The blackness closed up on her, dense and oppressive. Tessa was surrounded by towering pines that stretched in all directions as she stood in the center of a dense forest. The little smell of smoke teased her nostrils as the air crackled with tension. She made a careful round, looking for a trail, a hint, anything that would help her find her whereabouts.
Then she heard it: a wolf's low, threatening growl. She felt a chill as it reverberated through the woods. Her breath caught when two bright amber eyes appeared out of the darkness, then another, and still another. With their sleek bodies hardly discernible in the low light, the wolves circled her. She could feel the earth quivering beneath her feet as their growls blended into a symphony of fear.
Her legs resisted her attempts to run. The wolves drew closer, their snarls becoming louder and their eyes burning hotter. Around them, flames flared, encircling her in a ring of fire. Even though the heat was fierce and licking at her skin, she didn't feel any pain, just a heavy feeling of certain fate.
A deep, booming voice called, "Tessa." The wolves weren't the cause. Something else, something old, was involved. "You can't escape who you are."
The wolves lunged as the flames surged higher. She let out a cry and raised her hands to protect herself, but instead of teeth and claws, she sensed an odd warmth radiating through her fingertips. When she opened her eyes, she saw that her hands were luminous with complex symbols, the lines pulsing with a golden light that drove the wolves away.
The woodland turned to ash when the fire subsided. The symbols on her palms were becoming blindingly brighter as she fell, plummeting into nothing. She woke up with a gasp when she hit the floor.
Sweat-soaked and with a heaving chest, Tessa sat up in bed. Her drapes let in the dim moonlight, which created unsettling shadows on the walls. As she attempted to get rid of the residual visions of wolves and fire, her heart raced. She reminded herself that it was only a dream. However, her breath stuck in her throat as she glanced down at her hands.
On her right palm, the delicate, swirling pattern that had been her dream's symbol flickered dimly. She stumbled into the bathroom after scurrying out of bed, almost stumbling over the tangled covers. She turned on the light and gazed at her image in the mirror while raising her hand to make sure she wasn't dreaming.
Like the beat of a heart, the symbol pulsed gently. Despite her desperate rubbing, it didn't go away. Her voice was shaking as she murmured, "What the hell is happening to me?"
She kept thinking about the voice, the fire, and the wolves. You can't escape who you are. However, who was she? The odd power she had unleashed, the hunters' charges, and now this—it was all too much. Tears pinched her eyes and she fell to the ground, gripping her knees. It was only going to grow worse, whatever was going on.
The expansive cabin that served as the pack's headquarters was tucked away in the middle of the forest, its rustic look belying the strength of its occupants. With his boots resonating on the smooth wood floorboards, Lucas pushed open the hefty oak door. In addition to the subtle perfume of coffee brewing in the corner, the air was heavy with the scent of pine and earth.
Adrian, the Beta for the pack, was standing by the fireplace with his arms folded across his wide chest. He exuded an air of power that demanded respect because of his silver-streaked hair and piercing, calculating eyes. Lucas didn't make an effort to be nice. His golden eyes blazed with hardly contained rage as he marched across the room.
Lucas stated in a stern yet subdued voice, "We need to talk."
Adrian's gaze was composed yet cautious as he raised an eyebrow. "This is about the hunters, isn't it?"
Lucas gave a nod. In town, they attacked a woman. Moonridge, Tessa. They attempted to murder her after accusing her of being a witch.
Adrian's face clouded, and he motioned Lucas to take a seat. "Tell me everything."
Lucas gave a detailed account of what had happened the night before. As the story progressed, Adrian's jaw tensed as he listened carefully. After Lucas was done, the Beta reclined in his seat, his eyes reflective.
"Moonridge, Tessa," Adrian whispered. The name doesn't sound familiar. However, it is understandable why the hunters sought her if she is exhibiting magical talents. Recently, they have become more daring and have attacked everyone they believe to be otherworldly.
Lucas's tone was stern as he stated, "It's more than that." "They were ready. They were certain that she was a witch and knew just where to look for her. They are being fed information by someone.
Adrian scowled as he drummed his fingers on his chair's armrest. "Do you believe there is a mole?"
"It's feasible," Lucas answered. They have allied themselves with someone who has access to our world, which is far worse. Someone who desires Tessa's demise.
The room was filled with flickering shadows from the fire crackling in the hearth. Adrian's eyes were far away, and it was obvious that his thoughts were rushing over the options. "We must keep her safe," he finally stated. "The hunters will not give up until she is dead if they are pursuing her. Additionally, if they are collaborating with someone from our team...
Lucas interrupted, saying, "It's not just about her." It won't be long until they target us if they are targeting her due to her abilities. We must identify the perpetrator and put an end to this.
Adrian grimaced as he nodded. "Agreed. To find out if anyone has heard rumors of a conspiracy, I'll send out feelers. You watch over Tessa in the interim. She will require more than luck to survive if she is as significant as they seem to believe.
Lucas stood with a determined expression on his face. "I'll stop at nothing to protect her."
A slight smile curved Adrian's lip. "I have no question about it. But Lucas, watch out. The hunters will pursue you as well if they believe you are defending her.
With a steely voice, Lucas answered, "Let them try." With the burden of responsibility bearing down on him, he turned and walked out of the cabin without saying another word.
The strong, harsh font of the bank's emblem was staring at Tessa from the top of the page as she gazed at the letter in her shaking hands. As she read them aloud for the third time, the words became hazy, and each time her heart sank further. Bright red writing bearing the words "Final Notice" served as a harsh reminder of how dangerous her circumstances had gotten.
