BETRAYED
885 Words
ELIRA
I had long come to terms with my life in the shadows, the murmurs that followed me like a curse everywhere I went to. However, when the villagers approached with open hands and soft look, a tiny spark of hope ran inside me a risky, foolish hope,I literally thought they have finally developed a liking for me never knew it was all a plot.
"Elira," Miriam, the baker's wife, said gently. "We've wronged you in all aspect."
I blinked, taken aback by what she said. This was the same woman who had once chased me away with a broom just for standing near her shop.
"We want to make things right," she continued. "Tonight, we're hosting a feast in your honor to seek your forgiveness."
Forgiveness. The word felt strange on my tongue. I searched their faces Miriam, Thomas the blacksmith, old Greta looking for deception and lies in it, but only found honesty.
A warmth blossomed in my chest. Maybe they were finally ready to accept me as their own.
As dusk fell, I walked to the village square. A long table was set with bread, roasted meat, and shining fruit illuminated by lantern light. The villagers welcomed me with smiles, guiding me to the seat of honor.
I hesitated. Could this really be happening to me or what were there really planning?
"Come on, dear," Greta said, patting my hand with her wrinkled one. "Eat."
I took a bite of the warm, soft bread. For the first time in years, food didn’t taste like ash in my mouth. Laughter surrounded me, and for once, it wasn’t at my expense.
Maybe things were finally changing for me just maybe who knows.
But as the night progressed, an odd heaviness covered me. My limbs felt heavy, my vision begins to blur. I attempted to stand, but the ground swayed beneath me.
"What’s happening?" I murmured, panic rising.
Strong arms caught me as darkness covered my senses.
********
Cold. Damp. The scent of earth and decay.I came to, head pounding profusely like it was being hit my pestle, lying on the forest floor. Moonlight shines through the trees, casting ghostly shadows. I tried to move, but ropes dug into my wrists and ankles, binding me to a wooden stake firmly planted in the ground.
"Help!" I screamed, my voice swallowed by the vast emptiness in the Forest.
Memories of the feast came flooding back their smiles, the meal, the betrayal. Hot tears streamed down my face as realization hit me.
They had never planned to welcome me back. I was a sacrifice.
The rustling in the underbrush jolted me back to the present. My heart raced as glowing eyes came from the darkness dozens of them circling me ,like a predator.
Wolves.
But these were unlike any wolves I had ever seen. They were taller, more humanoid, with muscles rippling beneath moonlit fur. Their eyes shining with an unnatural intelligence.
Panic ran through me. I struggled against my bindings, the ropes brushing my skin.
A low growl silenced the night. Two figures stepped forward, more formidable than the rest. One had fur as dark as midnight, eyes like blazing coals. The other was silver, his gaze piercing and cold.
The leaders of the pack.
The dark one Thorne, as I would later learn snarled, exposing sharp teeth. "This is the offering?" His voice was guttural, almost animalistic.
The silver one Kael looked at me, his head tilted. "She's different."
"She reeks of them," Thorne spat. "Why shouldn't we tear her apart?"
Kael's eyes narrowed. "Because she’s not like them."
Thorne growled but didn’t press further.
Kael approached, crouching until we were at eye level. I trembled, unable to look away from is dagger eyes.
"Who are you?" he asked, his voice softer than I expected.
"Elira," I whispered through tears. "Please... I don't want to die."
Something flickered in his eyes sympathy? Understanding?
"We're not going to kill you," Kael stated, standing. "Untie her."
Thorne protested with a snarl, but at Kael's sharp look, he relented. Clawed hands cut through my bindings. My limbs screamed as blood rushed back into them.
I was free. But at what cost?
"You're coming with us," Kael ordered, offering his hand.
I hesitated, glancing at the dark forest and then at the monstrous figures surrounding me. There was no point in running away because will not even be able to do so, so I had to option,I had to follow them.
With a resigned nod, I accepted his hand, his grip surprisingly gentle.
The pack moved as one, leading me deeper into the woods. Questions and fears pilled up in my mind, but I dared not voice them out.
Hours seemed to pass before we arrived at a hidden cavern, its entrance built with cascading vines. Inside, the air was warmer, and the walls were lined with furs and softly glowing crystals.
"This will be your home now," Kael said, releasing my hand.
Home. The word felt empty,void of life.
Fatigue overwhelmed me. My body ached, and my heart shattered from betrayal. I sank to the ground, drawing my knees to my chest, silent sobs shaking my body.
Alone. Always alone.As sleep overtook me, one thought kept on running in the depths of my mind.
What am I becoming?
- Writer
