I was looking at her through the trees, the heavy air pressing against me. Anna's sobbing shook her shoulders as she knelt beside the marked tree, piercing the forest's silence. What I previously feared was proven when the relic in my fingers blazed hot and faintly glowed toward her.
The enemy. The danger. Anna. My feet wouldn't budge, so I tightened my hold on the knife strapped to my side. I finally understood the mission, the reason I had gone to this pack, but I was unable to make sense of it. Anna wasn't a potential threat. She was a person. A broken, sad girl who isn't dangerous at all. As my heart raced in my chest, I stumbled backwards, trying to calm down my fast breathing. Thank God she didn't see me. I turned around and slid back into the bush, being careful not to fall on any trees. When I got back to my room, I laid down on the bed and stared at the artifact until its light went out. "What on earth is happening?" I said and ran my hand through my hair. I pace around the room because what I had seen was so heavy on my mind. Why her? Why would Anna be named in the relic and the elders' prophecy? She wasn't a wolf who wanted power, a bad guy, or a killer. However, that mark... I couldn't get the picture of her hand with that small glimmer out of my head; it matched the emblem etched on the tree. It was evidence of something more important, but what? Confusion and guilt swirled till they mixed together. Anna's cries reverberated in the background as I relived Leo's execution, his limp body swinging. Was I punished for this? Some perverse vengeance for accusing Leo and leaving her to bear the consequences alone? It was tough to fall asleep. Anna's face appeared each time I closed my eyes. Not only in the forest, but at every turn since I got there: her silent resistance, the melancholy she hid, her quick looks. The relic was on the table when I finally fell asleep, perhaps tempting me to use it once more.Morning came with the sun spilling through the cracks in my blinds. My body was stiff from unresolved tension when I woke up. I was meant to accompany Oliver on his patrol cycles, so there was no time to slouch.
Although the pack was humming with activity, I was unable to focus. She resembled every omega completing their duties. Every set of tired eyes and every head of dark hair blended together until I nearly bumped into her as I turned a corner. Anna. At first, she was too preoccupied with whatever task she was running to notice me. Feeling like a guilty dog caught stealing, I ducked into a nearby alcove and pressed my back against the wall. What had gone wrong with me? I couldn't face her, even though I had no reason to avoid her. As she passed, her earthy, gentle scent hung in the air, and I stayed in the shadows. Something inside of me was twisted by it, a battle between duty and instinct. It didn't get any better for the rest of the day. She was always there when I turned a corner. close to the kitchens. close to the practice area. even using Maia to scrub the stone floors. She was a constant reminder of the secret I held, as if to mock me. But I wasn't uncomfortable merely because I saw her. It was my feelings. It seemed harder to see her as a threat the more I tried to focus on my goal. I had had enough by noon. I needed clarity and space.I chose to get some bread and sit on the ledge outside my quarters instead of attending the customary meal gathering. My worries were not much calmed by the cold breeze.
"You've gone soft," I mumbled to myself, as I gazed at the item beside me. The adjective "soft" wasn't suitable. Perhaps lost. Perplexed. I was surprised by the sound of footsteps. Expecting Oliver or one of his henchmen, I turned suddenly. However, it was her. Anna. Her steps were deliberate and slow as she approached with care. Her arms were tightly crossed, as though she were covering herself, and she exuded a worried aura. I stood, not sure if I should run away from her or greet her. "Lucas," she stated in a quiet yet forceful tone. My throat became suddenly dry as I swallowed forcefully. "Anna." She wasted no time. "Have you told him?" It was a surprise question. "What?" "Oliver," she said with a stronger tone. "Have you told him?" The weight of her question struck me as I looked at her. Inform him? She stood there, shivering with dread and rage, anticipating the worst of me, even though I hadn't ever considered the option. I was able to say, "No." Her gaze remained tense despite a small relaxation of her shoulders. "So why do you avoid me?" Uncertain of how to reply, I blinked. How could I explain the internal conflict without revealing everything? "Anna, I..." "No," she said, taking a step forward. "Lucas, I'm sick of your games. You act as though I don't exist one moment, and then you're following me around like a ghost the next. What is it? What are you looking for from me?" Her voice faltered, showing the vulnerability underneath her incisive comments. "I don't want anything," I murmured, saying more softly than I meant to. She looked at me with a confused and angry look on her face. "So why are you behaving this way?" I was unable to reply. She shook her head, her lips pressing into a narrow line. "This is not something I have time for." "Wait, Anna..." "No," she yelled, her voice cracked. "You are responsible for whatever happens to me now. It's your fault, Lucas, if Oliver knows and I end up dead." The comments were like a kick to the stomach. She turned and left before I could respond, her footsteps reverberating down the hallway. Her words were ringing in my head as I stood motionless. It would be my fault if she died. And I wasn't sure if I could handle that for the first time.As though mocking my hesitancy, the item rested in the middle of the table, its surface lifeless and unforgiving. It had been days since the forest, when I stood motionless in the dark, watching Anna sob in the moonlight. I hadn't said anything to anyone. How could I? The weight of my realization dominated every thought and every breath.Anna.She had been identified by the artifact. Not a lurking opponent, not a rogue. She.Both then and now, I was unsure of what to do.I kept walking around my room, feeling as though the walls were getting smaller with every step. The gang continued as if nothing had happened outside. A harsh reminder of the normalcy I had lost was the faint echo of their laughter coming through my window.Frustrated, my hands reached for my hair and began tugging. In my mind, I could still picture her face, smeared with tears. She posed no danger. She was unable to be.The relic, however, was truthful.I had found Anna thanks to the relic. To her dismay, to her suf
