Memories Of A Wolf

Chapter 1

The wind tickled the woman's golden hair as she hurriedly ran from those beasts that were after her. They were creatures that were hungry not for flesh but for power; they could not fathom. Bathed with sweat and filled with anxiety, she slipped past grazing rock formations found scattered in the mainland grandeur. It was eerily quiet that night, and although she had no one to aid, the full moon was there to mend her de-escalating hope. The creatures, unlike humans, had remarkable speed and agility, abilities hard to imagine, and with the wrong intentions and state of mind, they could take over and rule places of tranquility.

A slither of moonlight appeared at the grand expanse, and with careful concentration, the woman chanted a few known spells that would help her with the situation.

"She's reciting incantations!" she heard another man growl. Perhaps the man hasn't shifted. That call was their signal, though; the men wailed as a knot in her chest tightened. Why wasn't it working? Why now, out of all times?

Thinking about how the moon abandoned her growing fear and determination made her lose the last string of hope. Her upper arm burned with archaic markings, and she clutched it desperately, praying to the Moon Goddess in agony to lend the woman her energy. Her mind was repeatedly chanting. Instead, a repulsing pain enforced its way up her limbs and torso. Suddenly she had a gist of what was happening, the ripping and tearing clawed like her passing nightmares. In exchange for power, a fragment of the soul must be given. This was it, Mother had grown too greedy she dreads this day when she can no longer make use of the power stored within the family bloodline...she thought to herself.

Sometimes she wonders if death served as their payment.

Twenty years ago, her mother had shown a path that no one else knew except for them. The family kept it secret. She was bound to find that path once more but failed.

As the woman sprinted through the thick undergrowth, her feet captured a few stubbles on the ground. It was painful, but she was dead set on escaping those vile creatures. They were shifters of the blood orb pack set to assassinate the last of her kind. It was pure genocide; seeing her pack's corpses was pure trauma and hell. Snapping out of her daze, the woman peered and saw how they were gaining in proximity. She might not have transformed just yet, but she was capable of running with her two legs; sprinting under sheer pressure is part of their training, and now did she only appreciated the endless torture she had to go through to strengthen her durability.

Then, the woman came to a complete halt.

The waves of sea thrashed against the walls of canyons as her golden hair looked ghastly against the shine of the moon, and as she looked back again, saw their wolves growling ferociously, she then stumbled backward. The woman was cornered and outnumbered. Even if she managed to put up a good fight, there is no guarantee that the book in her hands will be kept safe and away from their hands. The knobs on her mind were turning, and the clock was ticking...it was now or never.

She quickly leaped into the unknown...

****

Head throbbing. Body feverish. I squeezed my eyes due to the amount of pain I was feeling. A soft and delicate white-stray light met my face just as I was slowly awakened from the pain in my upper arms. At first, there was the typical calmness like how every morning sunshine meets my face in a caress, the next thing I knew I was struggling to get myself together.

My heart pounded in bewilderment. It took me quite a while to notice that my hands were tied to a wooden chair. I slowly looked around and saw no signs of any human or person. Instead, a pole was at the center of the white tent, a desk table with a few crumpled papers, a washbasin, a minute bed, and weapons propped against the wall. There was minimal furniture inside but enough to make sense that this person staying here captured me. Where was I? How did I get here? And most of all...why can't I remember anything?

Questions clouded my head, and no matter how much I tried to recall what had happened, my mind came out blank. Immediately, I became wary and vigilant of the situation. I'm a woman who is held captive, probably against my will. I do not know this place, and I sure do not know who I am either.

My train of thought was suddenly interrupted. Outside of the dome tent, murmurs and chatters ring in my ears. This isn't good...I need to escape, find any means to get out of here. Then, in the midst of my struggles with the rope tied in my hands, I paused upon hearing a low growl.

"Where is she?" a deep voice asked. Hearing that voice made me shiver. It intensified something within me that I could not explain, and it was stirring inside me, begging to be let out. Unable to fathom me feeling this way, I slowly take a breath.

My nervousness did not cease, especially when I sensed someone arriving. With a stunning set of features and a muscular build, there stood a man at the entrance of the huge dome tent.

My heart hammered inside my ribcage as he made his way towards me, slowly becoming clearer that this man was the most gorgeous man I had ever laid my eyes on. Of course, I can't technically guarantee that he was since I lost my memory, but besides the point, his beauty was indescribable. I snarled, and it took me by surprise when the man proved to be amused at how I reacted.

