Chapter 3 Episode 3

The Stranger in the Woods

kirian's P.O.V.

I ran until my lungs burned and my legs gave out. Collapsing against a tree, I let the tears flow freely.

"Why?" I choked out between sobs. "Why him? Why Sebastian ?"

The forest around me was silent, save for my ragged breathing and occasional sniffles. As the light began to fade, reality started to sink in.

My mate, the person I was supposed to spend my life with, was the same guy who had made my life hell for years.

"Some chosen one," I muttered bitterly. "Thanks a lot, Lunar Goddess."

Vlad, my wolf, whimpered softly in my mind. For once, he seemed at a loss for words.

As darkness settled in, a chill ran through me. I tried to stand, but my legs were shaky. Grabbing onto the tree trunk, I pulled myself up, feeling weak and drained.

Suddenly, a twig snapped nearby. My head jerked up, nostrils flaring as I caught an unfamiliar scent. Not werewolf, but... something else.

I crouched low, ready to attack. A figure stumbled through the bushes, and I pounced, pinning them against a tree.

In the dim light, I could make out a boy about my age. His hair was a startling white with hints of pale green, like grass peeking through snow. His skin was peachy, and his wide, frightened eyes were a stormy gray.

"Who are you?" I growled. "What are you doing here?"

The boy trembled beneath my grip. "P-please don't kill me," he stammered. "I don't want to die."

I tightened my hold. "That's not an answer. What are you? You're not a werewolf."

He swallowed hard. "I'm Jess. I'm... I'm a wizard. I was running from the Whisperer. He... he wiped out my entire town. Please, I mean no harm."

I released him, but kept my eyes locked on his. Wizards were real, sure, but they usually kept to themselves. What was one doing in werewolf territory?

Jess slid down the tree trunk, his eyes filling with tears. "My family, my friends... they're all gone."

Something in his voice, the raw pain, struck a chord in me. I felt my anger fade, replaced by a twinge of sympathy.

"I'm sorry," I said softly. "That's... that's awful."

Jess looked up at me, a fierce determination suddenly blazing in his eyes. "But I have to live. For them. I have to keep running."

He started to get up, but I grabbed his arm. "Wait. You know you're on werewolf territory, right?"

He nodded, tensing. "I'm just passing through. I won't stay long, I promise."

I sighed, rubbing my temples. What was I doing? But I couldn't just leave him to fend for himself. "Look, if you're trying to hide, head that way." I pointed deeper into the forest. "There's a place called Dark Wood. No one goes there, but there's a river running through it that marks the border of our territory. You might be able to cross over and hide there."

Jess's eyes widened in surprise. "You're... helping me? Why?"

I shrugged, suddenly feeling awkward. "I don't know. Just... seemed like the right thing to do."

He studied me for a moment, his gaze intense. "You've been hurt today," he said softly. "Not physically, but... a wound that can't be seen. One that might never fully heal."

I stiffened. How could he know?

Jess stepped closer, placing a hand on my chest. His eyes began to glow an eerie green, and I felt a warm tingling sensation spread through my body.

"I can't heal that scar or change your fate," he murmured. "But this should help with the pain until you're ready to face it."

The glow faded, and Jess stepped back. "Now we're even. Thank you for your help."

Before I could respond, he turned and disappeared into the darkness.

I stood there for a moment, stunned. What just happened? The ache in my chest, the overwhelming despair I'd felt earlier... it was still there, but dulled. Like a storm had passed, leaving only a light drizzle in its wake.

Shaking my head, I started the long trek back to town. By the time I reached my house, it was late. I braced myself as I opened the front door.

"kirian!" Mom cried, rushing to hug me. "Where have you been? We were so worried!"

Dad and my little sister, Hailey, crowded around us.

"Did you find your mate?" Dad asked eagerly.

"Who is it?" Hailey chimed in. "Is it that hot girl from down the street?"

I felt my stomach twist. How could I tell them the truth? That my mate was Sebastian , the guy who'd made my life miserable for years?

"I... I didn't find my mate," I lied, avoiding their eyes.