I ran out of her door like I was being chased by the devil. The coolness of the night air did little to quench the fire burning in my chest, so I breathed in harsh breaths."That's her. Your fated mate."The words of the Moon Goddess reverberated in my head, relentless and uncompromising.How could this have happened? How could the individual I was meant to get rid of also end up being my partner?I leaned hard against my room and banged the door. My heart pounded as if it were trying to break out of my rib cage.In the dim light, the artifact sat on the table like a threatening apparition. I clenched and unclenched my hands as I gazed at it. I had come to her, to this pack, because of it.Anna.The name itself seemed different now, full of an energy that I was unable to ignore.I grabbed the edge of the table and sank into the nearest chair. Conflicting thoughts raced through my mind, each one more chaotic than the last.I tried to explain it. The link between fated partners was stro
During the day, the pack would congregate in the busy courtyard to train, converse, or just take a respite from their duties. It was a haven for most. It was a minefield for me.My hands were raw from the cold water after I had just finished cleaning the Alpha's house steps. I pulled the hefty stone bucket over to the water barrels to fill it up. My shoulders hurt, and I couldn’t stop thinking about Lucas.Why did I feel this way? It was disturbing how my heart beat every time I thought of him, and how strangely warm I felt within. Even though I knew deep down that I should avoid him, I couldn’t help but wonder what he was thinking.The chatter from the courtyard became more noticeable as I filled the bucket with water. I chose to ignore it and focus on the water’s ripples instead. I was grounded by the chilly splash against my hands, which served as a reminder to keep my head down, finish my tasks, and live to see another day.Then, like a blade, her voice cut through the din.“This
There was an electric energy in the courtyard that I hadn't experienced in years. I crossed my arms and leaned on the training post's edge as the pack's voices erupted around me, calling for revenge.From the crowd, someone yelled, "She attacked the Luna. Who does she think she is?"Others joined in, their charges mingling with the clamor of anger. As I heard bits of conversation, my jaw tensed. Words like "execution," "traitor," and "insolence" hung in the air like a storm cloud that was about to blow.One of the elders said, "She poses a threat to the stability of the pack. We have to move fast before Oliver learns and makes a decision for us!"My heart fell. Before I fully comprehended what had transpired, I couldn't allow this to get out of hand. Even though I hadn't seen Anna since that incident on the pack grounds, I knew the reports were true because of her power and resistance, which suggested something greater than small-time disobedience."Enough!" I barked, stopping the rab
It seemed as though the world was holding its breath because the air outside Anna's apartments was so motionless and silent. With my heart racing, I paused at the door. Every step I took toward her house had been more difficult than the last, and I had no idea what I would find.I felt a rush of emptiness when I finally pulled the door open. The afternoon sun streaming through the curtains cast a soft glow on the room, and the subtle aroma of pine and lavender filled the air, enveloping me in a memory of her. The house was as clean as ever, but Anna was not there.Maia was sitting on the side of the bed. Her hands gripped a torn blanket, her shoulders hunched. She tried to take a firm attitude when she spotted me, but her eyes were swollen and red."Why are you in this place?" Her voice was sharp but quiet as she enquired."Where is Anna?" After entering and shutting the door, I asked.Maia's mouth made a thin line. "She's not here."I squinted. "Don't lie to me."She yelled, "I'm not
The stillness between us stretched uncomfortably, and the air in Maia's tiny home felt oppressive. As though preparing for an approaching storm, Maia stood rigidly by the fireplace with her arms folded across her chest. Her face was smeared with tears, revealing the feelings she was trying so hard to hide.With her voice quivering just enough to reveal her fear, Maia firmly stated, "She didn't tell me anything, Lucas. I have no idea where she is."I took a step closer and narrowed my gaze. "You're lying, Maia. Do you not believe that I can tell?"She winced but stayed motionless. "I'm telling the truth. Anna didn't even properly say goodbye. It was only after she had left that I realized she was going."Inside me, anger simmered and threatened to explode. To steady myself, I balled my hands. "You want me to think she simply left without saying anything? She trusted you, Maia. You are the only one who knows where she has gone."Her eyes darted to the window as if she were waiting for s
