ARIANA'S POV
Just as I had imagined, although, not the exact way, it was nice to be friends with her. We had numerous chats, talking about different things.
She was the second werewolf to ever be truly nice to me, and it began to change my perspective of wolves.
Day after day, we would hang out a little during break hour, and I would also learn so many things from her, until one day, when her neighbor came to inform us of something.
"Ma'am, you can speak now." Luke urged her as she had refused to speak where other people, were.
"Look. I care about Theresa like my own child. And I can't afford to let her die, just like that."
"What do you mean?" Luke asked, looking baffled.
"It seems she had some huge loan, and the chances that she could pay it off within the time they gave to her, was thin. So, they invaded her house, and injected her with poison. I'm an experienced nurse, but I have tried all I can, to save her. Yet, her condition is only getting worse, and the only solution is when you go to the Herb Land for the only herb that can revive her, else she is going to die." She explained, then paused.
"Please sir, go with someone who is your lover, to the Herb Land, so she can be saved." She said, looking desperate.
The woman also gave us more instructions, and when she left, I turned to Luke.
"What else are you waiting for?" I asked, not feeling comfortable with the fact that my friend could die, anytime soon.
"One, that place is a dangerous place of which I know, and secondly, I have to go with you."
"But… But I'm not your lover."
"You are the closest thing to being a lover." He said to me, and that was right.
Over the days that passed by, I had gotten to know a little more about Luke and his kindness, and somehow, those acts had made me take a liking to him. And yeah, I can't tell him that, so, I'm going to keep it to myself.
"I don't mind going. I'm sure Theresa might be able to do the same for me. But I can't let her die, without her fulfilling her dreams. Also, she is your ace player." I said, trying to convince him.
"No. I can't let you go with me, and since I can't go alone, we have to forget it. Theresa would understand. She also wouldn't want you to endanger your life for her."
I shook my head, and tears fell from my eyes.
"She was the only one who was nice to me, when others weren't. She also encouraged me when I felt I wasn't up to the task. The tasks you discovered I had gotten better at; she actually was the one who made me improve in them. I can't let her die." I spoke out, feeling really down.
Then I ran out of the office, and headed home. There was nothing I could do, if Luke didn't agree to go with me. So, the only thing I could do was to be rebellious. I didn't want to care if he was going to kill me on the spot.
I would do anything to rescue the one who acted different to me.
Later that night, I heard a knock on my room door, and then the door opened. Luke walked in, and sighed.
"Believe me, I'm only trying to protect you."
"I know. Despite that she is your ace player, you still don't want to go, because of me. But I trust you. You are Alpha Luke, and you can do it if you set your heart to it." I said to him, with a stiffened expression.
Then he sighed.
"Alright. We leave by dawn. I checked on her to be sure the woman wasn't bluffing, and she was right." He uttered, and then turned to leave.
My heart beamed in joy, and I was so glad that there was hope for Theresa. It would be nice to spend time with her again, and be happy.
"Don't worry, Theresa. We'll be here for you, soon." I uttered under my breath, and laid down to sleep, just so I would have strength for tomorrow's journey.
~
It was dawn already, and was time for us to set out for the journey. If it was an outing, I would have been so excited about it, but then, it was a dangerous journey which we were just going on for the sake of a friend which I had actually taken, as a family.
Even from the name, the Herb Land, and the way the woman spoke of it, one would have known that it isn't a place one can take lightly. For Luke to have been so adamant on us not going there, it was evident that it wasn't a place you could joke with.
"Are you certain you are ready?" Lucas asked me as we headed towards the woods.
"I am more than ready." I responded to him, not wanting to sound discouraging.
Even if I wanted to sound discouraging, it shouldn't be from here when he could easily turn back and by then, whatever I do, might not make him change his mind, anymore.
We didn't have to walk too much before we got to the woods, and that only made me feel a little anxious. But then, I had to stop myself from getting too anxious as Luke would sense it, and I won't like the aftermath of it all.
On getting to the woods, Luke halted and turned to me.
"Whatever that happens, let's ensure to stay united and strong. We aren't giving up on each other, and we shouldn't feel less of ourselves. We'll get out of this in good health, and perfect strength." Luke said, and I nodded, acknowledging the sense in what he had just laid out.
"No matter what comes our way, we're going to overcome. For the people's sake, for Theresa's sake, we are going to conquer."
"And with you by my side, I'm certain the strength to continue will always be there." Luke said, with a smile.
Then we turned to face the woods and walked into the woods, side by side.
"I really hope this herb solves all the necessary, though." Luke said as he cut out some plants which were on our way.
"I'm sure it's going to work. The woman as she had said, has been in this line of work for a very long time, so you can be rest assured." I said to Luke, so he wouldn't entertain any doubts.
"Alright then. You are right. I could tell how good she was, when I saw Theresa. Her condition could have been worser, without her. Our major concern, now, is when we get to the Herb Land, how do we find the herb which we are looking for. By the moon goddess' grace, I hope we'll also be able to come back alive." Luke expressed his worry.
I have never seen him so worried and anxious before; probably because this place had a lot of uncertainties. That could be the only reason he would feel this scared.
"Alright, so how do we find the portal to the Herb Land? Do you remember any other instruction she gave?" Lucas questioned again as he looked around.
"Yes, she did." I uttered, realizing that he didn't listen to all she said, because he had no intent of going.
"Alright, so what are we to do?" He inquired, trying to understand things.
"Well, we've got to move further a bit. At least, to that place over there. Then, we'll move to the next step." I said to him, and he nodded, feeling a bit at ease.
I had gotten instructions from the woman at that time, and thank goodness none of us forgot that we would need the instruction to find the Herb land. If not, we might need to wait again for another dawn because we didn't want to move when people are out of their houses, and allow them find out what we are up to.
As soon as we got to that point where I was going to use, I halted, and told Luke to also halt which he did.
"Alright, so what next?" He asked with a firm expression on his face.
"Just watch." I urged him, not feeling the need to explain things.
I bent to the ground and placed my right hand on the ground. I closed my eyes and concentrated on it as she had instructed me. It was only deep focus that could work.
"I command that the portal to the world beyond to be shown to Luke and I." I said, with so much faith, and confidence.
Before we knew it, we both noticed blood dripping from nowhere, but on the ground where I had previously placed my hand on, and in no time, it began to form a trail, which was meant to lead us somewhere.
"Come on, Luke." I urged him and we both followed the blood trail.
We continued to follow the blood trail until we got to a place in the woods which was really strange; in fact, stranger than the ones I had ever seen,
My hairs on my skin stood and I looked everywhere, wondering why it seemed that way. Even Luke felt the same because he also looked at me, with an expression that showed he didn't understand what was going on.
Suddenly, everywhere became dark and that made my heart skip a beat. We both moved a step backward, beholding what was around us. Not long after everywhere became dark, eerie sounds followed after.
Luke quickly held my hand like he was trying to protect me from whatever was going to happen, soon. We began to look around to be ready for whatever wanted to come our way, and before we knew it, out of nowhere, a man in a dark cloak appeared.
How we knew he was a man, was strange because we couldn't see his face, neither could we see any skin, but probably because of the shape. But then, what was this creature here for, and what was it capable of?
Luke held my hand tighter, and we moved a step backward again, looking at the cloaked man who just stood before us without words.