➳ CHAPTER 1: Fate vs. Faith
1682 Words
A novel by Celestial Athena, CHAPTER 1: Fate vs. Faith
"Werewolves?" I whispered.
The silver wolf's eyes snapped in my direction, and he quietly growled to me, carefully and slowly walking towards me. I instinctively tried to move away from him, but his sound sent numerous shivers to my spine. I can't fathom what exactly is happening, or if this is happening. I tried to reach for my phone when I noticed that it was farther away from me and closer to the wolf.
I need to get to my phone. I need to run.
I breathed heavily and stared right back at him. I needed to get my balance, so I could grab my phone and run. I know I won't be able to completely run away from them, but I would rather try. I'm sure there might be a few people close to this trail.
He growled again when I tried to stand on my feet.
He was like a bomb that's ticking and about to blow off as soon as I move into my place. But I was willing to risk it. I need to wake up if this is a nightmare. I need to at least try and get the hell out of this place. This whole thing is impossible.
It was cold but I could feel heavy sweat dripping from my face.
I need to go.
I positioned myself and I knew he felt it, so he walked closer to me. OK, ditch the phone and just run. Keep running.
When I got the second, I stood and tried to run when he snarled at me. It was so powerful that I fell on the floor again. I tried to face him so I knew exactly where he was going and all I could see was anger plastered on his face.
His canines were showing off.
"No. Please." I cried.
Without noticing, another man swiftly got in front of him to stop him from hurting me. He growled again. I felt so dizzy, and I could only see the man's back. He was trying to stop the wolf. "Calm down," he quietly said.
The wolf was taken back, but he slowly retrieved and subtly bowed down.
Now that he's no longer snarling and a bit more relaxed, I took notice of everyone around us. They were all looking at us, and unsure of what was happening. I could sense confusion among them. As if they feel the same way that I do. What the hell is going on? Is this a dream? Because if it is, I think it's time to wake up.
I tried to properly sit down, but all I could feel was tension.
My heart beat a thousand times as I swallowed hard, but carefully, not wanting to cause any more ruckus or attention. Not to mention a bolt from the blue that werewolves are entirely true. Are they werewolves? God, what is this? They were all standing mightily before my eyes with the height of unwavering strength.
The man who stopped the wolf turned his head to me and we locked eyes.
His face... it looked familiar.
"Miss!" a man called me, but I wasn't able to take my eyes off of him. I felt a strong tap on my back. "Hey, sweetie. Are you okay? Why are you staring at the trees like that? Do you need any help?"
His question took me off guard. Is he a human? I looked at him. He's old and he's with what I believe is his wife. They were both looking at me, concerned.
"Can't you see them?" I was referring to the 7 people who emerged from the woods and the wolf staring at me. I could just feel him grimacing at me, it was like he was irritated with me. The other one stood out as well. He was gently smiling at me, and just looking at me from afar. I wanted to go to him and talk to him. He was the only one among the group who I knew would be kind to me.
"See what?" I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard the old man's voice again. They looked around and I was confused when they scanned the area but didn't see the werewolves.
The man I locked gazes with stepped forward, causing me to flinch in horror. "Don't tell him you see us," he firmly said. I could just feel his strong presence when he stepped closer to me and told me what to do. My first instinct was to follow whatever he told me. How can I do otherwise? I felt cornered and there was absolutely no way I could come home safely with them watching my every move. Who the hell knows what they're capable of? After all, aren't they animals more so than humans?
I tried to find the courage to respond but I just found myself stuttering.
"Don't say a word about us." The werewolf repeated.
"Sweetie?"
The old man seemed genuinely concerned, so I faked a smile and acted as if I just fell. "I'm okay." I said, desperately trying to hide my fear. I can't decipher why I can see the werewolves, while the couple couldn't. We're in the same place, and at the same time.
"You don't seem okay." He replied. "How about we take you to the hospital or something?" he offered while grabbing my phone. "Here's your phone."
"Thanks." I swallowed. "I-I think I'm fine."
"Are you sure?" I stood up and they helped me. "It's really cold and we're just coming down from the trail. We can walk with you."
That sounded nice. My eyes snapped back to the man staring at me. I wanted to ask but it was as if he knew exactly what was on my mind. "Decline." He ordered. I looked at him to protest when my breathing grew faster and heavier than ever as his eyes with the faintest color of gray changed into blue. Right then, I knew I wouldn't want to go against what he wanted me to do. He wasn't scary but I wouldn't want to know what would happen if I go exactly the opposite of what he said.
I closed my eyes, trying so hard not to shed a tear. "I'm sure. I'm okay, I just fell. I'll be down in a minute."
I was in between being in awe and trepidation. Yes, I had a fascination with werewolves, but this is insane. No one would believe this. I mean, even I can't believe that this is happening.
"Ok, we'll here's my number." The old man gave me a tissue paper with his phone number jotted down. I knew he was cold by the way he wrote it. It was almost ineligible, but I smiled at the notion.
"Thank you," I genuinely said.
I want to come with you, believe me. And I wish you could save me from this.
He looked me in the eye and touched my arm. "Call me anytime if you need me."
I nodded and found myself staring at them as they walked away.
There were five men and two women plus a large silver wolf viciously looking at me. The men were all tall and their faces looked very sharp and could scare any human living here. I noticed how all their eyebrows and eye color are darker than their hair. They all had unique appearances.
"What the hell are you?" one of them asked. "A witch?" I heard the wolf huffing at that.
"Uh..." I'm a human. Why can't I say that?
"I don't think she is." One of the women responded while looking at me from head to toe. She was staring at me with fascination. Almost as if she was grinning.
"I want to go," I whispered, looking away from them.
"Epsilon." The man I locked gazes with said. Epsilon?
The woman who he had called Epsilon subtly bowed down from the same man I gaze at. He had such grace and authority radiating from his every movement and voice. "Yes, Igetis."
Igetis?
The Epsilon was mystically beautiful. Her eyes were pure blue and her hair as red as fire. She, much to my surprise, moved very quickly and swiftly right in front of us. It was so fast that I didn't get the chance to be startled. She immediately, and with great force, locked her hands on both of my arms. As if trying to get me to stand up firmly.
I breathed deeply, feeling my every heartbeat.
I felt my legs go weak, giving up due to the cold and stress. She held me up. "Are you going to kill me?"
"No." She gently said while staring at my eyes, as if she was looking for something.
Something within us clicked and suddenly all I could see was her. I looked around me and everything was pure white. Just snow and the woods. And her.
"What's happening?"
"I tuned them out," she replied. "You're getting weaker."
"You need to let me go." I pleaded.
She faked a smile. "I can't."
"If you're scared that I'll say something, don't," I assured her. Desperate to get out of her hands. Because of this situation, I just want to go.
She giggled sarcastically. "I'm never scared." She paused a little bit. "You have to come with us."
"Why?" I asked.
"Our Igetis," she said. I was about to ask what that meant when she replied quickly, as if she could read exactly what was on my mind. "Our next-in-line Alpha..."
"Alpha..." I whispered. It's true. They are indeed werewolves.
She nodded. "You're his bride."
I blinked multiple times. As if this night couldn't get any worse. "Wait-what?" I whispered, but felt angry at her. I could just feel myself burning up in unexplainable fear and hostility towards her...towards them. "What the hell is a bride?! You have to let me go!"
Her grip grew firmer as she tried to calm me down.
"You can't go. You're a human mate."
- Writer
