Why the moon roars

Baelakis point of view. I heard a really loud thud. It was my body that made the noise, it took me a second or more before I finally felt the impact of my weight coming in contact with a floor made out of wood like a bag of unwanted trash. I can't make a sound. I already feel enough pain from the past two days and the worst part is that I do not know where I am and neither has this fold been lifted off my eyes since I got captured.

It seemed funny to me because my parents did not even have a penny to their name and if these godforsaken kidnappers are trying to ask them for ransom, I'll be dead in a few days because, to start with, my parents do not have a phone, which means they cannot be contacted, and it also means I'm done for.

Wait, didn't these kidnappers see the rags I was wearing before kidnapping me? Why would they bother taking someone like me?

I heard a little sound near me. So faint as if the person is trying to gasp for air. Although I haven't tasted anything for two straight days, I'm not fazed because I'm already used to going without food for days, so I'm sure I'm not hallucinating due to hunger. Wasn't I the only one here? For the past two days, I had been the only one in my kidnappers' vehicle. I just felt it, the emptiness in the vehicle I was put in. Right now it's different, I feel a presence here and right now.

Next, the voice coughed. A really dry cough that sounded unhealthy "is... is...there..." another dry cough escaped the throat of the person I am now sure is a woman. She continued "someone new...am...ong us?" I could feel her pain from her voice. I knew that her throat wasn't feeling nice right now, but she still needed to communicate.

Wait, did she just say "us"? Does this mean there may be more than two people here right now? Oh wow. I'm not the only one who has been kidnapped.

Who were these people, and why did they take us?

What are they going to do with us?

"Who else is here?" I asked.

"We don't know how many we are, but welcome to the party" another female voice responded with a shade of sarcasm.

As the reality of the situation sank in, a wave of fear and confusion swept over me. I couldn't comprehend why I, of all people, would be targeted for kidnapping. But as I listened to the voices around me, I realized that I wasn't alone in this nightmare.

The darkness seemed to press in on us, suffocating and oppressive. With each passing moment, the uncertainty grew thicker, like a fog enveloping my mind. Who were those people that had taken us? What did they want? And most importantly, how could we escape this ordeal?

Despite the fear gnawing at my insides, a spark of determination flickered into life within me. I couldn't afford to give in to despair. I had to find a way out, not just for myself, but for the others trapped in this nightmare with me.

But first, I needed to gather as much information as I could. I strained my ears, listening for any clues that might shed light on our situation. And as the voices whispered in the darkness, I vowed to myself that no matter what it took, I would find a way to break free from this prison and return to the life I once knew. Even if that life was equal to death, I'd rather see my parents.

"We set sail now!" I heard a husky voice very far from us, somewhere outside this room shouting with authority.

Sail? We are on a ship!

It took me a few seconds to process this new information. Are we leaving Poland? What about my life at the farm? What about my poor parents? My blind father? Everyone? My friends? My mother? That woman could barely do anything without me. They are going to suffer more than they already do.

"Ahhhh! Someone help me, get me off this ship! Let me out! Help!" I let out multiple ferocious screams in hopes of being heard and saved.

I felt an atrocious weight landing on my head. I think someone hit me 'cause I blacked out.

A sharp pain went straight into my eyes and I immediately squinted. The darkness was too much to comprehend, so thick that it felt like my overgrown nails could penetrate its flesh.

The atmosphere here was different, it was more silent than the last one. They had put me in an isolated room alone and taken the folds off my eyes. They brought me here to teach me a lesson.

"This one is too stubborn. Once we finish teaching her a lesson, she'll behave well and keep mute like the others" the voice said before giving me a scalding blow on my mouth.

Liquid dripped off of the spot he had hit me, it definitely wasn't saliva, this liquid tasted and smelled like iron. It was blood.

I groaned.

Another blow, then another, then another to my stomach, then another to my left ear, then another to my stomach again and one heavy one to my left eye.

All these blows were coming from a creature that I couldn't see. The people here are heartless.

"Just let me go... home" I whispered amid my heavy breaths.

"Throw me into the water, please" I begged.

There was silence.

Were they actually considering granting my wish?

A bucket of water was brought out from God knows where, and he forcefully dipped my head inside it.

