I yawn and stretch my hands above my head languidly. Feeling very much relaxed and full of energy, feeling fully rested after my amazing, extraordinary night with my mate, who must have been up for hours already based on the coldness of the space beside me. I feel a pinch of disappointment in my heart that I didn't see him upon waking up, but mentally wiped it off with the thought that I would see him later. For a minute there, upon waking up, I suppose I imagined waking up with me still in his warm embrace.
Knowing I would not be able to go back to sleep as I really feel myself energized, I seat up, and walk to the bathroom. Might as well start my day. Hopefully, I would be able to go to school today. I realize, I have been absent for three days now.
I brush my teeth and take a shower all the while wondering how to get to school without being late as I still had to get some of my school things at the packhouse. I never thought I would be staying here more than one night when the Queen Luna suggested I come home with them for the night.
"Marvy? Aren't you going to talk to me? Are you alright?" I try talking to my little wolf. It's been a while since we talked and I'm worried. What if the effect of my using my powers had a stronger effect on her than on me? Or what if another wolf removed her from my body and came in instead? Hence, the shifting that my mate, his parents and Beta and the pack doctor witnessed the other night.
I walk out of the bedroom when I'm done with my morning routine, taking out a fresh change of underwear, sweatpants and sweatshirt from the closet and quickly put them on. I walk the hallway leading to the stairs going down to the living room and kitchen. I go to the kitchen and drink a glass of water before venturing to the hallway leading to the living room. I realize it was still too early as the whole packhouse was quiet and it was still dark outside as I look at the glass windows.
I'm guessing it must be about four o'clock in the morning and I decide to take a walk outside, not bothering to open lights as I feel like I feel familiar with the place. I get out of the huge door silently; still not seeing anyone and walk to the grounds I have wanted to explore ever since I was first driven in. I remove my shoes and place them on the edge of a pillar and walk barefoot to the grounds. I feel the grass down under my feet with the morning dews and I breathe deeply, loving the feel of nature under my foot.
I look around, deciding if I wanted to walk the dark forest which seems to be beckoning at me. Inviting me to explore every tree, every rugged terrain it offers or all nooks and stones in it.
I walk slowly to the forest, deciding to walk not more than fifteen minutes then get back before anyone noticed I was out and declare me missing again.
I feel the extra chill in the air as I enter the forest. I looked back at my shoes I left by the entrance but decided just to walk carefully. And I would only be walking for a few minutes, I wouldn't get too far in the forest. I walk further on, deeper in the forest. Enjoying the morning chill, the peace, the silence that calms my nerves, I walk continuously for a few minutes. When I come up a thick bush just like the one Damon hid me in on the night of the attack, I paused and looked around. It was still dark, but I realized I have walked far enough as I could no longer see any part of the house.
Just as I decide to turn back, I hear a soft hoot above a tree near to where a stood and I looked up. My mouth involuntarily opens wide. My jaw drops open in awe as I stare at an owl on a tree branch.
I can't believe it really was an owl. It was glowing. From my little knowledge of owls, I have known that owls are usually dark - colored to help them blend with their surroundings. This one was golden - colored all around, though its body was black. Pure black. It must be the golden color that was glowing, like it was the sunlight.
My breath caught in amazement, as I continue to look at this beautiful creature. Then it looks at me, slowly raising its wings, then slowly flying deeper into the forest. I follow it with my eyes, not sure if I should follow it, and get deeper into the forest too.
I stand still by the bush and watch it fly. But then it stops at another branch and faces me as if calling me with another soft hoot.
I walk to the tree it was perched on and stop, then I see it again spreading its wings and flying slowly, as if waiting for me to catch up. I looked back at the direction I came from, hesitant in following the owl without no one knowing. I know I would not get lost as I am confident, I would just use my scenting and hearing power and I would be able to find my way, but if this walk takes too long, someone or everyone would certainly panic again of my absence.
I look at the bird above and decide to follow it as it seems to truly wait for me. I speed walk to follow the owl, hoping whatever it was bringing me to was worth the chaos it would bring to the people who would notice I was gone.
It is almost daylight now and I am drenched in sweat, thirsty and breathing heavily. I have been following that golden owl for I think at least and hour or more now as I see the sun starting to grace the forest with its blessed light.
I was ready to give up, take a rest and just turn back around. Perhaps, I will be found by one of my mate's pack members before I fainted of dehydration.
Then I see the owl perch itself yet again on a tree branch, looking expectantly at me. I look around the part of the forest where I paused, nothing extraordinary was on sight. Not even a beautiful stream with golden water flowing water. Dang! I wasted time and energy on something not worth wasting my time and energy for.
I heave a very deep sigh of disappointment and was going to turn back around to start my trek to the Dark Midnight Pack packhouse when I heard more hoots, immediately looking back up at the lone owl I have been following. The hoots were not coming from it. I look around, hearing it again and I see a part of the forest to my right. The bushes were so thick, you wouldn't just casually see what was behind these bushes.
I walk slowly towards the bushes, using much stronger strength to part the bushes and I get a glimpse of paradise.
I walked in amazement at what the bushes covered. It must be the hidden paradise of Dark Midnight Pack. Why hasn't Damon ever mentioned this to me? There were flowers all around with a lot of colorful butterflies over them. There was this stream that started above and ended at a little rock formation just down below. It was as if it just ended their, not flowing anywhere else just like any body of water did.
Then I see something that really captures my attention. It was a tree with glowing little fruits. The fruits looked like little seeds glued together. They were dark in color, but the leaves were yellow, almost golden, like the owl's color. I suddenly remember and look above to see if the owl was still there. Sadly, it must have flown off already. I walk to the tree and touch the intriguing seeds, but I hiss in pain, feeling my fingertips burn. I scream as I feel the pain seem to flow to my whole being and I fall down beside it, holding on to the trunk so I would not fall completely to the ground.
I start to perspire as uncontrollable images come to mind. I see my pack clearly. everyone dying of a disease no one can't cure. The pack doctors were the first to die, their skin full of boils and were decaying and they were still alive. Then I see Kaylee. She starts to slice her slim wrist, as she cries, hoping to lose breath before her skin decays as well. Everywhere, I see pack members dying of the same sickness and I cannot help but cry of despair.