I see these images shift to where my mate's powerful pack is, and my heart feels like it was being ripped out of my chest as I see him lying weak, his skin fully decaying and yet, he is still alive and everyone around him either dead or breathing heavily, waiting for death to happen.
My chest has tightened right now of pain as I struggle to breathe through all this. Why am I seeing this? Am I seeing this because these painful occurrences are actually going to happen? If these are going to happen, can it be prevented? Do I have the power to prevent it?
I sit by the tree. My back was completely borrowing strength from the tree trunk as I weakly reflect on this vision. Is this the reason why the golden owl led me to this paradise? To be able to see this vision?
I now feel scared. Of all the times I have wished that I had my mother, or at least known my mother, this is the most prominent time. How do I deal with these kinds of visions?
I close my eyes, trying to get in touch with my wolf, with my inner self, trying to find my strength within.
I must have fallen asleep as I woke up and I feel a great deal of heat from the sun. I look up and realize it was almost right above to where I sat down. It must already be noon time then. I slowly stand up and look up the earlier glowing fruit seeds. I reached out and take a handful, this time, not feeling any pain. Strong wind rushes to me, willing me to close my eyes yet again. Then another vision enters my mind. Beautiful, delicious aroma reaches my nostrils and I see my people drinking something. Every one of them were now healthy, smiling and happy.
I open my eyes and take a handful of these seeds. I smell them and I finally realize what these were.
I take off my sweatshirt, tying the arms together on one side to make a makeshift basket. I take as many of the seeds as I can, until my makeshift basket is full. I then look around, hoping I have not missed something else before walking back to where I entered from.
Even though I knew the owl was no longer where I last seen it, I still raised my head to silently say thank you. For the warning, for my pack's safety and for my mates' packs' safety.
I walk back fast through the forest. Not really knowing where to go as I have not paid attention when I was following the owl. I walk with the agility and speed I have been trained for at that school. Thanking the Goddess for this lesson. I still feel the heat of the sun, but I was not really feeling dehydrated as I was not perspiring much, wearing only my bra and sweatpants.
I walk fast, easily avoiding branches, twigs, stones and logs that could hurt my shoeless foot. My foot barely touching the forest ground as my agility kicks full force. Everyone must be worried again right now as I have disappeared for the whole morning now.
I haven't been walking for more than thirty minutes when I heard voices calling out my name. Was I that near to the pack house? How come it felt like the paradise was so far when the owl stopped?
"Luna!" I recognize Mark's voice. I was about to answer when a wolf gets right in front of me. I immediately recognized this to be my mate's wolf.
He was huge, truly a King Alpha wolf. He was colored in dark gray all over with pure black on his head and paws. His eyes were golden, reminding me of the color of the owl. A truly magnificent creature. He walks slowly to me, growling softly as if trying not to scare me but also telling me of his displeasure.
I stand in awe, silently looking at him. "I'm sorry." I whisper as he comes right in front of me.
Just then, Rick, Astor and at least five warriors assemble on every side of us. A warrior hands Damon's short pants and shirt as he shifts into human form. Everyone stays quiet as he wears his shorts, waiting for my mate to break the silence.
Damon comes forward and hugs tightly me without a word, inhaling my scent and finally, checking that I was okay and frowning at my upper body with only a bra on. My cleavage, scars and cute little navel exposed to everyone.
He then he puts his shirt over my head, and I drop my makeshift basket by my foot to wear his big, loose shirt.
"Where were you Lu-ann?" I can sense his anger as he asks me with quiet tones.
I wet my lips. My throat has gotten dry so suddenly. I couldn't just blurt out my visions and how I had them. So, I handed him my makeshift basket.
"We're going to need these." I said handing him my basket full of golden seeds.
"And that is?" Damon was still feeling the anger, though I knew he was trying his best to control it.
"Can I explain when we get back?" I say softly, feeling tired and sleepy at the same time. Those visions must have drained me of my energy.
Damon immediately takes the bag and hands it to Mark, then embraces me tightly again. Observing my drooping eyes, hunched shoulders and too soft voice.
"Let's all head back to the pack house." Damon orders his warriors as he picks me up bridal style. I don't argue, I hold on to his neck and bring my head to his chest.
Damon's POV
I wake up quite early that morning to give time for my wolf to run. With everything that we have had to work on yesterday, I knew my wolf needed this time to loosen up. Besides, this will also be my time to think things clearly. Early morning chill, peace and quiet always makes me think things through with a clearer head.
I run to the forest and take off my shorts, hanging it by a branch. I don't have to take it with me as I can easily come back after my run. I immediately shift and run right after. It was exhilarating. With no target location in mind, I let my wolf decide where to run to.
I knew I shocked my mate last night when I grabbed her from her hiding place but by Goddess, I was scared when I didn't see her in her bedroom after I got back from talking to my father.
I ran straight to Lu-ann's bedroom when I got back from my two - hour run. I wanted to kiss her good morning when she wakes up. I reach the bedroom and excitedly open the door, my smile quickly slipping from my face as I see the bed is ones again empty. I restrain myself from getting alarmed so as not to do something stupid just like I did yesterday.
I ones again check the bathroom and terrace, making sure to check small hiding places that my mate may insert herself into. Nothing.
Ones again, I mind link everyone in the pack if anyone has seen her since this morning. Hoping someone would say they have and that she is safe. No one does.
I breathe deeply, trying to calm myself. There was no rogue scent in the forest when I had my ran, so it is not possible that she has been taken away from here.
I run down the stairs, trying to follow her scent as I link everyone to stay in their places so I might be able to follow her scent. Her scent leads me to the entrance of the pack house where I discover her shoes, neatly placed by the pillar. I imagined her putting it there, perhaps walking barefoot to the grasses, remembering her reaction when she first set foot on the Dark Midnight Pack.
It was a good thing if she walked barefoot. At least, her scent would be everywhere she walked on. I follow her scent to the forest as I sense and smell my Beta slowly following behind me. I smell others also following and I stop and turn around. We will have to organize a search party while my mate's scent is still fresh wherever she went to. We knew this forest well. If we work systematically, we would be able to find her in no time.
Eight hours pass and still, no one has seen her. Her scent is so strong all throughout the forest, but no one can pinpoint the particular area she may have gone.
The strange thing is, it is almost two o'clock now and Lu-ann's scent should have already faded, but it is still as strong as this morning. We were all getting worried. No one dares to speak about it, but it seems, we are all being played at. As if something is preventing us from finding her.