I tried fighting him off, but the longer my head stayed in the water, the weaker I became. The water painfully went through my nose, it was excruciating. I tried to make out the word "please" but it was just me making the sounds of rumbling waters.

He let me go.

"Do you still want to be thrown into the water, you bitch?" they shouted.

I shook my head, implying a "No."

"Good." That was all he said.

As I lay there panting heavily, battered and bruised, the silence weighed heavily upon me, broken only by the sound of my ragged breaths. I couldn't see my assailant, but their presence loomed over me like a shadow.

"Why are you doing this to us?" I finally managed to croak out, my voice barely above a whisper.

The silence stretched on for what felt like an eternity before a voice, cold and devoid of empathy, replied, "You ask too many questions. Just do as you're told, and maybe we'll let you live."

The threat in their words sent shivers down my spine, but I couldn't bring myself to stay silent. "But why? What have we done to deserve this?" I pleaded, desperation creeping into my voice.

There was a pause, as if they were considering my question, before they spoke again, their voices dripping with malice, "You're nothing but pawns in a much larger game. And we always get what we want."

The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. We were just pieces on a chessboard, moved around at the whims of our captors. But I refused to accept that fate.

"We won't be your playthings forever," I vowed, defiance burning within me despite the pain. "I'll find a way to escape, and when i do, you'll regret ever crossing me." Deep down I knew I was throwing empty threats, but I just had to say something, I had to fight back. I'm not one to leave without a fight.

There was no response, only the sound of footsteps fading into the distance as my tormentor left me alone in the darkness once again. But despite the fear and uncertainty that gripped my heart, every glimmer of hope faded into extinction. We may be trapped for now, but as long as we had each other, we still have a fighting chance. Right?

As hours turned into days, the darkness enveloped me like a suffocating shroud, each passing moment heavier than the last. I remained a beacon of strength amidst our shared despair, my slow breath a reminder that I wasn't entirely lost. Days blurred into nights, marked only by the rhythm of my breath echoing off the cold walls.

Despite the weight of our confinement, I refused to succumb to despair. My resilience is an anchor, a testament to the indomitable spirit that burned within me. Even as the days stretched on, my resolve remained unbroken, a flicker of hope in the encroaching darkness. I was going to leave this place, I was going to escape, taking the girls with me. This was my plan.

And in those fleeting moments of respite, when my tormentor's footsteps echoed elsewhere, I found solace in my own company. With whispered words and silent prayers, and every passing moment, a longing for home, for my freedom. Though the shadows threatened to consume me, my eyes blazed with a defiant light, a beacon of hope in the depths of despair.

A week has passed and the only thing I've been given is water. My husky-voiced tormentor says it's to keep me alive but keep me weak. It worked. I definitely couldn't feel my legs as I laid facing the wooden floor.

As the days passed by, I felt my strength dwindling, my muscles aching for something other than water to sustain me. The stench of the wooden floors mingled with the salty sea air, making my stomach churn. The occasional creak of the ship's timbers and the rush of the waves beneath the hull were the only sounds that broke through the silence of my prison.

I could barely keep my eyes open, the light that peeked through the small porthole in the cell only adding to my misery.

The rocking of the ship intensified as the waves grew more tumultuous, signaling that land was not far off. My mind raced with possibilities, the escape plan solidifying with each passing minute.

As the sun began to set, casting a fiery glow across the ocean, I heard a commotion above deck. Voices shouted in a language I couldn't understand, but I could sense the urgency in their tones. The ship's engines roared, indicating that we were nearing port.

It was now or never. With the last ounce of strength I had, I rose from my position on the floor, ignoring the agony in my limbs.

I pressed my ear against the wooden door of my cell, listening intently for any signs of life on the other side. The voices I had heard earlier were fading away, indicating that the crew had left their posts to secure the ship.

I had to act fast. Mustering all my strength, I threw my body against the door. The hinges groaned in protest but held strong. I tried again, putting all my weight on it. This time, the door creaked open, just wide enough for me to squeeze through. Mr Husky-voice wasn't even smart enough to properly lock the door.

The hallway was empty, but the sound of footsteps echoed from nearby.

Heart pounding in my chest, I darted down the corridor, every step a precarious dance between freedom and captivity. The air was thick with the scent of salt and desperation, each breath a reminder of the perilous game I was about to play.