What was happening to me?

"What brings you into my territory?"

I didn't find the strength to speak. Other than that, I do not know the answer to that as well. But I do feel the heat rising in me, and if only I weren't tied, I would've smacked myself from making lightly of the situation.

He scrutinized me for a moment, gauging any signs of temperament.

"Speak."

I swallowed the lump in my throat. Burrowed inside me were emotions I could not convey.

"Have no doubt, for I too find myself without words. To expedite your fate, let it be known that I, Alpha Knight Strevus of the Western Kingdom pack, shall not deem you, my mate. Tomorrow morning, your execution awaits."

There was a slight nudge on my chest when he muttered those words. As much as I didn't want to admit it, his words held so much gravity that the instant connection I had with him-burned and crippled my insides. And the eerie thing was I didn't know why. My mouth was hanging open as tears plunged forward when the man left me inside the tent.

I still couldn't comprehend what he was implying. Pack? What does he even mean?

After some time, my gaze shifted to the newcomer who had entered the tent. In this instance, it was an unfamiliar face. His eyes were a striking blue with hints of blonde threading through his ash-colored hair. His complexion was rich with darkness, and his build held a certain strength. My thoughts drifted to the man I had encountered earlier, the one who arrived and declared his refusal and the imminent threat of my execution. Fear should grip me, yet why was he on my mind?

The man with grey hair came forward and pulled me from the ground, his hands gripping my tied arms. I fought hard not to make a sound, however, as soon as he got a hold of me, he harshly kneed me in my stomach and made me vomit and cough up. Blood started oozing out of my mouth, and tears swelled up. I don't know what I've done to be punished like this, but I know that I didn't deserve this.

I was forcefully dragged out of the tent by this man-a stranger. Instantly, the intensity of the sun made me wince and squint my eyes. Outside, there were bystanders eagerly waiting and watching as I was being dragged. They briefly exchanged looks, though most of them already had malice looming behind their eyes. A few children were curious as well, but I ignored them.

"She's from the Southern...she should be killed."

"Kill her!"

"No! We must let her suffer after what her kin has brought upon us!"

Why?...

As I relinquished my mind of any shard of memory, the breeze swept my golden hair and dried away my glistening tears. The folks were still waiting when I gazed at them with fear and besieged. I had no memory, had no one but myself. They didn't say a word-basking in my apparent defeat and turmoil.

Apart from that, my heart weighed heavily, teetering on the brink of surrender. Not long ago, the man – if I caught the title right, Alpha – had rejected and turned me away. It wasn't just a mere declaration; his rejection stirred something deep within me. For reasons unknown, the pain cut even deeper than it had when I awoke, engulfed in uncertainty and solitude.

Why does he affect me this much? I stumbled as the pain built its way up to my core.

I lowered my head as pebbles and rocks struck my skin. A group of children was playfully tugging at each other, and instinctively, I shielded my face with my arms as the barrage threatened to hurt and leave marks. A sob managed to escape my quivering lips, but my silent cries went unnoticed by anyone around. I couldn't fathom the reason, but their rock-throwing ceased, a change I suspected was prompted by someone's arrival.

"Alpha..."

I raised my gaze, my vision hazy as it settled on a man standing just a few feet from me. Time seemed to stretch slowly at that moment. I observed as everyone around bowed in perfect unison, an undeniable recognition of his presence and power. This man, referred to as the alpha, walked past me. Alpha, they called him. That must make him the leader of this community. Maybe, if I found the words to explain my situation, he might grasp my predicament.

All thoughts and emotions set aside; I force myself to find courage. "Please! I beg you! I did nothing wrong! And even if I did, I don't remember anything!"

Forcing my breath and voice to appear steady was difficult but I needed to keep my act straight to survive and live. The corner of Alpha's lips shifted upwards while he narrowed his eyes at me when I spoke.

I intently stared at him. Behind my eyes, my emotions were overflowing.

Dimly I could hear their conversation growing weaker as I subdued to my consciousness. I wanted to fight. I wanted to live, but my prayers were always unanswered. It was the worst pain I've ever felt-the pain of humiliation and the pain that man gave.

