KEILAH
I was wandering into the woods, my senses alive with the crisp scent of pine and the soft rustle of leaves underfoot. A tranquil solitude enveloped me, wrapping around my soul like a comforting embrace. But then, as if nature had scripted a sudden twist, the serenity fractured. A distant howl pierced the air, stirring a primal fear within. It was joined by others, a haunting chorus echoing through the trees. My heart quickened its pace, mirroring the urgency of the wilderness around me. I turned to retrace my steps, only to find my path obscured by an impenetrable thicket.
Panic started to rise within me, a knot tightening in my chest. I looked around and realized I had ventured too far. How did I even end up in the woods? I self asked but yet had no answers.
As the chorus of howls grew louder, my pulse matched their rhythm. They were drawing closer, their primal calls speaking a language I couldn’t comprehend.
The primal howls sent shivers down my spine. I dared not glance back, for fear of confirming what my instincts already screamed: I am being pursued by something sinister and relentless.
A flicker of movement caught my eye-a pair of amber orbs glinting amidst the foliage. Then another pair, and another, until a circle of luminous eyes surrounded me, each one belonging to a creature of the wild-a wolf. But they were not normal wolves. They were three times the size of normal wolves.
My breath caught in my throat as I stood frozen in terror. They growled, snarling as they drew closer to me, their teeth bared out, ready to snap me. Their silhouettes moved with an eerie grace, shadows weaving through the trees. Wide-eyed, I staggered backwards before taking off, sprinting deeper into the woods.
As I desperately ran, branches whipped past me, leaving faint stinging sensations on my skin. My chest burned with exertion, but I pressed on.
I don’t know how long I ran, but suddenly, a clearing emerged in the distance. With a surge of adrenaline, I propelled myself forward, my feet carrying me toward the promise of safety.
As I burst into the clearing, still gasping for breath, the pursuing howls faded into the distance.
Gasping for breath, I scanned my surroundings with a racing heart, gradually finding a calm rhythm. Sinking to my knees, I felt the cool grass beneath my palms. Closing my eyes, I thanked the heavens for my escape from the wolves.
“What are you doing in my territory?” a familiar deep voice questioned.
Opening my eyes, I turned my head to see that creepy Ralph of a man. He stood, dressed in all black, accompanied by a large black wolf beside him. The wolf growled softly, its eyes never leaving me. When it started walking toward my way, I quickly rose to my feet, stumbling backwards. Just before the wolf could reach me, Ralph took a gun from the back of his pants and aimed it in my direction.
“It’s all your fault,” he accused. “Why did you come back when I told you not to? Can’t you see I was trying to protect you. Now that you’re back, I will kill you myself. With those words, he pulled the trigger, shooting me in the chest.
“NO…!”
I screamed, jolting awake. I quickly opened my eyes, hoping to find myself surrounded by nothing but white walls, a sign that I had entered the afterlife. However, as I looked around, I realized that I was still in the human world. I found myself in a quiet room with grey walls, lying on a clean bed. Confusion washed over me as I wondered why I didn’t experience death.
I pulled the bed sheet over my entire body and began to cry.
How long am I supposed to bear this pain? Speaking of pain, I remember being skinned alive by those people who transformed into wolf-like creatures. Wait a moment, are they werewolves? Do they actually exist? Or was I hallucinating due to the pain? But, I distinctly witnessed their eyes changing, their bodies sprouting hair, and their nails elongating into claws. I felt them tearing through my skin. The memories were vivid, hauntingly etched in my consciousness.
The way they looked at me with a furious gaze, as if I were their long-standing enemy.
I shivered to the thought of the agony I was in, to the point where I prayed for God to take me swiftly. I touched myself. To my surprise, I felt no pain. Not only that, I realized I was completely naked, except for my underwear.
The door swung open abruptly, causing me to startle. My heart raced as memories of the horrifying ordeal flooded my mind.
“Are you okay?” a gentle voice belonging to an old woman asked.
Recognizing her voice, I peeled back the bedsheet, forgetting that I was naked and stared at her concerned face. I despised looking at her, as she was the reason for my… “I’m sorry, kid,” she interrupted, cutting off my thoughts.
“No one will harm you anymore. I’I protect you until you return home.
I blinked at the old woman, unsure of what to say. How do you expect me to believe you when you’re one of them? I said. She reached out her frail hand and tried to touch me, but I backed away. She stepped back, distancing herself from me.