She was in danger of losing her Victorian home, which was her final connection to her parents. Her savings had been depleted by the repairs alone, and now that the flower store was operating slowly and her costs were growing, she felt stuck in a never-ending cycle. Her fingertips lingered on the paper as if she could force it to vanish as she placed the letter on the kitchen counter.
She was startled out of her reverie by the knock on the door. She looked at the clock as she wiped her hands on her apron. She had no expectations. She opened the door to see Landon standing on the porch, his blue eyes glimmering with worry despite his easy smile.
He remarked, "Good morning, Tess," and entered without waiting for an invitation. He had a way of getting involved in her life at the exact moment she didn't want him to. "You appear to have seen a ghost. What's going on?
She immediately answered, "Nothing," and closed the door after him. "Just busy, nothing more."
Landon glanced at the mail that was on the counter. Before she could stop him, he took three swift steps across the room and grabbed it. As he read it, his jaw tensed. "Tessa," he said softly. "Why didn't you warn me about how bad it was?"
She snatched the letter back and snapped, "Because it's none of your business." "I'm capable of handling it."
He pointed to the pile of unread banknotes on the counter and remarked, "Obviously." Come on, Tess. Allow me to assist you.
She turned away from him and replied, "I don't need your money." Her neck began to flame up with shame. She detested being exposed, and Landon had a way of making her feel uncomfortable.
His tone softened as he stated, "It's not charity." "My best friend is you. I can't watch helplessly while you lose everything.
Tessa curled her fingers around the edge of the counter as she leaned against it. She wanted to throw something, weep, and shout. She wanted to believe him above all else. However, she was prevented from speaking because of the pressure of her pride.
When she eventually answered, "I'll think about it," her voice was almost audible above a whisper.
Landon took a step forward and touched her shoulder. "Tess, you don't have to do this alone. You have always supported me. Allow me to repay you.
Although the knot in her chest remained, she nodded. Although Landon's offer was alluring, taking assistance seemed like giving up. Furthermore, she couldn't afford to lose.
As Tessa negotiated the twisting road leading back to her home, the rain fell in sheets. The brightness of approaching headlights made it difficult to see, and the windshield wipers had trouble keeping up. Her knuckles were white as she held on to the driving wheel.
Landon's comments kept coming back to her in a mental tempest of its own. Allow me to assist you. The idea of depending on someone else made her stomach turn, even if she wanted to trust him. She had always taken pride in being independent, even if it meant paying a price.
She slapped the brakes as she noticed a rapid movement. The vehicle slipped perilously near the road's edge on the damp pavement. She tried to steady the wheel while her heart raced, but the automobile would not react. The back tires were dangling over the edge of a steep embankment as it came to a startling stop.
With her eyes wide with terror, Tessa grasped the wheel and breathed in short gasps. In the little area, the sound of the rain beating down on the automobile was overwhelming. Her hands were shaking so much that she dropped her phone when she reached for it. The gadget fell to the ground, out of reach.
A person emerged from the downpour, moving at an unnatural pace. Tessa's heart thumped in her ears as she froze. She looked up to see Lucas standing there, his golden eyes concentrated and piercing, as the car door sprang open.
"Are you okay, Tessa?" His voice pierced the confusion as he inquired.
"Why are you in this place?" With a shaky voice, she managed to say.
He reached in to unbuckle her seatbelt and remarked, "No time for that." "You must leave this place."
She started to say, "The car," but he interrupted her.
With firmness, he said, "Forget the car." "It's not secure."
With a firm and comforting grip, he dragged her out of the driver's seat. The automobile made a menacing creak as soon as her feet touched the floor. As the car slipped closer to the brink and vanished into the night below, Lucas protected her with his body. Up the embankment came the crunching sound of metal on rocks.
As her mind struggled to comprehend what had just transpired, Tessa gazed at the location where her automobile had been. She turned to Lucas and said, "How did you... why were you here?"
His jaw tensed, and she briefly believed he would not respond. At last, he remarked, "I thought you might be in trouble." "I'm glad I was correct."
She squinted. "A sensation? That isn't a response.
With an unarguable tone, he declared, "It's the only one I have right now."
The sound of distant footfall interrupted her as she opened her mouth to press him farther. Lucas's whole body tensed as his head shot toward the sound. He guided her behind him by placing a hand on her arm.
His voice could almost be heard above the rain as he whispered, "Stay close."
With their faces hidden by the rain, two figures stepped out of the shadows. Tessa felt a chill run down her spine as Lucas growled low in his throat. "Hunters," he muttered to himself.
A few steps away, the soldiers came to a halt, their eyes cold but their posture relaxed. One of them muttered, "Lucas Greystone," in a derisive tone. "Always at the wrong time and in the wrong place."
With a lethal tone, Lucas said, "Leave her out of this."
The hunter grinned. Yes, we will. when we've finished with her.
Lucas acted without waiting for them to initiate contact. He lunged, surprising everyone with his strength and speed. As he killed the hunters with ruthless efficiency, Tessa gazed in startled quiet, his actions precise and flowing.
Lucas' eyes softened as he turned back to her when it was ended. "Are you in pain?"
Her legs felt like jello, but she shook her head. Her voice was hardly audible above a whisper as she uttered, "I don't understand what's happening."
"There's no need for you to," he added kindly. "Not just yet.