Chapter 10: Shadows of the past
759 Words
The twins slept soundly in my arms as we stepped cautiously through the moonlit forest. The night was unnaturally silent after the chaos of the previous attack. Even the wind seemed hesitant, as if it too feared what might emerge from the shadows. My pulse pounded like a drum in my chest, each step heavier than the last.
I kept replaying the Alpha’s words: “I won’t fail you again. Even if it kills me.” There was sincerity in them, raw and unguarded, but I couldn’t forget the past. Months of rejection and heartbreak had carved deep scars in my heart. How could I trust him so easily now?
A sudden c***k echoed nearby. My heart jumped. I pressed the twins closer to my chest.
“Stay calm,” the Alpha whispered, moving ahead. His presence was solid, reassuring, but I noticed the tension in his shoulders. Something about his expression told me he wasn’t entirely confident.
Then, from the shadows, she appeared. Selene. My chest tightened. She was the rogue who had wreaked havoc in our pack months ago. Her eyes glowed red, filled with power and menace. “I knew you’d show up eventually,” she hissed. “Didn’t think you’d drag your little family into my territory.”
The Alpha moved in front of me. His claws flexed, teeth bared. “She won’t touch them. I swear it.”
Selene laughed, a sound that pierced the night like shattered glass. “Oh, Alpha… too late. The twins are more than ordinary children. I’ve been waiting to see their powers awaken—and I intend to claim them first.”
My stomach twisted. I had known the twins were special, but I hadn’t realized how dangerous their abilities could be.
“You’ll never get them,” I said, forcing courage into my voice. “They’re my children, and I’ll fight till my last breath to protect them.”
Her smile widened, cruel and knowing. “That’s exactly why I’m going to make you watch me take what’s mine.”
The ground beneath us trembled violently. Roots twisted, rocks shifted. The forest seemed alive, responding to an ancient, dormant power. The twins stirred, sensing it. Their tiny hands clutched me tighter.
The Alpha growled, low and dangerous. Pupils dilated. “Back off. Now.”
Selene didn’t retreat. Instead, she raised her hand, and a wave of dark energy surged forward. Leaves and dust whipped into a mini whirlwind. I shielded the twins instinctively, fear knotting my stomach.
“You’re not ready for this,” she whispered, voice almost reverent. “None of you are.”
The Alpha lunged at her, claws extended. Their battle erupted in a violent clash of light and shadow. Sparks of energy illuminated the forest, casting ghostly figures across the trees. My heart pounded as I watched him fight for us with everything he had.
I stepped forward instinctively, ready to intervene, but a sharp c***k underfoot made me freeze. The earth split open slightly, sending a tremor through my feet. The twins shrieked, and I grabbed them, holding them tight.
Then… the unthinkable happened. A dark figure stepped out behind Selene—a massive wolf, unlike anything I had ever seen. Its fur shimmered black under the moonlight, eyes burning crimson. Every instinct in me screamed danger.
The Alpha froze for the first time, hesitation flashing across his face. He turned to me. “Run!” he shouted.
I hesitated. Leave him? Leave the twins? My heart refused to obey reason. The creature stepped closer, growling low, each breath like fire.
Selene smirked. “Do you see now? The twins are mine. This is only the beginning.”
The Alpha roared, a sound so fierce it shook the trees. He launched himself at Selene, teeth and claws aimed to strike—but the massive wolf intercepted him, slamming him to the ground. Pain shot through me at the sight.
The twins whimpered, eyes wide with fear. I wrapped my arms around them and ran, dodging roots and rocks, praying that the Alpha could hold them off even for a few minutes. My heart screamed with terror, anger, and… something else. Something I didn’t want to admit.
Even as we ran, I could feel it—the power in the twins stirring, reacting to the danger. A flash of silver light pulsed from them, scattering the shadows, making Selene hiss in surprise.
I stumbled, nearly dropping them, and then the forest went eerily quiet. My breath came in ragged gasps.
And then… darkness.
- Writer
