CHAPTERFOUR
1039 Words
The Voice in the Darkness
“Audrey!”
Becka’s voice sounded distant as Audrey collapsed against her arms, struggling to breathe through the sharp pain tearing through her chest.
Rain poured heavily around them, soaking their clothes within seconds, but Audrey barely noticed. Her entire body felt frozen.
That voice…
It had not sounded like her wolf.
It had sounded older.
Stronger.
Dangerous.
“They will all regret breaking you.”
The words echoed repeatedly inside her head.
“Audrey, look at me!”
Becka carefully helped her back into the cabin and shut the door against the storm outside. The warmth from the fireplace did little to stop the cold shaking through Audrey’s body.
“I’m fine,” Audrey whispered weakly.
“You almost collapsed.”
“It’s probably because of the rejection.”
But even Audrey knew that wasn’t true.
Rejected wolves felt pain, sadness, weakness sometimes.
They did not hear strange voices in their heads.
Becka knelt in front of her worriedly. “Should I call the pack doctor?”
“No!”
The answer came too quickly.
Becka blinked in surprise.
Audrey immediately lowered her voice. “I mean… no. I’m okay.”
She wasn’t okay.
Not even close.
Her wolf remained strangely restless inside her mind, pacing anxiously.
“You heard it too, didn’t you?” Audrey whispered internally.
Her wolf hesitated.
“Yes.”
A chill ran down Audrey’s spine.
“What was that?”
“I don’t know.”
That terrified Audrey more than anything.
Wolves understood their own kind. They understood bonds, instincts, emotions.
But this?
This felt unfamiliar.
Ancient.
Becka sat beside her again, still watching carefully.
“You’ve been acting strange since the rejection.”
Audrey laughed weakly. “I think getting publicly humiliated gives me the right to act strange.”
Becka’s expression softened slightly.
“You know what I mean.”
Audrey stared into the fire silently.
Part of her wanted to tell Becka everything.
About the silver eyes.
The voice.
The strange feeling building inside her chest.
But another part of her feared speaking it aloud would somehow make it real.
Suddenly, loud thunder shook the cabin walls.
The fire flickered violently.
And Audrey’s head exploded with pain again.
She cried out softly, grabbing her temples.
“Audrey!”
This time, images flashed through her mind so fast they barely made sense.
Blood.
Fire.
Glowing silver eyes.
A massive wolf standing beneath a red moon.
Then—
Nathan.
Covered in blood.
Audrey gasped sharply and nearly fell forward.
The vision disappeared instantly.
Becka grabbed her shoulders tightly. “What’s happening to you?”
“I…” Audrey struggled to steady her breathing. “I don’t know.”
Fear filled Becka’s eyes now.
Because whatever was happening clearly wasn’t normal.
—
The next morning, Audrey woke up exhausted.
Sunlight slipped through the curtains while birds chirped softly outside, but she felt like she hadn’t slept at all.
The nightmares had followed her through the entire night.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw silver eyes staring back at her through darkness.
Watching her.
Waiting.
Audrey slowly sat up, rubbing her forehead tiredly.
For a brief moment, she hoped maybe everything from yesterday had been caused by stress.
Maybe the rejection had simply overwhelmed her mind.
Maybe—
“You’re awake.”
Audrey jumped slightly.
Becka sat near the window holding a cup of tea.
“You scared me.”
“You were talking in your sleep.”
Audrey froze.
“What did I say?”
Becka hesitated.
“You kept repeating the same sentence.”
A nervous feeling settled heavily in Audrey’s stomach.
“What sentence?”
Becka looked uncomfortable.
“‘The moon marked me for vengeance.’”
Silence.
Audrey felt cold all over.
Because she had no memory of saying those words.
None.
Becka carefully handed her the tea.
“Audrey… I really think you should see someone.”
Audrey forced a small smile.
“I’m fine.”
“You are clearly not fine.”
Before Audrey could respond, another knock sounded at the door.
Both girls frowned.
“Who would visit this early?” Becka muttered.
Audrey slowly walked toward the door and opened it carefully.
Her entire body immediately stiffened.
Nathan stood outside.
Becka nearly choked on her tea.
“What are you doing here?” Audrey asked coldly.
Nathan looked tense for the first time since the rejection.
“There’s been an attack.”
Audrey frowned slightly.
“What?”
“Two patrol wolves were injured near the northern border last night.”
Becka crossed her arms. “And what does that have to do with Audrey?”
Nathan’s eyes remained fixed on Audrey.
“One of them said they saw silver eyes in the forest before the attack.”
Audrey’s heart stopped.
Nathan continued carefully.
“The survivors think it may have been a rogue.”
But Audrey noticed something strange.
He didn’t sound convinced.
“You came all the way here because of silver eyes?” she asked quietly.
Nathan studied her face intensely.
“Yes.”
A cold feeling crept down Audrey’s spine.
Did he know?
No.
Impossible.
She barely understood what was happening herself.
Nathan finally looked away.
“The Alpha has ordered everyone to remain alert until we know what attacked our wolves.”
Audrey nodded slowly.
Nathan hesitated before speaking again.
“You should avoid the forest for a while.”
The concern in his voice caught her off guard.
Audrey’s expression hardened immediately.
“Why do you care?”
Nathan’s jaw tightened.
“I’m serious, Audrey.”
“And I don’t need your protection.”
Silence stretched between them.
Becka watched the tension carefully.
Nathan looked like he wanted to say something else.
Something important.
But instead, he simply nodded once.
Then he turned and walked away.
Audrey shut the door quickly, her hands trembling slightly.
Becka stared at her.
“That was weird.”
Audrey swallowed hard.
Very weird.
Because the moment Nathan mentioned silver eyes…
The strange voice returned softly inside her mind.
“He’s beginning to suspect.”
Audrey’s blood ran cold.
“Who are you?” she whispered internally.
This time, the voice answered.
“The monster they created.”
- Writer