As I rounded a corner, a figure loomed ahead, casting a long shadow in the dim light. Instinct took over, propelling me into a sprint as adrenaline surged through my veins.

The chase was on. My bare feet slapped against the deck as I bolted towards the stern of the ship. The sound of my pursuer's heavy footsteps grew louder with each stride, the scent of his unwashed body mingling with the musty air.

I could hear him cursing under his breath, a string of words in a language I couldn't understand but knew was aimed at me. My lungs burned with exertion as I made a sharp turn, heading towards the cargo hold where my instincts told me the other girls were being kept.

I knew this because the smell of vinegar was just too strong, it lingered. I had perceived this odor the first day I was forced there, I just couldn't mistake it.

I skidded to a halt at the entrance to the cargo hold, my heart pounding against my ribs like a war drum. With shaking hands, I reached for the handle, turning it with a click. The door swung open, and I was greeted by darkness, silence, and the overpowering smell of vinegar.

In that moment, I knew I had found my destination, but also that my presence had been noted. The ship's crew must have been alerted by the commotion, and they were undoubtedly closing in.

The sound of their fear pierced my heart like a dagger. I had to protect them, to get them out of here before it was too late. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts.

"It's okay," I whispered in a voice that betrayed my own fear. "I'm here to help. You're safe now."

Some of the girls who were able to stand crowded around me, their frail bodies trembling as they clung to me for comfort. I knew I had to act quickly before the crew discovered us.

I began to help the weaker girls to their feet, and the other girls joined me. We had to be fast.

"We don't have much time," I urged them. "We have to move now."

The girls moved as quickly as their weakened bodies allowed, each of them determined to escape.

"We're going to have to work together," I said. "Stay close to me, and do as I say. We'll find a way off this ship and get to safety."

As we made our way up the stairs to the upper deck, the sounds of the crew grew louder. They were coming, and we had to move faster.

I heard a silent whimper somewhere in the dark corner.

I searched with my eyes carefully to make out a weak figure on the floor. I'm glad I didn't rush out, I would have left someone behind.

I walked slowly to her and picked her up, "Ju..st let m...e go, I'll drag you girls back. You girls have to run fast, leave me alone and r...un" the dry voice said.

I recognized that voice as clear as I could tell water from acid. She was the first girl who spoke to me the first time I was brought onto the ship.

"I won't let you go, you are coming with us" I said as I picked her up. She was really light, it was obvious that she hadn't had enough food. How long had she been there? Her skinny bones could pierce me.

As I held her fragile form in my arms, a surge of determination welled up inside me. I couldn't leave her behind to suffer alone in the darkness any longer. With careful steps, I began to lead her out of the shadowy corner, her weight barely registering against me.

"Listen, you're not alone anymore," I whispered softly, trying to reassure her despite the fear in her voice. "We're getting out of here together."

Her grip on me tightened, her trust wavering but still present. I could feel her trembling against me, a testament to the trauma she had endured.

As we made our way towards the dim light at the end of the corridor, I promised myself that I would do whatever it took to keep her safe. No matter the obstacles ahead, we will face them together, not as victims but as survivors.

The girl's determination in the face of such dire circumstances was both heart-wrenching and admirable. I knew she would slow us down, but leaving her behind was not an option.

"We're all in this together," I said, reassuring her. "You're not going to slow us down. We'll find a way to make it work."

The sounds of the crew were drawing closer, and I knew we had to act fast. I motioned for the other girls to follow me, leading them up the stairs towards the deck.

As we ascended the stairs, the weight of our situation pressed down on us like a heavy fog. I could feel the tension in the air, mingled with the palpable fear of what lay ahead. Each step seemed to echo the uncertainty of our journey, yet I remained resolute in my determination to lead us through.

Reaching the deck, I surveyed our surroundings, searching for any signs of hope amidst the darkness. The night sky stretched out above us, a vast expanse of unknown possibilities. But amidst the uncertainty, there was a glimmer of light-a beacon of hope that urged us forward.

Gathering my courage, I turned to the others, my voice steady despite the turmoil within. "We may be facing the unknown, but together, we are stronger than any obstacle that stands in our way. Let's show them what we're made of."

