Only Broken

Awakening in the Unknown

I lie on the ground, completely paralyzed, unable to move or even sit up.

When my brain finally registers what’s happening to me, tears well in my eyes, and my breathing quickens.

I want to scream for help. I want to run to my parents. But all those thoughts feel impossible in this moment. I'm paralyzed. I'm...

Fear grips my trembling heart, and the tears fall freely. I regret coming here. I want my parents. I want...

My thoughts halt when the two creatures reappear in my line of vision, still locked in battle. The brown one's fur is stained with blood—far more than the black one’s.

They continue their vicious fight until the black creature clamps its powerful jaws around the brown one's leg. A loud, agonized whimper escapes the wounded beast as it staggers backward, its leg dripping with blood.

The black creature growls, a deep, menacing sound that makes the trees tremble. Its opponent cowers, golden eyes lowered in submission, before turning and limping away into the woods.

I expect the black one to chase after it—to finish it off. But instead, it turns toward me.

Tears blur my vision, so I blink rapidly to clear them. But the moment I do, the black creature vanishes.

I lie there, alone and helpless. Unable to scream. Unable to run for help.

My parents must be so worried.

My vision continues to blur, but this time, I realize it's not just tears—it's my consciousness slipping away. I fight the overwhelming pull of sleep because I know what it means if I give in.

I blink rapidly, desperate to stay awake, but my body betrays me. My mind drifts, caught in the haze between wakefulness and unconsciousness.

Suddenly I hear footsteps coming from one direction. I hear them faintly, but I can't move or turn to see if they're real or just a figment of my mind.

The sound draws closer, and then—warmth. I suddenly feel a presence beside me.

A pair of strong arms lifts me off the ground. I try to focus, to see who it is, but my brain is slipping with thoughts scattering like leaves in the wind.

The voice speaking above me is muffled, like a distant echo, and I can't make out a single word.

Feeling too exhausted and overwhelmed, my body gives in.

But then—A sudden jolt and my eyes snap open.

I look up, my vision momentarily clearing to catch a glimpse of a pair of striking gray eyes before the darkness swallows me whole.

---

I’m running.

The ground beneath me shakes as I race through the woods, terror fueling my every step.

A monstrous presence looms behind me. I glance back—a mistake.

I instantly trip, crashing face-first into the earth.

Suddenly everything feels familiar. The towering brown beast with its deadly eyes—I've seen this before.

I'm dreaming. This isn’t real.

Realizing that, I push myself up to face the creature hurtling toward me. Its yellow—no, golden—eyes glow with an eerie light. It’s moving fast, too fast.

Fear lances through me. Maybe this isn’t a dream. Maybe I’m still in the woods.

I realize it too late.

The creature leaps, soaring through the air straight for me. I throw up my arms, bracing for the impact—

But it never comes.

Instead, the creature disintegrates into ashes before my eyes.

Confused, I lower my arms. The remnants of ash swirl around me, settling into the earth.

Suddenly—A blinding white light appears accompanied with a wave of numbness spreading through my body.

My mind stirs with awareness creeping back in. The first thing I register, even with my eyes still closed, is that I’m lying on a bed.

There are also voices. Deep ones. Men.

"She’s going to be okay. She’s healed remarkably fast—faster than I’ve ever seen, in fact." The speaker sounds awed.

"Alpha, are you sure she’s one of us? Maybe she could be—"

"I’m sure." Another voice, firmer, cuts him off.

"I could smell her from afar. She’s one of us."

I keep my expression blank, pretending to sleep, but something about the second voice stirs familiarity in me.

"Then how did she end up among humans? I’ve never known them to raise our kind."

"That baffles me too. It also seems like she has no idea what she is."

"She must have been terrified when that rogue attacked her then. He must have smelled her too."

"Speaking of the rogue—"

"Don’t worry, Alpha. I went to the scene and gathered all the different blood samples. I've given them to the witches, and they’re already tracking him down as we speak."

"Good."

"But what are you going to do when she wakes up? You can’t keep her here. Her parents must be worried."

A heavy sigh. The familiar voice again.

"I know, but she’s also one of us. I’ll discuss it with the Luna and see how best we can help her."

"Yes, Alpha."

Silence.

Then—

"But there’s something… different about her scent to me. I…" The voice trails off, hesitant.

A pause.

"Would you like me to run some blood tests? I'm also curious on how she heals so fast." The other man asks, his voice still audible.

A beat of silence follows before the familiar voice responds.

"Let’s discuss this outside." Their footsteps retreat, and the door clicks shut behind them.

I remain motionless, heart hammering against my ribs.

Something about my scent? What does that even mean?

I tighten my grip on the bedsheet, forcing myself to stay calm. None of this makes sense. My mind races with questions, but one thing is clear—I don’t belong here.

I need to get out.

I sit up and survey my surroundings.

The room is small, simple. A bed. A single window.

How did I get here?

The last thing I remember is collapsing in the woods. My chest tightens with fear.

Someone brought me here. Someone carried me through the forest.

But where is here? This doesn’t even look like a hospital.

I push back the covers and slide out of bed to glance out the window— and I realize night has already fallen.

My parents must be frantic.

I rush to the door, my heartbeat pounding in my ears.

I grasp the doorknob, turning it slowly. To my relief, it isn’t locked. Carefully, I c***k the door open and peer outside.

The hall is dimly lit. Footsteps echo in the distance, but no one is in sight.

I step out cautiously.

By the look of the ornate balustrade lining the corridor, I’m at least one or two floors above the ground.

I inch toward it, peering over the edge.

Below, dozens of people move about, many dressed in maid’s uniforms.

I frown, scanning my surroundings. The building is old but undeniably grand.

Where am I?

I hear footsteps again. From my left.

Panic flares through me. I turn, searching for a place to hide, but before I can react—

Two towering figures step into my path.