DOUBLE DEBT: Moonlight Rivalry

Iriana POV My heart thundered in my chest—a rhythm loud enough for the very walls to hear. I bit my nails nervously, huddled on my fur bed as my insides swirled with heat and cold at the same time. I couldn’t understand what I was feeling; I just knew I was terrified. I was waiting for mom. Suddenly, the door burst open. Mom strode in, her movements quick but deathly quiet. She sat beside me, clutching my hand so hard her knuckles were white. “Iriana,” she whispered, swallowing hard. I turned to her, my eyes searching hers. “You have to leave.” “M-mom?” I stammered. “Baby, listen to me. You have to leave for you to live—for us all to live. He is not someone we can easily defeat or go against,” she said, her voice breathless and frantic. “No—no, mom, please no,” I cried, the tears already hot on my cheeks. “I can’t leave you and Kiara.” “Iriana, you have to. Go far away to the human world. This pendant Mother Ivonne gave you... it will protect you. It will keep your scent away from him. You’ll be safe until this dies down, okay?” She rubbed my hands, trying to steady my shaking breath. The door burst open again and Kiara rushed in, her face pale with panic. “Iriana, you have to go now. He’s coming!” Mom dragged me up. “Come, baby, let’s hurry.” They rushed me out through the underground tunnel that led away from the cave buildings. We ran into the thick of the woods until Mom suddenly stopped. She pulled out a small pouch of Spirit Dust—a fine white powder—and began sprinkling it all over my body to mask my wolf's musk. “Okay. We are going to head back and pretend we know nothing of your escape,” she said, her chest heaving. “Mom... you know that’s a lie. He won’t spare any of you. Can’t you both come with me?” I begged. “No, it will only make everything worse,” she replied. I turned to my sister. “Kiara, please...” Kiara exhaled a shaky, bitter breath. “If you really wanted to save us, why didn’t you just agree to wed him?” “Kiara!” Mom snapped. “What?!” Kiara barked back. “If she truly wanted to save us, she’d marry him without a second thought!” “You know she wouldn't last a day in his bed!” Mom scolded. “He is a monster, Kiara.” “Whatever,” Kiara hissed, though I could see the fear in her eyes. She was terrified she might be the one forced to take my place. But mom already told her not to worry, that she was above the age he always want. Mom turned back to me, her expression softening. “Iriana, this is where we part ways. We will reunite again if that’s what the heavens want. Just keep running. Don’t ever look back, and don’t ever turn into your real self, or he will track you instantly." She paused as she exhaled. "We’ll be okay.” I sobbed, clutching her hands one last time. Kiara turned away to wipe her own tears, but then a sharp sound echoed through the trees. Someone—or something—was getting close. “Iriana, go right now!” Mom pushed me away. “No, mom!” “Go now!” she screamed. “Iriana, please, just go!” Kiara added. I swallowed the lump in my throat until I felt numb. With one last look at the only family I had ever known, I turned and ran deeper into the woods. My feet hurt like hell, but I didn't care. This was the only way to escape that monster. I ran blindly, the grass and dry wood spikes bruising my soles. I didn't look back, but in my panic, I hit a fallen branch and collapsed with a heavy thud. I gasped for air, my lungs burning. I laid there for a while, staring up at the unusually bright moon. It felt like it was mocking me. My mind drifted back to the day that monster had claimed me. I had only been trying to win favor for my family, to be noticed—and I got the worst kind of attention. Every girl he wed ended up dead or barely living. I couldn’t let that be me. But I knew Kiara was terrified he would replace me with her. Mother Ivonne couldn't even stop him. He will find me if I stay here, I told myself. I dragged myself up, but even walking felt like needles were being driven into my skin. I tried to use the trees for support, but my strength failed, and I hit the ground again. I was too tired. I was ready to give up. Then, a sharp, mechanical roar cut through the air. What is that? Using a final spark of strength, I dragged myself toward the sound. I stumbled out of the brush and onto a flat, black road filled with moving metal vehicles. The human world. I was finally here. My vision was blurry, and my breathing came in ragged hitches. I walked further into the busy road, watching as humans moved away from me like I was a walking disease. I didn't care. Some looked confused; others looked disgusted. I was a mess of dirt, blood, and tears. My internal system began to shut down. I couldn't take another step. I fell to my knees in the middle of the pavement. “Are you okay, miss?” an elderly human asked, his voice sounding miles away. I couldn't answer. I fell forward, gagging for air, my chest rising and falling frantically. “Someone call 911!” a woman yelled. Through the haze, I saw the crowd part. Someone was running. A man. He didn't hesitate; he scooped me up into his arms, and for a moment, the world stopped. He was warm—so warm. “Where are you taking her? She needs a hospital!” someone in the crowd shouted. “Well, I’m taking her to that hospital since the rest of you just stood there and ignored her like she was a piece of sh*t!” he yelled back. He carried me to a sleek vehicle and laid me inside. As the engine hummed to life, he leaned over me. “Don’t worry,” he whispered. “You’ll be okay.” I tried to blink, tried to see his face, but my eyelids felt like lead. The last thing I caught was his scent—something rich, like sandalwood and rain. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever smelled. Please, Mother Ivonne... Mom... Kiara... Anyone, help me. Then, the darkness came and swallowed me whole.