Damian
“Be with me, Dammy. Nothing else matters,” she pleaded, her voice a desperate whisper as she reached out to me. But I held my ground, my resolve unwavering, as I took another step back, distancing myself from her touch.
Her words cut through me like a knife, igniting a flame of anger within. How could she ask me to forget the beautiful life we had created together by abandoning our daughter? I felt a surge of rage building up inside me, my fists clenched at my sides as I struggled to contain my emotions.
“We created a life together, Ava,” I stated firmly, my voice resonating with conviction. “And that life is waiting for us. It would be selfish to live just to pursue our own happiness.”
“A life? Do you mean we have a pet or something?” She asked, her confusion evident in her furrowed brow. I felt a pang of suspicion at her words. How could she forget about our daughter?
“We have a child, Ava,” I replied, my tone tinged with frustration. How could she forget such an important detail? Does she even remember our daughter’s name?
“Oh yes, we do. How could I forget our son, who looks exactly like you?” Her words caught me off guard, and I felt a surge of anger rising within me, knowing that we didn’t have a son.
“I won’t be fooled by you. I will continue my journey to find the flower of life and bring the real you to our daughter, just like I promised her. So please, go back to where you came from,” I snapped, my patience wearing thin. Instead, she let out a laugh that echoed into the darkness, sending a chill down my spine.
“Oh, it’s a girl, my bad, but it doesn’t matter, and you don’t need the Flower of Life anymore because I am here for you,” she declared, her voice dripping with malice.
“And if you don’t follow me, I will make you regret it, because this forest holds more than you can comprehend.” My heart wrestled with conflicting emotions as her words sank in.
Despite my doubts, a part of me longed to believe her and give in to the temptation of reuniting with my lost love. But deep down, I knew that this couldn’t be the real Ava, and I couldn’t risk abandoning my quest for the sake of a false hope.
“Don’t listen to her. She isn’t real, but a demon sent to torment anyone who enters the forest using their weaknesses,” a small voice interrupted, and I turned to see a young boy approaching us. His eyes were covered with eye patches, reminiscent of Ruby’s son, and a small red mark adorned his chin.
“Alex?” I questioned, my voice tinged with uncertainty.
“I’m not Alex, but you should follow me because time is running out on your side,” he replied calmly, his demeanour belying his youthful appearance. Despite his resemblance to Ruby’s son, there was something about him that seemed different-something older and wiser.
I felt a wave of confusion wash over me as I struggled to make sense of the situation. This little boy, who bore a striking resemblance to someone I knew, was speaking with an authority that belied his age. Everything about this encounter felt surreal, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at my insides. If given the chance to turn back time, I would never have dared to enter the Forest of Darkness.
“He’s mine,” Ava declared with a sinister smile, her spectral figure glaring at the boy.
“No, he is not. He belongs to no one but the moon goddess,” the boy retorted confidently.
“But he is my mate. The moon goddess gave him to me. You aren’t going to abandon me again, Damian, are you?” Ava’s ghostly figure extended a spectral hand towards me, and for a fleeting moment, the weight of guilt and longing threatened to overcome me.
My wolf, sensing the vulnerability, whined softly, echoing the turmoil within. The forest seemed to pulse with the heartbeat of my internal struggle. Just as I teetered on the edge of succumbing to the ghostly allure, the soft voice of the boy pierced through my mind.
“Don’t listen to her lies. She wants to consume your soul and trap you here forever. Think about your daughter, who is waiting for you back home. Don’t go with this demon because she’s not real,” the boy warned, his eyes filled with a mixture of determination and innocence that mingled with wisdom beyond his years.
“You are right. She is a ghost,” I whispered, a bittersweet feeling settling at the edge of my tongue.
Ava’s form wavered, disappointment boldly written all over her ghostly gaze. “You’re choosing him over us?” The accusation lingered in the air, and for a fleeting moment, I questioned the path I had chosen.
“Yes, I am, and I would never go with you,” I replied firmly, my resolve unwavering despite the haunting presence before me.
