Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

Lena's POV

Standing before the old, dilapidated shack, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of apprehension and curiosity.

This was the home of the pack witch, the one person rumored to hold answers to the inexplicable changes that had consumed my life.

The journey to reach this remote location had been no easy feat, involving a series of bus transfers and countless hours on the road. But I knew deep down that it was a necessary step in my quest for understanding.

The shack loomed before me, its weathered wooden exterior seeming to hold centuries of untold stories. Its windows were cloudy, veiling the mysteries that lay within.

The wind whispered through the cracks, as if carrying the secrets of the witch's ancient wisdom. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the encounter that awaited.

As I approached the creaking front door, a chill ran down my spine, and a pang of uncertainty tightened in my chest.

I reminded myself of the desperation that had driven me to embark on this journey, the burning desire to unravel the enigma of my white hair and the pale blood that flowed from my wounds.

With a trembling hand, I reached out and grasped the rusted doorknob. It yielded with a slight resistance, as if reluctant to grant me entry.

As the door swung open, a musty scent wafted out, mingling with the earthy aroma of dried herbs. The interior of the shack was dimly lit, illuminated only by flickering candles and the faint glow of scattered talismans.

A sense of reverence settled upon me as I took in the scene before me. Shelves lined with dusty books, jars filled with peculiar ingredients, and a worn wooden table adorned with intricate symbols. It was a place steeped in ancient wisdom and mystical energy.

I called out tentatively, my voice barely above a whisper, "Hello? Is anyone here?" The words hung in the air, carried away by the silence that enveloped the shack.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, her presence commanding and otherworldly. The pack witch, with silver-streaked hair and piercing eyes, regarded me with a mixture of curiosity and wisdom. Her voice, when she finally spoke, carried the weight of centuries.

"You have sought me out, child," she said, her voice a melodic whisper. "What brings you to my humble abode?"

"Great one, there is something I must show you," I said, my voice quivering slightly. "Look at my hair. It turned white, inexplicably, overnight."

With a nervous breath, I slowly reached up and pulled off my hoodie, revealing my stark white hair to the pack witch.

The flickering candlelight cast an ethereal glow upon my transformed locks, emphasizing the stark contrast against my skin.

The pack witch's eyes widened slightly as she took in the sight before her. She leaned in closer, her gaze intense, as if peering into the depths of my being. Silence enveloped us, as if the room held its breath, waiting for her response.

"And that's not all," I continued, my voice barely above a whisper. "My blood, it's not red anymore. It's...white."

I extended my hand, my palm trembling slightly, displaying the cut that marred my skin. Beads of pale white blood welled up from the wound, a stark contrast to the crimson that should have stained my flesh.

The pack witch's expression grew solemn, her eyes filled with a mixture of concern and curiosity. She reached out and gently took hold of my hand, examining the pale blood that pooled there.

"This is indeed a peculiar phenomenon," she said softly, her voice laced with a tinge of awe. "It is rare to witness such a profound alteration in one's physicality. You have caught my attention, young one."

Her words filled me with a mix of hope and trepidation. Finally, I had found someone who acknowledged the magnitude of my transformation, someone who could potentially provide the answers I desperately sought.

"I need your help," I pleaded, my voice tinged with a vulnerability I couldn't conceal. "I need to understand what is happening to me, why these changes have occurred."

The pack witch released my hand and stood back, her gaze fixed upon me with a newfound determination. Her voice carried a weight of responsibility as she spoke, "Lena, daughter of the pack, your journey has just begun. I will guide you through the realms of magic and secrets, but know that the path ahead is treacherous and filled with unknown dangers. Are you prepared to face them?"

A surge of determination coursed through my veins as I met her unwavering gaze. The uncertainty and fear that had consumed me were momentarily eclipsed by a fierce resolve.

"Yes," I replied, my voice steady. "I am ready to uncover the truths that lie hidden within me, no matter the cost."

"Lena, you are no ordinary being," she began, her words tinged with both solemnity and wonder. "You are a gift from the goddess herself, a White Wolf. It is said that once in a decade, a being of such rare distinction is born, destined to shape the course of fate."

I listened intently, my heart pounding with a mixture of astonishment and trepidation. The realization that I held a pivotal role in a cosmic struggle between powerful and non-powerful species was overwhelming, yet it resonated deep within me.

"The prophecy foretells a looming war," the pack witch continued, her voice hushed with gravity. "A war that threatens to shatter the fragile balance between these two worlds. And it is you, Lena, who has been chosen to put an end to this conflict, to bridge the divide and restore harmony."

As her words sank in, my mind swirled with a whirlwind of emotions. I struggled to comprehend all that was being said to rme.

"The White Wolf possesses powers beyond comprehension," the pack witch explained, her voice filled with a mix of reverence and caution. "Your strength, your connection to the natural world, your ability to navigate between realms — all these gifts shall aid you on your path. You are hifyrd Lrna"