The One Who Returned To The Past

Chapter 03

After calming herself down, Annika started walking again. It didn't take her a long time to reach her the Crystal Lake. The lake was too clear and always reflect the moonlight during full moon. The surroundings was quiet and peaceful making Annika to feel at ease.

This area was also safe. There were no rogues that could come near this place. It was too close to the border that led to the land ruled by the Lycan King himself. The rogues wouldn't dare to attack a place where the strongest Alpha was staying.

No one from their pack dared to go there.

Not even the bravest wolves.

Not even Jackson.

A lot of rumors were spreading about the Lycan King. They said stepping into his territory without permission was the same as asking for death.

Annika stood there for a moment to appreciate the lake's beauty. The water was so clear that she felt like the lake itself was a real mirror. She could even clearly see her own reflection on its surface.

Soon, Annika took off her clothes and walked into the water. She gasped when the cold water touched her skin. But kept going until the water reached her chest.

Then she dove in.

The cold water quickly soaked her whole body and clearing her muddled head.

After doing a lap, she simply floated on her back while staring up at the moon. It looked so close as if she could reach out and touch them. She closed her eyes and feel her heartbeat slowed down. Her body was slowly relaxing too.

Then something changed.

The air grew heavy.

The forest went too quiet.

And then she felt it.

A presence.

It wasn't Jackson. She could always tell when it was him. It was not anyone from her pack either.

This was different.

It was stronger.

Her skin prickled and every hair on her body standing up. Then she turned her head.

Across the lake, a lone wolf stood on top of a huge rock.

It was not just any wolf. It was a massive beast with thick fur that cover its whole body. But what struck her the most were its eyes. It was golden and glowing in the dark.

Her heart skipped a beat.

That kind of energy couldn't simply belong to an ordinary wolf.

Her instinct were telling her to run.

So Annika didn't think twice. She took a deep breath and dove underwater to swim back toward the shore as fast as she could. Her muscles burned from swimming too fast but she didn't stop until her feet touched the muddy bottom. Then she ran out of the lake and didn't look back.

Behind her, a haunting howl rolled through the forest. It echoed so loudly it made the ground tremble.

By the time she reached the pack's safe zone, her chest was burning and her legs felt weak. Her clothes were still where she left them. She hurried to pull on her dress and shakenly tried to zip it up. The zipper caught near the top and she struggled to reach it.

"Let me help you, Luna."

Annika froze.

Then a warm hand gently pulled the zipper up. When she turned around, Annika saw Charlie.

She couldn't tell if he had been standing there long or if he just arrived. But his face was unreadable as always.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I was waiting for you." Charlie flatly said. "I saw your clothes on the ground and thought you went for a run. But..."

His eyes studied her carefully.

"You didn't shift, did you?"

Annika forced a small smile.

"I did." she lied smoothly. "But I swim after that."

It wasn't the first time she had to lie like that. If anyone found out that she couldn't shift anymore, her plans would fall apart.

"But that doesn't matter right now." she said and changed the topic. "There was someone at the lake. Send a few warriors to check it out."

Charlie nodded once.

"Understood, Luna."

His eyes went distant for a second. He was using the pack's mind link to send out orders.

Annika began walking back toward the mansion. The night air felt colder now and pressing against her still damp skin. Charlie walked beside her quietly. His steps were matching hers.

When they reached the door, he opened it for her.

"Luna... It's going to be alright."

She froze.

That was something he used to tell her before everything changed. Back then, those words had meant comfort. Now they just reminded her of how alone she really was.

Annika turned her gaze to him.

"You knew from the start, didn't you?"

His expression faltered. For a second, guilt flashed in his eyes.

"...Yes, Luna." he admitted.

"I see." she said. Her voice was calm but distant. "Don't worry. I know you couldn't go against your Alpha."

"But if I could—"

"Don't." she interrupted. "You've done enough."

"Luna..."

"I'm just hoping you will still support me even after this. Right?"

His jaw tightened.

"Always, Luna." he said while staring at my face.

Annika smiled faintly and stepped past him.

"Then I'll be fine."

