The clear night sky showed a brilliant display of stars and a newly waning moon. A slight breeze moved Serena's wavy hair into her eyes. Brushing them aside, she continued to make her way toward the lake, her safe place. Tears flowed steadily down her puffy cheeks as she quickened her pace to a jog. The rocky terrain transitioned into loose sand with every haphazard step.
The tears and hair continued to block her vision, and with each step, Serena became more irritated with them. The salty taste of tears soon appeared in her mouth, caused her to gag and squeeze her eyes shut. Distracted by the taste, Serena's foot caught a protruding branch that sent her lurching face first into the sandy soil. The salt and now gritty sand tasted earthy in her mouth. All things that she now hated. All things that reminded her of beach days with her loving and trusted parents, her once happy family.
Her body shook on the ground. Unable to contain her sobs, she let them come full force and control her. Her cries were loud. Much louder than they should have been for such a quiet night, but she did not care. The tears she forbade herself from crying at her mother's funeral came to the surface and spilled out, joining the ones of bitterness and sadness. She balled her hands into fists and punched the sand weakly.
Soft padding came from behind her but was muffled by her cries. Low growls and breathing soon joined the growls until they were just behind her. Serena sniffed her running nose and stiffened. Those deep, threatening growls brought Serena back to the present. She was outside and by where her father first interacted with werewolves. Not only that, but a pack lived not too far away from where she lay in the sand.
Slowly, she raised her head to meet glowing green eyes owned by a massive brown wolf. Teeth bared, the wolf let out a howl and moved closer to Serena. Serena scrambled back toward the safety of the tree line, but the wolf followed. Her breath quickened as her fear grew. The trees were close, but the wolf was closer. Suddenly, Serena felt a weight against her back, glancing back, she saw that she was up against a large oak with bushes on the sides. She let out a frightened breath, glanced around, looking for anything to use for defense. Her eyes landed on a short, thick stick not far from her position in the sand. She reached out, grasped it, and held it in front of her.
The wolf stopped moving, cocked its' head, but soon kept moving toward her. Serena continued to quake and wave the branch in front of her as if warding off evil spirits. The wolf lowered its head but maintained eye contact. It crept forward and nudged Serena's foot with its muzzle. It continued to push against her gently, sniffing and maintaining eye contact. Serena lowered the branch and let out a heavy sigh. The wolf's and Serena's faces were inches apart, neither dared to move, but felt a sense of ease. The wolf was first to move and nuzzled against Serena's neck. Slowly, Serena raised a hand and pet the wolf's head which sent a shiver down her spine. The brown wolf took a step back and gently bit her pantleg, asking her to get up and follow. Serena stood and wiped her eyes.
The wolf nudged her leg and pushed Serena forward. They made their way toward the trees on the other side of the lake and soon were deep in the forest. Step by cautious step, Serena followed, mesmerized by the wolf and its gentle behavior. Further and further, the two went into the woods, and the further she got from her father and the cabin.
Another wolf soon met the two. This wolf put the size of the other to shame, and grey with a black underbelly. The two beasts padded alongside her for what felt like hours. By the time they reached a clearing, the moon was high overhead. Serena continued staggering along, trying to catch her breath.
There were about ten or so small cottages. In the center was a large, multi-level house. The two wolves made their way toward the largest one. Soon four others joined and followed behind Serena. Other wolves rose from their positions in the grass and watched as the small pack around Serena slowly made their way past.
Serena shifted her eyes toward the ground, nervous about the wolves and the village.
"Why are we here?" Serena questioned the brown wolf.
"Be quiet." It snarled back. Serena staggered back and almost tripped on a smaller blue-eyed wolf. It nudged her to keep moving forward toward the large house.
The brown wolf and Serena made their way into the house, leaving the others behind at the door. The open-concept main level had dark hardwood flooring with fur rugs as accents to the leather chairs and sofa. The sofa faced away from the door, but Serena could see a head of curly dark brown hair. As they approached, the head shifted and rose sharply revealing a tall man with striking red-brown eyes. The man gazed briefly at Serena's crumpled figure, resting on her face before turning toward the wolf at her side, hardening his face.
"Who the hell is this?"