Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Azara. 

The hair at the back of my neck stood erect as my heart did three flips. I could swear my chest pounded so hard as though my heart was about to jump out of my ribcage. 

My eyes widened in horror as their words resonated in my ears. Although their voices were rich in bass; deep, steady and commanding, and it was enough to make a lady cum in her panties, but it screamed grave danger. 

“How did you know my name? How did you know who I am?!” 

My fear-stricken voice and the loud thuds of my heartbeat filled the room. 

I was beyond terrified. 

No one knew my identity except my mother and Alpha Hunter…until now. 

Gathering my remaining courage, I looked into their blazing eyes, “Who are you?” 

Rather than a befitting response, I was thrown off balance by their deafening growls. 

I jerked violently from sleep, forcing my eyes open as I scanned my surroundings. 

A wave of relief washed over me as the familiar scent of my room flooded my nostrils. 

I was safe from the unknown men that trapped me. But the impact of the dream caused fear to radiate within me. 

It didn't take long before my eyes became heavy and sleep overtook me.

One minute, the atmosphere was normal; the next, it became unbearably hot…so hot I could feel harsh flames on my cheeks. 

Everything felt surreal. 

The strange sight before me was blurry, but I could easily deduce a burst of flames. 

The air was heavy with deafening and agonizing screams and the clouds were darkened with thick black smoke. 

Fire was everywhere, eating its way through a small village. 

What was happening?! 

Gasping desperately for breath as I jumped awake, coughing rigorously, my eyes swept through my surroundings, and I found myself in my room once more. 

What was it with these bizarre nightmares?!

Fear engulfed me, lodging deep into my heart and stealing my sleep. The dream felt so real, I could still feel the heat of the flames on my skin as I sat on my drenched bed.

*****

I didn't know when I drifted to sleep, but my mum's loud voice pierced through my ears, stirring me awake. 

Alpha Hunter accompanied her, singing the birthday song with a wide smile on his face. 

“Happy birthday, Azalea,” they chorused after the song, while I hugged them. 

“How does it feel to be 18?” he asked, giggling. “Have you gotten your wolf yet? Did you hear her voice in your head?” 

My face fell as I sighed. “Not yet.”

His strong fingers brushed my shoulders in encouragement. “There is still time, don't feel bad.” 

“Here is everything you need including your dress. Hurry up, you don't want to keep the pack waiting,” he announced, rising to his feet as he dropped the boxes on the bed. 

“You invited the whole pack?!” I asked in disbelief, my eyes almost bulging from their sockets. 

How could he do this to me knowing I wasn't a fan of a large crowd?

“Yes, it's my daughter's 18th birthday; I would invite the whole world if I could,” he replied proudly, planting a kiss on my forehead and tucking a gift box in my hand.

“Happy birthday, dear,” he added, and we exchanged a brief smile before he left the room. 

He was so sweet. I wish he were my father, instead of Alpha Logan. My life wouldn't be so tough. 

“You look a mess, Azalea, were you too excited that you didn't sleep?” My mother's words not only broke the silence but also resurrected the fear buried in my heart. 

Scenes of the strange nightmares flashed across my memory. My heart picked up at a rapid pace, and heat engulfed me. 

“I wasn't excited. I'm scared. I dreamt of being in a strange place where there was fire and people were screaming…”

“It's probably because you will get your wolf soon and because you were excited,” she blurted, interrupting me. 

“But–”

“Relax, the dream means nothing. You heard your father, don't keep the pack waiting,” she reminded me, kissing me on the cheek before disappearing out of my room, leaving me alone. 

A part of me desperately wanted to believe her words, but I knew there was more to the dreams. 

They felt so real. They terrified me. 

But I managed to brush the eerie feeling and focus on reality. It was my birthday, the day I had long waited and I wasn't going to let some stupid weird nightmares ruin it. 

I could only get to be 18 once. 

When I was done showering, I got clad in a wine off-shoulder sequin dinner gown that revealed a large part of my chest region, stopping a bit below the fullness of my breasts.

The high slit made walking easy. My hair was styled, and my accessories were worn; when I was done, I resembled a supermodel straight out of Vogue magazine. Thanks to the shimmering sequin fabric that glistened softly under the light. 

Satisfied, I took a deep breath, shutting my eyes briefly before opening the door. 