“Damn you, Damian, damn you,” she snarled, her ghostly figure morphing into a huge bat before slowly fading into the shadows. The sight scared the shit out of me, but I held my ground, refusing to show fear. It would be unalphalike of me to scream before a little boy.
As Ava vanished, the haunting atmosphere lingered, and I stood there, grappling with the remnants of a love that refused to rest as my wolf paced anxiously within.
I approached the boy and kneeled before him, gratitude swelling within me. “Thank you, my boy. And I apologise for being rude to you at the playground. It wasn’t my intention, honestly, and I am deeply ashamed of it.”
“I told you already that I am not Alex,” he reminded me, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.
“So what are you? You look exactly like someone I know, and he isn’t dead, so you can’t be a ghost,” I asked, curiosity piqued as I tried to make sense of the mysterious child before me.
“In due time, I will tell you. But for now, we must press on to find the Flower of Life,” he replied cryptically. I nodded, trusting in his guidance.
“Lead the way, my boy. Show me the path to the flower of life.” With the ephemeral threat gone, the boy guided me through the twisted maze of the Forest of Darkness, his presence a beacon of hope in the shadowy realm.
As we ventured deeper into the forest, the atmosphere changed around us. The thick trees and bushes gave way to a soft, glowing light that enveloped us. The whispers of ghostly voices faded, replaced by a gentle humming sound coming from somewhere ahead.
The boy walked confidently at my side, as if he knew exactly where we were headed. Eventually, we arrived at a moonlit clearing, and there, at the centre, stood the mystical Flower of Life. Its petals emitted a soft glow, pushing back the darkness that surrounded us. Seeing the flower filled me with hope and determination, knowing that everything I had gone through-all the sacrifices and challenges-had led me to this moment.
Standing beside the boy, I felt a surge of strength and determination coursing through me. “Go ahead, pluck it,” he instructed, and I nodded eagerly. Turning to face the Flower of Life, I was filled with anticipation, ready to seize the chance to rewrite my destiny and save my sister’s life.
Approaching the flower, I reached out and grasped it tightly. In that moment, the world around me seemed to shift and change, engulfing me in mystical energy. Suddenly, I found myself standing in the familiar territory of my pack, the Flower of Life cradled in my hands. Weakness washed over me, causing my legs to wobble beneath me as I struggled to maintain my balance.
But I did it. I survived the forest of darkness, and nothing would ever make me go back there again.
As I looked around, exhausted, hoping to thank the little boy, I couldn’t find him anymore. I managed to stagger forward, my steps unsteady, and in the distance, I saw a figure emerging from my house. It was Ruby. Her expression was a mix of shock and concern. Had it already been a week? I missed her beautiful face.
Standing there, exhaustion weighed heavily on me. My legs started shaking, making every step feel like a struggle. It was like trying to walk through thick mud. My vision blurred, and my eyelids felt incredibly heavy. Breathing became a task, with each inhale requiring more effort than the last. I felt myself teetering on the edge of collapse.
Suddenly, it felt like the ground shifted beneath me. I couldn’t stay upright any longer. My body felt like it was being pulled down by an invisible force, as if gravity had become stronger.
Panic surged through me as I realised I was about to fall. But just as I began to descend, arms wrapped around me, stopping my fall. I was lifted up, supported by someone else’s strength. Relief washed over me, accompanied by a rush of sparks and chills that sent goosebumps racing across my skin-the good kind of chills. It dawned on me that it was Ruby who had caught me. Her strength surprised me; I never knew she had that much in her, but I was glad nonetheless.
Her presence gave me hope and strength, even in the darkest moments. With her by my side, I knew I could face anything. And for a second, our eyes met, and I saw a mix of emotions in hers that I couldn’t quite decipher. She couldn’t have missed me, right?
“Finally, I can save her,” I muttered softly, giving in to the darkness that clouded my vision.
“Save who?” Ruby’s soft voice asked, and I didn’t need to see her face to know that it was filled with confusion.
“Ava. My dead mate. I will bring her back to life like I promised,” I muttered as darkness surrounded me.