Serena's breath was ice cold against her lungs. The air chilled her blood and scraped down her throat with each step forward.
Her focus and steps were focused on the lake and the path along its bank. Her mind was muddled as she labored through the thick snow, but it didn't hinder her pace. She swiftly pushed through the snow like a snowplow, leaving a clear footpath in her wake.
Her mind raced with thoughts of Atlas, Venus, Lucian, Regus, and her future. The boy with the red scarf skipped through her thoughts, distracting her with his scarlet wave. But she continued, focused on getting to Atlas and hearing his apology. She continued to see her father's grave and ask for forgiveness. And she continued to see how her path and future intertwined with Atlas and what was in store for them.
She reached the edge of the frozen lake, its glass-like ice shimmered like tiny crystals in the morning light. The snowcapped greenery created a wreath around the shimmering pool.
Serena took in the expanse of her childhood lake, but shortly after she continued down the lightly trodden path.
The woods were quiet. Much too quiet for a bright morning. No birds were singing, no squirrels squeaking, and not a single rush of wind to nock the branches together. Everything was eerily still. But Serena paid it no mind as her thoughts were on other, more pressing matters. She rushed along the path Venus had left the day before, focusing only on each and every footstep.
She was so focused on the crunching of snow below her feet that the cracking of branches and another set of crunching completely avoided her ears.
The footsteps pounded against the snow like an angry herd. A loud snap shot a shiver through Serena's spine. She shot her head up and glanced around the white forest.
A dash of black darted through the underbrush around her soon followed by another dark blip.
Serena's heart pounded faster and louder in her ears. Their beating shook her body as her breathing froze much like the air in her lungs.
"H-Hello?" She called out, her voice quivered and broke in the quiet.
Her voice hung awkwardly in the forest, accompanied by no one.
There was no reply.
Serena shrugged in an attempt to shake the uneasy feeling, but the feeling lingered long after she continued her march. The approaching footsteps were masked by her loud crunches. But soon, they were on top of her.
Many pounding feet were crunching the thick snow behind her. All of which came to a halt as Serena froze, her arms and legs mid-motion.
She looked up from the pathway and saw a ring of black, grey, white, and brown wolves staring at her. Their fangs were bared, and foam dripped out of their mouths, melting the snow the droplets landed on.
A low growl came from every one of the wolves. Serena stumbled backward, her mittened hands outstretched. But as she stumbled backward, the wolves behind her strode forward, their growls turned into loud snarls.
Serena whipped around and backed away from them. She spun in an endless loop until her head swayed and her brain sloshed in her skull. The world around her spun uncontrollably. She collapsed in the snow-a slight puff enveloped her body as she landed.
Immediately the wolves were around her in a tight circle. They enclosed her body in the center of their ring. Her body shivered in the snow from the cold and the fear as her face melted into a pale white. The snow drifted down delicately, covering the wolves and her in a light dusting.
A long howl erupted from beyond the wall of wolves. Immediately, the other wolves shot backward a few paces, and their snarls and growls grew silent.
Serena sat up and looked around the circle.
One massive black wolf pushed through the wall, closely followed by a much smaller, sandy-colored one. She swallowed the frozen lump in her throat as she stood up, preparing to defend herself.
"No need for the defensiveness, Darling." The black wolf purred. Its deep voice was smooth and charming compared to the vicious and hoarse growls from its companions.
"W-What do you want?" She stammered as she threw her fists out, readying herself for a fight.
The black wolf laughed a deep but short laugh. It shot forward, and within an instant, the large distance between Serena and the wolf was cleared. It towered over her head. Its large, blood eyes pierced hers, examining every inch of her. She slunk back, overwhelmed by its pure size. But with each step she lost, it gained.
"I want you!" The wolf replied, a sly grin toying with its mouth. Serena shuddered as the words met her ears. A chill ran through her blood. "Don't you remember me?"
The wolf began to circle the frozen Serena. Its nose brushed against her coat and exposed hair, snipping deeply with every chance it had.
"N-No. I don't." She replied after a long quiet moment.
"Well, that's too bad!" The wolf stopped and pressed its muzzle against her face. Its wet nose rubbed against her exposed skin, chilling the skin even further. "I'll have to jog your memory." The wolf whispered.
Bones cracked, and the wolf cried in pain as it collapsed to the ground behind her. The fur shook off in a small pile below the human's feet. The man rose from the pile, completely naked. He paraded around Serena, completely exposed to the winter weather, but enjoying every moment of it. His long black hair swept along his back and draped over his shoulders. The curls offered some coverage and protection but not much to be significant.
He faced Serena, his jaw and chin met her forehead. She lifted her gaze from his hairy chest to his clean face. It was a change of pace to see a strong jaw and cheekbones that could cut stone. His blood-red eyes glinted mischievously over her face and body.
As she registered the man before her, a little different he may be, her breath caught in her lungs. It burned her body, it starved her of the oxygen she needed.
"It's you-" She croaked, her eyes widened as she registered Silas before her.
He bent over, his nose brushing against hers.
"Yes, it's me. Your one and only. It didn't take me too long to find you, thanks to the help of that one over there." Silas pointed to the sand-colored wolf. It cowered behind another wolf, blocking its line of sight from Serena.
"Oh, come on." Silas threw his hands in the air at the wolf. "Don't be such a bitch! Take responsibility for your actions! That's the only way to move forward, isn't it, Serena?" He turned to the girl and placed his hands on her shoulders. The pressure she felt from his touch was crippling. Her body folded like a wet blanket dropped in a summer breeze. He leaned forward, his cold face brushed against her wind-whipped face. "Would you like to know who that is?" He snickered in her ear.
She shook her head slightly, her body rigid against the touch of the man she loathed.
"Oh, come now." He closed his eyes and pressed his face against hers. A shudder ran through her body. "It's only the man you've spent a few painfully long weeks with."
"No." She broke. She jerked her head away from Silas and glared at him.
He raised his hands, mocking her distress.
"Oh. But it is, Darling. It's loverboy, your one, and only Lucian. The man you just gave up for the man who killed your father. What a twisted love affair! Let me join in the fun." He snatched her up and flung her over his shoulder. His muscles ripped against her coat. She was pinned against him, helpless against his strength. She kicked and squirmed, but each movement received nothing but a slap on the butt from Silas.
"Please keep trying to escape." He prodded, his voice telling her he longed for more, but he was restraining himself.
She relented to his touch and stilled against his shoulder.
"No!" He mocked, his face lit up with a wicked grin. "Well, maybe it's best you save your strength for what will happen tonight, Moon Goddess willing."
Tears streamed down her flushed, angry cheeks. Their salt stung against her open, red skin. Her eyes wandered the wolves around her, finally resting on the beige one in the very back. Its tail sunk between its legs, and its head was drooped almost into the snow.
"Lucian." She spat quietly.
Its ears pricked up at the name, but its gaze refused to meet hers. The entire walk to the packhouse of the Blood Moon Pack, Serena stared as though her life depended on it at Lucian, but she received no response.