Purpose

"Seraphina, dear, you have to wake up now." 

"Mother?" 

"Yes, dear. Wake up now, it is not yet time for you to join us. Your journey is far from over." 

"But I don't want to live without all of you." 

"You must, dear. We weren't going to be in your life forever. Rise now, a grand destiny awaits you." 

I draw a sharp breath as consciousness flooded back, struggling for air as if my lungs were constricted. My mind felt foggy and every muscle ache. 

But I still remembered the dream clearly.

I saw my mother. She came to me. I saw her sweet, soft face again. 

I buried my face in my palms, that was when I realized I've been crying. 

As clarity returned, I saw I was still alive, and in a tent. 

A surge of panic gripped me as the realization dawned that I might have returned to the camp. 

I didn't give in to the panic, and decided to look around.

This tent was different. It was cleaner and much organized. 

I was sleeping on a very soft mat and was covered with soft fur.

If I was back at the camp, they wouldn't give me this type of comfort. 

As I attempted to stand, I nearly stumbled back. 

My body felt drained. I haven't eaten anything since the gods know when. After all that running, my strength had abandoned me. 

I managed to drag myself out the tent, and I realized I wasn't back at the camp. 

Despite this place being a camp, it was organized. The soldiers weren't unnecessarily loud, and they moved with purpose. Their uniforms were also different from the soldiers I knew. What state could this soldiers be from? Was I in enemy territory?

Standing at the tent entrance, I observed discreetly. No one paid me any mind. Each person was engrossed in their duties. 

I stood there, torn between the idea of sneaking off for food and the fear of severe consequences if caught. 

I was contemplating taking the risk until I saw a shadow from the corner of my eyes. 

I was about to flee when a cold authoritive voice stopped me.

"Stop," the voice commanded, freezing me in place. 

Even though I haven't shifted yet, as long as I had wolf blood in me I could never resist an alpha's command.

"Turn around." The voice instructed. And I turned around slowly as if someone was controlling my body. 

Facing the source of the voice, I saw a huge man towering over me. He was five times taller than me, and ten times bigger. 

Avoiding his gaze, a habit from my days at the camp, I kept my eyes fixed on the floor. 

"Look at me," he commanded, sending a chill down my spine. 

Raising my head slowly, my breath got caught in my throat. This imposing man had a beautiful face.

His long brown hair that, almost red, were braided back, his eyes had the same fiery hue. A straight nose and a sharp jawline complemented his rugged figure, accentuated by a scar that ran from his left eyebrow down to his cheek. Clad in sleek black armor, he exuded a mix of beauty and danger. 

I knew better than to get involved with people like this. 

"I am Alpha Kaelen, commander of the Wolfhaven army." He introduced himself. 

My eyes widened in recognition as the name echo in my ears. 

The Wolfhaven army were the largest and most feared army in the state. 

They were known as death bringers. Conquering every battle they stepped their feet into. It was their might that has kept our enemies at bay, unable to prevail against us. 

I held deep admiration for these warriors. I have always loved listening to stories about them. Now standing in front of the commander of the legendary army, I didn't know how to react. 

"I-I-I'm Seraphina, alpha." I stammered, bowing deeply, my hands trembling slightly with nervous energy. 

"My soldiers discovered you by the lake during their reconnaissance. Were you attempting to end your own life, Seraphina?" His voice remained steady, yet tears welled up in my eyes. 

"Why did they rescue me, alpha?" I questioned through sobs, tears streaming down my cheeks unchecked. 

"Why did they not simply let me drown?" My voice broke as grief overtook me, tears flowing freely. 

Lost in anguish, I wept uncontrollably, momentarily forgetting the powerful alpha before me. 

I was tried.

Why didn't they leave me to drown? What purpose did life hold now? Mother told me I had a greater future awaiting me, but what was so great about the future if they weren't here with me?

I promised Lyra that I wouldn't let anything happen to her, but I failed. I failed her.

I wept harder as I remembered my sister's lifeless body, how loud she was screaming, the amount of pain she must have been in.

"It should have been me," I uttered through tear-streaked cheeks. 

"It should have been me! Why did it have to be her?! What wrong had that innocent child done?!" I cried out, the pain too much for me to bear. 

"Your soldiers should have just let me drown!" I yelled at the alpha, who stood unmoved, his expression unreadable. I didn't even think of the fact that I was shouting at the most powerful man alive, my heart was aching too much for me to care.

"What is the point of me living?! What was I living for when I had lost everybody?!" I screamed, tears clouding my words. 

"There's always a purpose for you, Seraphina. You just haven't discovered yours yet." Alpha Kaelen responded, his voice unwavering, and I felt a glimmer of solace. 

"You will find your purpose Seraphina. Trust my words." He assured me, and my tears subsided as I gaze up at him. 

His face remained expressionless but something seemed to have soften in his eyes. 

I wiped my tears, standing resolute as I declare, "Then I wish to join your army, Alpha."

"Perhaps that is my purpose. " I proclaimed boldly. I expected him to laugh or mock me, but he didn't. 

"Then so be it, Seraphina," he acknowledged with a nod of respect. "Do you know what you're committing yourself into?" He asked calmly. 

"Yes, alpha. " I affirmed. I wouldn't tell him about my problem yet until when it feels right. 

"Very well. Come eat, " He suggested, turning to depart. "Tomorrow, at first light, we ride to Wolfhaven." 

"Yes, Alpha." I said as I followed him. 

Wolfhaven was the capital city. A place I have only heard in stories and from people, but I didn't tell him that and just followed him. 

Tomorrow, I was going to a place where I would find my purpose.