With renewed determination, we set forth into the night, our footsteps echoing with the promise of a brighter tomorrow. And though the path ahead was fraught with challenges, I knew that as long as we stood together, we could overcome anything that dared to stand in our way.

The night air was thick with tension as we crept across the deck, our collective breath mingling with the salty sea spray. The ship seemed to groan and shift beneath our feet, as if it was too aware of our precarious situation.

As we made our way towards the railing, we could hear the voices of the crew echoing through the ship, their harsh words cutting through the silence like a knife. But we pressed on, driven by our desperate need for freedom.

"We can do this," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the crashing of the waves.

We shuffled our way, the loud feet of the men coming our way.

"Boss, she's no longer where you kept her" a loud voice informing who I believed was my tormentor.

Flashbacks of the constant torture I endured in that godforsaken room hit me like a whirlwind. I never want to go back there, they might even kill me this time. My body was already too weak to endure another pound of harm.

"I know a way out," one of the girls said. I snapped my gaze towards her to see a girl who could be at least nineteen years old. She had her hair dyed purple. "I believe I know a way out," she repeated. "But, we have to run!" She concluded.

The urgency in the purple-haired girl's voice reverberated through the group, striking each of us like a lightning bolt.

"What is it?" I asked, my voice tinged with desperation. "How can we get out of here?"

The girl's eyes darted around, scanning our surroundings. "There's a lifeboat over there," she whispered, her finger pointing towards the edge of the ship. "If we can get to it, we might be able to row away from here."

"We might not all fit in," I said, concerned.

"Let's get out of here first," another girl said.

"Alright," I replied, my tone decisive. "But we need to move quickly. If the crew finds us, we're done for."

The group nodded in agreement, and we began to make our way towards the lifeboat. Our footsteps were light, our movements quick and calculated as we tried to remain undetected.

Suddenly, a loud voice rang out, shattering the silence. "There they are! Stop them!"

The crew had spotted us, and they were hot on our heels. Adrenaline coursed through my veins as I broke into a run, the other girls following close behind.

At this point, I carried the dry-voiced girl as I had come to describe her due to the absence of her name on my back. She was close to weightless anyway.

We followed the purple-haired girl as she ran.

"This way!" the purple-haired girl yelled, her voice frantic.

Baelakis point of view. We rounded a corner, the lifeboat now in sight. A burst of hope surged through me, but it was quickly extinguished as the sound of a gunshot rang out. One of the crew members had taken aim, the bullet lodging itself into the wood just inches from my head.

"They're shooting at us!" I cried, my body tensing. "Keep moving!"

We raced towards the lifeboat, ignoring the bullets whizzing past us.

We got into the boat, bullets flew around like flies.

Thank God the boat was a big one, before another, the boat was full. There were five girls remaining.

"We have to carry each other, so we can make space for the others. We won't sink if we row fast enough" i said. To be honest, I myself didn't believe what I just said. If there is too much weight on the boat, it'll sink. I only hope it doesn't.

The girls did as I said.

With dry-voiced girl still on my back, I carried her like a baby. I was used to caring for others, my papa had been sick all my life, and we never gave up on him. I just hope he is alright and that the news of my disappearance doesn't hurt him much.

"Bang!"

That was the sound of someone receiving a bullet.

"Splash!

It was a huge splash. I turned my head to see one of the girls fall overboard, her scream cut short as the frigid water swallowed her whole. The terror in her face etched itself into my mind like a permanent scar. One of the girls fell into the water, she had been shot just before my eyes.

In the midst of chaos, everything seemed to happen in slow motion.

There were screams from all the girls around me.

"If you girls return, we won't see a need to kill you, but if you don't, we'll keep shooting. Just come back like the really good girls that you are."

That psychotic voice I had now grown accustomed to, the voice that belonged to my tormentor, spoke as eerie and calmly as possible into the voice amplifier.

I knew he was lying. If the girls went back, they'd be killed. That is the truth.

"Row, row, just keep rowing!" I told the girls. We kept going.

"What if he is telling the truth?" A girl asked.

"You expect someone who had us locked in a ship for months to say a word of truth? You must be joking."

Months? Some of these girls had been here for months?

"Bang!"

One of the girls rowing the boat received a bullet in her right arm.