Walking down the stairs elegantly as I gripped my small purse, my eyes met with a plethora of people: friends, family, and well-wishers, chatting, eating, and having a great time. 

All eyes fell on me, and I could feel intense heat rushing to my cheeks, painting them red. 

“The Alpha's daughter looks stunning.” A compliment followed by several gasps flew past my ears. 

I spent the next hours dancing, receiving gifts, and celebrating that I had forgotten the bizarre dream that threatened me to my core. But when it was time to blow off the flames from the candle, I was almost overtaken by a panic attack as a result of the weird dreams. Fortunately, my Alpha Hunter noticed and saved the day. 

Finally, the party was over, I dragged my aching body to my room. It was a blast, but I couldn't help the sadness that lodged in my heart. 

No mate, no wolf. The day was over.

My life is over! 

Getting clad in my pajamas after soaking my pillow with tears, I curled to sleep. I had training sessions tomorrow morning with Alpha Hunter and lateness wasn't tolerated. 

I had barely gone 3 hours into sleep when I was jolted awake by a sharp pain that was impossible to ignore. 

A rain of sweat descended on my face as the strange pain traveled throughout my body, causing great discomfort. 

Tears welled up in my eyes as I got out of bed, trying to comprehend what was happening to me, but my head was blank. 

I was about to dash to my parents’ bedroom when a strange powerful force took control of me, turning the direction of my legs outside, causing me to run like a wild beast. 

It was no surprise that I wasn't spotted by anyone. After my party, everyone retired to their beds tired and full. 

Catching my breath, I slowly turned my head, scanning my surroundings to know my location. Darkness loomed over me and the consistent chirping of the insect reminded me that I was in the woods. 

But I didn't realize I had crossed the pack border, the boundary that separates the Opal wolf from the rest of the world. 

Scared to death as my heart flipped hard, adrenaline rushed through me, fueling me with strength as I tried to run to my pack immediately to avoid being seen by Hunters. I narrowly escaped the last time as my mother almost sacrificed herself to save me. 

The force dominated me once more, pushing me to the ground as if making me submit and surrender to its power. 

Helpless, I lay over the wet grass, weeping profusely. Thunder claps erupted from the sky, accompanied by terrifying streaks of lightning. 

The ground I lay on became suddenly hot, and my body started emitting smoke. 

Before I could comprehend what was happening to me, the bones in my body broke at once, causing agonizing pain and claws replaced my fingers. Red fur sprouted from my smooth skin with force and sharp canines replaced my nice dentition. My sense of vision, hearing, and smell heightened, and my nose elongated. 

I let out a deafening cry, panting hard as my body structure realigned violently until I was on all fours. A tail shot out between my legs, and the urge to run and howl at the full moon hanging in the sky overwhelmed me. 

A smile formed in my mind at the realization. 

I finally shifted. I have a wolf. If I can find my mate, my life will be complete. 

“Azara.” 

Fear gripped me, causing me to freeze. 

I turned to look at the origin of the sound, but there was no one in view. 

“I am right here, Azara.” The voice repeated, louder this time. “I'm in your head. My name is Aria and I am your wolf.”

“First things first, let's get out of here; it's too dangerous,” she warned, letting out soft growls, and she paced about my head. “Your mum would be so pissed.”

I cocked my head, surprised at her words. “How do you know about my mum?” 

“Oh, Azara, I've been here with you all your life, in your head, silently watching you grow, protecting you. It's time to let myself known, but let's leave this place, please. You are far from home.”  

Immense joy replaced the fear as Aria's gentle, yet firm voice filled my head, calming my nerves. For the first time in hours of shifting, the pain didn't matter anymore, neither was the fear of being away from the rest of the pack, standing away from the border with an Opal wolf that emitted flames. 

My wolf was extremely big, rugged, and strong, yet wise. I love her already. 

“It's nice to finally meet you, Ari–” 

A loud Piercing gasp penetrated my ears, interrupting my speech. 

Turning my head in the direction of the voice, I saw the figure of a lean man with a fire torch above his hands, his mouth wide open as he glared at me with shocked eyes. 

“The legendary wolf!” He declared.

“Are my eyes deceiving me? Isn't this the Fire Opal wolf?!”

I froze on the spot, unaware of what to do when Aria's desperate screams rang in my head like a bell. 

“Azara, run!”