Chapter 26: Crimson Birthday

**November 25, 2024, Present**

Alinta and Angela spent the entire day in their cottage, discussing their plans. They agreed to join Jennifer and Xavier, but once they arrived at the caverns, they had to leave them and explore the area.

"Are you really okay with this plan?" Angela asked, still uneasy about the whole idea.

"Come on! I’m finally the one not chickening out on something, and now you’re acting like this," Alinta pouted.

Angela remained quiet for a moment before exclaiming, "What the fuck?"

"What’s wrong?" Alinta asked.

"Go make yourself comfortable and get over here," Angela said anxiously.

Alinta lay down on the large soft quilted bed and closed her eyes, instinctively connecting with her wolf. As she approached Angela, she noticed her wolf sitting with her back turned, staring at something on the ground, her fur standing up along her spine.

"What is it, Ange?" Alinta asked, carefully moving closer to her wolf. Angela turned to Alinta and moved aside, revealing a small black shrub. "That’s... different," Alinta said as she crouched down to examine the plant more closely. She observed the leaves and instinctively recognized them. "This is a rose bush, but I’ve never seen a black one before." She reached out to touch it when Angela suddenly shouted.

"Alinta, don't! This is where I was vomiting that black stuff!" Angela growled.

"Oh, I see. Just stay away from it until we can find someone who can help or at least explain this phenomenon," Alinta said, fearfully backing away from the plant.

"I want to rip it out!" Angela replied aggressively.

"Let’s just keep our distance for now. We don’t know what might happen. Please, Ange, you know how impulsive you can be."

"Fine, but you should start getting ready," Angela grumbled.

"Thanks, Ange. Just relax. We’ll sort this out. Let’s try to enjoy the day," Alinta said gently, then petted her wolf's head before fading away, leaving Angela who was still snarling at the black plant.

Alinta made her way to the bathroom for a quick shower, washing her hair in the process. Today, she wanted to look nice for the event because it was her birthday after all, and she aimed to enjoy it as much as possible. Alinta decided to straighten her hair, which was a rare sight; it was so long it reached her thighs. She applied dark red lipstick and a reddish-brown eyeshadow on her upper and lower eyelids with a bit of ice gold for highlights. Her long, full lashes didn't need eyeliner after she applied a generous coat of mascara, which made her vibrant green eyes stand out even more. Her glossy, full lips left little to the imagination of onlookers. She dressed in an elegant wine-coloured asymmetrical lace-up cami dress and wore red stilettos.

“Damn girl! I don’t even recognize you! It’s a pity Orion and Silas aren't here, to see you,” Angela said with a wink.

“Thanks! And it’s good to hear you’re being yourself. Just relax, everything will be fine,” Alinta reassured her wolf.

“Until this weird atmosphere clears up, I won't feel completely relaxed. Just don’t let your guard down.”

“Yes, boss,” Alinta teased as she opened the door to go outside. Just in time, a buggy arrived at her cottage.

“My, you look like a different woman!” Jennifer exclaimed with a broad smile. “Come hop in!”

“Thank you so much for the lift,” Alinta replied gratefully as she sat in the back of the small buggy. Jennifer and Xavier chatted excitedly in a language Alinta didn’t understand, but it didn’t bother her. She found the sight sweet, as they reminded her of enthusiastic young lovers.

Once they arrived, Alinta thanked the couple and made a quick excuse to leave them, to which they only told her to enjoy the event. She walked toward a crowd gathering near the crater where a large stage was also set up.

“I’ve never seen so many werewolves gathered in one place before! It’s like a bunch of junkies waiting for aliens to appear. We’re just missing the tinfoil hats,” Angela exclaimed.

“Ange!” Alinta gasped. “Don’t forget we’re here too; does that make us weird as well?”

“Yup,” Angela replied shamelessly, causing Alinta to laugh out loud.

Music played, and many werewolves danced while others sat in social circles, smoking the Moon knows what. Some stood holding crudely made signs welcoming the return of the Deity. Alinta found a cosy spot for herself and Angela to observe without drawing unnecessary attention.

“These people are insane. You’re insane for coming here!” Angela exclaimed.

“Oh hush now, we’ve already discussed this,” Alinta sighed mockingly.

“That’s the problem! I tried to change your mind before we came!” Angela hissed anxiously.

“We’ll be fine; we just need to blend in and mind our own business, on another note, it's almost six so the party is about to begin just relax. Woah look at how huge the crimson moon is!”

“I swear, if anything weird happens, you’d better let me take over so we can escape unscathed!”

"Deal, now let's..." Alinta was interrupted by a tremor which erupted too close to comfort. Her heart was racing as a strange dark static force began to build around her, it gently brushed against her face, almost causing her to tremble. It felt so much like fingers touching her, almost freezing her into place. Suddenly, the strange force was lifted, freeing her from her frozen state, a positive energy brushed against her, pulling at her, guiding her out of harm's way. Another and more aggressive tremor suddenly erupted.