She let out a loud scream. And fell to the wooden floor of the boat. Another girl took after her rowing spot.

One of the girls quickly placed her hand on the spot where the other girl had been shot to help her not lose a lot of blood.

As we rowed a little far from the ship, I saw from a distance other lifeboats coming our way. They were shooting at us.

"They are coming! Row, row, keep rowing, don't give up!" I urged the girls, panic growing inside of me.

As the lifeboats closed in, the tension thickened, the air heavy with the stench of fear and sweat. My hands tightened around the oars, my fingers numb with fatigue. But I pushed on, driven by a primal urge to survive.

"Keep rowing!" I screamed, my voice hoarse from desperation. "We're almost there!"

The bullets continued to fly, ricocheting off the lifeboat and splintering some parts of the boat. One of the girls cried out in pain, her hand gripping her shoulder as she slumped against the side of the boat. But we couldn't stop.

I saw a dark place, it looked like a forest not so far from us.

"Let's row to this forest" I screamed as I motioned to the forest I was talking about.

"Yes, we are able to get there, we can use the darkness to hide and escape."

The purple-haired girl responded.

The whimper of fear and the painful winces of the wounded girls broke my heart.

With a newfound sense of hope, we rowed harder, faster. Each stroke of the oars felt like a lifeline, each drop of sweat a testament to our determination.

We reached the edge of the forest, its shadows reaching out to us, beckoning us into their embrace. We leaped out of the lifeboat, the sandy shore welcoming our weary feet. I helped the wounded girls onto the shore, the purple-haired girl dragging the boat further inland, leaving it well hidden from sight.

"We need to move quickly," I said, surveying the forest.

The forest was a labyrinth of shadows and moonlight, the rustle of leaves and snapping of branches our only companions. My legs were on fire, every muscle screaming for rest. Yet, I pushed onward, desperation fueling my strides.

We could hear the men's heavy footfalls, their voices growing louder as they closed in. The purple-haired girl glanced at me, her eyes mirroring the fear I knew was etched into my own face.

"There," she said, pointing to a cluster of bushes up ahead. "We can hide there."

Just as we were about to take a step, we were surrounded by an army of men. Panic ensued all of us.

"Everyone, scatter!" I screamed out loud. "Run, run, just keep running!" I screamed. It is better to run individually to wherever your heart leads than to run in a group.

The night erupted into chaos. Our bodies moved in different directions, each of us darting through the underbrush like frightened animals. My lungs burned as I pushed myself forward, my eyes fixed on the maze of trees ahead.

Behind me, I could hear the shouts of the men, their footsteps pounding through the forest like thunder. I knew they were gaining ground, their numbers overwhelming us.

"Arghh!" I heard a cry from the darkness, the voice of the purple-haired girl. I turned to see her stumble and fall, her face twisted in pain.

I stopped right in my tracks. I ran back to her and helped her up.

"I need to stick by your side, please" she begged. I looked at her and the wounded girl by her side.

"Stay close. What is your name?" I asked the purple-haired girl.

"Devina" she responded.

We continued running.

"You can't run away from me." His eerie voice said into the voice amplifier. "Just come back".

At this point, I could see none of the other girls in sight. I could only pray that wherever they ran to, they were safe.

Gun shots again as we continued to run.

As we ran, our breaths heavy and hearts pounding, the sounds of gunfire echoing in the distance, Devina's grip tightened on my hand. Her purple hair streamed behind her like a flag of defiance.

"I can't keep up much longer," she panted, her voice strained with exhaustion.

"We have to keep going," I urged, scanning the area for any signs of safety. "We'll find somewhere to hide, somewhere safe."

But safety seemed elusive as the sounds of chaos only grew louder. Suddenly, we reached a fork in the road, and without a word, we both knew what had to happen.

"I'll take this path," Devina said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You take the other. We'll meet up later, I promise."

"Meet up where? Look!" I said as I sighted the top of the tallest tree in the forest. "This tree, let's meet up beneath it". I pointed up above to the tree very far away from us. We will meet there when we are safe. No one leaves until the other party arrives, okay?" I asked.

She nodded.

I hesitated, reluctant to leave her side, but I knew she was right. With a nod, we exchanged one last glance before parting ways, each step heavy with the weight of uncertainty.

