OLENA"Is everything okay?" I asked, watching him drop a grape into the basket with a quiet plop.He nodded, brushing his hand against his trousers as he smiled faintly. "Yeah, I'm just picking fruits... storing them in the fridge section."I stepped closer, eyeing the half-filled basket. "Let me help you then."He shook his head quickly and lifted the basket in both hands. "No, don't worry. I'm done already," He turned and started walking, his steps slow on the grass. I followed behind until he suddenly stopped in his tracks, glancing over his shoulder."Wait..." he muttered, brow furrowing. "June told me something... about a weird creature stopping you guys on the way back to the castle?"My breath caught for a second. I shrugged, trying to sound casual. "Yeah... but it’s fine now.""Hope you weren’t injured," he asked, concern flickering in his eyes as he looked at me.I shook my head. "No, I’m fine."We kept walking, the air quiet between us, until my eyes caught something on his
OLENAI blinked, stunned. No words could capture the jolt that slammed into my chest when I heard what she said.Did I imagine it?The wolf’s silver eyes shimmered like moonlight on metal. Then, inch by inch, its body started fading.“No, wait—” I stepped forward, heart pounding, reaching out as if I could hold onto it, keep it here with me. But the moment slipped through my fingers. It was gone. Just like that.A storm of feelings crashed through me—loss, confusion and awe all tumbling over each other too fast to catch.Then it hit.Something invisible pierced through my chest like a rush of wind, seizing my lungs, pulling my head back. My eyes rolled shut on their own as if my body no longer belonged to me."You’re no longer alone," Medea said gently, tapping my shoulder. "Your wolf will guide you now. Congratulations, you're finally whole."My lips curled into a shaky smile. Before I knew what I was doing, I grabbed Mdea’s hand, my fingers curling tight.Still smiling, I wrapped my
OLENA The next morning, I stood still in front of a wide tree, its bark dark and cracked like old stone, hidden deep in the forest. My fingers brushed over the soft fabric of the white gown clinging to my frame. Medea had sewn it herself, or so she said. She stood beside me, arms crossed, eyes locked on the same tree.“Do it again,” she said.I sighed, my shoulders sinking as I looked at her, then back at the tree. Heat rose to my cheeks. I dropped my hands to my sides, curled my fingers into fists, and drew in a slow breath through my nose.I closed my eyes. The wind rustled the leaves above us. A bird cried out in the distance. My chest rose and fell as I tried to feel something or anything stir inside me.Medea said I had power. That it was buried deep and waiting. I had no idea how to reach it, how to call it forward, but she promised to teach me. So we stood here, in the middle of the woods, trying again.Still nothing. I opened my eyes and stared at the tree, empty-handed, empt
OLENABut just before I could touch him—whack! His hand was knocked away with force, and Abraham appeared in front of me. “Let’s leave,” Abraham said firmly, grabbing my hand. His grip was strong and before I could even respond, he pulled me with him, running out of the room. My legs followed, but my mind was spinning. A witch? Me?A few hours later, we were back in the Kingdom and specifically, in the pack Witch’s chambers. The room smelled of dried herbs, candle wax, and ancient magic. Abraham was already explaining everything to Umbriel, the witch of the pack, her pale eyes fixed on me like she could read every thought in my head.I stayed quiet, but something felt off. My nose twitched as a dozen new scents rushed through me, more vivid than ever. Each one was sharp, unique, almost overwhelming.What’s wrong with my sense of smell?And then, one scent stood out which was warm, soft, sweet. It pulled me in a way I like. Vanilla. Strawberries. Something deeper, almost addictive. I
OLENAI found myself whispering under my breath just to break the silence, just to feel less alone in this room that felt like it was holding its breath.I took another slow, shaky inhale. It sounded too loud in my ears.I swear to the Goddess, I wanted to run. Every instinct screamed at me to turn and bolt.But I couldn’t.Not with Abraham still outside barely standing, blood slipping from the corner of his mouth, his body swaying like he was fighting just to stay on his feet.His eyes, half-lidded, kept flicking to me watching everything I was doing or trying to do. Barely conscious, but still holding on.So I stayed.I scanned the room. My eyes dragged across the walls, the floor, the cracked toilet, and the bone-thin skeleton, hunched like it had been waiting for someone for years.It stared at me and a chill ran down my spine. But I kept going.“Check the tiles,” Abraham rasped from outside, his voice hoarse and barely audible.I crouched slowly, fingers brushing along the edges
OLENABut it didn’t look like Abraham was going to listen. He pushed past me without a word.I turned quickly, watching him step into the bathroom.At first... nothing as I let out a shaky breath, almost relieved until I saw him stop. His head dropped slowly, then tilted slightly to the side.His eyes were closed.He took one deep breath… then another… and suddenly, his hand clutched at his chest.Something was wrong.Then...splat.A wet, sickening sound hit the floor, echoing louder than it should have.I froze.Abraham was hunched over, his waist bent forward at an odd angle. My eyes dropped to the floor and I saw it.Blood.Thick, dark, and pouring fast beneath him, like it had been waiting to escape.I slapped both hands over my mouth, gasping, too shocked to even scream.“What is it?” Catzn’s voice came from behind.He rushed to my side, eyes widening as he saw Abraham. He quickly moved, grabbed him under the arms, and dragged him out of the bathroom.Kane was still wiping at his