The Wolf's Secret

CHAPTER 8:THE AWAKENING

Chapter 8 — The Awakening

The forest fell silent after Darius's voice disappeared into the darkness.

Maya stood frozen, staring at the trees.

Her golden eyes slowly faded back to normal.

Maya: What just happened to me?

Adrian moved closer.

Adrian: Your wolf is awakening.

Maya: I don't have a wolf.

Adrian: Everyone in your bloodline does.

Maya looked at her mother.

Maya: Is it true?

Her mother nodded.

Mother: You inherited it from your father.

Maya looked down at her hands.

Maya: I don't feel different.

Adrian: You will.

Suddenly, Maya heard something no one else seemed to notice.

Whispers.

Hundreds of voices calling her name.

Maya: Do you hear that?

Adrian: Hear what?

Maya closed her eyes.

The whispers became louder.

Then she opened her eyes.

Maya: They're coming.

Adrian immediately looked toward the trees.

Adrian: How do you know?

Maya: I can feel them.

Her mother looked at Adrian with concern.

Mother: The Guardian's senses are awakening too quickly.

Adrian: We need to get her somewhere safe.

A growl suddenly came from behind them.

Three wolves appeared.

Then five.

Then more emerged from the darkness.

Adrian stepped in front of Maya.

Adrian: Stay behind me.

Maya shook her head.

Maya: No.

Adrian looked at her.

Maya: I'm tired of hiding.

Her mother tried to stop her.

Mother: Maya, you don't know how to control your power.

Maya: Then I'll learn.

One of the wolves charged.

Adrian transformed and attacked it.

Another wolf rushed toward Maya.

Maya raised her hand instinctively.

A powerful golden light exploded from her palm.

The wolf was thrown backward.

Everyone stopped.

Maya stared at her hand in shock.

Maya: I did that?

Her father suddenly appeared at the edge of the clearing.

Father: Yes.

Maya turned toward him.

Maya: Dad!

Father: Don't be afraid of your power.

Maya: I don't know how to control it.

Father: Your wolf knows.

Maya closed her eyes.

She heard a low growl inside her mind.

Not from outside.

From within.

Her heart began beating faster.

Her body became warm.

Her vision sharpened.

She could suddenly hear every movement in the forest.

Every heartbeat.

Every breath.

Every step.

Maya opened her eyes.

They were glowing gold again.

Adrian stared at her.

Adrian: Maya...

She looked at the wolves surrounding them.

Maya: They don't want to fight me.

Adrian: How do you know?

Maya: Because I can hear their thoughts.

Her mother gasped.

Mother: The Guardian can command them.

Maya stepped forward.

The wolves lowered their heads.

The entire forest seemed to bow to her.

Then Darius appeared between the trees.

Darius: Impressive.

Maya looked directly at him.

Maya: Leave my family alone.

Darius smiled.

Darius: You still don't understand what you are.

Maya: I know enough.

Darius: No. You don't.

He raised his hand.

The wolves suddenly turned toward Maya.

Adrian stepped forward.

Adrian: What did you do?

Darius: I didn't do anything.

His red eyes focused on Maya.

Darius: She did.

Maya looked around in confusion.

The wolves began growling.

Her father moved closer.

Father: Maya, control them.

Maya tried.

Maya: Stop!

The wolves became still.

But one wolf continued walking toward her.

Maya's breathing became unsteady.

Then the wolf transformed.

A young man stood before her.

He had the same golden eyes as Adrian.

He looked at Maya and whispered one sentence.

Unknown Man: The Wolf King isn't your father.

Everyone froze.

Maya looked at her father.

Maya: Dad... is that true?

Her father said nothing.

And Maya realized that the biggest secret had not yet been revealed.