Nina squeezed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the sharp pain of teeth tearing into her flesh. The image of the wolves leaping at her was burned into her mind, their jaws wide, their glowing eyes locked onto her. She could feel their growls rumbling in her bones, the cold ground beneath her amplifying her fear.
But nothing came.
Seconds passed. Then a minute. The air around her was silent save for the faint rustling of leaves. Slowly, trembling, she opened her eyes.
The wolves were gone.
In their place, a figure moved with impossible speed, a blur of silver hair and rippling muscle. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in what could only be described as hunting garb—dark leather straps that crisscrossed over a sleeveless tunic, a belt lined with small pouches and daggers, and a quiver slung across his back. A curved sword gleamed at his hip, and in his hands, he wielded a spear with deadly precision.
The man moved like a force of nature, his strikes fluid and controlled. The wolves circled him, snapping and lunging, but he was faster. His spear spun in an arc, forcing one wolf to retreat while another charged. He dodged easily, thrusting the spear into its side and sending it yelping into the shadows.
The remaining wolves hesitated. For a moment, their glowing eyes lingered on the man before they turned and fled, their forms disappearing into the darkness as quickly as they had come.
The man straightened, brushing dirt from his tunic. His piercing blue eyes, illuminated by the faint moonlight, fixed on Nina. His expression was calm but curious, as if he were trying to piece together her very existence.
He walked toward her, his footsteps deliberate and quiet on the forest floor. Nina sat frozen, her wide eyes locked on him as he extended a hand.
"Come on," he said, his voice deep and steady. "It's not safe here."
Nina hesitated before placing her trembling hand in his. He pulled her to her feet effortlessly, as though she weighed nothing. She found herself staring up at him—he was at least a foot taller than her, his presence commanding yet oddly comforting.
"These woods are dangerous this time of night," he said, his gaze scanning the trees around them. "What are you doing here all alone? Where's the rest of your pack?"
"My… pack?" Nina repeated, her confusion evident.
"Yeah, your pack," he said, frowning slightly. "Your family. The people you move with who protect you and each other." He studied her blank expression and sighed. "Don't look at me like that. You're making me feel like I'm the crazy one here."
Nina's voice was shaky. "How did I get here?"
"How am I supposed to know that?" he replied, slinging his spear over his shoulder. "I was out hunting when I heard wolves chasing something. Thought I'd join in and grab the prey before they did. Turns out it wasn't prey at all—it was you."
"I wasn't running from anything," Nina said, though her voice wavered with doubt. "I was… on my way home. Then suddenly I ended up here. I've never seen this forest before. I don't even know how I got here."
The man tilted his head, his silver hair catching the faint light. "Maybe your fall scrambled your memories a bit. You can't even remember your pack. Don't worry—Astra can help. A little magic, some herbs, and boom—memories restored."
"I didn't lose my memories," Nina insisted.
"That's the thing about lost memories," he replied with a smirk. "You don't know they're gone until someone finds them for you."
Nina sighed, pressing her palm to her forehead. She didn't have the energy to argue. All she wanted was to get home and figure out her next steps, but being lost in the woods with wolves wasn't exactly an appealing option. Reluctantly, she nodded.
"Fine. Let's go see… Astra," she said, the name feeling foreign on her tongue.
The man grinned. "That's the spirit. I'm Lucian, by the way."
"Nina."
Lucian led her through the woods, his movements sure and confident. After what felt like an eternity of walking, they approached a massive wooden gate, carved with intricate designs of wolves and moons. Beyond it lay a sprawling village unlike anything Nina had ever seen.
The houses were small and tightly packed, their roofs adorned with glowing lanterns that cast warm light over cobblestone streets. People moved about, some carrying baskets of goods, others tending to small fires where food was being cooked. The air smelled of wood smoke and roasted meat, and the hum of conversation filled the air.
Nina couldn't hide her astonishment. "What is this place?"
"Home," Lucian said simply, leading her past the bustling streets.
At the end of the village stood a grand mansion, its towering stone walls covered in climbing ivy. Torches flanked the massive wooden doors, and the sound of laughter echoed from within.
Lucian pushed open the doors, revealing a hall filled with people dressed in garb similar to his—dark leather and furs, their styles reminiscent of something out of Viking lore. At the center of the room stood a woman with long silver hair, her piercing blue eyes identical to Lucian's. She wore a flowing dress made of deep green fabric, embroidered with gold patterns that shimmered when she moved.
"Astra," Lucian called, his voice softer now.
The woman turned, her expression lighting up as she saw him. She embraced him warmly. "How was the hunt?"
"Not bad," he replied.
Astra's gaze shifted to Nina, her brows lifting in surprise. "And who's this?"
"Nina," Lucian said. "Found her in the woods. She was being chased by wolves."
"A lady, alone in the woods at night?" Astra's tone was equal parts disbelief and concern. "You're lucky to be alive."
Lucian nodded. "She doesn't even know how she got there. I think she's lost her memories."
Astra's expression softened as she approached Nina, enveloping her in an unexpected hug. "Oh, you poor thing. Don't worry—we'll help you."
Nina stiffened, unsure how to respond, but Astra's kindness left little room for protest.
Later, Nina found herself in a room unlike anything she had ever seen. The walls were lined with shelves of strange jars and glowing crystals, while a shallow pool sat in the center of the floor, reflecting the flickering light of dozens of candles.
Astra stood nearby, her hands moving deftly as she prepared something on a small table. "Lie down in the pool," she instructed.
"What?" Nina hesitated.
"It won't hurt," Astra assured her. "Noise isn't allowed here, so relax and let me work."
Nina sighed and lowered herself into the cool water, trying to ignore how bizarre the situation felt. Astra rang a small silver bell once, then twice, the sound echoing softly in the room.
The third chime sent a jolt through Nina's body.
Her eyes closed involuntarily, and she was no longer in the room. She stood in a clearing bathed in silvery moonlight. The air shimmered around her, and she felt a strange energy coursing through her veins. In the distance, a voice whispered her name, soft and melodic.
A figure stood in the shadows, their outline glowing faintly. They reached out a hand toward her, their presence radiating power and familiarity.
And then, just as suddenly, she woke, gasping for air.
Astra leaned over her, concerned. "What did you see?"
Nina clutched her chest, her voice trembling. "I saw… myself. But it wasn't me."