QUEEN OF ALL
1187 Words
HAILEY
Shadows clung to the trees like a quiet audience as the edge of the woodland loomed behind me. I held on to Alexia's small, lifeless body, her icy weight a harsh reminder of the atrocities I had just witnessed. The thorns and sharp stones were unrelenting, and my legs burned from scrapes. But in all honesty. The ache scarcely registered. It had no significance. Amenià stirred within me, her presence laden with fury and sorrow. Amenià whispered in my mind, "She's just a child," in a low, unpolished voice. "This wasn't fair to her. Not one bit of it. My voice broke as I muttered back, "She didn't deserve this." But now she's here. Additionally, I won't let her leave. Now that I could see the park entrance, I could hear the pounding footsteps and panicked cries of Logan, Flora, and Ryan behind me. They were after us. Screaming for me. With every heartbeat, Alexia's flame was fading, and she was drifting farther away. “No,” I muttered, holding her closer. "No, she won't leave me." Something, subtle yet distinct, stirred inside me. An affection. A light source. It was Amenià. Furthermore, there is something older. Ancient. Everlasting. With her voice resonating through me like thunder, Amenià said, "We must act now." On the chilly, bloody floor, I fell to my knees, my ripped garment accumulating around me. I closed my eyes and concentrated on the fire rising in my chest, the light that seemed capable of saving or destroying. I let it go, and the energy erupted like a tidal wave, enveloping Alexia in a glistening cocoon. " The light pulsed, creating a barrier that no one could break through, and the air buzzed, vibrating with sheer force. And suddenly I heard Ryan, his voice cracking with fear. “Hailey!” I couldn't stop, though. I gave Alexia my whole being, allowing the light to look for that tiny, glimmering spark of hers. Upon discovering it, the light clung to it and gradually drew her back. Alexia gulped. Wide, bewildered, and afraid, her eyes blinked open as her little chest rose and sank. A feeling of relief swept over me, and the shield of light that surrounded us vanished. It brought the world back into sharp focus.
RYAN
As I arrived, I hardly saw the blood running down Hailey's legs. I could only make out her face, which was pale and was shaking, as well as the small puppy she was holding. I said, "Hailey," in a quiet voice. "Allow me to take her." Her huge eyes gleamed with fatigue and something fierce—determination—as she glanced up at me. Reluctantly and slowly, she gave Alexia to him. I could feel it as I held the puppy. A heartbeat, steady but faint. I felt a wave of relief that momentarily stopped me in my tracks. When Logan and Flora arrived, their expressions were filled with panic. Flora collapsed into Logan's arms and began to cry in relief as soon as I handed Alexia over to them. Logan exclaimed, his voice full of emotion, "You saved her." "You, Hailey." Hailey, however, didn't hear him. She was now focussing on the blood stains on her legs. Her face was far away, nearly void. I said, "You're hurt," and reached for her hand. "It's nothing," she muttered, her voice faltering. I took her in my arms and didn't say anything else. Her eyes fluttered shut as her head landed on my chest without any resistance. When we got back to the pack home, I carefully placed Hailey on the bed. With her matted hair framing her pale face, she appeared so tiny. Trembling hands. Eyes closed. She appeared vulnerable to such a strong person. I stroked one of her hairs away from her face. Her voice was hardly audible above a whisper as she muttered, "Don't leave." When I said, "I'm not going anywhere," I meant it. A knock on the door shattered the silence. The pack's seer, Isaiah, intervened with something clenched in his face. Serious. He glanced between Hailey and me and said, "We need to talk." With my patience barely intact, I yelled, "Not now." “Yes, now,” Isaiah responded forcefully as he took a step forward. "She is the subject here." With her eyes flickering open, Hailey stirred. What is it? Isaiah paused before uttering, It is prophesied. About a she-wolf who will emerge to bring all races together together. She will attain the status of queen and use magic from all realms. The ultimate queen. His statements made me scowl and feel sick to my stomach. "What is the connection between that and Hailey?" Isaiah's eyes never strayed. "That's her." In the room, there was an overwhelming hush. Shaking my head, I answered, "That's not possible." Isaiah's tone grew louder. It is. And there's more. He glanced at Hailey. His face was filled with remorse. "Your parents weren't murdered by outlaws. They were the target. Hailey took a deep breath. Isaiah continued, staring at me, "And your family was involved." My face was emptied of blood. Even though I could hear the hesitancy in my voice, I answered, "That's not true; I discovered that Thomas's parents had something to do with their deaths." Isaiah remarked somberly, "Yes, they did, but so did your parents." "It's not right, even though your father had his reasons." When Hailey turned to face me, her eyes were filled with betrayal, which pierced me more deeply than any other hurt. "Did you know?" she said in a shaky, harsh voice. "No," I blurted out. "I promise, Hailey. I was unaware. Her eyes grew stony as she drew away. “Then find out.” HAILEY
The words of Isaiah were like a dagger to the chest. In addition to being ruined, my family had been singled out. Ryan's family was somehow connected to it. I was unable to look at him at all. It was impossible to endure the weight of his gaze. Rather, I turned aside, trying to piece together broken memories and hidden realities as my thoughts raced. With a firm voice, Amenià stated softly, "We'll find the answers." "However, you must prepare for the next step." "What's next?" I knew it wouldn't be good, so I whispered out loud. I saw movement—just outside the window—for a moment. Instantly, my wolf awoke, a low growl brewing in the pit of my breast. "Someone is watching," Amenià cautioned. I turned abruptly toward the direction of the window, but the shadow had vanished. Still, I started to feel uneasy. Whoever it was, they’d left a warning behind. This was not the end of it. In the Woods, It entered a pool of moonlight far beyond the pack house. Black eyes glinted with hatred, and a long, evil chuckle floated through the trees. With hatred in her voice, the witch whispered, "This is only the beginning." Her lips twisted into a ruthless smile. “The queen must fall before she discovers the extreme of her might and she must never blossom.”
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