Betrayal : Legacy of the Lost Luna

The wind carried the pained howls of the wolves, their mournful baying echoing through the night. Marrisa could hear them behind her as she ran barefoot through the woods. Long, black-tendrilled shadows created by the moon's light, shining through the branches, spread across the ground. Filled with a sense of urgency, she had to get away. If the Red Eclipse Pack didn’t find her there, then maybe her precious love would be safe.   Her plain white night dress had been shredded from the low hanging branches as she ran. She couldn’t risk shifting in her state. Marissa reached down and placed a hand on her rounded belly, running it back and forth in a calming manner. “It’s okay little owl,” Marissa said to her unborn baby.   Her intuition told her it would be a girl. She had a way of sensing those things. It was why Turner wouldn't just let her leave the pack to be with her true mate.“I’ll find somewhere safe, Turner can’t know you are my daughter.” Marissa continued through the thick brush, the chill night air making her shiver. The tips of her fingers started to pale and turn a light shade of blue as the cold seeped into her body. She stumbled, nearly falling over a protruding tree root. Tears started to flow freely as she thought about leaving behind her true love. It was for the best, they likely wouldn’t kill everyone if they didn’t find her there. Her thoughts ventured back to the moment the attack from her pack started. To what Oliver had said to her. “Stay here!” He had ordered. “I promise you will be safe, just stay hidden.” “They are here for me, Oliver. I should just go back, to protect everyone.” “No, you can’t do that. You know Turner is just using you for your abilities. He will do the same with our baby.”  “I can’t let him hurt you.” Marissa said through tears as she reached up to gently touch Oliver's smooth cheek. His long dark hair laid smooth down his broad back and the warm undertones of his tan skin matched his deep brown eyes with golden flecks. Those eyes made Marissa’s heart flutter in a way she had never felt with anyone else.  “He won’t hurt me Marissa, please stay here where we can keep you safe.” Oliver held her chin gently and kissed her before leaving the pack's longhouse.  Marissa waited listening to the wolves as their agonizing yelps filled the night air. She couldn’t let this continue if they found her here her pack would surely kill everyone in the Woodlands River pack including her beloved Oliver.  She slinked out of the longhouse, quietly without anyone being aware of her. She looked back to see the bloodied bodies of her pack members, the Red Eclipse pack. She didn’t see Oliver or anyone from the Woodlands River pack, but she was sure they had casualties as well. There was no doubt from the continued fighting with a few more yelps of pain as the wolves battled.   She weaved through the trees silently and now she found herself standing in the cold alone. Looking down at the root that had made her stumble. She had to keep going. She looked up and gasped in surprise. A large gray wolf stood in front of her, a wolf from her pack. The hair bristled on his neck and back. A low rumbling of a growl escaped the wolf’s mouth. His teeth bared, as if ready to attack. “Lin?” She asked hesitantly. The wolf that had been there only seconds ago was replaced by the form of a man. “What are you doing, Marissa?”  “Lin, I can’t let Turner find me,” She pleaded with him. Lin’s eyes dropped to Marissa’s swollen abdomen.  “He is my brother, Marissa. What makes you think I wouldn’t take you back to Turner?” “Please, Lin,” She begged. “I’ll do anything.” “Fine,” Lin huffed. “ If you come with me, I can hide you at my place. We’ll work out the details later.”  Suddenly a sharp wail of despair tore through the night air. It sounded like Oliver. Marissa knew that howl anywhere. She wanted to go back to see if he was alright, but she couldn’t.  “Come on, let’s get moving.” Lin held out his hand for Marissa to take.  She had no other choice; she had to go with him.