VENUS' POV
"Ouchh!" My head was pounding seriously. I opened my eyes and it was already dark. What the hell happened?. Did I pass out?. Sitting up was a struggle as I was aching all over. The only light that illuminated the forest was the moonlight which wasn't so full. How did it get dark so quickly?. The image of the mysterious handsome guy flashed across my mind and I paused. Was it a dream or I imagined it?. It felt so real and I could even smell his perfume then. He smelled so good. My stomach rumbled loudly reminding me I have not eaten for the past few days. I pulled myself up but I landed right on the ground.
Don't tell me I sprained my leg!. Not now!.
I looked around frantically. I will appreciate any help that comes now. This place is awfully quiet, not even a sound which tensed me up. I tried standing up again but it was futile. I gave up. I don't have a ounce of energy in me, I'm tired, hungry and thirsty. I was zoning out every minute and any second from now, I will lose consciousness.
Suddenly, I heard an animal's growl and I snapped my eyes open. Did I mishear it or is my stupid brain playing tricks on me?. I calmed down a bit and I closed my eyes again. I heard it again and it was closer this time. Oh my God! This is real. There is an animal nearby and it's probably gonna use me as delicious dinner tonight. I don't plan on dying like this. I used every ounce of energy in me to get up. The growl was so close and just thinking about it gave me goosebumps. I limped away. I don't know where I was heading but as long as I'm away from that 'thing'. I heard a twig snap and I paused.
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" I muttered under my breath as I hid. I'm just gonna wait until that thing passes. I stayed glued to the tree and I didn't dare make a sound. I didn't even know I was holding my breath.
Silence...
"Is it gone?" I thought. Everywhere was dead silent and I debated whether I should wait or keep moving. As I took a step forward, I came face to face with an animal with piercing and sharp purple eyes, glaring right at me.
I screamed at the top of my lungs as I ran. I fell a couple of times. My heart was pounding fast, I was so scared. This is not how I'm gonna die. Not like this!. I kept running and screaming out my lungs for help.
The eyes. Exactly like the guy from earliar. It was definitely real. I really saw him. I turned a sharp corner and it was there.
Is that a freaking wolf?!!
I stopped as it took slow steps towards me. I staggered back, shaking all over with fear. I desperately needed a miracle and none seem to be in sight. My leg hit a stone and I fell but I kept crawling back till my back hit a tree.
"Please... Whatever or whoever you are, spare my life." I stuttered. It's not like it understands what I am saying but something deep down tells me it does.
The wolf circled me and I was trembling terribly with fear. Just when I thought it was going to leave me, it pounced on me and I screamed.
"Get off me!" I struggled but it was stronger and I could feel its heavy weight and hot breath on my face. My hand reached a stick and I struck it by its side, it let out a painful howl and I think that angered it more. I don't know how it did it but it managed to pull me down into a position where I had no power to defend or save myself.
There's no need of running anymore. I guess this is how it ends. My whole life flashed in front of my eyes. Mom's warm hugs and her delicious sunday cookies and brownies, my friends meaningless arguments over food or movies and their way of cheering me up. Patrick's excessive show of care which I found uncomfortable and annoying and lastly my dad, while this animal still sniffed my body, I thought of the memories I had with my dad, the lame jokes, his warm smile which always made his eyes way brighter than it usually is, our crazy adventures, how we try to come up with weird and stupid food recipes, pranks on mom, his words of encouragement and his way of telling me bedtime stories. A tear rolled down and cheek as the memories faded like smoke. I felt it's sharp tooth dig into my side and I screamed feeling excruciating pain and shouted for help. I don't wanna die like this. I didn't even notice when its weight lifted from me. All I felt was pain. Nothing more. I was crying and screaming for help but I got none. I was about to fade into unconsciousness. In excruciating pain and excess blood, I felt different strong hands grab me at various parts of my body and carried me away. I don't have the strength to resist. One question was burning on my mind with no one to answer it.
Who are these people?
Soon, it became pitch black. Maybe forever.
*****
"I feel so bad for her. She's bleeding a lot." I slowly regained consciousness as I overheard the conversation in front of me. I thought it was a nightmare until I felt a sharp pain and I screamed. Tears started rolling down my cheeks. I couldn't pay attention to the conversation in front of me anymore. The two women in front of me kept looking at me with pity. I recognized Leila Armani the minute I saw her in my cell and I was so shocked. How is she involved in this?. I just couldn't find any excuse for her.
Are these people really heartless? I was bitten by a wild animal, a wolf to be precise and they are just standing there watching me drown in pain. My insides was on fire and I just can't find the word to describe this pain. It was more than excruciating. I was tied down and I was bleeding a lot. One kept telling me to calm down and I wanted to smacking her hard. How can you tell me to calm down in this pain?. I kept crying and begging for help. I was filled with bitter rage towards the women that stood and watched me writhing in pain. Suddenly, I felt my body changing. I had no control over what came over me. I could feel my bones breaking and I let out a heart wrenching scream.
"Oh no... We need to go now!"Leila said to the other dropping the plate of raw meat on the floor and they took to their heels.
I was having difficulty in breathing and my body was changing so fast. What is wrong with me?. I looked at hands and I nearly died. My clear skin was replaced by an ugly hairy hand with sharp claws. My eyes widened as realisation hit me.
Am I turning to a wolf???
LUCIAN'S POV.
I lay in bed exhausted after what happened this night. Turning her took my energy and brought back terrible memories I desperately wanted to forget. The girl even struck me with a stick and my left shoulder took the brunt.
Thankfully, I heal fast. After bandaging it up, I requested to be left alone. I replayed the scene in the forest again and again. Her ocean blue eyes were filled with fear. Her desperate pleas and cries for help as she begged for her life. I was tempted to just walk away but we are bound by a damn promise and convenant. I checked my back for the weird birth mark that has always been there and it was gone like it was never there. My mind kept going in circles and I didn't know when I fell asleep.
I woke up to a heart wrenching scream and I sat up immediately. She stirred a weird feeling in with her screams. A feeling I had locked away for decades. A memory flashed in front of my eyes and I shook it off violently. The endless pain and suffering I have felt before rushed back all at once and I clutched my chest in pain as I fell to the ground and cried silently. Several screams and cries followed and I was tempted to go into the basement and shut her up and I was stopped by incessant knocks on my door.
"What?!" I opened the door abruptly.
"She's turned and is very violent." Leila said gasping for breath.
"Ok... Should I clean her up or what?"
"Are you serious right now? You are really gonna abandon her!" Clary raised her voice.
"Watch that tone. How is she meant to act?. Give her time to adapt to her new self and she'll come to her senses." I slammed the door in their faces before they could say anything else. I slid down the door and I allowed my guilt and pain that I have locked away consume me. I closed my eyes and tears rolled that my cheeks as her image came to my mind.
When I managed to get a grip of myself, Warg, my advisor and best buddy knocked and entered.
He saw the state I was in. Pity and concern flashed in his eyes.
"This message came in just now. From the elders." My worst fear has been confirmed. I don't have to read it to know what it says. I have been summoned for questioning. I have broken one of the primary rules as an Alpha and a shape-shifting wolf without consulting them.
"What about her? should I still go on with the plans?."
I nodded and dismissed him. He bowed slightly and left. I looked at the elders stamp as I sat on the floor.
This is probably the end!