Perhaps I was too engrossed with this new world and context I woke into, I tried redirecting my gaze, but I failed. As soon as I drifted into darkness, the last that I witnessed was his cold, piercing stare and his eyes that seemed to be glowing.

LATER THAT MIDNIGHT, my eyes, once so accustomed to the gentle caress of sleep, now found themselves subjected to an entirely different realm of experience–torture.

I wailed. My voice cracked with each noise I made, and my head jerked back and forth as my fingers scratched the wooden surface of the stool I was tied to. This time I was tired of holding back my desperate bellows.

"Stop."

I paused while panting, half-eyes closed. The Alpha reached out to my face. I can feel his stare but all I can visibly make out of is a blurry mess of a face. Then tears started flooding my eyes, making it hard to visualize the scenes transpiring completely.

"Who sent you here?"

"F-for t-the last time...I d-do not remember anything..."

"What are you hiding?" It was a challenge, a threat, a warning-for clarity and the desire to know.

"I h-have no-" I was cut off by my own screams when I felt the lash of a whip against my bareback.

"Why did you come here?"

"I-I don't know!" I cried, bloody tears flowing against the dingy ground.

Over the course of hours, they repeatedly questioned me, and I didn't change my answer. It was the truth. Even if I were to lie, the reality remained-I was utterly clueless about what they were alluding to.

"Just kill me...my family has probably abandoned me...."

There wasn't anything peaceful when I awoke.

Perched atop the highest reaches of the stadium, the Alpha occupied a position of undeniable authority within the upper quadrant. With a mere gesture from him, the executioner's hands closed around my hair, yanking me unceremoniously. The once-lustrous cascade of my golden locks once imbued with an otherworldly radiance, had now suffered a cruel transformation. No longer a source of magic, they lay matted and destroyed, a stark contrast to their former glory.

Gone was the silkiness, replaced by a gnarled mess that clung to my pale head like a discarded afterthought. Suspended in mid-air, my torso hung, vulnerable, and exposed to the collective gaze of the onlooking crowd. It was as if my very being had become a canvas for their morbid curiosity, a spectacle for them to savor and dissect.

The thing about torture is that it will strip you of everything, even the will to live. They hadn't extracted any information from me, and I knew how frustrating it was for them, but in reality, I truthfully had none to offer besides my life and soul. A day had already passed, and despite my efforts, I was still treated like a felon.

The audience wailed as if celebrating my doom, and some were angered by my presence. The tears streaming from my eyes were endless.

"Any last remarks?"

"I-know nothing...I a-am no one," I was glad to proclaim the truth, even if it was for the last time.

Since no one believed me, none of the audience spoke, although I could feel their piercing gaze as if they were daggers ready to plunge deep within my soul. They wanted to tear me apart, but even if they could, they had nothing to extract.

"One last thing to ask... Where is your kin? Where are they hiding?

"I-I d-do not know..." I answered with pure honesty.

"Very well..." He gestured a sign. This must be my end...

I forced myself to take a deep breath before closing my eyes. Heart pounding, I struggled to keep my peace altogether.

The audience's voices flared in response to the command while my inner emotions howled. Then suddenly, everything de-escalated. Dim conversations suddenly replaced the crowd's voices and cheers.

"What is happening?" I heard a woman ask.

"Alpha?"

The executioner released his grip on my scalp and immediately, I plummeted against the cold hard ground. While I was exhausted, my throat parched and dried, I overheard the crowd going wild from confusion.

"What is the meaning of this!?"

"Why did it cease?"

It took quite a while for everything to quiet down.

"Just end it. I don't want any questions. Bring her to my mansion,"

My head snapped toward the Alpha's direction and found his gaze fixated on mine. Everyone was shocked by how sudden the situation shifted and how easily he lifted the execution. I can't even comprehend what just happened. Did he pity me? I wanted to ask.

I was fully awake for a moment, the second thing I was on the ground once again.

As someone who was tortured endlessly for hours on end, my body was bound to give in. I had also been tired since yesterday morning, and I hadn't received a decent meal. With all that in mind, I welcomed the darkness consuming me. Closing my eyes seemed like the only thing rational at this point besides weeping.

I thought I could easily fall to my slumber; however, they simply couldn't let me rest. A splash of water jolted me awake, I was visibly trembling due to my wetness, but no one offered a lending hand. The Alpha who was peering at me saw my shivering form and I saw his jaws clenched. Then he spoke-his deep voice rippled around the crisp air.

