A Night Creature

"That's because you are! If I hadn't saved you that night, Theone would have still been alive and be right by my side till this day! I wish I could go back in time and choose to fight by his side and just let you die!"

Valeska couldn't believe what her mother was saying. To think that her very own mother, the woman who'd birthed her would say these hurtful words to her felt like a nightmare. Her mother had indeed changed that night. Before she was sweet, caring, and most especially, loving. 

However, the woman who stood in front of her looked nothing like the Aurora Belmore she knew about. She was the devil that had refused to disguise and she had no love left in her heart for her daughter because she'd always blamed the girl for what wasn't in her control. 

"You've finally said it. I'm sure your chest must feel very light now," said Valeska, hurt evident in her tone. Her tears poured uncontrollably from her eyes. 

"Watch the way you talk to your mother! What's wrong with you? You've always been useless since the day you were born and you think you're the one to be complaining?!" Roberto roared, his face evident with rage. "We can't even take you out in public and introduce you as our daughter because of your curse!"

"I'm not a curse!" Valeska cried. 

"You need to accept it is. You're a curse. There has never been any werewolf in history that didn't get her wolf on her coming-of-age ceremony," Amora chimed in as she twirled a piece of her hair on her finger, enjoying the scene. 

Valeska hated to admit it but that was the truth. However, she couldn't bring herself to accept she was a curse. That was impossible. 

Valeska took a few steps back, unable to take it anymore. 

She'd always gotten into an argument with her family, but today was the day she found out that her mother truly despised her to the extent she wished she'd died instead of her father. 

Without thinking, Valeska ran out of the living room. 

"Where's she going?" Roberto questioned, his fist clenched in anger by his side. 

"Let her run wherever she wants to go. She'll come back when she's tired," said Aurora. 

Roberto glanced at Aurora, wondering if the latter realized it was already midnight and some rogue werewolves would already be roaming around the forests, waiting to prey on their next victim. 

But he didn't bother himself with it. Valeska had always been a problem for him since he joined their family, so it was good she was finally leaving. He wished she would never return ever again. 

Valeska wandered deep into the forests, the wind rustling the leaves as her hair danced in the air behind her. 

She continued to run for hours until her legs gave out. Her back slumped against a tree branch as she wiped her tears away from her eyes. 

"Why am I even tearing up? They're not worth it at all. They think I'm cursed? They'll regret it!" She yelled.

Her throat burned as she tried to catch her breath. 

When Valeska was all calm, she finally took the time to look around the place she was. 

"Where is this place?" she whispered, her voice trembling. She'd been running for hours, her vision blurred by tears. She hadn't even noticed when she'd crossed the boundary of the Ravenblood pack's territory.

Her heart sank as she slowed her pace, the realization hitting her like a cold wave. The forest was unfamiliar, shrouded in darkness, with only the soft glow of the moon above offering her a faint light to guide her steps.

Quickly, she tapped on her pockets, searching for her phone. When she left, she didn't carry anything with her. When she finally found her phone, she sighed in relief. 

Unfortunately, there wasn't any network going through so she couldn't make any phone calls. 

She was lost. 

"This is what I get for not controlling my emotions earlier, and now I'm in the middle of nowhere," she mumbled under her breath as she snuggled back in the tears that tried to fall from her eyes. 

Valeska raised her arm in the air, trying to catch any network. 

"Just what is this place?" There weren't any markings anywhere so certainly, she wasn't in the territory of another pack. 

Even so, it didn't make the situation much easier.

Valeska ventured into the bushes with her phone's flashlight, trying to find her way through at least. 

All of a sudden, she heard the twigs snap and her movements instantly paused. She froze stiff like a statue, subconsciously holding her breath in. 

The sound was faint, but she could swear she heard the snapping of a twig. 

Slowly, Valeska turned to look at the direction the sound came from like she was being held at gunpoint. But there was nothing there. She flashed her light, but all she could see was nothing but trees. 

Valeska waited for a few more seconds but when she couldn't hear any strange sounds anymore except the crickets and owls, she continued her path. 

'Was that an animal?' She wondered. Then the feeling of being watched instantly enveloped her. She scanned around the place but didn't see anyone. 'Maybe I'm just being paranoid.'

She checked her phone and realized she's finally gotten a signal. Quickly, she dialed the number of the only person she could call, Lucius. 

"Where are you? Mother said you ran off from home!" Lucius nearly roared as soon as the call was connected. 

"I don't know where I am at all. Wait, I'll share my location right now," she said. Immediately, she did so before the signal would seize once again. 

Right that second, the feeling of being watched arises once again. And this time, it wasn't a feeling anymore. Someone was behind her, watching her. 

"A meal, finally."

Valeska stiffly turned to look at the person. Her stomach churned in fear because it's been over a decade since she'd seen those bloody red eyes.