chapter 2 : The beginning from the end

The night before the war, the pack was Alive, I sneaked through it. So how come, how sudden did all this havoc happened.

I remember feeling safe. I remember believing nothing could touch us.

But war never announces itself with fanfare, it slithers in like a shadow, unseen until it is too late.

It happened at dawn I guess.

I was just staring at my parents corps when my best friends came, maybe to rescue my parents, but they were already dead, and am the only one left.

"Alana!" Amaya, my best friend and the pack's beta, grabbed my arm as I reached the main hall. Her dark brown hair was matted with sweat, and her eyes were wild with panic. "We have to get out of here!"

"They killed my mother?" My voice cracked.

Amaya hesitated, her lips pressing into a thin line. That pause was enough.

"No," I whispered, stepping back. "She's still alive. She can't be that woman lying there right, that woman doesn't look like my mother."

But Amaya's silence told me the truth before her words did. "She's gone, Alana. We have to move before…."

A deafening roar cut her off. The enemy broke through the main doors, their leader at the forefront. He was tall, his dark hair falling in wild waves over his face, his gray eyes burning like silver flames. He moved like a predator that's graceful controlled, yet overflowing with a savage hunger.

The moment his gaze locked onto mine, I felt it. A searing heat pulsed through my veins, branding my very soul.

Mate.

The word slammed into me like a hammer, knocking the air from my lungs. But how? How could the man responsible for the massacre of my people, my family be the one fated to me by the Moon Goddess?

This same man I saved.

His lips curled into a smirk

"Take her," he ordered.

I fought. I clawed and screamed, but the warriors overpowered me with ease. The last thing I saw before darkness swallowed me whole was the body of my father, his once-strong frame lying still, his eyes lifeless.

And then, there was nothing.

Chapter 2

Alana

I stretched my arms above my head, letting out a satisfied sigh as the warm sun kissed my skin. The forest was alive with the scent of fresh pine, and the soft rustling of leaves played like music in the background.

"You walk too fast, Alana," Eve whined, kicking a small rock out of her path. Her long hair cascaded down her back, shimmering in the golden afternoon light.

"You walk too slow," Amaya teased, tossing a twig at her.

I laughed, breathing in the crisp air. "Come on, you two. We finally have a day off, and you're complaining instead of enjoying it?"

Amaya rolled her eyes but smiled. "I'm enjoying it, I just don't see why we had to come all the way out here."

"Because," I said, "we needed a change of scenery. And the river is beautiful this time of year."

The path ahead opened up to reveal the clear, winding river that cut through the heart of our territory. Sunlight danced on the water's surface, making it look almost like liquid gold.

We reached the riverbank, and I knelt to dip my fingers into the cool water. It was refreshing, calming. A perfect escape from our daily responsibilities.

Eve crouched beside me, her aqua eyes gleaming mischievously. "I bet I can hold my breath underwater longer than you."

I grinned. "Oh, you're on."

But before we could start, Amaya's voice cut through the air.

"Guys... look."

I turned my head, following her gaze to the far side of the river. And that's when I saw it.

A body.

Floating face-down, the current lazily pushing it toward the shore.

The three of us stood froze, watching as the lifeless form drifted closer.

"Is he dead?" Eve whispered.

I swallowed hard. "I... I don't know."

Amaya took a step back. "We should go. What if he's dangerous?"

"Or infected?" Eve added. "He could be a rogue. You know how strict the pack is about outsiders."

They were right. The Moon Pack had a strict rule against harboring unknown wolves, especially rogues. If the elders found out, we could all be punished.

But something about this felt... wrong. Leaving him here felt wrong.

I took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Alana," Amaya hissed, grabbing my wrist. "Are you crazy?"

"He could be alive," I said. "I can't just leave him here."

"Yes, you can!" Eve argued. "We should go tell the patrols, let them handle it."

But I was already moving.

The water was freezing as I waded in, the fabric of my dress growing heavy as it soaked through. My hands trembled as I reached out and turned the man onto his back.

My breath caught in my throat.

Even unconscious, he was breathtaking.

Dark black hair, sharp features, and a body covered in deep wounds. His face was pale, his lips slightly parted as if caught mid-breath.

Then, his eyelids fluttered.

I gasped, stumbling backward as his fingers twitched.

"He's alive!" I called out. "Help me get him to shore!"

Amaya and Eve hesitated for only a second before splashing into the water. Together, we dragged the stranger onto the riverbank, laying him on the grass.

His breathing was shallow, his skin ice cold.

"What do we do now?" Eve asked, her voice trembling.

I looked down at him, my heart pounding.

"I don't know," I admitted. "But we can't leave him here."

" Yes we can, Amaya said about leaving". Amaya come on, it won't be that bad if we help me.

Do you have any idea of a good spot to hide him, Eva asked with her hands folded tightly on her chest.

"Yes I do".

I saved him, sorry I meant we saved him.

I HAD NO IDEA THAT THIS SINGLE CHOICE, THIS SINGLE ACT OF KINDNESS WOULD ONE DAY BE MY GREATEST NIGHTMARE.