Lila and Mia wandered around the forest, not knowing where they were going or what they would find. They had escaped from their home which was attacked by the hunters, which had been engulfed in flames. They had lost their parents, and now they were alone and afraid. They had no one to turn to, no one to help them. They were stranded in the woods, with no one to guide them and no one to protect them. They didn't know where to go or what to do next. It was a feeling of helplessness that was suffocating them.
They walked for hours, feeling their throats dry and their stomachs empty. They had nothing to eat or drink since they left their cottage. They were feeling tired, hungry, and thirsty, but they pushed on, hoping to find shelter and relief. They weren't sure how long they had been walking, but the sun was beginning to sink low in the sky. It was starting to get cold, and the woods seemed darker and more ominous than before.
"Lila, I'm so thirsty. I need some water. Do you see any streams or lakes nearby?" Mia asked in a weak and raspy voice, desperate for relief from the dry heat. The forest was still, and the only sound was the rustling of leaves and the occasional animal call.
"I don't know, Mia. I don't see anything. Maybe we should follow the sound of the birds. They might lead us to some water," Lila suggested, trying to remain hopeful and optimistic. They started to walk down the path, listening carefully for any birds that they heard. They walked for about an hour, but they did not hear any birds. Only the occasional animal call. They started to get worried.
They followed the sound of the birds, hoping to find some water. As they walked, they saw a variety of plants and flowers, but they didn't know which ones were safe to eat or drink. They avoided the ones that looked poisonous or strange, as they had no expertise in foraging. They began getting more fearful, as it seemed like they were lost in the woods with little hope of surviving much longer.
Then, Lila spotted a tree with yellow fruits hanging from its branches. Her eyes lit up in anticipation, and she felt a surge of hunger. Her mouth watered at the thought of taking a bite out of one of those fruits. She ran towards the tree, eager to grab one of the yummy fruits and bite into it.
"Mia, look! Fruits! They look sweet and juicy. Let's try one, they might quench our thirst and fill our stomachs," Lila said excitedly.
Lila reached for the fruit, but Mia grabbed her arm and pulled her back in a quick move that caught Lila off guard. Mia's eyes filled with worry and concern. She looked at Lila with fear and panic on her face.
"Lila, no! Don't touch those fruits! They're poisonous!" Mia shouted, trying to stop Lila from getting sick.
"What? How do you know?" Lila asked, baffled by this sudden action. "I know because I've seen them before. They're called death apples. They look tempting, but they're deadly. One bite and you'll die in agony. They're a trap for the unwary and those who do not know," Mia explained, a serious look on her face. "Trust me, Lila, you don't want to eat those." Mia spoke with a sense of urgency and sincerity, warning Lila not to make this awful decision.
Lila felt a wave of disappointment and fear when she noticed the black spots on the fruits' skin. She couldn't stop thinking about what these fruits could do to her body, and she shuddered at the thought and the images playing in her head.
"Thank you, Mia. Thank you for saving me. I'm sorry, I was so hungry, I didn't think," she said, hugging her friend tightly. Lila's hug was like a sign of relief that her friend had saved her from making a big mistake.
"It's okay, Lila. I understand that you feel hungry, but we must be cautious. We cannot afford to make mistakes. Come on, let's go. Maybe we'll find something else," Mia said in an encouraging and reassuring way.
They left the tree behind and resumed their walk. Lila felt like crying. She felt overwhelmed with emotions, including sadness and hopelessness. They had no way out of this nightmare and felt trapped and helpless. They were in a scary situation in the forest, and there was no way to tell where they would end up.
They kept walking, occasionally resting and sleeping whenever they found a spot to do so. They walked for close to two days without finding anything to help them. Their strength was slowly fading, and their spirits were broken completely. They felt trapped and scared, not knowing when or if they would ever find something they could use to survive.
Mia suddenly stopped in her tracks and held Lila's hand to prevent her from moving any farther. She pointed in a direction, and Lila looked. She saw two handsome men standing at the end of the tree line. They were dressed in leather jackets and jeans, and had guns and knives on their belts. Their demeanor was intimidating and gave off a dangerous vibe. But they also seemed strong and confident.
"Mia, who are they?" Lila whispered, unable to keep her curiosity in check.
"I think I know this place. It's the border of the Silver Moon Pack. Alpha Zane's Pack. He's the most powerful and feared alpha in the region. His territory is vast, and his army of warriors is immense. He's ruthless and merciless to his enemies but loyal and generous to his allies. He's also very handsome and charismatic, and many she-wolves dream of being his mate. My mother used to tell me stories about him," Mia whispered back.
She had heard about him in rumors and in legends, but she had never actually seen him. The stories about his strength and power were legendary, but she wondered what he would do if they met him face to face. Would he help them or harm them? The mystery and uncertainty made her feel even more uneasy, and her heart raced with fear.
They tried to go back but, Lila accidentally stepped on a branch that snapped and caused a loud noise. The two men heard it and turned their heads, locking their eyes on Lila and Mia. The leader of the men, a big and intimidating fella, raised his gun and pointed it at them.
"Who's there?" he growled in a deep and authoritative voice. His face was narrow and expressive, and he was not taking any chances. He was fully prepared to shoot if necessary.
Lila and Mia froze in fear as the two men approached them, their hearts pounding and their breathing quickening with fear. They knew they were in trouble and did not want to make any sudden moves. The men looked at them with a mix of suspicion and hostility. They saw that the girls were young and beautiful, but also dirty and ragged. They realized that they were not werewolves, and they also did not smell like humans.
"Who are you? What are you doing here? How did you cross our border?" the other man said, sounding harsh and demanding. He had his knife in hand, ready to strike. His eyes looked them up and down, sizing them up as he tried to assess their strengths and weaknesses. He was not going to let them go easily, and he was not going to trust them without a good reason.
Lila and Mia remained silent, too scared to say anything. They felt their knees shaking and their mouths drying. They knew they had to speak, but they didn't know what to say.
Finally, after a brief moment of silence, Mia spoke up, her voice shaky but determined to appeal to the men's compassion.
"Please, have mercy on us. You can understand what it's like to have your home destroyed and your family killed. We can offer you help and shelter. It would be cruel and unkind if you left us here in the forest, hungry and lost. Please, have mercy on us and help us find our way home," she continued.
The two men heard her plea and seemed to share an unspoken understanding. They looked at each other and exchanged a glance that seemed to convey a decision. They seemed to have agreed upon the course of action they would take next. And it seemed that Mia's hopes had been answered, which was something she was deeply grateful for.
"We must discuss you two with Beta James. He's the second-in-command of our squad. He'll determine your course of action. Comply and do not attempt to engage in suspicious behavior. If you disobey our orders, you shall regret it," one of the hunters ordered sharply.
The guards grasped both the young ladies' arms. They forcefully tugged them as they marched into the woods. The young ladies complied, having no choice in the matter. Despite hoping for a favorable outcome, they were haunted by the possibility of a grim finale.