Chapter Five
1064 Words
The moon hung low above me when I finally returned to Tamaris
My body still raw from Zed’s assault
My heart still warm with Mark’s words
“She’s back”
The first voice I heard cut into my thoughts like a knife
Perhaps this was a bad idea, I shouldn't have returned, I should have listened to Mark or just survived out there with him. What was I thinking returning to this place
Whispers instantly began to grow building in the air like a scent. Eyes narrowed as faces turned to me, their lips twisted. Though my steps had now begun to falter, I kept moving
“She abandoned us to go side with a rogue.”
Okay, what?
“She’s cursed obviously.Must be why Zed haunts her.”
“It would have been better if she never returned.”
Each word hit me hard like bullets, but I wasn't ready to let that show, so I just walked with confidence I had rehearsed countless in my head
A sharp voice sliced then through the noise
“Aria Moonclaw”
Marina
She stood by the edge, flanked by two elders. Her voice now a far cry from the usually warm and welcoming. She sounded as hard as steel
But of course, she nearly had me killed but who would believe me?
“Come here now!” she ordered
I swallowed hard as I obeyed. My shoes scraping the ground as I walked pass rows of pack
members, their eyes pinning me to the ground like nails
I reached her but she didn't wait for me to speak.
“You ran? You left Tamaris, didn't you? But the moment you got yourself into trouble, you dragged it right back to our doorstep.”
“No…that's not true, you are mistaken.”
Gasps rippled through the crowd
Of course, I had spoken back at Marin, it wasn't something they were used to
Marina’s eyes narrowed as she looked at me. Cold and wicked. “ Alright then. But tell us why Zed pursues you? Tell us why you are being haunted by rogues who sniff you out like bloodhounds? What curse do you carry?”
“I…I don't know.” I stuttered. “But I'm ready to find out. I returned to Tamaris because this is my only home.”
“This is no longer your home, you cursed wolf!” An elder barked
The crowd roared in approval
“She’s a danger to us all! Banish her!”
The walls of Tamaris suddenly began to close in on me, my chest tightened as a lump formed in my throat
Genuinely, I needed to find out what it was about me that made me the most hated wolf in Tamaris
“But I've done nothing wrong” I cried out in desperation. My voice cracking “You don’t understand how…”
“That’s enough,” Marina held her hand out in the air
The crowd fell silent immediately
She turned to me with a voice low but dangerous. “ You’ve brought nothing but shame and humiliation to Tamaris. Aria Moonclaw. You are a stain to us and stains must be cleansed.”
Two guards immediately seized my arms. Their strong grip bruised my arms before I could speak.
They pulled me forward, tossing me between each other
“No!” I screamed, trashing and crying.
“Marina, please.”
But she only tilted her head in satisfaction
“You are no wolf of Tamaris.” a smirk visible enough for just the two of us to see appeared on her face. “You are nothing.”
The guards forced my knees to the ground. The air thick with their bloodlust
And then
A laughter rose…mocking and slow and deliberate
My eyes traced the direction of the voice.
There he was…
Zed.
Leaning against the doorway casually, his arms folded, watching the scene unfold like it was just his favorite show
“Perfect!” he drawled. “You saved me all the trouble, Marina.” he stepped closer. “Hand over to me, I'll end this nuisance once and for all.”
Gasps erupted
Silence
Finally, they had decided to save me, they had seen how unjust this whole thing was
Tears welled in my eyes, as I exhaled shakily in relief.
Maybe they would save me afterall
Then they began to cheer and whistle in approval
I fell to the floor
My stomach dropped the moment I spotted Elder Rowan. His face hard and unreadable
He didn't oppose nor did he do anything to stop this
His silence was in fact louder than the crowd’s uproar
“Elder…” I whispered, hoping his presence here someone meant salvation
Instead, he said. “Hand the girl over to him, do it outside our wall. We do not want cursed blood on our soil.”
Cold air ripples through me as though I had been through into water naked
“No.” my voice cracked into a whisper. “No…not you too, Elder.”
The smirk on Zed’s lips widened as he walked towards me, his blade drawn out, gleaming brightly by his side.
“Come on little wolf, let’s go finish what we started.”
A hollow sob escaped my lips
The guards pulled me up. I cried, kicked and screamed but it didn't stop them anyway
Then a low, guttural sound ripped through the air
At first I thought it was Zed,
It wasn't
It came from me
My entire body began to shake violently. My vision blurred, edged in silver light
A sharp pain tore through me, I thought I was going to split apart. My knees buckled, then claws?!! Actual claws shot through my hands
Gasps filled the air
“No!! That's impossible.” I heard a voice
“She’s shifting.” another voice cried
Marina stumbled backwards. Real fear flickering in her eyes
For once I wasn't the scared one
Zed stiffened. His body freezing to the floor, he smirk had turned into a deep frown of confusion
He looked uncertain
And I, Aria Moonclaw, the weak and broken wolf they all mocked, raised my head, a snarl escaping from my chest.
For the first time my wolf was awake and boy?!! Was she furious
“Up now!! You lunatic!!” a voice disconnected something in me
The voice jarring me like a slap
- Writer
