Fall Harvest Moon

Chapter 4- Taken

Aurora tried to jump into a defense stance but her dress limited how much she could move, but her wolf Zara was ready to take over and shift right away. Her dress was not made for fighting or running and she cursed at herself for being vulnerable like this. She was debating if she needed to mind-link the patrol or if she was just being paranoid and that she was really alone. No one had ever bothered her in this spot before. Only Elle ever came here with her, she couldn't pick up a familiar scent and was starting to feel nervous if there was someone really there. There was no noise but Aurora felt like she was being watched. Zara didn't like this and wanted to leave.

Aurora didn't want anyone to know she ran away, she already felt guilty enough and don't want anyone else involved. So she decided not to link the pack on patrol. She waited and slowed her breathing, trying to focus on the surrounding forest, Zara was on full edge and ready to take control. "I can get us out here RIGHT now, but I promise your dress won't make it."

Aurora loved the dress and wished she had time to save it, but she didn't have a bag and she couldn't trust Zara's teeth. She always always tore her clothes, even when she tried to be gentle, she was just too strong and the lace dress was too delicate, her choice was leave now or strip and shift. "It's OK Zara, let's just leave. You can be ready if you want to be, but I think it could be nothing." I hope, thought Aurora.

Aurora debated on leaving her dress stashed someplace safe for Zara to shift and run back but how would she return to the festival without her dress. She didn't want anyone's questions or concern, so she decided just to start walking back towards the feast.

Suddenly, she saw something move in the tree shadows, She didn't recognize any scent or the form of the other wolf that stepped into her clearing. A massive dark grey wolf had patches of black fur that reminded Aurora of oozing tar that would get stuck onto her skin or fur. Aurora didn't want it to touch her or near her, his pale yellow eyes glowed bright and were locked onto her.

Aurora forgot how to speak both verbally and mind-link. She froze as the tall muscular wolf approached and bared his fangs as a menacing growl made her sink as the powerful aura radiating from this strange wolf made Zara nervous. He was much bigger than her wolf, but Zara was ready to take control. "I don't know who this is, but I don't like this and we need to leave NOW!"

no longer worried about the dress, just as Aurora was about to shift, the other wolf was surprisingly fast and tackled her while she was still human and before she screamed or call for help, the large grey wolf tore a pouch tied around his front leg and suddenly a bright green cloud surrounded Aurora as she felt herself go numb and her body grew so heavy, she was losing focus as everything was fading away. She was still awake but couldn't shift or mind-link, she had no control of her body and was unable to resist as the other wolf picked her up and effortlessly tossed her on his back. She couldn't understand what the green cloud was, and why she couldn't move as she felt the forest move around her.

"Zara.... are.. are you OK?" Aurora struggled to gather words and got when she got no response, her stomach dropped as she realized she didn't feel Zara's presence and she was getting really worried. She fought hard to stay awake to see where they were going, but she was having a hard time trying to watch for any familiar surroundings, nothing was making sense everything was a blur and she watched the forest change after every time she closed her eyes. "Zara, where are you? Are you ok? what was that stuff?" Trying to communicate with her wolf was exhausting as she couldn't stop her head from spinning and she had a hard time forming her words. Aurora couldn't mind-link with her pack for help. She felt helpless for the first time since losing her sister and Aurora felt tears fall as she thought she had never got to say goodbye to her parents.

Remembering her parents were waiting for her, she opened her eyes again and tried harder to focus on which way the strange wolf was heading, but he was so incredibly fast, the surrounding forest was different every time she opened her eyes. She couldn't focus on the surroundings long enough to recognize anything. She felt so tired and wanted to let her eyes close and wait for Zara to come back to take over and get her home. But Aurora fought to stay awake because she knew she had to get herself out of this situation. Zara wasn't here to help.

Aurora struggled to get a grip on her surroundings, but the large grey wolf wasn't traveling in a straight path as Aurora felt her body almost fall from the wolf's back, but he adjusted her weight every time he changed direction. Aurora felt lost in the woods she always felt at home in. Unable to mind-link or shift, she felt helpless as she struggled to stay awake and unable to connect with Zara. She cursed at herself as she felt herself falling down a rabbit hole.

Closing her eyes longer than she intended to, she felt the large grey wolf suddenly stop and let her fall onto a surprisingly soft surface. Aurora struggled to open her eyes and tried to focus on where she was. Dimly lit lanterns with melted candles that were almost gone were hanging on the walls that showed enough detail that Aurora knew she was in a cave or underground, maybe both. Trying to look around the room, she was able to slightly turn her head and see the rock/stone walls were along 3 sides and the only way out this room through a door on a cage wall with thick bars that she could tell she was already locked in.

There was sparse furnishing in her enclosed area, she still felt numb but she could also feel the thin blankets that made the bed which she was lying on top, and she saw a small table along one wall and outside the cage she saw another bed with another table filled with books and papers scattered everywhere. She was able to see some of the open scrolls that were rolled over the side of the table, she didn't recognize any of the symbols, but the pictures scared her and she had to look away. Looking up at the ceiling, she noticed an opening that showed the night sky. It was too high and narrow to climb and escape, it proved she was with deep underground or perhaps a mountain cave , Aurora tried to sit up so she could look for another way out, but her arms still had no strength and she internally groaned in frustration as she just could not gather her senses.

"Comfortable?" the wolf spoke in a deep, gnarly voice from outside the cage.

Still unable to speak, she turned her head as far as she could to the side so she was facing the wall, away from the other wolf. That was a huge mistake, because Aurora saw it was covered in scratches and claw marks. Something or someone was determined to get out of this room. Silent screams tried to escape her mouth, she shut her eyes, trying to communicate with Zara, "Zara please!! Answer me!! Help me!! Where are you!?!" Tears started flowing as she struggled to breathe between the screams that only sounded like tiny gasps.

The other wolf chuckled a raspy laugh "Yes, you're not my first guest of honor , but I'm hoping you'll be the last. Many other she-wolves tried but failed, but you're different..... You have her blood."

Confused, Aurora turned her gaze to face the strange wolf. His yellow eyes glowed even in the dim light, he smiled an evil grin that showed his huge white fangs, Aurora's blood ran cold when he mind linked her "Aurora, my true mate's blood sister."