"Alinta you promised!" Angela cried in panic.

"Run," a deep magnetic voice rumbled in her head, it frightened the crap out of both of them, but at the same time, it strangely held a lot of warmth.

"Y-yes, get us out of here," Alinta whispered fearfully. Her mind was still preoccupied with the mysterious voice when another tremor shook the ground, causing the crowd to roar with delight. Alinta crouched down on all fours and shifted cautiously, careful not to ruin her dress. Once she transformed, her dress draped around Angela's neck like a scarf. Seeing this, other werewolves followed her lead, thinking it would be a great idea to remain in their wolf forms for the party. Just as Angie was about to dash away, a tall gentleman stepped into her path.

"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes, my lady in red?"

Angela rolled her eyes and snorted as she ran around him. She was not in the mood to deal with this boozer. As she dashed ahead, she caught a glimpse of dark fur in her peripheral vision.

"Do not run away from me," the wolf slurred drunkenly, pieces of torn clothing still flapping around his neck.

"Forget about catching up; how is he even able to run in a straight line?!" Alinta exclaimed, surprised. The dark brown wolf effortlessly ran in front of Angela, blocking her path. She growled anxiously; she wanted to escape to safety, but this fool was hindering her objective.

"What do you want?" she barked aggressively.

"Why not have a little fun? You are the first to catch my eye with your unique fiery coat and two tails," he said flirtatiously, looking her up and down.

"I'm really not interested. Now, please get out of my way; I have somewhere to be!"

The wolf snorted and violently shook his head as if he had something in his ears, then looked at Angela without emotion. "He is not going to leave us alone," Alinta said, annoyed. Angela changed her posture into a semi-crouch and began to stalk him, hoping the other wolf would either stay put or follow along.

Taking the bait, he grinned and followed her movements cautiously. "A very brave she-wolf you are," he remarked.

"If you don't fuck off now, I am going to tear you limb from limb arsehole," Angela growled with venom. As they continued to slowly stalk in a circle, Angela thought about what to say. Just a bit more, she thought. Suddenly, a loud and violent rumble erupted, catching all the wolves off guard. Rejoicing screams and whoo-hoos resonated around them. Angela pretended to look behind the male with a shocked expression. He turned around to follow her gaze, but when he saw nothing and turned back to face Angela, she was gone. He growled in frustration that he had fallen for such an ancient trick and started sprinting after her.

“Creep!” Angela spat between quick breaths.

“You can say that again! Faster Ange! I feel like we’re close to whatever it is we need to avoid.”

“On it!” barked Angela, quickening her pace.

“I wonder why no one else is running or sensing danger?” Alinta pondered, anxiously.

“I don’t know. Maybe we’re the only sober ones. Then again, they are…” Before Angela could finish her sentence, something heavy pounced on her, knocking her off her paws and slamming her head against the rocky surface. She became unconscious, and Alinta knew she had to take over. Her body instantly transformed into her human form, and she quickly grabbed her dress around her neck and pulled it down. Just as she finished and was about to get up, a large wolf landed on top of her, placing his paw on her chest keeping her back flush to the ground and knocking the wind out of her.

“Easy, easy!” she said fearfully, raising her surrendered hands in the air. It was the male from before, and he looked furious baring teeth and snarling. “Dude, what is your problem? Can you not take a hint? I am not interested in whatever it is you want!”

The wolf growled intimidatingly, then licked Alinta's cheek. "It does not matter what you are interested in," he breathed. Alinta shivered in disgust, closing her eyes and turning her head away from him. She could feel him transforming into his human form; his knuckles grazed her cheek. As she opened her eyes at the contact, he immediately grabbed her jaw.

Alinta wanted to curse him, but dread overtook her, causing her to stutter, "D...don't you feel it? S...something is coming..." The man tightened his grip on her face, squeezing her mouth.

His expression became increasingly deranged as he stared at her. "Breathtaking," he murmured to himself. Suddenly, a loud cracking sound echoed, and more tremors shook the ground. People rejoiced, and the music grew louder, but a strange silence soon enveloped the scene.

"We need to get out of here, please," Alinta whispered, her words disjointed because of how he gripped her mouth. He licked his lips as his hand sensually glided towards Alinta's throat. She swung at him, striking him in the face, but he didn’t even flinch. Alinta desperately tried to break free from his hold, but her oxygen supply became strained as he tightened his grip on her neck. Alinta started to weaken, unintentionally submitting to her attacker. That's it am I going to die here, Ange I am sorry! she cried in her thoughts.

The man only stared at Alinta while she became slack in his hold, blood started running from his nose and he neared her face staring intently at her just like Williams in the elevator. He was about to kiss her when, suddenly, a powerful force slammed him away from Alinta. His body crashed into a nearby rock like a lifeless rag doll.

Grateful yet disoriented, Alinta weakly turned her head toward the source of her salvation. However, her vision became clouded with darkness as the static force from before engulfed her. All she could see were violet eyes looking down at her before she lost consciousness.