In front of me, the forest went on forever, blocking out most of the moonlight with its thick cover. As I continued, the wet ground beneath my feet sucked with every step, and I breathed in short gasps. I couldn't remember how many hours I had spent running. With their skeletal branches protruding like claws in the shadows, the trees all had the same look.I pressed my back against a broad oak tree and slowed to a halt. The mark on my wrist pulsed softly, as if to push me on, and my legs shook. I was disturbed by the burning, even though it had subsided to a quiet thrum. What was it trying to convey to me?Right now, I couldn't think of that. Not when my heart leaped into my throat at the sound of every leaf rustling or tree breaking. I told myself to keep moving.By the time I entered neutral ground, dawn was peeki
Except for the steady crunch of leaves under my boots, the forest was quiet. My shoulders were tense, so I fiddled with the strap of my pack. Anna left a thin but clear trail; I could smell her scent occasionally on the wind, which kept me going.My face ached from the cold air as I pushed farther into unknown territory. The treason I had committed made every step feel more burdensome. Oliver's snarling rage was imprinted in my memory as my imagination reenacted the situation. Traitor.The word was painful, but I continued. Not when I was aware of the danger.I stopped and leaned against the rough bark of an old oak tree that had a wide crown. The silence in the forest was so eerie that it made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. The cold air made my breath mist, and I looked for movement in the shadows."You've gone crazy," I whispered to myself.Had I, though? I was unable to explain the reason behind my attraction to Anna. It was something deeper and more primordial than
I snapped awake as the previous night's events suddenly came back to me. The recollection of the growls in the forest and the rush of adrenaline I had when Lucas and I stood together, prepared to face any challenge, made my heart hurt.The stress had been enough to keep us up most of the night, even if the attack never materialized. Lucas was sitting by the now-extinct fire with his back to the wall and his eyes closed when I turned to look at him. His brows were furrowed even while he slept, as if he was still struggling to release the weight that was on us.I pulled the tattered blanket across my shoulders and sat up quietly. Nightshade—Oliver, Maia, and all I had left behind—was on my mind.I was no longer able to run.The choice became like a big stone lodged in my chest. Retaliation was no longer the only factor. It was about liberation and confronting the monster that had ruled every aspect of my existence.I stood, and Lucas open
After hours of wandering around, we came across a cabin. With his hand hovering over the corroded handle, Lucas stopped at the door."It doesn't appear to be much," he remarked, turning to face me. "But compared to sleeping outside, it's better."I nodded, too tired to protest. Running had left my legs hurting, and the turmoil of the previous day had left my brain aching. If only for a few hours, I just wanted to pass out somewhere safe.We entered the room when Lucas creaked the door open. It was remarkably undamaged, but the air was musty and stagnant. There was a shabby couch in the middle of the room, its cushions sagging but still functional, and a little fireplace against one wall.As we shut the door behind us, Lucas muttered, "This will do." He went quickly to inspect the windows to make sure we weren't being followed. His movements were quick and precise.With everything finally weighing on me, I collapsed onto the couch. I pressed my trem
"Lucas!" I called.“I’m here,” he answered, his shirt torn and stained with blood. Relief came over me, but it was short-lived as I took in the exhaustion etched into his face.“What now?” I whispered, my throat tight.“We find Thalion,” he said firmly, though his eyes betrayed his doubt.We proceeded together through the devastation, stepping over fallen bodies and shattered weapons. The pack that had offered us sanctuary, strength, and answers was now in ruins.“There!” Lucas pointed ahead.I followed his gaze and saw Thalion slumped against a jagged boulder, his breathing heavy. His once-imposing form was now a shell of itself, his robes saturated with blood that pooled beneath him.“Thalion!” I cried, running to his side.His eyes flickered open at the sound of my voice. “Anna,” he rasped, his voice scarcely audible.“Don’t try
“They’re close,” Lucas whispered beside me, his voice tense with strain.I nodded, my eyes scouring the darkness. Thalion had stationed troops throughout the perimeter, their sharp eyes shining faintly in the moonlight. My fingers flexed, and I could feel the strange energy pouring through me, a force that was both foreign and familiar."Are you prepared for this?" Lucas touched my hand and asked.I looked up into his concerned eyes. "No," I said, "but that's irrelevant. We must battle them because they are here."A howl pierced the night before he could reply, sending a shiver down my spine. It was followed by another, and another, until the sound of wolves howling together filled the air.With a grim expression, Thalion walked forward and remarked, "They're signaling their attack. Go to your places, everyone!"The camp came alive with activity. Warriors sprang into defensive positions around the central area, moving quick
The first rays of morning seeped through the canopy, the woodland was strangely calm. The cool morning air caress my skin as I sat by myself on a rock next to the stream. My thoughts raced with uncertainties and anxieties, and sleep had become elusive. I was troubled by the scout's report of Crescent Grove's devastation, and the howl from the night before continued to reverberate in my mind like a gloomy echo.I had been awakened by something else, though—a sensation that was like a whisper calling my name from deep within my chest."Anna."The clearing seemed deserted, but I flinched and spun around. My chest was thumping in my ribcage. "Who is there?"Quiet.I ran a hand through my hair and let out a shaky gasp. Perhaps I was finally feeling the effects of the pressure. However, a wave of energy swept through the air as I turned back toward the stream, and I realized that I was not alone."Anna," the voice repeated, a little lower.