"I said take her to my mansion now. Awake," he said, emphasizing the word awake.

Preoccupied with my sabotaging thoughts, I was bolstered by two men, holding my arms from each side. I barely felt my body anymore since becoming numb from my injuries. And I still had a feeling that this wasn't the end of my misery.

The two men led me to a trail devoid of any inhabitants on its side path as if it leads to a place where no other person is allowed to stay or linger-at least from what I heard. The forest trees whipped, and the wind perked up while I was being dragged away, shivering in response to the breeze, I tried laying my head low to steady my breathing.

Thinking of how I evaded death caused relief to wash within me. All thoughts aside, I was glad to have survived.

"You're lucky to be alive today...No one escapes execution that easily,"

My attention quickly snapped to the man who spoke.

"I don't have anything to do with you or any of your laws-and even I am a fugitive. I told you, I have no recollection of anything!"

I didn't suppress my emotions this time, I constantly feel vindicated.

The man looked at me, his gaze intense, but somehow, there was a tinge of understanding. "We don't trust any wolves from the Sil-"

His companion immediately cut him off.

"Don't tell her. If she does have no memories, then it's better if she didn't know. It might be one of their tricks again. They might be listening to her subconsciousness."

I was left wondering about their statement. Subconsciousness?

After a few minutes, my questions subsided when a massive mansion came into sight. The men looked at me momentarily.

Upon leading me inside, they left without any words. I drew a shaky breath, thinking I was finally alone now. To my mistake, a sparkle caught my eye. Slipping away from the shadows of the room, Alpha Strevus came into sight, marred with features that could make any woman swoon at his feet. His midnight hair made his eyes more prominent and sharper. Thinking that I was staring for too long, I avertedly avoided my gaze.

Silence enveloped both of us when no one spoke. And at first, I had no intention of initiating a conversation however the tension brewing was suffocating and made me very uncomfortable.

"Why did you let me live?"

The Alpha's expression didn't falter when he responded-still emotionless as ever. "I am not obligated to answer you."

My heart thrummed. His words since the beginning were like a constant slap to my being. The look in his eyes held nothing but pure hatred toward me. Despite everything, I always wondered what it was like to be stared at by him in a different light. Trying to suppress the pain, I became tentative when he finally spoke.

"Tomorrow, we will set off to my kingdom."

"Kingdom?" I asked.

"Why do you sound surprised?"

I can't explain everything at once. I will continue to relay that I have no memories and that each new piece of information surprises me.

"It's not what I expected..."

"Are you insulting royalty?"

"No... why would I?"

While appearing docile, he made a remarkable snarl that sent tremors across the room. A mix of terror and fear crept right through me. There's no denying I was scared to death. Actually, scared is an understatement.

"Your name?"

"I have no name..."

"In that case... I'll refer to you as my captive."

I allowed myself to be called whatever-if that meant my life was guaranteed and I would not be hurt in any way, knowing my place, and acknowledging I knew nothing of the world I was in, made me a bit more rational than I actually am.

"Earlier, you mentioned that-you do not accept me as my mate..." I uttered, having trouble sewing my sentences. Before I could continue, his face darkened, eyes shifting to a reddish-purple in color. My heart stammered against my ribcage.

What was he?

Unconsciously, I backed down and stirred uncomfortably in my seat. His gaze held malice and authority, one that can't be simply ignored.

A grin tugged at the corners of his lips upon seeing fear in my eyes, it wasn't warm but crooked. Apparently, he was purposely taunting me and wanted me to feel terrorized as if I wasn't already scared as it is.

"I do not need a queen or a Luna. I shall not usher one with blood-stained hands into my realm. Hence, your presence holds no place, for my kingdom seeks no affiliation with you."

I nodded, afraid to utter a sound. It took me quite a while to regain my composure, only after when his eyes reverted into its beautiful green color did I meet his eyes once more.

A faint smile crossed my lips as I spoke weakly. "Your queen is your burden alone... My involvement doesn't extend to your lands, boundaries, or realm. I agree with the proposition-"

"If you accept this offer...I had no liability and claim to your safety."

