CHAPTER 10: THE PATH TO SELENE

Dawn crept over the horizon, giving the sky a shade of orange and violet. The air carried scents of damp earth and pine. As we stood at the edge of Blackwood territory, I knew this was the beginning of our journey, one I couldn't escape. I tried to steady my nerves by taking in a deep breath.

Ronan was beside me; he had been on high alert since the last attack. He had been so protective of me ever since we left the packhouse. I appreciated his protectiveness even though we didn't speak much. The map Elder Markus gave us was rough, but it was enough to guide us. The map indicated that we were to travel Northeast past the Vale of Shadows and into the hidden cave believed to be Selene's abode. If she was enlightened about the Moonbound, then we were at the right place for understanding the power inside me and how to control it. But I knew we weren't the only ones searching for answers about my powers, and that was a problem.

"I don't fancy this". Ronan said as he glanced around with a frown on his face.

"You don't fancy a lot of things". I spoke.

"We don't know what is beyond this border," Ronan replied with a hint of irritation.

"We don't have a choice, if Selene can help, we must find her".

Ronan looked like he wanted to say something, but instead he swallowed hard, and handed me the dagger. I hesitated because I didn't have any training on how to use it.

"You will learn because I can't always be there to protect you". He said with concern and fear in his eyes.

His words landed on me with a great force, I didn't know how to use it, but I must protect myself too, so I had no choice. We moved through the thick woods. It became quieter as we moved deeper. It seemed as though even the wildlife sensed an unnatural presence. Every sound and movement made my instincts on high alert. After an hour of walking in silence, Ronan halted. And I stopped too.

"Someone is following us". He spoke.

I scanned the forest. My breath seized as I saw a figure move among the trees, then another.

"It's the Rogues again". Ronan said with a growl. "They are testing us to see if we will run".

"What should we do then?" I asked in panic.

"We don't show fear".

Before I could respond, one of them lunged at me. Instantly Ronan pushed me aside and attacked it with a brutal strike. There were sounds of snarls and claws clashing in the morning air. Another rogue rushed at me; his blood-shot eyes rested on me. I was scared to the bones but I managed to dodge his attack. His claws missed me by inches. I drew the blade from my side and slashed it across his arm. He staggered back and lunged at me again in anger, but before he reached me, Ronan attacked and dug his claws into its throat. This sent him crashing instantly to the ground.

"Are you alright?". Ronan asked me as blood dripped from his claws.

Before I could answer, we heard a sharp whistle and the remaining rogues vanished into the woods.

"That is a call to retreat". Ronan said.

This meant that we were being watched. Caleb was watching us to see what my abilities were, he wanted to make a bigger move. This scared me.

"We have to move fast". Said Ronan.

We set out on our journey again, but this time I felt the weight of a presence following us, I felt it before, but this time it was weightier. We arrived at the outskirts of the vale of shadows at midday. The trees were taller and formed a canopy with their branches woven together, barely allowing the penetration of sunlight. There was an unsettling feeling in the air and as if Ronan sensed it from my expression, he said that some believed the spirits of dead wolves lingered here, that some even believed they whisper to people who dared to enter their territory. This wasn't a reassuring feeling, but I didn't appear to be moved. He held my hands and reassured me there was nothing to worry about as long as I stayed close to him.

Silence stretched between us as we walked, but suddenly I could hear faint sounds in the air, they weren't clear enough, so I couldn't understand what they said. This sent a shivering feeling down my spine.

"Do you hear that?" I asked.

But before Ronan could answer, a figure appeared from the woods. My heart skipped in fear. It was a woman in a deep blue cloak that shone like the moonlight itself. She had a silver hair and her eyes were a shade of violet.

"Are you Selene?". I asked as politely as I could.

"You are not lost my child". She said with a smile

Ronan stepped protectively between Selene and me. "You know us?"

"I know what is hunting you and I know the reason you are here". She replied.

"So can you help us?" I said with a hitched breath.

My breath hitched. "Can you help me?"

Her smile faded as she replied, "it depends on you, Moonbound".

I realized she knew what I was, she knew why I was here. As she beckoned unto us to follow her, I knew I was walking into the beginning of another phase of my life.

The title sent a shiver through me. She knew what I was. She knew everything.

And as she turned, beckoning us forward, I realized that my journey was only just beginning.