THE GOLDEN EYES

Chapter 4

Lena’s POV.

How did I get here?

My pulse hammered as I looked around the cabin.

Everything looked normal, quiet and safe.

But it didn’t feel safe.

My breathing slowed slightly as my gaze dropped toward the blanket covering me.

Slowly, I pulled the blanket aside and peeled a little part of the bandage wrapped around my shoulder.

Dark stains spread across the cloth beneath strange crushed green leaves pressed against my skin.

The memory slammed back instantly.

A massive black beast lunged straight at me.

My hand clamped over my mouth.

“It was real…” I whispered shakily.

“It wasn't a dream”

The last thing I remembered was the wolf.

No.

Not a wolf.

Something worse.

Something impossible.

My heartbeat quickened.

I remembered those glowing golden eyes staring directly into mine.

The way its body changed.

Bones cracking.

Skin stretching.

That voice inside my head, “Forget.”

A chill crawled violently down my spine.

“No…” I whispered, shaking my head hard.

“No, no, no…”

This couldn’t be real.

None of it made sense.

Another thought hit me.

Someone brought me here.

My breathing stopped.

Slowly, my eyes lowered to the herbs pressed against my wound again.

Someone treated me.

Someone carried me home.

But who?

The black beast?

No.

My stomach turned at the thought.

The white-and-black wolf flashed through my mind.

That wolf protected me.

Standing between me and the other creature.

My chest tightened strangely.

I pushed myself upright, I nearly collapsed back onto the couch, gripping the edge tightly as dizziness washed over me.

I needed to think carefully.

Suddenly, I heard a branch c***k outside.

I froze.

My head snapped toward the window.

The woods stood motionless beyond the glass.

My pulse pounded harder as I slid off the couch as quietly as I could.

Pain flared through my shoulder again, but I forced myself forward anyway.

The wooden floor creaked softly beneath my feet as I moved closer to the window.

I reached the curtain carefully and grabbed the edge with trembling fingers.

Slowly, I pulled it aside. Pale morning light brushed against my face.

At first, I saw nothing.

Just trees.

I narrowed my eyes to get a better view, that's when I noticed movement deep in the woods.

Something shifted between the trees.

My fingers curled against the curtain.

A tall figure stood partially hidden behind the trees.

Could It be the half-formed creature that saved me and brought me back home?

Or someone else?

Then I heard a knock on the door.

I jumped violently, a gasp catching in my throat as I spun toward the door.

“Lena?”

My breath stopped.

A familiar voice called my name.

“Lena, are you awake?”

Sophie.

Relief hit me so fast my knees almost gave out.

I turned quickly back toward the window.

Nothing was there, the figure was gone.

My pulse pounded harder as my eyes searched the trees desperately.

I noticed branches moving.

Not from the wind.

Something large had moved through them fast… disappearing deeper into the forest.

“Lena?” Sophie called again, concerned creeping into her voice now. “You’re starting to scare me.”

I swallowed hard and forced myself away from the window.

Sophie has always been scared coming to the cabin because it's hidden in the woods.

“It’s fine,” I called back, though my voice came out weaker than I wanted. “I’m coming.”

My shoulder throbbed painfully as I moved toward the door.

I unlocked the door slowly and pulled it open.

Sophie stood on the porch holding two paper coffee cups, her messy braid hanging over one shoulder.

The second her eyes landed on me, her expression changed.

“Whoa.” She frowned immediately. “Lena, you look terrible.”

I forced a weak laugh that sounded nothing like me.

“Thanks.”

Her gaze narrowed.

“No seriously, what happened to you?” her eyes dropped toward my shoulder. “And why are you wrapped in bandages?”

I opened my mouth, then stopped.

Because how was I supposed to answer that?

A monster attacked me in the woods?

A giant wolf carried me home?

Something tried to crawl inside my head and erase my memories?

I swallowed hard.

“I… fell,” I said finally.

Even to me, it sounded pathetic.

Sophie blinked slowly.

“I fell,” I said quickly. “Into a tree.”

Her eyebrows lifted.

“That tree must’ve hated you.”

Despite everything, a tiny breath of laughter escaped me.

But it faded quickly.

Her expression softened as she stepped inside the cabin and pushed the door shut behind her.

“Are you sure you don’t need to go to the hospital?” she said as she sat on the couch

“No.”

The answer came too fast. Too desperate.

Her eyebrows pulled together instantly.

“Why not?”

My throat tightened.

I can't tell her the truth, whoever saved me didn’t do it to be exposed.

They wanted this hidden.

And if I walk into a hospital… I won’t just be explaining a wound.

I have to keep it a secret.

I shook my head carefully. “I don’t want to deal with a hospital right now.”

Sophie stared at me for another long second before sighing heavily.

“You’re being weird.”

I almost laughed at that.

My shoulder throbbed painfully again, making me wince.

Sophie noticed immediately.

“Lena. Are you sure you don't need the hospital?”

I exhaled shakily. “I'm fine, really”

“But I want you to do something for me. I don’t want to walk around with the bandage on.”

“What is that?” Sophie asked

“Can you stitch it?” I asked quietly. “with the kit in the first-aid box.”

Her eyes widened. “Stitch it? “Is it that deep? Let me see.”

I hesitated for a second before slowly reaching for the bandage.

My fingers trembled slightly as I began unwrapping the fabric from my shoulder.

Sophie’s expression stayed confused at first.

Then the bandage loosened completely.

Her face drained of color instantly.

“Oh my God, Lena…”

In daylight, the wound looked even worse.

Four deep, swollen claw marks tore across my shoulder.

The stitches of dried blood mixed with the crushed green herbs pressed into the cuts.

Sophie stared at it in horror.

“That is not from a tree.”

I swallowed hard.

Her eyes snapped up to mine.

“Lena… what the hell happened to you?”

Her gaze fixed on the wound. “That looks like something attacked you.”

I forced my expression to stay calm even as panic twisted violently inside me.

“Nothing attacked me,” I said quickly.

Sophie didn’t look convinced.

“Those cuts are deep,” she muttered. “Honestly, it looks more like a bear claw or something.”

The word hit me harder than it should have.

Bear.

If only it had been a bear.

I swallowed hard and looked away before Sophie could notice the fear on my face.

“I’m fine,” I said quietly. “Really.”

“Lena”

“I said I’m fine.”

The sharpness in my voice surprised both of us.

Silence fell between us for a second.

Sophie’s expressi

on softened almost immediately.

“Okay,” she said gently, raising her hands slightly. “Okay. But you need a hospital.”

Sophie crossed her arms tightly.

“I’m serious, Lena.”

Her eyes dropped to the wound again, fear flashing across her face.

“I’m taking you to the hospital whether you like it or not.”