Mom's face fell. "Oh, honey. I'm so sorry."

"Then where were you all this time?" Dad pressed.

I sighed, suddenly feeling exhausted. "Can we... not do this right now? I just want to go to bed."

Pushing past them, I headed for my room, ignoring their concerned looks. I locked the door behind me and collapsed onto my bed.

"Don't worry, son," Dad called through the door. "You'll find your mate someday. It's not the end of the world."

I buried my face in my pillow. If only they knew.

As I drifted off to sleep, Jess's words echoed in my mind. A wound that might never fully heal. But maybe, just maybe, I could learn to live with it.

The next morning, I woke to the sound of frantic knocking on my door.

"kirian! Wake up!" Hailey's voice called urgently. "Something's happened!"

I groaned, rolling out of bed. "What's going on?"

Hailey burst in as soon as I unlocked the door. Her eyes were wide with excitement and fear. "There's a pack meeting. Alpha Gregory called everyone to the town square. It's about Sebastian !"

My heart dropped. "What about Sebastian ?"

She shook her head. "I don't know. But everyone's saying he's gone crazy. Come on, we have to go!"

Throwing on some clothes, I followed Hailey out. The streets were filled with people rushing towards the town square. The air buzzed with tension and whispered rumors.

As we reached the square, I saw Alpha Gregory standing on a raised platform. His face was grim, and beside him stood Sebastian 's parents. Sebastian 's mother was crying softly.

"What's happening?" I whispered to Lily, who had appeared beside me.

She shook her head. "No one knows for sure. But I heard Sebastian went berserk last night. Tore up half the forest looking for someone."

My blood ran cold. Looking for someone. Looking for me?

Alpha Gregory raised his hands for silence. "My fellow pack members," he began, his voice heavy. "I'm afraid I have disturbing news. Last night, my son Sebastian experienced... a change."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"He claims to have found his mate," Gregory continued. "But something went wrong. The mate bond wasn't completed, and it's driven him to a feral state."

I felt the blood drain from my face. This was my fault. Because I ran away, because I rejected the bond...

"We've had to restrain Sebastian for his own safety and the safety of others," Gregory said. "But we need to find his mate. It's the only way to stabilize him."

His eyes scanned the crowd, and for a heart-stopping moment, I thought he was looking right at me.

"If anyone has any information about who Sebastian 's mate might be, please come forward. The future of our pack may depend on it."

The crowd erupted into nervous chatter. I stood frozen, panic rising in my chest.

Lily grabbed my arm. "kirian," she whispered. "You have to tell them."

I shook my head frantically. "I can't. You don't understand. If they know it's me..."

"If you don't, Sebastian could die," she hissed. "And you along with him. Rejecting a mate bond can kill both wolves."

I felt like I was drowning. How had everything gone so wrong so quickly?

Just then, a commotion broke out at the edge of the square. People were shouting and pointing at something in the sky.

I looked up and felt my jaw drop. A massive bird, easily the size of a car, was circling overhead. Its feathers shimmered with an otherworldly light.

"What is that?" someone cried.

As if in answer, the bird let out a piercing shriek. The sound reverberated through my bones, and suddenly, images flashed through my mind.

A dark forest. A river gleaming in moonlight. And a figure with snow-white hair, running for his life.

Jess.

The bird - no, the phoenix, I realized - swooped low over the crowd. As it passed, a single feather drifted down, landing at my feet.

Without thinking, I picked it up. The moment my fingers touched it, I felt a surge of energy course through me. And I knew, with absolute certainty, what I had to do.

"I'm sorry," I whispered to Lily. Then, clutching the feather tightly, I turned and ran.

Behind me, I could hear shouts of confusion. But I didn't look back. I ran straight for the Dark Wood, where I knew Jess would be waiting.

Whatever was coming, whatever challenges lay ahead, I knew one thing for certain: nothing would ever be the same again.

As I disappeared into the trees, leaving behind everything I'd ever known, a single thought echoed in my mind:

The adventure was just beginning.Here's a rewritten version of the chapter from Sebastian 's perspective: