Luna's Outcast

CHAPTER 3

Madeline's pov

I groaned as I slowly came into consciousness. My eyes cracked open and I blinked rapidly as I took in my surroundings.

Where the hell was I?

My brows scrunched as I tried to rise but pain shot through my side.

With a gasp I instantly collapsed back onto the mat.

I was in some sort of…tent?

How did I get here?

The flap of the tent threw back and a young man stepped into the tent.

I gasped and inched away from him, despite the pain which gripped my side.

“You shouldn't move that much. Your wounds aren't healed yet,” the man told me before he pulled the flap open once more.

“She's awake,” he announced to whoever was outside and the warning bells went off in my head.

“Who are you?” I asked as I held onto my side which was still hurting me.

The man opened his mouth to speak but before he could get any words out the flap of the tent pulled open once more.

“Madeline , thank God you are alright. I was so scared,” a young woman announced the second she stepped into the room as she rushed to my side.

Why was she calling me Madeline? That was not my name…

I remained rigid as she pulled me into an awkward hug but withdrew the next minute.

“I'm so sorry, your wounds must still hurt.” She said as she looked down at my hand holding onto the side of my stomach.

“I'm just so happy. I thought you were going to…” the woman trailed off as her eyes glistened.

“Who are you?” I blurted out and the woman's eyes snapped up to mine.

She turned to the man, whom I had completely forgotten was still in the tent, before she turned back to me with a sad expression on her face.

“You have it as well.” She whispered and my lips turned downwards.

“Have what?” I questioned impatiently.

“What can you remember?” The man asked, moving closer to me and everything within me instantly stood on alert.

“It's fine Madeline, Lucas isn't going to hurt you.” The woman beside me said and I inched away from her as well.

“Where am I?” I inquired.

“Madeline I think we should-” the woman began.

“Can you stop calling me that? My name is not Madeline.” I snapped and the woman's eyes widened.

“Madeline I know you are a bit hazy and confused right now but trust me, we are only trying to help you.” The man, Lucas, said cautiously as though I was some rogue wolf he was trying to calm down and that only irked me further.

“How did I end up here?” I asked, trying to keep my temper in check.

“You were abducted by adorni but we managed to save you and a few others.” Lucas informed me and my eyes bulged.

Adorni?

I gripped my head as a searing pain went through my skull and suddenly everything came rushing back to me.

My mating ceremony, Ezekiel, the false evidence, their betrayal but most importantly…the fire.

My eyes hurriedly scanned my hands and the rest of my body but there were no burn marks.

How was that even possible? I could still recall the heat and the pain as the flames claimed my body.

“How am I still alive?” I whispered out loud.

“To be fair you were in really bad condition when we found you and you've been unconscious for three days.” Lucas informed me and my gaze snapped up to him.

“You…rescued me from the fire?” I asked slowly and before he could open his list I could read the confusion on his face.

“I think your memory is a little mixed up but it's fine. All the others we saved from the adorni seem to have these memory gaps.” The woman informed me.

“There was no fire. It was just the adorni, we managed to save a few of you before they reached their territory.” Lucas explained and I slowly nodded.

What did he mean there was no fire?

Something was terribly wrong but I had no clue where to begin.

“Can I have a minute alone please?” I asked quietly and the woman stared at Lucas for a second and only made to move when Lucas sent her a subtle nod.

“Lena and I will be right outside Madeline, just call out if you need anything.” Lucas said as he ushered Lena out of the room and when I was finally alone, I left out a loud sigh.

I looked down at my hands once more and patted down the rest of my body as I rose to my feet but there really were no burn marks…how was this even possible?

My eyes landed on a small mirror sitting on the table and I slowly walked to it. My eyes widened as my reflection stared back at me.

“This shouldn't be possible,” I whispered but no matter how much I blinked, nothing changed.

I was an entirely different person.

Panic settled within me as I searched within me and tried to nudge my wolf awake.

She was the only one who would have the answers, she would know what was going on.

Fear gripped my heart when I felt nothing…I couldn't feel my wolf!

“This can't be happening,” I whispered over and over again and no matter how hard I tried to reach her all I came up with was a blank space within me.

A piercing scream filled the air and it took my now sore throat to realize it had come from me. I crumbled to the floor as Lucas and Lena stepped into the tent with frantic eyes. They rushed to my side but their voices were muffled and I barely paid them any attention as they fuzzed over me as there was only one thing in my mind.

I was somehow alive but trapped in…Madeline's body and worst of all, my wolf was gone.