Chapter 5 The Hunt Begins

Melissa felt her heart racing in her chest. A loud howl echoed through the trees, sending a chill down her spine. Whatever was coming for her was not friendly. In front of her stood a man with a tense jaw. His golden eyes scanned the dark forest, and he looked ready to fight.

"We have to move," he said urgently. "Now."

Melissa took a step back. "Wait-who are you?"

The man didn't answer. Instead, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the shadows.

"Trust me," he urged.

Melissa wasn't sure if she could trust him. But with the sound of branches snapping behind them, she realized she had no choice.

The forest felt alive. Every leaf seemed to whisper secrets. Every shadow seemed to shift. Melissa's breath came quickly as she struggled to keep up with the man leading her through the thick trees.

"Who are you?" she asked again, her voice shaky.

Finally, he glanced back at her. "You don't remember me?" he asked.

Melissa's chest tightened. His voice sounded familiar, like an old song she had forgotten but still knew the tune to.

"I-I don't know," she admitted.

He didn't respond. Suddenly, he stopped and pulled her behind a tree.

Melissa almost bumped into him. "What are you doing-"

"Shh," he said, his grip on her arm tightening.

Melissa froze. Then she heard it. Footsteps. Very close. A low, growling sound rumbled through the trees.

Melissa's blood ran cold. Something was hunting them.

A shadow moved between the trees. Then another. And another. Melissa's fingers dug into the bark of the tree as she saw golden eyes flickering in the darkness.

Wolves. Huge, wild, and deadly.

Melissa's chest rose and fell quickly as fear took over. The man beside her tensed. "Stay behind me."

Melissa barely had time to nod before the first wolf lunged at them. It was a blur of fur and teeth. The man moved quickly-faster than anyone should be able to. He grabbed the wolf mid-air and slammed it to the ground with a force that shook the ground.

Melissa stared in shock. More wolves rushed forward. The man's body shifted. She heard bones cracking and saw his skin stretching. In seconds, he was no longer a man. He had transformed into a massive wolf with golden eyes.

Melissa couldn't breathe. The wolves attacked. The golden wolf fought fiercely, dodging teeth and claws and striking back with incredible strength.

Melissa wanted to run, but her legs felt frozen. A loud snarl broke her out of her daze. One of the wolves had broken away from the fight. It was coming straight for her.

Melissa panicked. She turned to run-but it was too late. The wolf leaped at her. Melissa screamed-and suddenly-a wave of energy burst from her chest.

The wolf was thrown backward, crashing into a tree with a sickening thud. Melissa stared in horror. What... what had just happened?

The golden wolf froze in the middle of the fight. The other wolves hesitated, sniffing the air. Then, without warning, they turned and ran away. Silence fell over the forest.

Melissa's legs gave out, and she collapsed onto her knees. The golden wolf shifted back into his human form. He rushed toward her, his golden eyes filled with something she couldn't understand.

"Melissa," he breathed. "That was-"

"I don't know what happened," she whispered. She held up her hands. They were shaking. The energy she had felt was still there, buzzing under her skin.

The man knelt beside her. "You don't remember, do you?"

Melissa swallowed hard. "Remember what?"

He studied her for a long moment. Then he said softly, "You were always powerful, Eris."

Melissa flinched. That name. Her name? No. It was Melissa. Wasn't she?

Melissa forced herself to stand. She was done running. She faced the man. "Tell me the truth," she said, her voice stronger now. "Everything."

The man's golden eyes held hers. "My name is Kael," he said. "I was your second-in-command. Your protector."

Melissa's heart raced. "In the war?" she asked, trying to understand.

Kael nodded. "You were our leader," he said. "The strongest of us all."

Melissa shook her head. "No. That's not me."

Kael stepped closer. "It is."

Melissa clenched her fists. "I don't remember," she whispered.

Kael's gaze softened. "But your soul does."

Melissa's chest ached. What if he was right? What if she had been someone else? Is someone stronger? Is someone braver?

Kael reached into his pocket and pulled out something small and round. Another dream stone. Melissa's breath caught in her throat.

"This will help," Kael said. "It will show you more."

Melissa's hands trembled as she took it. More memories. More answers. Was she ready for this?

That night, Melissa holds the new stone Kael gave him. Her heart raced as sleep pulled her under. And then-she found herself in a different place.

A grand hall. A throne. And on it-was herself. Not as Melissa. But as Eris. A crown rested on her head. Wolves were kneeling before her.

Power surged through her veins. Melissa's breath caught in her throat. This wasn't just a memory. This was who she had been. A queen. A warrior. A leader.

And now-she was waking up again. A choice lay before her. Would l stay as Melissa Moore? Or does she embrace being Eris once more?

As she lay in bed, the weight of the dream stone felt heavy in her hand. The memories of her past life as Eris flooded her mind. She had been powerful, respected, and feared. But who was she now?

Melissa woke up with a start, breathing fast. Her skin was wet with sweat. The room was dark, but the dream still felt real. She wiped her forehead with a shaky hand, her heart beating hard in her chest.

She tried to calm down, but the fear was still there. What was that? The dream was already fading, but something about it scared her.

She pushed the blanket away. Her body felt too hot. The air in the room felt heavy, almost like it was pressing down on her.

She took a deep breath and sat up.

It was just a dream.

But why did it feel so real, Melissa sat up, her heart pounding. She had to make a decision. The forest was still out there, and danger was lurking. But she also felt a pull toward her past, a life she didn't fully understand yet.

"Kael," she whispered, thinking of the man who had saved her. He had called her Eris, and that name resonated within her. It felt like a part of her she had lost.

She took a deep breath, feeling the energy from the dream stone still buzzing in her veins. It was a reminder of the power she had once wielded.

Could she reclaim that power? Could she become Eris again?

Melissa knew she had to find out. She had to confront her past and understand who she truly was.

With determination, she got out of bed. The night was still dark, but she felt a spark of courage igniting within her. She would seek out Kael and learn everything he had to tell her.

The hunt had begun, not just for survival, but for the truth about herself. Would she be Melissa Moore, the girl who had been lost? Or would she rise as Eris, the powerful leader she once was?

The choice was hers to make.