I regarded him with disbelief. Ever since awakening, my sole destiny seemed to be either death, execution, or torment, yet now the situation had taken an unexpected turn. And now he was expressing concern? The perils he mentioned paled in comparison to the ordeal he had subjected me to. At one point, I had genuinely believed it was the end for me – a fate where I wouldn't even have the chance to uncover my identity, let alone defend myself. These thoughts raced through my mind as I struggled, in stark contrast to his demeanor, who seemed to be enjoying my silent torment.

The man moved forward, passing me but barely touching my skin. Even without grazing, I felt it, the electrifying feeling of our skin brushing. Completely distracted by my own body's response, I stood silent for a while. Trying to process the emotions brewing within me since the day I laid my eyes on him.

"Do you feel it too?" His voice was husky and deep as he whispered right into my ear, and it sent shivers down my spine. It's pointless to say that his presence didn't perturb me, I was since the beginning.

I just nodded. I could hardly reel my thoughts together as he drew nearer to my face. I unconsciously closed my eyes, instead of closing the distance we were unto, he pulled back and walked away with a triumphant smirk.

"That's because you're my mate...And from what I can see, you don't even know what we are-not even what you are."

What I am? His statement baffled me.

"I-I don't."

"Then this will become a problem..."

"How is it a problem?"

"We are ravages, and you stand as our adversary as well. I would have orchestrated your death were it not for the memories you've lost, memories that I require...But understand this, a person who steps into the unknown is a danger to himself,"

"Why do you need them so much?" I asked, pertaining to his need for my memories.

"You hold a piece of valuable information. The world will be peaceful upon knowing.... but I won't divulge much more."

There were a lot of questions that I needed answers to. Part of me wanted to press further. Nevertheless, I chose to stay silent.

Throwing an uneasy glance at Alpha who was now walking beside me, I realized that my burning fear and curiosity were subdued by ripples of emotion that had no grounds to ensue. He was a beast I cannot fathom. I should be running away from him, but like a paradoxical intention, my feet kept pulling me to him.

As we were headed towards the quarters, the wind incessantly drew its force upon us. It whistled across the corridor.

"Are you alone here?"

The man didn't respond.

I just sighed and continued walking.

His jaw twitched when we stood in front of a door. It didn't take long for him to prop the door open. As we stepped into a small room with marble flooring, the furnish didn't astonish me as I thought it would. There was the usual table, a blank wall paint, a clear ceiling, and an ornament against the wall. On its right, a large window faces the bed frame. It allowed the moonlight to seep through, illuminating the small living space.

"Why are we sleeping in the same room?" I asked.

"You're unfamiliar with this world. You're a stranger to everyone here. My wolves patrol the area, and if they detect anything unusual, they won't hesitate to strike. I don't want you nosing around and inviting trouble,"

Wolves?

Chapter 3

The bruises on my arms had considerably lightened over the course of hours and even the broken shallow capillaries on my hand were no longer visible. Within seconds, I rose from the soft, delicate mattress and met the sun's shimmering glow. Instantaneously, the shadows looming inside the room disappeared, leaving behind a lone space devoid of any touches and care.

After yesterday's affair, I simply woke up determined to breathe into life once more. I had a dream last night-composed of blurry images and shards of memories. It was a beautiful, fleeting feeling that I wanted to savor for the second time, thus I needed to live and regain what I had lost in order to feel that slither of emotion once again.

At probably around ten, a girl who looked somewhere between thirteen and fifteen stood by the archway door. I gave her a weak smile and to my surprise, she also did the same. She came in with a bucket in her hand and took the dangling handkerchief from her sleeves.

"I was ordered to clean you, m'lady."

"M'lady?"

"Ohh...is that too formal? What about-Hmmm...Luna? Though, you're not yet our Luna...I'm pretty much out of options as to what I can address you as."

"You can call me whatever you want to. I don't remember my name..."

"That's awful...I can't imagine anyone having no name."

I chuckled. "It's not because I wasn't given one, but because I can't remember."

Her head inclined in affirmation, the light of comprehension kindling within her gaze. At that moment, an unexpected fondness for her company bloomed within me.

The young woman emptied the tub's contents into a basin, submerging the handkerchief she held in her hand. She approached me, her hesitation almost seeking approval to make contact. I gave a subtle nod, granting permission, as she then gently tended to me. Her touch was calming, it left warm trailings in my heart since I felt so isolated amidst this chaotic situation.

"You don't strike me as someone from the southern hemisphere," she remarked, using her handkerchief to dab my face and then re-dipping it into the water basin.

