The White Wolf
471 Words
Chapter Four: The White Wolf
Elara's POV
I ran until I couldn't breathe.
Until my legs burned.
Until the sounds of Silvercrest Pack disappeared behind me.
Branches scratched my arms.
Roots snagged my feet.
Tears blurred my vision.
Still, I ran.
Kaiden's words echoed inside my head.
"I reject Elara as my mate."
Every repetition hurt.
Every memory hurt.
How stupid had I been?
For years I had loved him.
For years I had imagined a future that never existed.
For years I had convinced myself that maybe—just maybe—he saw me too.
I was wrong.
Completely wrong.
A sob escaped my throat.
I stumbled into a clearing and collapsed onto my knees.
Moonlight poured through the trees.
Silver light covered the grass.
The full moon hung directly overhead.
Watching.
Judging.
Mocking.
I didn't know anymore.
"Why?" I whispered.
My voice cracked.
"What did I do wrong?"
Silence answered.
The pain in my chest intensified.
The broken mate bond still burned.
I pressed a hand over my heart.
Trying to make it stop.
Trying to breathe.
Trying not to fall apart.
Then the ground trembled.
I froze.
The forest became unnaturally quiet.
No birds.
No insects.
Nothing.
A chill raced down my spine.
Slowly, I stood.
Something was here.
Something powerful.
The air suddenly filled with golden light.
My eyes widened.
The clearing began to glow.
The light gathered in front of me.
Brighter.
Brighter.
Brighter.
Until I had to shield my eyes.
A low growl echoed through the clearing.
Not from the forest.
Not from nearby.
From inside me.
My heart nearly stopped.
The golden light exploded.
A massive white wolf appeared.
She stood taller than any wolf I'd ever seen.
Her fur glowed beneath the moonlight.
Golden eyes stared directly into mine.
Ancient.
Powerful.
Beautiful.
I couldn't breathe.
Couldn't move.
Couldn't think.
The wolf took one step forward.
Then another.
The ground seemed to respond to her presence.
Flowers bloomed beneath her paws.
Moonlight wrapped around her like a living crown.
I should have been terrified.
Instead...
I felt safe.
The wolf lowered her head.
And spoke.
Inside my mind.
"Hello, Elara."
My knees nearly gave out.
"W-what?"
The wolf's eyes softened.
"I've waited a very long time to meet you."
My heart raced.
This couldn't be real.
It wasn't possible.
Wolves didn't talk.
At least I didn't think they did.
The white wolf smiled.
Actually smiled.
"Trust me, little one."
She sat gracefully in the center of the clearing.
"We're going to have a lot to discuss."
My mouth opened.
Then closed.
Then opened again.
Finally, I managed one question.
"Who are you?"
The wolf's golden eyes seemed to glow brighter.
"My name is Lunara."
A powerful wind swept through the clearing.
The moonlight intensified.
And the white wolf smiled.
"And I am your wolf."
- Writer
