JAYDEN
Luciana’s terrifying expression made me question the truth behind what my wolf had said. She started stuttering, struggling to find her words.
Are you really Luciana?” I demanded, growing impatient as I awaited her response. Her trembling lips parted, but no sound escaped. Her eyes darted around the room, avoiding my gaze. The silence between us only deepened my unease, fueling my doubts about her true identity.
My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of fear and confusion flooding my senses. The room seemed to close in around us, the air thick with tension. I took a step closer, my voice laced with a hint of desperation. “I need to know, Luciana. Tell me the truth.”
Her eyes finally met mine, and the fear etched across her face was unmistakable. It was as if a veil had been lifted, revealing a side of her I had never seen before. “I can’t explain,” she stammered, her voice barely a whisper.
Taking a deep breath, I pushed her off me and got up as I tried to steady my voice. “Luciana, I’ve known you for years before the world broke us apart. We’ve shared secrets, dreams, and fears. But right now, I don’t recognize the person standing in front of me.
“Who are you?”
Before she could speak, the door burst open, revealing Vanessa. She was holding a bowl filled with water, from which faint purplish smoke emanated. Just as I was about to reprimand her for barging in, she hurled the water directly into Luciana’s face. Simultaneously, she began chanting in small words. “By the power of the elements, I cleanse that mask off!” Vanessa’s voice grew louder with each word, her eyes blazing with determination. The room filled with a crackling energy as the purplish smoke enveloped Luciana, swirling around her like a protective shield. Luciana’s eyes widened in surprise, her hands instinctively reaching out to shield herself from the water. But instead of a splash, the water seemed to dissolve into a shimmering mist as it made contact with her skin. The room was filled with an eerie silence, broken only by Vanessa’s rhythmic
chanting.
As the chanting continued, Luciana’s expression shifted from confusion to curiosity. She stood still allowing the mist to wrap around her like a cocoon. The purplish smoke began to dance with vibrant colours, blending and intertwining with each other. The air crackled with a surge of energy, and I could feel a tingling sensation on my skin. It was as if the room itself was alive, pulsating with the power of Vanessa’s incantation. I watched in awe as the mist slowly dissipated, revealing the woman behind Luciana’s face.
I felt my knees buckle and stumbled backwards, shocked. I was speechless because the person I had believed to be someone else turned out to be the woman I had encountered in the woods recently, who seemed to be undergoing a transformation. She glanced past me towards Vanessa and said- “You’ve made a grave mistake.” Then, she shifted into a red wolf and crashed through the window, shattering it. l felt my heart racing as I watched her wolf crash through the window, shards of glass flying in all directions. Instinctively, I shielded my face with my arms, trying to protect myself from the sharp fragments.
Vanessa stood frozen in shock, her eyes wide with disbelief. I rushed over to her, my mind racing with a whirlwind of questions.
“Vanessa, what the hell was that? I asked but regretted it. She told me but I ignored her.
She shook her head, her voice trembling as she replied, “l… I have no idea. I’ve never seen her before. She’s not the one I expected you to see. She replied but her mind seemed to be far.
The woman’s words echoed in my mind, “You’ve made a grave mistake.” What could she have meant?
Before I could ponder further, a commotion outside caught my attention. I rushed to the window and peered out, seeing the pack gathering around. It seemed this woman had not gone unnoticed. Whispers filled the air as the pack members exchanged bewildered glances, their voices filled with speculation, some even pointed towards the woods, where the woman had disappeared. It was clear that this event had caused quite a stir within the pack.
As the pack grew larger, I decided to head over and investigate if any members had gone after her. I had to be the one doing this myself but my stupidity made me take the serum to temporarily incapacitate my wolf, which will take three days for him to wake up.
I want to express how much I regret my actions, but then realised that I don’t deserve to say it out loud. My wolf tried to warn me, but what did I do? I blocked him with the serum which I never did.
As the elevator doors opened, I immediately heard screams coming from outside followed by the sound of cracking bones which indicated shifting. I quickly reacted, rushing over through the kitchen door to see what was happening. The scene I encountered was intense- almost everyone had shifted into their wolf form, their gazes fixed on the woods, following the lead of the delta
“What’s going on here?” I asked, raising my voice for everyone to hear over the growling and roars. The pack’s delta quickly shifted back into his human form and dashed over to me. Before he could explain the dire situation, the growls from the pack grew louder. I turned my attention towards them, following their gaze, and was stunned to see Jerome emerging from the woods in his wolf form, blood staining his fur.
He shifted into human form and quickly scrambled down, but luckily managed to get to him in time to hold him. He blinked rapidly, looking around anxiously until his gaze settled on me. It was only then that I realised I was holding him too tightly, and I felt a sharp prick followed by intense pain. I looked down at him curiously, and my heart stopped when I saw what was embedded in his skin. Silver mini swords. He had been stabbed multiple times with these silver weapons.
He forced a smile that made my heart ache.
I’m sincerely sorry, man. I failed to adequately fulfil my duty in protecting the pack. In my efforts to protect them, I neglected to consider my own well-being, and as a result, I fell into the clutches of our adversaries.
He gripped my arm so tight groaning in pain. I
could feel the strength of his grip as his fingers dug into my skin, causing me to wince in pain. His groan echoed through the space with a mix of frustration, pain and agony. I placed my free hand on his shoulder, trying to ease his tension. It’s gonna be okay. I said, my voice filled with terror. His eyes met mine, a mixture of desperation and vulnerability shining through.
“We don’t have time.” He managed to say between clenched teeth. “You need to get the men ready. They killed our patrolling men and they are coming for us, armed with silver with them. He said, his face contorted with every movement, his muscles visibly tense.
Without hesitation, I carried him on my back and dragged him into the house for Vanessa to help him in any kind of way. The weight of his body pressed against me, but I ignored the strain and focused on getting him inside.
As we entered the house, I carefully laid him on the couch, his limp form sinking into the cushions. Vanessa, who had been anxiously waiting, immediately sprang into action. Panic and concern etched deep lines on her face, but her eyes were determined.
What happened?” she asked, her voice filled with urgency.
“He’s been attacked… I explained quickly, my own worry seeping into my words.
‘He needs help, Vanessa. We have to do something. Find a solution. You know what he means to me. I can’t lose him just like that.
Jayden, I understand that you are extremely frightened and concerned for Jerome, but you should try to calm down and allow me some time to think,” she said, redirecting her attention to Jerome. She carefully examined his body and proceeded to gently check his pulses. With a sigh, she murmured words of
reassurance, her voice reflecting a combination of hope and determination.
“Please stay with us, she whispered, her gaze fixed on his pale face. “You’re going to be okay.” She added.
As I prepare the herbs, I’ll need you to bring him up in my room. Vannesa said. I nodded, crouched and carried Jerome on my back once more. Before I took a step forward, a pack member rushed towards me, clearly terrified. As I was about to ask him what was wrong, he spoke over me, saying, “Alpha, we have been surrounded.
As soon as the words left his lips, my legs faltered, overwhelmed by a surge of adrenaline. The thought of protecting my pack without my wolf filled me with uncertainty.