasped his hand inch by inch.The sheer layer of ice moaned and groaned unhappily under her weight. She gasped as a hairline crack snaked under her stiff form, spre
The storm howled and roared for hours, concealing the landscape in dull greys. The men had taken turns digging the way out of the snow moulds covering the exit of their Safehaven after the winds finally died down. Back outside, the tranquil winter landscape unveiled a serene weather change that lulled them into a false sense of security. Bright-white hills glisten over the fields basking in creamy yellow sunlight. The temperature was crisp but comfortable. Nueva found a tiny silvery-blue babbling brook between winter trees shivering in the bitter wind. Their naked branches were adorned with snow. Clusters of twigs, gnarled and twisted, extended like the very hands of older gentlemen against the pristine cloudless sky. The group quenched their thirst and drank greedily from the crystal clear mountain spring before continuing the search for the fog. Light purple shadows rested under the heavy fir trees as Nueva trudged next to Alpha Gray at the front in the deep dunes. Eira had f
A distant but penetrating feral roar exploded from the beast's secure holding place outside the campgrounds.The demon rose from within like a blast of bestial raging red amongst the large pieces of tarp flapping freely before taking off with the blustering winds.A man could be seen running from the ripped tent."Gray." Nueva gasped and pulled at the thick ropes. He hadn't spotted her yet.Ryan and Harlow stopped abruptly in their steps, and the colour drained from their faces."Do something!" Ryan yelled at his men as perspiration beaded his furrowed brows.The Rogue soldiers separated and surrounded the monstrous canine, agitatedly stalking closer to the camp."I am the frost demon, and this is my territory." The beast roared in a thunderous bloodthirsty howl before shifting into a blazing inferno when the fire erupted from his fur, eyes, and mouth.Black as coal smoke billowed from his muscular frame. The demon's distinctly almond-shaped eyes burned with green fire, lusting to con