wolves that came before

red wolf

Elias swept me through the winding corridors of his home, my heart racing with a mix of fear and anticipation. With each step, the unknown loomed larger, questions swirling in my mind like a hurricane.

"Where are we going, Elias?" I demanded, frustration seeping into my voice. But Elias remained silent, his grip firm as he guided me through the labyrinth of passages.

I struggled against his hold, desperation clawing at me with each futile attempt to break free. "Tell me what's happening!" I pleaded, my voice echoing through the empty halls.

But Elias pressed on, his determination unyielding as he led me to a secluded chamber hidden deep within his home. Gently, he set me down on a soft bed, his expression unreadable as he met my gaze.

"Why won't you tell me what's going on?" I demanded, frustration boiling over. But Elias remained stoic, his concern evident in the furrow of his brow.

"Emily, listen," he said softly, his voice a soothing balm to my frayed nerves. "We don't have time. The alphas are coming for you, and we need a plan."

His words sent a chill down my spine, the gravity of the situation finally sinking in. "But why? What have I done?" I asked, fear trembling in my voice.

Elias sighed, sorrow weighing heavy in his gaze. "It's not about what you've done. It's about who you are," he explained. "You're a red wolf, feared by many. You're a threat to their power."

My mind reeled at the revelation, the weight of his words crashing over me like a tidal wave. "But why did they kill my father?" I whispered, barely able to comprehend the truth.

Elias's gaze softened, empathy shining in his eyes as he took my hand. "He protected you, Emily. He sacrificed everything to keep you safe," he said softly.

Just then, one of Elias's men approached, urgency etched on his face as he whispered in Elias's ear. Elias's expression darkened, and he turned to me with a stern warning not to leave the room.

But curiosity got the better of me, and I followed Elias to a larger room where several imposing figures awaited him. Dressed in black, they exuded an aura of danger that sent shivers down my spine. I hid at a corner where Elias and the visitors won't notice.

I knew instantly they were the wolves that killed my father, the ones Elias had warned me about. Despite the danger they posed, I couldn't tear my eyes away from them, drawn to their power and strength like a moth to a flame.

One of the men stepped forward, locking eyes with Elias in a silent exchange of wills. They stood there for a moment, their expressions tense with unspoken animosity. Then, the man spoke, his voice dripping with authority.

"We've received word that the red wolf is in your custody, Elias, and why is that so." he said, his tone laced with a thinly veiled threat.

But Elias remained unfazed, his gaze steely as he met the man's stare head-on. There was no hint of fear in his eyes, only a quiet confidence that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Who do you think you are, Alpha Cyrus, to come here and question me?" Elias shot back, his voice dripping with disdain. Despite the danger that loomed before us, Elias stood tall and defiant, a beacon of strength in the face of adversity.

Alpha Cyrus narrowed his eyes at Elias, his jaw clenched in frustration. The tension in the room crackled like electricity, the air thick with anticipation as the two alphas faced off in a silent battle of wills.

"We have our orders, Elias," Cyrus replied, his voice cold and authoritative. "The red wolf is a threat to our pack, and she must be eliminated."

Elias's jaw tightened at the mention of the red wolf, his expression hardening with determination. "The red wolf is under my protection," he declared, his voice ringing with authority. "And I will not allow anyone to harm her."

Cyrus's eyes flashed with anger at Elias's defiance, but before he could respond, Elias raised a hand, cutting him off. "This conversation is over," he said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument.With a curt nod, Cyrus backed down, his expression dark with frustration.

Once the dangerous men had left, Elias turned to me, his expression softening with concern. "I told you to stay in the room," he scolded gently, his voice tinged with worry.

But I couldn't bring myself to meet his gaze, the weight of his words sinking in like a heavy stone. "I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice barely audible above the sound of my own heartbeat.

Elias sighed, his expression softening with understanding. "You're safe here, Emily," he assured me, his tone gentle. "But you must listen to me if you want to stay that way."

With a heavy heart, I nodded, knowing that Elias was right. From that moment on, I vowed to heed his warnings and stay out of harm's way, no matter how strong the temptation to explore the dangerous world that lay beyond the safety of our sanctuary.

As the echoes of our conversation faded into the quiet of the room, I settled back onto the soft bed, feeling a sense of peace wash over me in this comforting embrace. Closing my eyes, I allowed myself to drift into a restful sleep, knowing that for the first time in a long while, I was truly safe.

In the midst of the night, as sleep enveloped me in its embrace, I found myself plunged into a strange and unsettling dream. In the dream, I was standing alone in a desolate forest, surrounded by towering trees that seemed to whisper secrets in a language I couldn't understand. The air was heavy with an eerie silence, broken only by the sound of my own footsteps echoing through the darkness.

As I wandered deeper into the heart of the forest, a sense of unease washed over me, I turned to flee, but my feet felt rooted to the spot, as if held captive by some unseen force.

Out of the shadows emerged a pair of glowing eyes, their fiery gaze fixated on me with an intensity that sent my heart racing. With each step I took, the eyes drew closer, until finally, they were upon me, their burning gaze piercing through the darkness like twin beacons of doom.

Just as the eyes closed in on me, I was jolted awake by the sound of my own scream, my body drenched in cold sweat as the remnants of the dream faded into the recesses of my mind.

Gasping for breath, I sat upright in bed, my heart still pounding with the lingering fear of the nightmare. It was then that I noticed Elias standing by my bedside, his expression filled with concern.

"Emily, are you alright?" he asked, his voice soft and soothing as he reached out to comfort me.

I nodded, unable to find the words to express the terror that still gripped me. Elias sat down beside me, his presence as a comforting anchor in the midst of my turmoil.

"It was just a dream," he reassured me, his hand resting gently on my shoulder. "You're safe now."

But despite his words, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air. "Please, Elias," I whispered, my voice trembling with fear. "Don't leave me alone tonight. Stay with me."

Elias hesitated for a moment, his gaze searching mine for any sign of hesitation. But in the end, he simply nodded, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips.

"Of course, Emily," he said softly, tucking me back into bed with a reassuring touch. "I'll stay with you until morning."

With Elias by my side, I felt a sense of peace wash over me, the lingering fear of the nightmare slowly fading away like mist in the morning sun.