Zara’s POV
Huge green trees stretched far and wide around me, and a sense of calmness had formed around my
heart.
The forest has always been my happy place.
I closed my eyes, and I inhaled deeply, taking in the earthy scent.
A sad smile formed on my lips; I felt the wind softly tug on my hair, and the sunrays lightly kissed my
face. I haven’t been in the woods for some time, and maybe it will help me clear my head.
I opened my eyes and scanned my surroundings.
“Where are we?” I muttered to myself as I scanned for any kind of clue. I wasn’t sure where I was,
but I felt kind of excited and scared at the same time.
Kaya quietly observed me. Her eyes were dull, and her ears were hanging. She seems to be a bit
depressed about leaving Nicolas like that, and I had a suspicious feeling that she wanted me to go
back and confront him about the photo.
But even she knew I wasn’t emotionally strong enough to do that yet. Will I ever be strong enough?
Kaya’s ears moved. She was listening in on my thoughts.
“You will need to confront him sooner rather than later,” Kaya stated. Her emotions were chaotic
and erratic. She was sad about the betrayal, yet she needed to confront Nicolas and find out the
truth.
“I’d rather do the latter,” I replied honestly. “I am not ready to face him. Besides, I would have
broken down before I could say anything.”
“Are you going to reject him?” She asked.
Her words sent a shockwave straight to my heart, causing me to gasp and freeze in place.
What will I do? I haven’t really thought about what I want to do.
“Hear him out,” Kaya said, lifting her head. “Maybe there is some kind of explanation.”
“Maybe,” I replied, not wanting to create false hope. The only time a wolf keeps a photograph in his
pocket is when he has a serious relationship with that person.
I move forward, my gaze moving through the familiar forest, yet I just couldn’t figure out who the
forest belonged to.
I raised my nose, seeking a scent that could guide me in the correct direction.
“Everything looks so familiar, as if I have been here before,” I mumbled.
Where did my magic take me? Was in an enemy’s territory? Or was I wandering unclaimed territory?
“We need to find some kind of water source,” Kaya suggested. “At least then we can find our way
home.”
Not that I was planning on going home, but Kaya was right.
All the rivers, streams, and waterfalls connect back to the main river.
If I could find water, I could follow it back to the river and then find my way back home.
Kaya lifted her muzzle and sniffed the air. She took a moment to process what she was sensing
before she said anything.
“You are right. The forest smells very familiar,” she said, knitting her eyebrows together. “I am sure
you have been here before.”
“Do you think we are still in the Midnight Moon pack?” I asked. I didn’t dare say his name; my heart
hurt just thinking about him.
Kaya shook her head. “We are not,” she confirmed. “I think you should go that way.”
Kaya pointed her muzzle in a northern direction.
“Then we go that way,” I chirped happily and started marching in the direction Kaya pointed.
We were walking for about an hour when Kaya howled excitedly and pointed her nose in the
direction that seemed to be the forest edge.
I headed that way, and as soon as I stepped out into the light, I was overwhelmed with different
kinds of fragrance.
“It’s a meadow,” I muttered in awe. It was beautiful with all different colors and sorts of flowers
blooming.
My attention soon drifted to the flowers, and I happily picked some.
“Do you hear that?” Kaya chirped, grabbing my attention.
I knitted my eyebrows together as I concentrated on what Kaya was hearing.
“Yeah,” I replied excitedly. “That sounds like water…”
I dropped the flowers and pushed in the direction of the sound.
I sighed in relief when the sound became louder.
Almost there.
A giggle erupted from my lips when I could see the glimmer on the water.
We found it!
“That’s definitely a river!” Kay yapped.
I pushed through the last stretch of overgrowth and spotted a huge river.
Tons of dark and dangerous water rumbled past us, yet I couldn’t help but admire it.
I carefully navigated across the rocky surface to the edge, positioned myself on my stomach for easy
reach, carefully scooped some water with my hands, and gulped down the cold, refreshing liquid.
“Tastes even better when you’re thirsty,” I mumbled to myself.
I scooped another handful of water and washed my face, enjoying the cool water on my hot skin.
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding and let my gaze travel to the other side of the riverbank.
Nothing seems familiar on the other side-not even a bridge or an old tree.
Where the hell am I?
Was I that far away from home?
I got back to my feet, wiped my wet hands on my pants, and turned my gaze toward the sky. The sun
hung low; it was already past noon.
My stomach suddenly rumbled, and I instinctively trailed my hand over my belly. I haven’t had
anything to eat today.
“Sorry,” I whispered down to my belly. “But you will need to be patient just a bit longer.”
That’s until we can figure out where we are.
It did cross my mind to let Kaya shift and take over and run, but I was afraid that someone would
spot us and see her as a rogue. At least if someone sees me, they would be able to recognize me-
not that I really wanted that.
I sighed; maybe I should try and summon my magic and open another portal.
I concentrated and waved my hands in the air. I tried all kinds of movements hoping it would
awaken my magic, but to my disappointment, nothing happened.
“We better be going,” Kaya stated, lifting her muzzle in the air. “We need to move quickly to avoid
detection…”
“Are you scenting…?”
“Hold! Who goes there?” A male voice filled my surroundings, and I froze in my spot.
“F*ck!” I internally hissed. “Now we’re in trouble!”
The footsteps quickly came closer.
“Oh my Goddess! Zara, is that you?” The voice broke through from behind me.
Startled, I flung around, stepped backward, and lost my footing. I tumbled backwards, over the river
edge.
A scream left my lips, echoing above the roaring waters.
Oh Goddess, there was no way I would survive these roaring dark waters.
Everything appeared to occur at a slow pace. I closed my eyes, held my breath, and waited for the
impact to come. However, strong arms jerked me back with force, and I crashed into a rock-hard
chest.
“I got you!” Luke hysterically called out to me. “You are okay. I didn’t let you fall….”
His warm and familiar arms snaked around me, holding me in tightly against his chest.
“That was close,” Kaya muttered.
“Way too close for my liking!” I stated, taking a deep breath.
My body stiffened when I realized that Luke was the one holding me against his firm and muscular
chest….
Why did my magic send me here?
****