Twice Rejected, Once Accepted

Darkness

DALI'S POV

My breathing was coming out short and fast. I was having a mental breakdown as fear gripped me tightly. My heart was pounding against my chest as I could hear the sound and howl of the wolves as they continued to search for me frantically. I looked around, wondering where I would go and where I would hide. My eyes took in the state of my body, my dress in particular.

I had ripped it badly, and now a huge chunk of it lay on the ground, stuck with the tree root, leaving a major part of my body bare. Not that I cared, because at that moment, the only thought that crossed my mind was how I would escape with an injured foot.

I felt downcasted as I just saw rows and rows of thick trees in this dense forest.

I was trapped! And I was hyperventilating badly, and a tear of hopelessness fell down my cheeks. I placed a plan on my chest, and the other cradled my stomach as I willed myself to breathe normally, trying to get my nervous system under control.

“ Now is not the time to break down? Relax and think!” I said softly, motivating myself, but it wasn't working. Where were motivational quotes when you needed them?

I folded my arms together, praying under my breath to the moon goddess to get me out of this mess. My brain was thinking of how to save myself and my unborn baby as I began to shift and hide inside the shadows that the trees made.

Realising that there was no way out, that I would be caught and taken back to Alaric, I start bawling. I didn't want to go back there. He would make my life a living hell for even thinking of running talk more of actually doing it.

I clamped my palm over my mouth as I tried to stop sobbing, hoping that the wolves wouldn't hear. I began to send words of encouragement through my thoughts to my baby, promising that I would get us out of there when suddenly, my wolf spoke to me.

“ Remember Dali! You share a connection with our father, Jerome.” Her voice said excitedly, and I squinted my brows confusedly. “ I don't think I understand.”

“ Try to remember. Recollect our last conversation with him.” My wolf urges, and I began flipping through my memories, remembering the day I spoke to my father long before all these ever happened.

He had appeared to me before in a dream because the next day he was in my room when I was alone, talking to my baby.

“ My granddaughter, eh?” I looked up and saw him smiling through the mirror. I turned to look at him and raised an eyebrow. “ Dad! What are you doing here?”

He shrugged. “ Oh, you know,” He waved dismissively. “ I was just passing by, and I thought I'd check up on you.”

“ Thanks, but I'm fine.” I rolled my eyes.

“ Ah,” He sighed, “ No need to be so cold. Can't I come to see my favourite daughter and grandchild?”

I stared at him, c*****g my head to the side, looking at this man that was the replica of me. We even had the same hair colour, but he had no tints in them. He looked worried. “ Are you happy, my dear?”

I narrowed my eyes at the endearment but said nothing. “ Do I look unhappy?”

“ You are very good at hiding your emotions. I wouldn't be able to tell.” He said.

“ What do you want?” I narrowed my eyes at him, and he threw his hands up in frustration.

“ Nothing, honestly. Look, I just came to check on you, alright? Don't worry, I'll take my leave now. But you can't deny that we've always had a connection.” He spread out his palm, and I scoffed.

“ I have no idea what you're talking about.”

He smiled. “ Just remember that I'll always be there when you need me.” I wanted to retort back, but he disappeared before I could even say anything. I groaned at how quickly my mood had plummeted. So I went back to my bed and laid on it.

I've always envied my dad's ability to poof through time and space. Imagine being able to teleport from one place to another without having to spend a dime or even waste any time. And right now, I wish it was what I had or what I could do. I'd have gotten myself out of this sticky situation.

So I called the one out for the one person who could help in a time like this.

Placing my hand on the moon band I wore on my forehead, I softly called out for him, and I jumped in shock because, in less than a second, he appeared right before me. I didn't think he'd hear.

“ Dali?” He said, and I quickly grabbed his hand, pulling him down and placing a finger against my lips. “ Shh! Softly.”

He smiled. “ Daughter, I have to say I'm surprised you actually called for me. What's the ma-”

“ I don't have time to explain, but please, can you get me out of here? I'm in danger.” I hold on to his sleeves and gaze at him with teary eyes.

He placed his palm against mine and stared at me confusedly. “ But Dali-”

He stops when the sound of the wolves has gotten close enough for him to hear it as well. We both turn to look and see some men holding torches and others shifting into their wolf forms, running through the forest. They are close enough now, and it's only a matter of seconds before they see us. “ Is this what you're running from?”

I nodded vigorously, and he moved closer to me, pulling me closer to him, and he muttered some words, probably Latin. And just before we vanish, I look up and lock eyes with one of the guards. I see his eyes widen in recognition, and poof! Darkness.