The missing bracelet
1761 Words
Emily's POV
The moment I opened my eyes, I wished I hadn't.
The cold forest floor pressed sharply against my bare skin, the biting sting of pine needles and damp earth grounding me in a nightmare I couldn't escape. Every inch of my body screamed in protest, muscles aching as I forced myself to sit up. My mind swirled in fog, but the thick metallic scent of blood in the air was unmistakable, clinging to the stillness.
The sky slowly lightened, shifting from a blanket of inky black to soft hues of lavender and dusky pink, blending into the pale gold of the first light breaking through the trees. The air hung crisp and still, filled with the earthy scent of damp moss and rotting leaves, cut by the sharp tang of pine and cedar. A faint mist curled through the underbrush, swirling like smoke as the forest gradually came alive, untouched and quiet in the early hours of winter.
How did I get here? I could remember vividly, blowing out the candle and tugging my duvet to my neck because it was a cold night. I had tossed a lot, thinking about the fact that I was mated to Caleb and Joey while pondering if Julian could feel the mate bond wherever he was.
He'd probably just reject me, no man in their right senses would choose me over Monica Radnor. My memories also flickered back to my wolf. I had never seen anything so dangerous yet beautiful before. If anyone ever stumbled across my shifted form, they would easily pinpoint that I was the Demon wolf.
I also thought of what my life at the pack house would be like now before drifting off to sleep.
I looked down. My arms, my legs—everything was smeared with dried blood. Not mine.
"No," I whispered, shaking my head. "Not again."
Lila's voice slithered into my mind, smug and venomous. "Oh, yes. Again. You didn't think I'd stay quiet forever, did you?"
My stomach turned as I stumbled to my feet, the cold biting into my skin. My heart raced as my eyes followed the trail of blood leading deeper into the woods. I didn't want to see. I didn't want to know. But I couldn't stop myself.
Each step felt heavier than the last, the scent growing stronger until I reached a clearing. The sight made my knees buckle.
Bodies. Mangled and torn, their lifeless forms scattered like broken dolls. Some human, some werewolves—none spared. The sunlight cast an eerie glow over the gruesome scene, and bile rose in my throat.
"Lila," I choked out, my voice trembling. "Why? Why did you do this?"
"Why?" she echoed, laughing darkly. "Because it's what we are, Emily. No bracelet, no spell, no pack can change that. You're just as much a monster as I am."
My hand shot to my wrist, my heart sinking as I realized it was bare. My bracelet—the only thing keeping Lila's influence at bay—was gone.
"No, no, no," I whispered, panic clawing at my chest. "Where is it? Where—"
I froze at the sound of voices in the distance. Male voices.
"Over here!" one called, gruff and authoritative.
My blood ran cold.
"It's Elder Rowan," Lila cooed mockingly. "And your favorite enforcer, Logan. They're going to find your mess, Emily. What will you tell them? Oh wait—you won't have to. They'll just kill you."
I ducked behind a cluster of trees, my breaths coming fast and shallow. From my hiding spot, I could see them. Logan Pierce, the leader of the warriors, led the group, his sharp gaze scanning the clearing. The cold gleam of his firearm caught the faint light filtering through the trees, the sleek black barrel resting easily in his gloved hand. He stood, his sharp eyes sweeping the area as he tightened his grip on the weapon, his entire demeanor rigid and ready for action.
His tall, muscular frame was tense, his sharp eyes scanning the area with precision. Beside him was Elder Rowan, the old and arrogant leader of the council. His silver hair gleamed in the moonlight, his expression filled with disdain as he surveyed the clearing.
Elder Rowan was hated in the Shadowcrest pack. He was notoriously known for kissing the asses of people with status in the pack and hating on poor people. He once judged a case a month ago. The beta's mate gave birth to a stillborn and wanted to send her packing. Elder Rowan called her a witch, ensured she was flogged publicly, and forced to watch the Beta remarry a younger woman before being publicly exiled and escorted out of the pack for rogues to finish off.
Elder Rowan was feared, his ruthless and wickedness knew no bounds in the pack and yet, no one dared crossed him. I simply avoided him like a plague. Bowing my head slightly whenever I stumbled across him in the packhouse while he glared at me from afar. There was no sugarcoating that he hated my guts.
"This is the work of the demon wolf," Elder Rowan said, his voice cold and clipped. "There's no mistaking it. Only a cursed creature could cause this level of destruction."
