Chapter 2: Into the Forbidden Forest
497 Words
Ava ran.
She did not look back as the cruel laughter of the Silver Moon Pack faded behind her. Every breath burned in her chest, and every step sent a sharp pain through the broken mate bond. Tears blurred her vision, but she refused to let anyone see her cry again.
"If they don't want me," she whispered, "I'll never return."
The forest grew darker with every step. Towering pines blocked the moonlight, and thick mist curled around the roots like ghostly fingers.
She knew exactly where she was heading.
The Forbidden Forest.
Every pup in the pack had grown up hearing the same warning.
"Never cross the northern border. No wolf who enters ever returns."
But Ava no longer cared.
A sudden growl echoed through the trees.
She froze.
Another growl answered from behind.
Then another.
Red eyes appeared in the darkness.
Rogue wolves.
There were five of them.
Their leader stepped forward with a wicked grin.
"Look what wandered into our territory," he sneered. "An omega... all alone."
Ava backed away until her shoulders struck the trunk of an ancient oak.
"I don't want trouble," she said.
The rogue laughed.
"Neither do we. We just want your life."
He lunged.
Ava barely dodged, but another rogue slashed her shoulder with razor-sharp claws. She cried out as warm blood soaked her dress.
The wolves circled her like hunters closing in on wounded prey.
"This is how it ends," she thought.
She closed her eyes.
Then...
A terrifying roar shook the entire forest.
The ground trembled.
The rogues stopped instantly.
Fear filled their faces.
A tall figure emerged from the mist, dressed in a long black coat. His silver eyes glowed in the moonlight with a power unlike anything Ava had ever seen.
Behind him stood an enormous black wolf, larger than any werewolf she had ever imagined.
The rogues fell to their knees.
"Y-Your Majesty..."
The stranger spoke only one word.
"Leave."
His voice was calm, yet it carried enough authority to make the forest itself seem to obey.
The rogues fled without daring to look back.
Ava's knees gave way.
Before she hit the ground, strong arms caught her.
For the first time that night, she felt safe.
The stranger looked down at her wound, then into her eyes.
"You are injured."
"I'll... survive," Ava whispered.
He frowned.
"No."
His hand hovered above her shoulder. A soft silver light flowed from his palm, and the bleeding slowed.
Ava stared in disbelief.
"Magic..."
"It is older than magic," he replied quietly.
She searched his face.
"Who are you?"
For a moment, he remained silent.
Then he answered.
"I am Kael."
The name sent a chill through her.
Only one man in the werewolf kingdoms carried that name.
The Lycan King.
Before Ava could speak again, exhaustion overtook her.
The last thing she saw was Kael lifting her into his arms and carrying her deeper into the forest, toward a destiny she had never imagined. 2 cover
- Writer