I stood outside the tent that Anna and I shared, looking for any movement in the tree line."I don't like this," I whispered to myself.From behind me, Anna's voice said, "Neither do I."She was standing there with her arms wrapped around herself to protect against the cold wind when I turned back. Her face was pale but determined, and her hair was a little unkempt. Neither of us had slept well, nor had she.I replied in a hushed voice, "Thalion mentioned that the scouts had seen strange wolves close to the northern border. It doesn't take a genius to figure out who it might be, but they didn't get a good look."Anna muttered, "Oliver," her face stiffening.I gave a nod. The timing couldn't be worse. He must have been informed of our whereabouts by someone.Anna narrowed her eyes and scowled. "Who would turn on us like that? For centuries, this pack has remained secluded. Even outsiders aren't trusted by them.""That's my conce
His words reverberated in my head. "Close your eyes, Anna," his commands uncompromising. "Take in the energy that surrounds you. Pull it in. Allow it to lead you."I let my eyes drift shut and exhaled slowly. It was like attempting to capture smoke with bare hands, yet the subtle hum of power beneath my skin was growing more familiar. It escaped my grasp, leaving me exhausted and frustrated."Anna!"The sound of Kael's voice caused my eyes to open. His face seemed extremely stern as he ran toward me. Lucas, his face a mask of worry, jogged to catch up behind him."What's happening?" I got to my feet and asked.Kael took a moment to respond. He lowered his voice after taking a quick look over his shoulder to be sure no one else was listening. "Just now, a scout came back. Both of you must hear this."I got a chill from the tightness in his voice. At that moment, Lucas came up to me and briefly touched me with his hand, offering a silent reassurance."Where is Thalion?" Lucas inquired i
"Once more."Thalion’s voice boomed through the clearing, harsh and uncompromising. My muscles screamed in protest as I braced myself for another strike. The wooden post in front of me was splintered and bloodstained from hours of abuse, but I wasn’t finished.With everything I had left, I rushed forward and smashed my fist against the post. My arm ached, but I chose to ignore it. Proving myself was the only thing that counted. Not to Thalion, not to them, but to Anna.From the sidelines, Kael murmured, "Sloppy," with his arms folded across his chest. "You're merely using brute force. No skill, no finesse."Thalion whispered firmly, "Kael," his eyes never leaving me. "Quiet. Let him do his job."Kael scoffed without further comment. I sensed that he was watching me and waiting for me to fail. He wanted me to lose my temper so he could accuse me of being weak. However, I would not provide him with the satisfaction.The wood cracked as I pounded my fist into the post once more.Thalion
"Pay attention, Anna." The sharpness of Thalion's voice sliced through the silence of the old woodland. With an intensity that made me writhe, his glittering eyes pierced me.I inhaled deeply, attempting to calm my pounding heart. Like a coiled spring, the energy in my chest was poised to explode. The air around me was charged with excitement as the other wolves observed, their faces displaying a range of reactions from interest to doubt."You have to keep it under control," Thalion said. "How do you expect to use your power in combat if you can't even channel it in its most basic form?"I felt the warmth of the mark on my arm pulse in sync with my heartbeat as I clenched my fists. "I'm trying," I responded, my voice laced with frustration."Merely trying is insufficient," Thalion yelled. "Feel it. Give it orders. It is yours; you are not its servant."Lucas crossed his arms and stood a few steps away. "She might have an easier time if you didn't give her orders like she was a soldier