As I ran down my chosen path, my mind raced with worry about Devina and the wounded girl she had been protecting. Were they safe? Would we ever see each other again in this chaos?

But there was no time for doubt. The only thing I could do was keep moving forward, hoping and praying that somewhere along the way, we would find our way back to each other.

I kept running. I ran through the left side of the forest. The tension built up, my speed began to slow down. I was exhausted.

I ran until I saw no one in sight, then I stopped to catch my breath. The weight on my back had begun to increase. I could hear her breathing slowly, she was also exhausted. How could these men be so devilish to keep people locked up for months, what was the reason?

I was just about to begin running again.

Clap, clap clap!

"Good job, little tick, good job"

I heard his voice, my worst fear.

The calm tone before the worst torture is unleashed upon you.

"So, little tick, you thought you could spoil my plans. Not to lie, you actually, but guess what? I forgive all the girls, really I do."

Was he serious? He forgives us?

"Expect you, of course. I'll let them go, tell my men to stop chasing them and take you instead. You are an exotic one. After all, you'll make me more money. I like that. You just made my job easier. Thank you, little tick."

His words were like a punch to the gut, each syllable landing with crushing force. The possibility of salvation for others was a bitter consolation, as I found myself facing the full wrath of his twisted mind.

"You don't have to do this," I pleaded, my voice quivering with exhaustion. "Let me go, and I promise I won't cause you any more trouble."

He laughed, a sickening sound that twisted my insides. "Oh, but I do have to do this. You see, I can't have anyone thinking they can just escape my grasp, little tick."

I began taking little steps backwards.

He began taking little steps forward. His tall frame cast a really huge shadow.

I still couldn't see his face properly. I never have.

I began to run

One

Two

Three

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

He shot at my back.

Everything seemed to stop, it was like time never existed, and we were stuck in a dimension void of motion. It was a complete pause.

I didn't feel the pain in my back, I felt the pain in my heart.

"You see, little tick, your stubbornness made me shoot your little friend."

He had shot at the dry voice girl I had carried on my back for hours now.

She winced, a low wince that only me heard.

One

Two

Three

Her breath began to shake.

I fell to my knees, I gently put her on the floor. My vision was blurry, I felt a drop of water on my lips, it was salty. They were my tears.

"I... told... you to leave me... on ...the... ship" she struggled to mutter.

"Please don't die, please don't die, please don't, please don't die!!!" I let out a piercing scream. I knew I screamed loudly because I felt my head vibrate.

"Thank you." That was the last thing and only coherent thing I ever heard her say before her lifeless wide-eyed body rested on my lap as proof that she once lived.

I closed her eyes, the piercing gaze she gave me. I locked them shut.

In the aftermath of her last breath, I felt an agonizing numbness wash over me. Her life had ended, snuffed out like a candle flame in the wind, and it was my fault. I had failed to protect her, failed to save her from the cruelty of the world.

"No," I whispered, my voice a hushed cry in the stillness of the forest. "No, no, no."

But the harsh reality was undeniable, and I knew I had to keep moving. For her sake, for my own. For all the others who still needed my help.

Leaving her body where it was lying, I began another round of running. I ran. I kept running.

I didn't care if he shot at me anymore, I just ran. I didn't know where I was running to, but I just ran. I ran.

He didn't say a word. He just kept shooting in my direction.

I ran, I ran until I heard the gunshots no more.

As the dense forest stretched out before me, every step became more difficult than the last. My feet felt like lead weights, my body wracked with exhaustion. I stumbled, my vision blurring as the world around me began to spin.

But I saw something, I swear I did. They were two beings. I didn't know what they were, but they shined and one shone much more than the other, it shone white, it was like the sun hit my eyes as it stepped forward to me.

Suddenly, everything turned black. I felt my legs give out beneath me, my body collapsing onto the hard ground. Pain lanced through my limbs, but it was nothing compared to the emptiness consuming me.

And then, there was silence.

Cyrus point of view. I shall now continue to lay my eyes on the nothingness of this earth.

Nothing is my favorite color. I love all shades of it, pitch darkness, where I can see nothing. I prefer to listen.

The world may be shrouded in darkness, but my senses are heightened. I can hear the rustling of the trees, the scurrying of small animals, and the distant howls of my pack. But there is something else, a faint sound that doesn't belong. It's a whisper, a melody, a calling. I close my eyes and focus, allowing the melody to guide me deeper into the forest.

I smell something. My wolf smells it too, something different. Something I had never smelled before. There was something. It was far, but it was near at the same time.

The scent is intoxicating, a mixture of lavender and honey, with a hint of something wild and untamed. It stirs something deep within me, a longing, a need. My wolf growls in agreement, urging me to follow the scent.

I move swiftly through the trees, the scent growing stronger with each step. My heart races in anticipation as I emerge into a clearing. I see her. A girl, from afar, standing in front of me with her body positioned to face me from behind. I saw her from behind only. She had hair that cascaded past her back like a waterfall of pure white silk, shimmering like the sunlight with an ethereal glow.

I walked towards her. "Who are you?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

She did not respond, she began to run, like she was being chased. I would never chase anyone. If I walked, I'd still be faster than them, and appear before them like a dream. But this was different. She looked like she was running from something, her heart was panting, I heard it like I put my ears on her chest. I couldn't see her from the front. I only walked slowly as I followed her. She was terrified. I could feel it. What made her so scared? Not like I care to know, but something within me sparks interest.

As I try to take another step towards her, she fades away.

She fades away. Why did she fade away, who was she? And was this finally over?

All this was happening in my vision. I have visions only on rare occasions. I was born like this. The moon goddess cursed me with this. Most think it's a blessing. I don't blame them. They have not seen their parents die in a vision, and I wasn't able to do anything about it in reality.

When the visions come, I fear. They are the only thing that makes me afraid, nothing else does.

The vision fades, leaving me standing alone in my dark room. I sigh, frustrated with my inability to change the visions I see. They are more of a curse than a blessing, a constant reminder of the pain and suffering I was born to feel.

But then, the scent returns, stronger than before.

In reality, I can hear her heartbeat. I know it's hers because I heard the exact beat pattern in that vision.

"Help me" she says weakly.

This came as a shock to me. Only a few people have ever been able to telepath me, and they include my late parents, my beta, my omega and my late wife Evara.

"Help me" her voice said again, cutting my thoughts off.

Her heartbeat was faster now, it only meant something bad was about to happen to her. I feel my wolf, he wants to help her. He is curious, but I'm not. I'm going to sit on my bed in this dark room and block that voice.

I tried to block out the voice in my head, to push aside the insistent plea for help. But it's no use. My wolf stirs within me, his instinct to protect and defend surging to the surface.

"Fine," I muttered, my voice echoing in the emptiness of the dark room. I don't know why I'm doing this, why I'm allowing myself to be drawn into the chaos of another's life. But something about this girl, this mysterious figure cloaked in darkness, compels me to act.

"Follow me". I command my Beta through telepathy.

"Always, my Alpha" he responds.

With a growl, I shifted into my wolf form and bounded out of the room, following the scent and the sound of her heartbeat. The forest rushes by in a blur as I race towards the unknown, towards a destiny that I can't yet comprehend.

As Stephen and I began our search in werewolf form, her scent kept leading me to the forest. This forest was far away, very far from the location of my pack. We were drifting into another serenity.

As Stephen and I raced through the dense underbrush, the unfamiliar forest loomed ahead of us, dark and foreboding. We were far from our pack now, in uncharted territory where anything could happen. But the scent of lavender and honey pulled me forward, a tantalizing thread leading me deeper into the unknown.

Stephen glanced at me, his eyes glowing in the darkness. "Are you sure about this, Alpha?" he asked, his voice deep and gruff in his wolf form.

I didn't hesitate. "We have to find her," I said, my voice firm with resolve. "We can't leave her out here alone."

"Who are we even looking for, Alpha?" Stephen asked me.

"I'm not entirely sure," I admitted, my voice tinged with uncertainty. "But I know we have to keep following this scent. It's leading us to someone who needs our help."

Stephen seemed to accept my answer, and we continued our search in silence. The surrounding forest was eerily quiet, the only sound the crunching of leaves beneath our paws and the pounding of our hearts.

As we crested a hill, the trees thinned out, revealing a clearing below us. In the center of the clearing was a small cottage, its windows dark and foreboding. The scent of lavender and honey was stronger here, almost overpowering in its intensity.

