CHAPTER 002
1052 Words
The point of view of ANASTASIA
The worst nights were these. I was distracted during the day, hungry, thirsty, and tired. I had to hunt, I had to migrate, and I had to battle for each breath. At night, though? Night, the forest murmured.
Perhaps also it wasn't the forest. Perhaps the ghosts of my past were involved.
I bent down along the creek and reached for the frigid water. Though my fingers shook as I lifted the wine to my lips, I pushed myself to sip. It burned down my throat like a blade, the cold slashing. Though I tried to resist it, my gut tightened, I swallowed hard.
Days had passed since my last meal, nothing more than leftovers. My limbs hurt with every motion as my body broke down. Once my best friend, my wolf, was quiet, tucked far inside me, too weak to respond to my calls.
I was by myself.
The wind changed, faintly smelling of rot. My heartbeat became faster.
I was being watched by something.
I turned my head gently; even tired, my senses were acute. The trees stood still; their skeletal branches twisted fingers towards the heavens. The typical night sounds vanished, no insects, no rustling leaves, nothing at all.
Exactly silence.
Then… whispers.
Anastasia, you were never meant to govern.
I stayed still.
The voice arrived out of nowhere. From every angle.
It was more than just a figure. It wasn't real. Nothing could be.
You are there to serve the pack. Your only value comes from that.
Based on what my father said, the people he had mentioned so often had sunk themselves into my bones.
Trying to push the memories away with my clenched hands, I felt it dragging me under already.
Flashback
The training hall smelt like blood and perspiration. Though my palms stung from the many times I had struck the wooden post, I would not stop.
I had ten. small. weaker. Still, I had to be tough. I had proved myself to be.
The door creaked open, and I turned, hitching my chest.
Inside walked my father. His great height created a long shadow that swallowed the flickering torchlight.
"Still losing time here?" His voice was low and unimpressed.
I dabbed at the sweat on my brow. "I have to be ready."
His lips curved into something less than a smile. Regarding what? You believe training will make you deserving?"
I inhaled hard. "I just want to support the pack."
He moved in front of her. I made myself stick to it.
"Anastasia, your job is not fighting. It's for compliance. To wed the person I suggest. To be helpful in the ways that count."
Something twisted in my chest. I can be more than that.
His hand flew out, snatching my chin between his fingers. The strain was just barely uncomfortable.
You cannot, no.
End Flashback
One snapped behind me from a twig.
Breath choked in my throat, I whirled around.
From the shadows, a man appeared.
Shining red eyes.
An overly long body with twisted limbs at abnormal angles. Its black, nearly changing skin rippled like smoke.
Not a deviant.
Not wolves.
Another item.
The thickening air felt heavy as weight pressed against my chest. My legs did not move at all. Though my wolf twitched faintly within me, it was not the fear she sensed.
That was much worse.
Identity.
The monster tilted its head and showed jagged, bloodstained fangs by drawing back its lips.
"You smell different," it said raspingly.
Its voice slithered chilly and wrong through me.
I pushed my mouth to move. 'What are you?'
It gave me a smile. I could ask you the same.
A swirl of movement too rapid.
Before claws sliced through the air where my throat had been, I hardly had time to dodge.
I land hard, agony blasting through my shoulder. Though my vision was hazy, I forced myself up.
Go run.
My breath came in jagged gasps as branches ripped at my flesh as I hurried across the trees.
A quiet giggle floated across the night.
Not behind me.
Beside me.
My blood turned chilly. It was not tracking me.
I was toying with her.
Though my legs protested, I pushed myself to walk harder. I missed the speed. I lack the speed required. Strength required.
I would not have made it.
The forest blurted.
No; not the current; something else.
yet another recollection.
**Traversal**
You think this bond makes you unique?
Dmitry spoke.
You are simply here because it is convenient.
I stopped, the air heavy with the smell of rain. Though the night was chilly and the wind tore at my clothing, nothing ached as much as his comments.
"What?" I asked. My voice wavered.
Dmitry sighed as though I were wearing him out. "You never particularly thought this was fate, did you?"
My pulse pounded. "We're friends…"
"Are you?" He moved nearer, his eyes unreadable. "Or did . just believe what you wanted to hear?"
A lump developed in my voice box. "Dmitri, I—"
He gave a slow, bitter smile. "Anastasia, you're not enough."
The globe cracked all around me.
End Flashback
A strong force drove against my rear.
I ground myself, the collision taking out my lungs' air,I started to hurt,My vision wavered at the margins.
Over me the beast loomed, its red eyes blazing into mine.
It whispered, "Fight back."
I bared my teeth while my body refused to move. "Get to heaven."
It laughed, leaned forward, and had a terrible breath. Little Wolf, you are already there.
It then dove.
Something inside broke.
From deep inside me, wild and uncontrollable, a force burst.
Ground shivered.
A shockwave exploded forth.
The beast was hurled back and ear-splittingly roared as it crashed through the woods.
I gasped, fixed on my hands.
They were brilliant.
Fair, but clear.
Around me, the air hummed with something I couldn't grasp.
The thing moved gently upward from the rubble.
It wasn't dead.
Not even hurt.
Grinning, blood spilt from its teeth.
You are not what you believe you are.
My gut twisted.
"What then means?"
The only one laughing was me.
It vanished then as well.
Leaving me by myself.
With a strength incomprehensible to me.
Also, questions I wasn't ready to address.
- Writer