Logan knelt by one of the bodies, his lips curling into a grimace. "And it's getting bolder," he muttered. "Attacking so close to pack territory... It's only a matter of time before it comes for us."
"Not if we find it first," Rowan replied, his tone icy. "The council has given me full authority to deal with this... abomination. If we catch even a hint of it in the Shadowcrest Pack, we'll burn it—and anyone harboring it—alive."
My chest tightened, and I pressed myself closer to the tree. My hands trembled as Lila's laughter echoed in my head.
"They'll never stop hunting you," she said, her voice dripping with glee. "No matter how hard you run, no matter how well you hide, they'll always find you."
I couldn't stay here. If they caught even a glimpse of me, it would all be over. I turned and bolted, running as fast as my shaky legs would carry me.
___
When I finally reached the safety of my small, shabby home, I slammed the door behind me and slid down against it, my body trembling. Tears streamed down my face as I struggled to catch my breath.
Lila's voice was relentless. "You think you can keep running? You think hiding behind locked doors will save you? You're even more pathetic than I thought."
"Shut up," I whispered, wiping at my tears.
Her laugh was cruel, sharp. "What's your plan, Emily? You can't even control yourself. A bracelet? You really thought a piece of jewelry could stop me?"
I buried my face in my hands, the weight of everything crushing down on me.
The sound of a knock at the door jolted me upright.
My heart nearly stopped.
"Who's there?" I called out, my voice shaky.
“Open up, Firecracker.” A deep, commanding tone replied.
I blinked twice, tilting my head, was that in my head or was I hearing things?! Caleb Blackthorne, an Alpha of the Shadowcrest pack at my doorstep?!
Never in my life had I ever hosted a visitor. I was the only occupant in the house but occasionally, I would hear the sounds of keys jiggling, knowing Dad was back from whatever adventure he went on. The last time I saw him was two months ago.
Tessa on the other hand owed a lot of money to the Luna of the pack, she was practically a slave and could never leave the packhouse unless sent on errands to the market. Tessa’s parents were chronic debtors, so when they died in a gruesome accident, she inherited the debt.
“What do you want?” I fired shakily, tucking some strands of my hair behind my ears.
“I need to see you, Emily.”
My wolf stirred immediately, a wave of excitement coursing through me. But Lila hissed in my mind, her disdain cutting through the moment. "Oh, how convenient. Your little Alpha savior. Should I let you embarrass yourself, or do you want me to take over?"
Ignoring her, I wiped my tears with the back of my hands and scrambled to my feet, glancing down at myself. Blood. My entire body was smeared with dried blood.
"Just a second!" I called, my voice cracking.
I rushed to the bathroom, scrubbing at my skin with frantic urgency. The water ran red as I washed away the evidence of the night's horrors. My hands shook as I yanked on a clean shirt and sweatpants, trying to look even remotely presentable.
"Emily?" Caleb's voice came again, firmer this time.
"One second!" I yelled, glancing around the tiny living room. It was a mess—clothes on the floor, dishes in the sink, and the lingering smell of old takeout hanging in the air.
I sighed, quickly kicking a pile of clothes behind the couch before opening the door.
Caleb stood on the porch, his broad frame filling the doorway. His jet-black hair was tousled, his golden eyes sharp and piercing. He wore a sleek black leather jacket lined with fur for warmth, layered over a dark gray wool sweater that highlighted his muscular frame. His dark jeans, thick and insulated, fit snugly and were tucked into sturdy black boots built for snow. A charcoal scarf hung loosely around his neck.
His scent was intoxicating. It was a warm blend of smoky cedar and spicy clove, with subtle notes of vanilla and amber. He held up something in his hand, his expression unreadable.
"You dropped this last night when you ran off," he said, holding up my bracelet.
It was a thin, intricately crafted silver chain with small, shimmering charms shaped like crescent moons and stars. Its centerpiece was a glowing, deep-blue sapphire embedded with runic engravings that glimmered faintly with magic. Those runes acted as the spell anchor, keeping Lila's influence at and maintaining my control over my wolf.
My heart sank and soared all at once. The bracelet. My lifeline. My salvation.
Without thinking, I snatched it from his hand, fumbling to secure it back around my wrist. Relief washed over me as the familiar hum of its magic settled over my skin.
"Can I come in, firecracker?" Caleb asked, his tone lighter now, almost teasing.
I hesitated but stepped aside, gesturing for him to enter.
- Writer