"Do you think she's in there?" Stephen asked, his voice barely a whisper.

I nodded, my hackles rising as I sensed danger lurking nearby. "Stay close," I said, my voice low and intense. "We don't know what we're dealing with here."

Stephen nodded, his loyalty unwavering. We pressed on, the scent growing stronger as we delved deeper into the forest. The trees seemed to close in around us, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers, as if trying to snatch us from our path.

"Her heartbeat, I hear it faster now" I informed him.

"Follow me through this..." My speech was caught short by a very sharp pain in my chest.

"She's in pain," I stated.

It was the first time in five years since I felt someone else's emotions deeply. It was like I was her, and I was feeling almost everything she felt.

The only person I felt this with was my late mate, Evara.

The connection I felt to this mysterious girl was unnerving, unlike anything I had experienced since Evara. The sharp pain in my chest mirrored hers, a physical manifestation of her agony. It was as if our hearts were beating in sync, two souls entwined in a web of pain and suffering.

I gritted my teeth, fighting against the pain that threatened to consume me. "We have to get to her," I said, my voice ragged with determination.

Stephen nodded, his eyes shining with concern. "Lead the way, Alpha."

We raced towards the cottage, our paws pounding against the earth as we drew closer. The scent of lavender and honey grew stronger, mingling with the coppery tang of blood. Lots of blood, actually.

My heart raced as we burst through the door, prepared to face whatever lay within.

I halted right at my steps.

"Humans." I said.

I could smell them, their wretched scent that lingered with nothing but negativity, hate and destruction.

"They are close. We are close too, I feel it", I told Stephen.

Stephen stopped right beside me, his hackles raised as he picked up the scent of humans. "What do we do?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.

I considered our options, my mind racing. "We can't let them find us," I said, my voice firm. "We'll have to move quickly and silently."

Stephen nodded, his gaze scanning the shadows for any sign of movement.

"Follow me," I said, padding softly towards a side door that led into the woods. The scent of lavender and honey lingered, drawing me towards the girl who needed our help. But the stench of the humans was also strong, a constant reminder of the danger that lurked nearby.

As we slipped into the shadows of the forest, I couldn't help but wonder what had brought this girl into the path of such dangerous foes. And more importantly, could we reach her in time?

Suddenly, a rustle nearby caused us to freeze. Stephen's muscles tensed, his instincts sharpened by years of survival in the wild. I motioned for him to stay silent as I cautiously approached the source of the disturbance.

My senses on high alert, I crept forward, my paws making no sound on the soft earth. The rustling grew louder, and I caught a glimpse of something moving in the underbrush. My heart raced as I prepared to face whatever threat lay in wait.

But as I drew closer, the scent of lavender and honey grew stronger, overpowering the smell of humans. Her once fast beating heartbeat, now slow, really slow and unstable. She was losing her heartbeat.

As we arrived deep in the forest, the scent was right where we stood in search.

I heard her little unsteady running steps, they seemed imbalanced, like she was going to fall the next minute.

I looked straight to where the sound came from and finally saw her hair, pure white.

She looked dizzy, like she was trying to hold herself still, both her hands on her head like she wanted to keep it steady. Her white hair matted with dirt and leaves, her breathing shallow and labored. She was injured, her body covered in deep wounds, cuts and bruises.

I saw her face. Stephen saw it too, because I heard his heart stop for a minute.

I stumbled behind, my paws couldn't carry me. What I felt was more than utter shock.

I couldn't believe who was before me.

It was Evara.

She fell to the floor and her eyes closed.

The world around me spun as I struggled to process what I was seeing. It couldn't be real, it couldn't be her. Evara was gone, lost to me forever. And yet, here she was, collapsed on the forest floor, her white hair fanning out around her.

I stumbled forward, my legs shaking as I nudged her gently with my snout. She didn't move, her breathing shallow and uneven.

Stephen looked at me, his eyes wide with shock and confusion. "Is it... is it really her?" he asked, his voice barely audible.

I couldn't speak, my mind still reeling from the shock of seeing her again. But as I stared down at her face, the face I had loved and lost, I knew in my heart that it was her.

The pain in my chest returned, sharper than ever before. I had found her, but was it too late?