The golden Luna Doctor

Chapter 3

-THEIA-

"Mom! Dad!" I cried out, but my voice was drowned by the clamor of battle.

My mother's pale body was contorted on the floor, motionless. Just a few feet away, my father's wolf was stretched out, its eyes vacant and lifeless. Blood was pooling beneath it, matting its fur. So much blood.

Behind me, the shouts and grunts of our warriors in pursuit echoed in my ears. A wave of sadness washed over me, tears streaming down my cheeks. Grief threatened to swallow me whole.

Suddenly, the wind shifted, and the huge black wolf paused, sniffing the air. His face turned in my direction and his cerulean eyes locked with my golden ones.

Ice to fire.

His aura radiated power and destruction, causing every hair on my body to stand on end. A shiver ran down my spine, leaving me frozen under his electric gaze. I felt my wolf frantically stirring in my mind, struggling to break free from the barrier that kept us apart, her voice muted.

The witch followed the black wolf's gaze and turned towards me. With a fierce scowl, she barked orders to her warriors, pointing in my direction. "Get that girl! Now!"

A rush of adrenalin hit me, forcing my frozen limbs to move. I pivoted and fled, my bare feet pounding against the rough floor.

With our pack busy in combat with the intruders, the gates were left unguarded. I slipped past them effortlessly and headed towards the nearby forest, my pulse pounding in my throat. Every step was a battle against the rising wave of dread and sorrow, but I forced myself to keep moving. My survival depended on it.

The trees loomed tall and dark, shadowing the moonlight. I pushed myself further inside the thick foliage, branches scratching my arms. Behind me the warriors crashed through the woods, their heavy footsteps coming nearer. My breath was coming in ragged grasps as I kept running until my path was blocked by the river.

I turned to face the two men who were only a few feet away from me. One was stocky and short with a shaved head. The other was taller, with blond spiked hair and a crooked nose. Both men exuded an unsettling, sinister presence.

"Hello, little deer. There is no need to run, we won't hurt you," said the bald man, a malicious smirk spreading across his round face. "We're the nice guys. Right, Simon?"

The taller one, Simon, scratched his chin, unsure how to answer him, "Hmm, yeah. We're super nice. "

The bald guy strode over in my direction with determined steps. "Come here."

I glanced back at the river's powerful currents, realizing there was no chance of crossing those turbulent waters. "Stay away from me!" I shouted at them, trying to sound firm, but my voice wavered.

His eyes roved over my body, and he licked his lips, causing a wave of nausea to wash over me. "Be a good girl and come to Kain. I'll take good care of you, little deer."

The twisted way his eyes gleamed told me exactly what kind of 'care' he was referring to. And I was not interested.

I was distracted by his disgusting figure and failed to notice the other guy until it was too late.

He was on me in an instant, his strong hands clamping down on my arms. I twisted my hand towards my thumb, freeing myself. Without hesitating, I drove my knee into Simon's groin. He grunted, collapsing to the floor, doubling over on his knees.

"You b.itch!" Kain bellowed, shoving me to the ground. "I've been too patient with you. Now I'll take whatever I want from your body and, when I'm done, I'll deliver you to the witch."

He knelt on my body, immobilizing me. His left hand pinned down on my arms, holding them fast, while his other hand fumbled to push down my pajama shorts.

"Don't do that, man. Hecate will not like it. You know the witch wants the girl unharmed." Simon's voice echoed from a distance.

My heart thundered like crazy in my chest, the pounding reverberating in my ears. Bile surged into my throat. My mind raced; I needed to find a way to escape him. My hands clawed at the ground until I grasped a sturdy rock. Mustering all the strength I had left, I broke my arm free and hit Kain's left eye.

He released me with a yell and I immediately scurried back on the dirt, creating distance between our bodies. With blood running down his face, he let out a loud roar and shifted in his wolf. Pouncing at me, he sank his teeth on my waist before I had a chance to escape.

His teeth pierced the skin and the pain was unbearable. I let out an agonizing scream, my vision blurred.

"Stop, Kain! The alpha will kill you!" Simon shouted.

At his plea, Kain appeared to regain his senses and released me onto the floor. Without giving him a chance to react further, I propelled myself into the river.

The strong current quickly enveloped me, sweeping me downstream at an incredible speed. I struggled tirelessly to keep my head above the water to breathe, my body scraping against the riverbed stones for what seemed like an eternity.

As the river widened, I tumbled over a waterfall. The plunge felt endless until I struck the bottom, a sharp stone colliding with the side of my head. As I was carried to the bottom, my senses finally dulled. I was giving up.

I was about to die. It was okay; I'd be reunited with my parents.

"No! You have to keep fighting!" A voice echoed in my head.

"I'm just too tired. I want to sleep now," I answered.

"You are a warrior, Theia. You're not a quitter. Now, push your body up. I'll help you." The voice insisted.

A flicker of power flowed through me, and I moved my limbs until I reached the surface. Opening my mouth, I finally inhaled air.

The river bank was close by and with what strength I had left I forced myself to swim to it. My exhausted body collapsed on the sandy shore, blood gushing from the ghastly wound. I barely survived, but I was alive.

"We did it! What is your name?" I whispered to my wolf.

"Lea. You made it, Theia. We would have been amazing together, I know. But there's no way for both of us to survive. You must continue on, my golden friend. Now, it's time for me to say goodbye."

In an instant, she was gone.

I lay on the shore, the sound of the river resonating in my ears, gathering my remaining force until I rose to my feet. I don’t know if they think I‘m dead, but I won’t stay here to find out.

I have no where to go. My pack is probably destroyed right now.

With one last glance at the river, I whispered, "Thank you, Lea. I will carry you in my heart, always."

And with that, I began my new life alone, wondering if someday I will be able to come back.