"I don't know where I belong..."

"Ah... it slipped my mind."

"What's your name?" I ask her.

"Fionna...I am still a pup though."

"Pup?"

The girl was unable to answer my query as she brushed her fingers through my disheveled hair. Her own hair was neatly gathered in a pristine bun, in stark contrast to the tangled nest that adorned my head.

"Are you aware of how beautiful you are?"

I froze and gazed at her. Fionna was now looking at me with full eyes, due to the awkwardness I shifted my eyes to my feet. Then I answered with a hard "No..."

After everything, I hadn't got a chance to take a gander at myself, but seeing my hair makes me proud-golden like a tear from the sun itself. A mess, though dream-like to me.

I tried glancing at my reflection in the water basin, but the ripples of water made it hard to differentiate my features.

"...Alpha Knight Strevus would have to be out of his mind not to be captivated by you."

"Alpha Strevus?" I asked.

"You don't know the Alpha?"

"I know him...I just didn't know that it was his name...Knight...Strevus..." His name rolled into my tongue smoothly, it was endearing.

"Can you tell me more about your kind?"

"What kind?"

"I don't know...I mean, what is an Alpha? What is with your eyes...they glow."

"You mean...like this?"

She turned to me, her eyes a captivating blend of yellow and green. Unlike what had occurred the previous night, her gaze held a different kind of allure, one that intrigued me. Perhaps it was due to Fionna's approach towards me, which had been gentle and kind-a demeanor that had a way of making anyone feel reassured.

"Well...It's complicated, but I'll tell you as best as I can."

Fionna dropped the wet linen on the tub.

"Beyond our realm lie the Three Kingdoms. It's said that there's more than one realm altogether. We exist under the authority of the magic council, with the Southern, Eastern, and Western Kingdoms each having their own dominion. We find ourselves in the Western Kingdom, ruled by the King of Wolves. Alpha Knight Strevus, the third prince, is our leader, though we usually address him by his last name. This Western Kingdom is further subdivided by smaller..."

"Hold on? There's more?"

"So many to tell..."

"I can't possibly absorb this all at once."

"Then what do you want to know? Specifically..."

"Wolves, what are wolves? Why are you humans?"

"We are shapeshifters, capable of assuming our Wolf form. Possessing the might of an iron fist, the resonance of an emissary's howl, and the agility akin to that of a horse, you might say we are formidable... Is that an accurate depiction, though?"

I waited in silence, questions seething against my teeth, and she was about to speak once more but I preceded her.

"What does 'mate' mean? Why did he reject me?"

She frowned, stopping without a word, her hand halfway from my face. Fionna's eyes met mine, harboring sympathy behind them.

"A mate only comes once in your life. Kind of like a soulmate but the bond is deeper. You'd get to feel its full effects upon turning,"

"Turning?"

"We turn into our wolf form upon eighteen years of age, though not all turn when they're of age. It can depend on a person's bloodline."

I stared at her, feeling the gist of everything she offered.

It didn't take too long to wash me, if it wasn't for my exhaustion, I wouldn't have accepted the help in the first place since I don't want to become a hindrance.

Fionna gave me clothes to change into after leaving and returning to the room. I chose a soft and warm garment to accommodate my susceptibility to the cold. Afterward, she led me to another room.

The hallway of the stark place was barren and complex, within the stone walls were paintings that held nothing but parchment as if it concealed secrets of far beyond. I wanted to ask why they were blank, but we suddenly stopped in front of a large door. Turning the knob with a slight push, the room much like the one we slept in, was coated in a pale white-yellow paint. There was an old wooden table that sat in the middle of the room and dozens of wooden seats, a metal sink, and a wood-burning stove.

"You haven't eaten yet I presume. I hope you don't mind soup for breakfast."

"Of course, I wouldn't mind. I am glad to be fed."

Fionna opened the small boiling pot on the wood-burning stove, the immediate smell of soup wafted and ensnared my nostrils, as a result, my stomach growled in response.

"Eat as much as you can, I heard that you'd be traveling to the Eastern kingdom."

"That fast?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "I heard from the mind link, though not much was disclosed."

Mind link? I wanted to press further but this newly brought information is hard to fully comprehend. Then I paused, briefly absorbing what was planned ahead, without wasting time and energy I ate as much as I could take.

