Chapter Five
Evie sat cross-legged before the ancient stones, their cold surfaces pulsing faintly with a strange warmth that felt almost alive. The stillness in the air was thick, heavy with the weight of secrets buried long ago. She closed her eyes, inhaling deeply, trying to focus on the unfamiliar energy moving through her. Gabriel's presence was steady behind her, his silent watchfulness grounding her.
"Let go," Gabriel's voice murmured from the shadows. "Stop fighting the instinct. You need to feel it completely."
Evie clenched her jaw, frustration bubbling up. "It's not that simple." She could feel the power within her, a wild, untamed force swirling in her chest, but each time she tried to grasp it, it slipped away like sand through her fingers.
Gabriel stepped closer, his hand resting lightly on her shoulder, his touch calming the storm inside her. "Don't try to control it. Just let it rise."
His words settled over her, and with a shaky breath, she surrendered, allowing the energy to flow freely. It was terrifying and exhilarating, like standing on the edge of a cliff, ready to leap. As the power surged, she felt a pulse, a connection to the ancient lineage she had only begun to understand.
Suddenly, visions flickered through her mind—faces she didn't recognize, voices whispering in languages long forgotten. She gasped her body jolting as though struck by lightning. Gabriel's grip tightened, anchoring her.
The visions came clearer now, as if she were seeing memories that weren't her own. She watched a woman, fierce and proud, standing in a circle of flames, her eyes glowing with the same power Evie felt within herself. She knew instinctively that this was one of her ancestors, a woman bound to the Blood Moon's power, just as she was.
The images shifted, faster and more chaotic, showing scenes of battles, victories, and heartbreak. Evie's heart raced as she saw glimpses of love lost, promises broken, and the weight of a legacy she barely understood. Each vision left an imprint on her, a weight that sank deeper into her bones.
Just as suddenly as they had come, the visions faded, leaving her gasping, her body trembling from the intensity. She opened her eyes, meeting Gabriel's gaze. His face was solemn, yet there was a flicker of pride in his eyes.
"What… was that?" Her voice came out shaky, barely more than a whisper.
"Fragments of your past," Gabriel replied softly. "Your bloodline is tied to the Blood Moon, to a power that has been passed down, but forgotten. You're not just an outsider, Evie. You're part of something far greater."
She swallowed, the weight of his words pressing down on her. But as the fear began to settle, a sense of purpose started to blossom in its place.
Gabriel led Evie back from the stones, his silence matching her own as they walked. She was still processing everything, each revelation leaving her more confused and yet somehow clearer on what she had to do. The visions lingered, each image a reminder of the power and responsibility she carried.
They returned to their makeshift camp, where a fire crackled softly. Gabriel settled beside her, stretching his legs out, his eyes fixed on the flames. She stole a glance at him, feeling a strange warmth, something she hadn't felt in a long time—a quiet sense of trust.
"How did you find this place?" she asked, breaking the silence.
His gaze flickered to her, a small, almost hesitant smile tugging at his lips. "I was just like you once. Lost, with more questions than answers. I stumbled upon this place when I was searching for a reason to keep fighting."
There was vulnerability in his voice, an unguarded truth that he rarely shared. Evie felt an unexpected urge to reach out, to offer him the same strength he had shown her. She shifted closer, her shoulder brushing against his, and for a moment, he let his guard down, leaning into the warmth they shared.
But then he cleared his throat, pulling back, his expression shifting back to its usual guarded intensity. "Tomorrow, we train harder. You need to be ready for what's coming."
Evie lay awake that night, staring up at the stars barely visible through the tree branches. The forest was quiet, only the faint rustle of leaves and distant animal sounds breaking the silence. But her mind was anything but peaceful, thoughts spinning in a whirlwind of questions and uncertainties.
She knew that the pack wouldn't rest until they'd silenced her. The memory of Cedric's warning, his words about the pack's intentions, sent a chill through her. She had left everything behind, yet she knew her past was chasing her, hunting her down like prey.
A twig snapped nearby, and she shot up, her senses sharp. Gabriel was already awake, his figure a dark silhouette in the moonlight. He met her gaze, and they both moved silently, creeping through the shadows toward the sound.
They found a figure standing at the edge of the camp, cloaked darkness. Evie's breath caught as she recognized the familiar figure, Cedric. He hadn't followed them; he had waited.
"What are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice barely controlled, a mixture of fear and anger.
Cedric's gaze met hers, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. "Thought I'd see how the little wolf was holding up."
Gabriel stepped forward, his presence radiating tension. "You've got no business here, Cedric," he warned, his voice low, edged with threat.
Cedric smirked, his gaze shifting between them, lingering on the way Gabriel moved slightly in front of Evie. "Protective, aren't we?" he mocked, raising an eyebrow. "Funny. The pack has its eye on her, and you're standing here playing hero."
Evie's fists clenched. "Why are you here, Cedric? Are you working for them?" Her voice was sharp, laced with accusation and hurt, memories of his betrayal still raw.
He shrugged, nonchalant. "Depends. The pack's restless, Evie. They're not done with you yet. And they're getting bolder." He leaned in, his tone shifting to something colder. "You can run to these woods, hide behind these stones, but they'll find you."
Gabriel moved between them, his gaze cold as steel. "You should leave," he said, his tone final.
Cedric glanced at Gabriel, the smirk fading from his face, replaced by something darker. "Careful, Gabriel. You're putting yourself in a fight that's not yours to win." He looked back at Evie, his eyes holding a warning. "The pack knows more than you think. And they won't stop until they get what they want."
With that, he turned and melted back into the darkness, leaving Evie and Gabriel standing side by side, the weight of his words lingering like a shadow over them.