When she returned to her room, Annika locked the door. The silence felt heavier than before. She knew Jackson wouldn't come tonight. In her past life, this was the time he usually stayed in his office to drink and pretend doing his work like a good Alpha. Then he would come to her in the morning with gift and treated her nicely as an apology. But after that, he would spend the next evening with Katherine again.

Nothing had changed.

Not yet.

Annika took a hot bath to wash away the cold lake water that still clung to her body. When she came out, she wrapped herself in a fluffy robe and sat at her desk. Then her eyes landed on her notebook.

After staring at it for a while, she picked it up and grabbed a pen from her drawer. Then she started writing everything she remembered from her past life in right order.

Every betrayal.

Every mistake.

Every death.

She wrote everything until the ink from her pen was exhausted.

If Annika couldn't stop the future, then she would do anything to prepare for it.

If she couldn't take revenge now, then she would make sure her enemies destroyed themselves.

Her goal wasn't a path full of blood.

It was truth.

And she would make sure those people would suffered for what they had done.

After she closed the notebook and put it back inside the drawer, the door opened without warning.

Jackson stood there.

Guilt and worry painted across his face.

"My Luna, I heard you asked Charlie to investigate the lake. Are you alright?"

Annika stared at Jackson for a while.

"I'm fine." she finally said. "There was just someone watching me while I'm swimming naked. But as you can see, I am unharmed and well, right?"

His expression darkened immediately.

"He what?!"

There was a flash of possessiveness in his eyes. In the past, Annika took it as a sign of his love for her. Seeing his possessiveness for her made her heart race. But now, it was ridiculous to see.

"If you have nothing to say, then leave now."

Hearing her cold response, Jackson let out a sigh and looked at her with tired eyes.

"Anne, I know you're mad at me." he softly said. "I broke my promise. I know that. And I am regretting it."

"Let's not talk about it." she dismissively said. "You already made your decision anyway."

He came closer and tried to hug her.

"My love, please. I am willing to do anything to fix this."

But she avoided his arms like plague.

"Don't be like this. You are the only Luna that I will ever have."

Jackson gently turned her around and kisses her cheek. But before his lips could touched hers, Annika pushed him away and took a step back.

"Stop. I don't want to do it."

He blinked in surprise.

"But I love you."

Annika could only smiled bitterly for that. But before Jackson could see it, Annika turned around and faced the window.

"Then proved it. Hunt down the insolent who disturbed me tonight."

"Will it prove to you that I am telling the truth?"

Annika almost laughed. She didn't know if Jackson was treating her a fool or what. Still, she nodded her head. She just want him out of her room this instant.

"Alright. Then I'll go now."

Soon, Annika heard his footsteps before the door closed. She closed her eyes and let out a deep breath.

Through the mind link, Clea reached out and asked if she wanted her to come and accompany her. Annika sent back a simple thought saying she needs more time to think alone.

The night passed quietly. But Annika didn't sleep. Instead, she used all night to think what should she do next.

When the first ray of sunlight hit her window, Annika already made a new plan.

/-/-/

She opened her old diary and searched for a number she hadn't remember calling for years. Then he picked up her phone and dialed it.

And then, she waited.

After several rings, Annika heard a rough voice answered her call.

"Beta Robert speaking. Who's this?"

Annika swallowed.

"Beta Robert, this is Luna Annika Lark."

There was a silence.

"...Who?"

"Annika." she repeated her name. "I am the one who saved your mate from a brutal rogue attack six years ago. You gave me your contact number saying I could ask you one favor in exchange for what I'd done for you and your mate."

"Oh, right."

There was another pause. And then, he let out a chuckle.

"Oh, I see. So you have a favor to ask now, hmm?"

"Yes. I will need your help now."

Beta Robert became quiet again. Her heart was racing while waiting for his reply. She really need his help to make her plans work.

Soon, she heard him letting out a deep sigh.

"Alright. So what favor do you want to ask?"

Annika closed her eyes for a moment. She knew to herself the favor she would ask was not simple. Soon, she opened her eyes and continued.

"Please let me talk to the Lycan King."