Luna's Outcast

Chapter13

Madeline’s pov

The fire licked at my skin and I struggled against the bins, but they were tightly secured against the stake.

“No, this wasn’t possible. This couldn’t possibly be happening.” I kept on whispering as hot pain seared through me.

Through the smoke, my eyes met Josselyn’s and she offered me a sick smile.

“There was no point coming back. You’ll still die the exact same way, you should have just stayed dead,” she announced as she glared at me and I let out a scream as the pain became unbearable.

“No!” I cried out as my eyes snapped open and I sat up in bed.

My heart hammered against my ribcage and I placed a hand over my chest, trying to calm myself. I gulped as I rose from the bed and made my way out of the room.

“It had only been a dream,” I whispered over and over to myself as I closed the door softly behind me and the cool morning breeze nipped at my skin.

How come it had felt so real? I shuddered as I could still feel the way the flames had burned my skin.

“It was only a dream. I’m safe here, away from them, and when I return, it will be to take my revenge,” I muttered as determination pumped within me.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as I tried to wash away the lingering feelings of fear.

“Madeline?” A voice called out from behind me right before a hand gripped my shoulder and turned me around.

My lips parted in horror as I turned to Ezekiel who was staring down at me with a frown.

“Let go of me,” I cried out as I stumbled backwards and he took a step closer.

“Dont! Don’t come near me,” I declared, and he immediately stopped in his tracks.

“Madeline, what’s wrong?” he asked again as he took a step towards me, but I took one back.

I felt my wolf rising within me, seeking to be released, and I struggled to reign her in.

“Control her,” he ordered, and I shut my eyes tightly and gripped my hair with both my hands.

“Calm down Aeris, deep breaths,” I felt gentle hands on my wrists and my brows creased at that voice…that voice didn’t belong to Ezekiel.

I peered my eyes open and blinked slowly, the face grew clearer, and I realized it was Hunter standing in front of me.

Embarrassment washed over me and my cheeks heated up as I stared at the confusion on Hunter’s face.

“I—I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me.” I mumbled as I tried to move away from Hunter, but he didn’t let go of me.

“What’s wrong? What happened? You can talk to me,” Hunter’s gentle voice encouraged, and I cleared my throat.

“It was a stupid dream, nothing to fuzz over,” I retorted.

“Yet you seemed greatly disturbed by it.” Hunter stared at me pointedly.

“I just…it’s just ghosts from the past,” I muttered.

“That means you are gaining your memories back?” he probed.

“Something like that,” I replied.

Hunter’s eyes scanned my face and I squirmed under the scrutiny.

“You know I’m always here if you need to talk, right?” He asked, and I slowly nodded, ignoring the flutter within me as he spoke.

“Thank you,” I muttered before I pulled Hunter into a hug.

He seemed taken aback for a moment before his arms wrapped around my waist and he hugged me back.

A prickling awareness rose within me and I couldn’t shake off the feeling that we were being watched.

I pulled away from Hunter and turned. My eyes met with Lucas’ as he stared at us with piercing eyes a little distance away.

He shook his head before he turned away and I let out a sigh.

“I should go speak to him,” I told Hunter, and I felt his features harden, but thankfully, he simply nodded his head.

“I’ll be at the training grounds if you need me,” he muttered before he walked away.

I followed after Lucas and I knew he could hear my footsteps but he didn’t slow down.

“Lucas!” I called out to him when he picked up his pace and he came to an abrupt halt.

“What?” He gritted out as he turned to me.

“I get that you don’t trust Hunter but-”

“If I hear about that Hunter for one more second, my ears are going to explode.” He cut me off and my eyes widened in surprise.

“Why are you so angry?” I inquired, and he opened his mouth as though he was about to say something but thought better of it.

“Just go back to the cottage, Madeline.” He muttered as he turned away from me, but I moved forward and blocked his path.

“No! I want to know what’s wrong. You might have your-”

“Was it Hunter that gave you that?” Lucas asked as he gestured towards the necklace on my neck and instinctively my hands went up to it.

“It’s gorgeous. Maybe he’ll bring a f*****g ring next time,” Lucas blurted out angrily.

“Lucas!” I snapped right back at him, and he sucked in a deep breath as he combed his fingers through his hair.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered as I hugged myself and waited for an explanation.

“I know you trust him, Madeline, but I don’t. He is a hunter, he kills us, his life purpose is to get rid of wolves. I don’t think it’s wise to have him this close to us,” Lucas divulged, and I had to admit, a part of me understood where he was coming from, and I knew he was probably right, but this was Hunter…he wasn’t like all the other hunters.

“Don’t you think he would have already hurt us if he really wanted to?” I pointed out and Lucas remained silent for a moment.

“I just hope you know exactly what you are doing, Madeline. I would hate to see your trust backfire on you,” he told me coldly before he walked away.