"Is it fine if I call you Amethyst?" Halfway through eating, I raise my head to meet her eyes. I smiled at Fionna as an indication of my approval.

"Why Amethyst though?"

"Your eyes, they are the shade of purple."

****

The afternoon flew by without much notice. I couldn't get much of what I needed, such as answers and old memories.

By noon, like what Fionna warned, a group of people came to fetch me, saying I was to be transported to the Eastern Kingdom. They were all wearing clothing that could withstand the arctic climate. It's a good thing I was informed beforehand, otherwise, my clothing wouldn't suit the harshness of the woods we were about to trek.

Based on my understanding, the palace governs the region, and this place is a temporary camp-but for what purpose? I don't know. All I can think about is how my day seemed to never end without anything in line for me.

Right now, the soaring wind caused chills in my bones. It was now dark and the stars barely appeared in the atmosphere. The cold bit my skin into numbness as I met the transcending weather. Martha who was the leader of the group held the torch amidst the chilly air, illuminating the path we were taking. We then ventured deep into the woods, my eyes inevitably wandering every now and then. The surge of worry I had in my gut never left me since stepping outside of the camp. As we walked through the dense woodland, an eerie feeling came to me and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

"Stay close and alert!" Martha exclaimed.

I picked up the pace, I wasn't that far behind them, and I could barely manage to catch up for the pain in my legs churned each step I took. Something about this place seemed off, as if guardsmen watching, the trunks and branches looked ghastly and disturbing...

"EVERYONE–"

I glanced ahead.

A cascade of events unfolded in the span of a breath, as a handful of wolves materialized seemingly out of thin air. A bone-chilling growl sliced through the air, heralding their assault. In a chaotic frenzy, the wolves lunged into action, launching themselves at us with a frightening intensity. Positioned just a few meters ahead, Martha and Cole engaged in a fierce skirmish with their respective attackers, forming a battleground of their own. Meanwhile, I found myself unceremoniously thrown to the ground, the impact against the earth jarring my senses, as yet another wolf pounced in my direction.

"Wolves..." I muttered as another exclaimed rogues.

The wolf who attacked me snarled; I could barely make out a sound as I was too startled at the sudden raid of the enemy. Soon after, eyes going wide, I witnessed Martha turn into her wolf form-a majestic brown wolf as big as a human.

My hands curled into a fist when the enemy launched forward. With courage and fear, I did my best to punch the wolf in front of me but to no avail, my resolve and assault were too weak as compared to the beast. I shouted in pain when the wolf bit into my flesh and at that moment I thought it was going to maul me to death, like a chunk of prey I was. The beast's teeth were massive and at any second I knew it could easily sink its molars into my weak, feverish body-but it didn't. Instead, the creature was slammed against the huge redwood tree.

I stood motionless, my body shaking in fear and pain. The stench of my blood interlaced with the blood of wolves around me made me want to puke. Moments later, I realized who my savior was.

Strevus who stood proud and mighty, not in his wolf form, was able to land a strong fist against the fuming beasts. He took them out one by one with a swipe of his sword and with his hands like iron fists. His eyes roamed to my face and then to my body, despite the situation his stare stirred my internal emotions to scorching and yearning, and the feeling erupted within me.

The gaze he fixed upon me bore an intensity that had the power to instill fear in anyone who crossed his path. Yet, from my perspective, it held a cautious fragility. He despised me, didn't he? So, why should he concern himself with the well-being of a captive? Perhaps it would be easier if I were simply dead in his eyes...

Questions clouded my brain as I wondered if he was there to save me or the group I was with.

"Stand up," Alpha Strevus instructed me. Despite my weakening state, I did as he commanded. He concealed me from behind when two more wolves emerged from the thick bushes. It took mere seconds before Alpha had them spurting blood on the ground.

"See this? This is what we are..."

I gulped.

"I know...I saw it before my eyes...how they shifted..."

"Then you must hurry with tracking down your memories unless you want to stay in trouble each damn time...And I'm not going to be there to save you all the time."

"I-I'm sorry..."

I felt useless...

Martha cast a glance in our direction before sinking her teeth into the neck of her prey. Similarly, the other members of our group displayed their prowess as they subdued their attackers. It was then that I fully grasped their ability to fend for themselves. As for me, amidst the aftermath of the gory tableau, I came to a stark realization-I was a liability within this chaotic situation.