Chapter 2

 The sun was already setting as I entered a small, dimly lit cave, my temporary refuge from the world.

 I looked around, taking in the damp walls and the faint scent of moss that fills the air.

With a deep breath I dropped the bag in my hand, my heart racing frantically.

It is time.

I had to do this.

The first Step to my plan of Vengeance

My transformation.

I stood in front of a makeshift mirror - a polished piece of metal I found during my journey. 

My once long, flowing chestnut hair was framing my face, a face that is now haunted by the memories of my lost loved ones. With another deep breath, I gripped a sharp knife tightly in my hand and began to cut my hair, watching as the locks fell to the cold cave floor.

As I cut, I whisper to myself, "This is for you, my family, my pack. I will avenge you." My voice wavers, but I steel myself, pushing forward with my task.

I needed to be strong for this.

I needed to be. My eyes were swollen and red from days of crying and sleepless nights.

But I was done wallowing in grief.

I had set up a memorial for my pack. My pack which was now wiped out. The babies, the elders, warriors…every single one murdered and burnt to ashes.

"They are going to Pay" I whispered defiantly. I will use this second change for vengeance.

When I finished cutting my hair, I looked at my reflection and hardly recognized the woman staring back at me. My new shorter hair gave me a hardened appearance, and my once bright eyes now held a fierce determination.

Lily would be so proud of me. I thought my heart aching painfully 

She always wanted me to get a haircut.

Never did I imagine that it would take her death for me to finally do what she wants.

With a resolve born of pain and loss, I used a charcoal from the remnants of a fire to darken my eyebrows and create the illusion of shadows on my face. 

My transformation was nearly complete, but I know that I must also change my scent to avoid detection by the Blood Moon Pack.

 I grabbed various herbs and plants that I had picked earlier from the surrounding woods and rubbed them on my skin, masking my true identity.

As I take one last look at my reflection, I feel a mixture of sadness and resolve. 

Goodbye to  the life I knew and the person I once was.

 This was the only way I could bring justice to my fallen pack members and family. 

"Goodbye, Eva of the Moonlight Pack. It's time for a new beginning."  I whispered into the mirror and left the cave.

 *****

A few days later,  I sat on a fallen tree trunk in a dense part of the forest, the sun filtering through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the ground. I pull out a tattered notebook and begin to write, carefully crafting a backstory for my new identity. I know I must make it as believable as possible if I was to infiltrate the Blood Moon Pack.

The moon pack is a very strong pack. There was no way I could succeed without a strong plan and a strong back up plan, and a backup backup plan 

I had spent the last few days planning. I knew what I had to 

With each word I write, a new persona takes shape. 

I decided to call myself "Nora," a rogue werewolf who has been wandering alone for years, searching for a place to belong. My new story includes the tragic loss of my parents in a fire, forcing me to fend for myself and learning to survive in the wild. 

After writing, I started reading it out, practicing the sadness and pain in my voice as I retell Nora's story, ensuring that the emotions seem genuine.

Yes, this would work.

I walked  to a nearby stream, and looked down at my reflection which was shimmering in the water.

But this wasn't enough. Not nearly. There are other mannerisms I had to let go of and adopt different ones.

 With a new pose, I started walking with a different gait,  displaying a hardened exterior that belies the pain and anger simmering beneath the surface.

And that was what I did, over and over, night after night.

 Practicing my new persona until it became second nature, until I couldn't  no longer see traces of Eva in the person I've become.

One faithful day, for the first time I crossed paths with another werewolf.

A true rogue werewolf from his appearance. He was carrying a sac and looked like he was in a hurry but on seeing me he stopped and flashed me a friendly smiled 

"Hello, I'm Jake," he says, extending a hand. 

I stared at the hand, unsure of how to respond, then I grabbed it in a shake.

"Hello, Jake. I'm Nora"

"What brings you out into this wood Nora. This is a very very dangerous territory,"

I hesitated for a moment before answering," I wasn't aware. I have been wandering alone for years now. My parents... they were killed in a fire when I was young."

"I'm sorry to hear that," he replies with genuine sympathy in his eyes. "Life as a rogue can be tough."

I nodded grateful that the first person I came across bought into my story.

We started walking down the bush together exchanging stories, and I watched him carefully, gauging his reaction to my fabricated tale. He seems to believe me, and we spend the afternoon swapping stories of our travels and hardships.

Jake told me about his own pack, how he left them after a disagreement with their Alpha. "You know, it wasn't easy," he says, "but sometimes you just have to make the tough choices."

I nod, understanding his pain. "Yeah, I know what you mean. I've been searching for a place to belong, but it's not easy to trust others after everything I've been through."

When we got to a divided place, he turned to me with a smile,  "Take care, Nora. I hope you find the family you're looking for."

I thanked him, feeling a pang of guilt for the deception I've woven. "You too, Jake. Stay safe out there."

And I continued my journey.

The dense forest gradually thins out as I approach the territory of the Blood Moon Pack. The air felt heavy, and I could sense the power and menace that the enemy pack exudes. My heart started racing and my palms grew clammy as I thought about the challenges that lie ahead. 

I know that infiltrating the enemy's ranks will be no easy task, but I was prepared to face any danger in order to fulfill my mission.

Clad in my new identity as Nora, I steady my breathing and remind myself of the countless hours I spent practicing my new persona. I repeat my fabricated backstory in my head, making sure that every detail is etched into my memory. I am no longer Eva, the Alpha's daughter who lost her pack and family; I am Nora, a rogue werewolf searching for a place to belong.

As I near the border of the Blood Moon Pack's territory, I catch the scent of their pack members. My senses were heightened, and I could feel the wolves' presence even before I saw them. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the inevitable confrontation.

Stepping across the invisible boundary that separates our territories, I brace myself for the confrontation that is sure to follow. Within moments, a patrol of Blood Moon Pack warriors emerges from the underbrush, growling and baring their teeth.

"Who are you, and what do you want?" demands the leader, a fierce-looking man with a scar that runs from his temple to his jawline.

"My name is Nora," I reply, keeping my voice steady and my eyes locked on his. "I'm a rogue werewolf looking for a place to belong. I've heard about the strength of the Blood Moon Pack and would like to request permission to join."