Chapter 2 His blue eyes

Audra -

I arrived at the campsite early enough to build a fire before the sunset. My bag was nestled between my wide legs as I sat at the base of a tree. Gazing intently at the flames, I observed how they licked at the heavens.

"Don't touch me!"

The words made my spine tingle. "It's just a memory," I told myself, trying to settle myself down with a trembling breath. Even though the words were written more than twelve years ago, the scars they caused are still very much present.

"Why not?"

"Child, you are cursed! Never touch someone again!"

"Stop!" I bellowed into the obscurity. I heard the birds flapping their wings in surprise from their perch overhead. I got up and paced in a circle around the fire. I tried telling myself, "They are just memories; they shouldn't be affecting you," but it didn't help since the roots were ingrained in my spirit.

"I can't hurt anyone out here anyways." I glanced around, and all I could see was darkness. When I was younger, I hated the dark, but now I find it comforting. Yes, there might be terrible monsters in there like me. Perhaps all they want is a companion.

"I just want a friend." I've relied on this plea for support for the past twelve years. I covered my eyes with my palms raised to my face. I collapsed on the floor, wanting to cry and experiencing the same feelings as Alpha but not knowing how.

Books contain real people with real emotions. How come I can't feel them? Can I experience happiness? I experienced excitement when Alpha approached me three weeks ago on my eighteenth birthday and informed me that I may choose to leave.

I remembered the house. The lovely garden growing in the back is my treasure. I missed the ancient well, the watermelon, grapes, lettuce, cucumbers, apple and lemon trees, and pumpkins.

"Not at all. I can make that where we are headed; I just need to keep moving forward!" I made an effort to inspire myself, but I was lacking something. A void that I understood could only be filled with love; of a garden; of being cared for by creatures; of plants that grin at you when they receive water.

She shouted, "Stop staring at me," as she tapped the book on the plants in front of me with her ruler.

I grinned as I glanced down at the Lilac maintenance instructions. My teacher's affection for me has always been difficult; she is unable to touch me or say her name. I believe she likes me, even if I can't look at her as much.

--

The birds were chirping when I woke up, and the sun was already halfway up the sky. Last night the fire had gone out, leaving nothing but cinders behind. I got up and cleaned myself up. I moved to where my bag was and reached down with one hand. I slung the bag over my shoulder and headed for my next destination, following the route.

I strolled for a long, covering miles on the trail. In my wolf form, I could have traveled farther and faster, but I was too afraid to change. What would happen if I saw a human? What happens if they stare at me and the curse kills them? I would have their blood on my hands.

I now know that the route was intended for the wolf form. I've been hiding beneath trees and avoiding all of the dangling branches. "Ah!" I felt like I was pulled back by my hair roots. I turned to see that it was trapped by a branch.

I turned and reached up to untangle the branch. Once that issue was resolved, I raised my gaze to the heavens. The sun was going to set. I ought to have moved. That was a bad move.

I searched the area for a spot to spend the night. A gorgeous lake is encountered when I go a little distance off-road. I dash up to it; I've never seen a pool of water this gorgeous.

My reaction when I see my reflection in the water is, "Oh my gosh!" "It's just like in the books!" I exclaimed with joy. I knelt and made contact with the water. It caused waves to reach the opposite side of the lake.

I peered further down into the water, unsure of the safety of jumping in. I opted against it because the sun was going to set and I would freeze if I dove in. Maybe tomorrow.

I pulled up the map that Alpha had given me two weeks prior; I have been studying it diligently ever since. It served as one of my few links to the contemporary world. I put down my map and looked right, thinking to myself, "There should be a cave just over there."

The stunning mountains of Trention, the nation where I was born, enveloped me. "I can't see it, but I'm sure if I keep walking," I began to walk, "I'll see it shortly enough."

Not too long after, I discovered this enormous opening in the mountainside. It was alarming that I had overlooked it in the first place because it was so big. I ascended the mountainside by rock scrambling. I managed to get over the edge and got up. I peered far into the pitch-black cave.

Taking in the trees below, I thought to myself, "Maybe I should have brought fire up with me." Knowing I would have to travel down again, I sighed. "I might as well explore, make sure it's safe first." I never had to perform that difficult work.

A roar sounded behind me. I whipped my head around to face the cave. "Please, please, please, don't be a bear," I begged, lifting my hands to prepare to calm the animal. I didn't want to shift, and I generally try not to until necessary.

Steam emerged from the shadows and gathered around my feet. I clambered back to the cave's edge. I wasn't too high up, so it wouldn't be too horrible if I fell, but it would hurt nonetheless.

A step crunched on the rock with a thunderous sound, its claws raking the ground. Although I'm sure it didn't sound like this, I had no idea what a bear sounds like. "I'm not malicious, I'll go, I was just passing through," I responded, trying to sound like I could speak English.

Then the sound was gone and something changed in the air. My hair flew back when the wind struck my face. There was no longer an intolerably loud crunch, just a gentle shuffle of feet.

Then I noticed a person's silhouette. A male. Then I noticed his eyes; they were a deeper blue than the sky.

I took a deep breath.

"Hello."

Mate --