I know you don’t trust me,” she said softly, her voice filled with understanding. “But I promise you, I am not like them. I am not here to hurt you. I am here to help you since it all started with me.
Her words resonated deeply, igniting a flicker of hope that I had long believed was gone. I wanted to believe her, to believe that there was someone who genuinely cared and wanted to help and protect me. But the lingering pain I had experienced had taught me to be wary, to shield my heart against false promises.
“Is what you’re saying true? Will I be able to go home?” I asked cautiously.
“Yes,” she replied with a light smile. “I promised myself that I would take you home once you woke up in good condition. You seem fine, so you’ll be going first thing tomorrow.”
Physically, I may appear fine, but mentally, I wasn’t. I wanted to see my aunt. I don’t know how her condition is without me returning home for days. I thought.
“Can’t I go now? I’m sure my family is worried about me.
“No, you can’t leave at this moment,” she responded. “However, I’ll get you a phone so you can talk to your family.” If that’s what you’re worried about. “But please don’t tell them about what you saw here,” she added. I swallowed nervously before nodding and agreeing.
She walked to the closed door, opened it, and entered. After a few moments, she returned with a pair of clothes and a towel, placing them on the bed. She then opened a drawer and handed me a purple Samsung flip phone.
I get you’re feeling bad about what happened to me, which I am still not sure if I am still safe or will eventually die, but there’s one thing I want to know. Are you guys shapeshifters–like are you guys’ werewolves? I keep on thinking I was hallucinating due to the pain, but I know what I saw. It really was real.
What you saw was correct. This is a werewolf pack house. Everyone here, except you and me, is a werewolf. Ralph is the alpha and also your mate. The reason behind his cold demeanour towards you is rooted in the fact that you are human. And he despises humans. Not only that, but in the werewolf world, humans are seen as fragile, vulnerable beings, unable to fully comprehend the complexities of their existence. When Ralph initially rejected you as his mate, it was a way of protecting you from a life filled with danger, uncertainty, and the uncontrollable instincts that come with being a werewolf. But you did something unexpected. I’m not sure if you were aware of what you were doing. You were the first mate to reject his rejection. Instead of accepting his decision and moving on, you fought for your place by his side. You saw beyond his wolfish exterior and recognized the connection that exists between you two. It was an act of bravery that both confused and frustrated him.
I stared at her blankly, wondering why I was being punished for simply being human and being involved with that creepy guy. But why? I also don’t want to be his mate. If he didn’t want me to be his mate, he shouldn’t have explained it to me and told me to leave. Well, he did tell me to leave. But still, he should’ve given me some hints. Nevertheless, I Il have to do some research on mate, pack, and alpha things. I didn’t understand a single word, she told me. I thought to myself.
I turned my attention to her with a fake smile. Thank you for the information. I said.
Please keep your call short and then go take a nice bath. I’ll bring you something to eat. She said.
I initially said that I wasn’t hungry, but then my stomach growled, which was embarrassing. She smiled, left, and closed the door.
I quickly leapt out of bed and flipped open the phone. With trembling hands, I dialled my aunt’s number. It connected, and she answered immediately. “Hello.” Upon hearing her voice, tears welled up silently. “Hell…” I held the phone to my ear for a moment, gathering my thoughts.
Hi aunt… it’s me. I said.
Keilah honey, is that you? Did you get–
I couldn’t hear what she was saying before the phone was snatched from me. I looked up, thinking it was the old woman, only to see Ralph staring at me with deadly eyes. Before I could react, he grabbed me by the neck and pinned me against the wall.
“Who are you talking to?” he snarled, his immense hands constricting my airway. I struggled to breathe as memories of the torture he and his people had inflicted on me, coupled with the recuring nightmare of him shooting me, intensified my fear.
Who the fuck were you talking to? Were you talking to the police?” he demanded. Don’t you understand that anyone you bring here will never leave alive?”
“I was talking to my aunt,” I managed to say, struggling to breathe. “I just wanted to let her know that ľm doing fine. Nothing else.”
His grip tightened, causing my vision to blur as panic surged through my veins. I struggled to free myself, clawing at his hands in a desperate attempt to loosen his hold. But his strength was overpowering, and the lack of oxygen was starting to cloud my mind.