I'm enveloped in darkness, pondering if I've perished. Is this what death feels like—a void of nothingness... Striving to free myself from this confine, yet I am chained, the memory of that man before me still fresh—the terror that gripped me, the scald of his touch. I called out to my wolf, who failed to come to my aid again—can I truly be deemed soulless now?
My mind drifts to my family, my friends; I didn't tell Michele I was leaving the club. By now, she's probably mobilized a search party or cast a spell to locate me.
My childhood brimmed with joy; I played endlessly and had the truest of friends. I always longed for a sibling, yet my mother couldn't bear another child after me—I've never known why, but that's what I heard from her. Yes, I suppose I'll miss Dustin with his humor, Adam being the sports aficionado, and Michele—my best friend and sister.
Trying to let the shadows consume me, still, I persist. My eyes flutter open, and a figure approaches. I force myself to focus as it draws near—startling yet gleaming, turning red as it closes in. To my horror, a fiery red wolf comes forth. My fear? Being scorched alive by its flames... Once more, I attempt escape but remain immobilized.
"Be calm, Ava..." A potent, commanding voice reaches me. I turn to face the blue-eyed wolf, its presence easing my dread; tranquil despite the flames, it stoops before me, and I draw nearer—it's magnificent, the fire not scorching, no pain to be felt, understandably so since I presumed myself dead. Its fur was soft, and there was an assurance in its proximity.
"It's time to return; he awaits us," the wolf speaks, leaping toward me, my heartbeat quickening as it seemingly phases through my body, jolting me awake.
My eyes beset by brightness, leaving me dazed, I manage to steady my gaze, and there sits the handsomest man I've ever laid eyes on.
"Hello..." His voice, deep and rich, sends shivers down my spine.
"Where am I?" I query, the urge to flee strong, though weakness grips me.
"You're in the hospital. Do you recall last night's events?" His words prompt flashes of darkness, yellowed eyes, fear, pain...
"Hey... Settle down, you're safe now... Look at me..." He insists, and my focus shifts—realization dawns on me; before me is Alpha Demetrius. I bow my head respectfully.
"My apologies, sir. I... I didn't recognize you."
My heart might just stop as his hand gently lifts my chin—if not from the attack, then now for sure.
"What's your name?" He asks, despite the sweetness in his voice, authority resonates.
"A... Ava, sir..." His gaze softens—"Ava Magnus."
"Good, then you know who I am."
"Yes, sir, you're well-known here in Tannor." His smile reveals a dimple that makes my heart race. I've never had such a response before; my body thrills with his nearness.
"A pleasure then..." His touch sends a jolt through me, and his puzzled look tells me he felt it too.
"I must inform my family, and my friend, she's probably frantic by now. She may have already cast a locating spell..." Memories flood back, like the time I hid from a school baseball game, crouching high in a tree until it was over, mortified when Michele and the firefighters had to coax me down.
"Ava Magnus, your . . ." Michele bursts into the room before I finish.
"Ma'am, you can't enter..." A guard follows, restrained by Dustin and Adam...
"Swear to the gods, if you haven't died, I'm going to kill you..." She doesn't finish; Demetrius stands, his stature enough to strike fear into anyone. She falls silent, and the boys move to her side, heads bowed while a low growl emanates from Demetrius.
"Sir... Please, they're a handful but my friends..."
I speak, and he looks at me, his eyes darkening to a soulless black, having been amber just a moment ago.
"Your friends..." He mutters, shaking his head, his decorum and eyes shifting just as quickly.
"Yes, Michele barged in just as I was talking about them."
"My apologies, sir. I was so worried. She disappeared, and sensing her at the hospital, I came rushing over..."
Michele speaks, still not lifting her head.
"Okay, stand up."
They glance at the Alpha and me, approaching and enveloping me in an embrace.
"How are you? What happened...?"
"Why are you in the hospital...?"
"What's that injury on your wrists...?"
They bombard me with questions.
"I'll explain..." Demetrius interjects, and they fall silent once more. I'm actually enjoying this—I might need to summon him more often, just to keep them quiet.
"We're hunting a rogue being that's been killing our kind. It doesn't discriminate, making it arduous. Today, Ava encountered this creature..."
He speaks of a specter I had heard my mother mention, one that's been murdering within our lands. Now, it all makes sense.
"Thank the Moon Goddess you're alive. I heard it drains vitality and magic, leaving one pale and lifeless..." Dustin says.
"But how did you know she was in the hospital? She only just woke up." Demetrius inquires.
"Ahh... It's just... We've known each other since we were kids, and Ava never really liked outings. When I learned how to conjure spells, I tagged us with one, so I'd always know where she was because she runs away when we take her places. I thought you had vanished again, I'm sorry for not being there..." She turns to me, tears streaming, and I embrace her.
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