Chapter 5

'We’re safe now.' Audrey heard the first voice again.

She thought it was her mind playing tricks on her because she was dying, but she heard it in her mind, loud and clear.

She carefully sat up from the floor. She looked at herself and saw how heavy her clothes were soaked in blood.

“What's happening?" She whispered.

“I can see clearly...at night?” She stood up slowly, not still believing herself to stand properly. Looking around, her surroundings were unfamiliar but her vision of the trees in the forest was super clear and the sounds of the crickets and frogs from a distance poured onto her ears like they were just at her feet, even the sound of a gentle stream running calmly in the distance sounded so close.

She marveled at how strong she felt, her wounds were all healed like it was never there. She could not even feel the pain in her waist which she got three days ago by being pushed down the stairs by Cara.

“What is happening to me?” She asked no one in particular.

'Nothing.' The first voice said to her.

“Who are you, where am I?” Audrey questioned, taking slow steps into the forest, she had to find a place to rest her head tonight. She would make a better decision on what to do tomorrow when she wakes up

'I am Avery, your wolf.'

“What!” Audrey tripped on a branch, falling face-first.

She could not comprehend everything that was happening to her at once.

The reply kept repeating in her head until she could take it no more.

'I am Avery, your wolf.'

'I am Avery, your wolf.'

'I am Avery, your wolf.'

“Stop!”

She clasped her hands to her mouth, her eyes wide like saucers.

That was more of a growl than a shout. Bats and birds flew away from their habitations, scared by the loud growl they heard.

'Oops, he-he, sorry. I thought we were angry. You know? Adding the right effects.' Avery chuckled inside Audrey's head.

Audrey blinked her eyes, coming back to reality.

“That was… Us?” she asked Avery skeptically.

'Yep, and we can do way cooler stuff, you know? Wanna see?' Avery sounded too cheerful for her comfort.

“Hey, hey, let’s take it slow, okay?” Audrey reasoned.

'Fine.' Avery sighed and went silent.

Audrey smiled and shook her head, she could feel Avery sulking in her mind. Seems like she had to argue with herself a lot from now on.

She still did not know how she got here but she was happy, for the first time, she felt so happy. She was finally free, and she had a wolf. A lovely one at that.

But, how did she have a wolf? Does that mean her parents were werewolves? She had no memory of her parents and she never knew what they looked like.

'Why, thank you.' Avery smiled at the compliment.

“You hear my thoughts?” She marveled.

'I am your thoughts, duh.' Avery said proudly.

'Let’s go.' Audrey paused, this was not Avery's voice. This one was softer. More reliable.

'Killjoy,' Avery mumbled.

Audrey confirmed she was officially mad. Maybe she was dead and now she’s talking with the spirits.

'You are not wrong…' Audrey felt her body run cold, had she died in the dungeon?

'In a way.' The voice finished.

“What do you mean? Who are you?” It seemed like those were the only questions she would be asking from now on.

'I am Selena, your spirit guide.'

“Spirit guide?” Audrey questioned.

'Yes. I have been in your generation for centuries, but for many decades now, I have not found a befitting host. I am honored to be accepted by you,' Serena explained calmly.

“Wait, centuries? Host? Accept you? When did I do that?” Audrey got more confused as she spoke.

'Let’s go, you will understand.'

“Argh!”

Audrey screamed as she was suddenly pulled into a very bright vortex, colors flashing through as she fell in.

The last things she saw before she blacked out were beautiful flowers and weirdly yet beautifully shaped trees, with grasses soft and green like something from a Disney movie.

“Poor child, she’s been through a lot.”

“Who knows what they have done to her? Those monsters.”

Audrey heard voices around her but none of them were familiar to her, she did not know who they belonged to.

She slowly opened her eyes but an unbearable headache made her shut them immediately. Her head was throbbing with intense pain.

She closed them for some time and slowly opened them, everything seemed blurry at first and then it slowly cleared, allowing her to see the dome-shaped wooden ceiling above her.

She tried to sit up, but a hand held her shoulders, stopping her from doing so.

“Do not move, child. You are still weak.”

Audrey slowly lay back. She looked up at the middle-aged woman, but the face she saw was not a familiar one.

“Who are you? Where am I?” She questioned.

The woman just smiled and went over to a table to pour something into a cup.

The woman had her black hair clipped neatly to the back.

The lantern-like bulbs hanging all around the four walls of the room illuminated her fair skin, and the green flowery gown she wore created a beautiful contrast to her skin.

Audrey was lost in admiring the woman’s beauty, she did not know when the woman returned to her bedside.

“Here, drink this for your headache.” She outstretched her hand to Audrey, holding a glass cup that contained a purple liquid.

“Oh…thank you.” Audrey was jerked out of her secret admiration.

She took the glass and took a cautious sip. It was a fruity-flavored drink, it was drinkable; She drank it in a gulp. She had been water-starved for so long, the cool liquid soothing her dry parched throat.

“Thank you.” She returned the glass cup to the woman.

After placing the cup back on the table, the woman came and stood beside Audrey, but Audrey shifted away from her, not trusting her intentions yet.

“I won’t hurt you. Audrey.” The woman gently approached the bed and sat down.

“How? How do you know my name?” Audrey became nervous, this stranger was acting a bit too familiar with her. She didn't like it.

“I am Miranda, your Aunt.” She smiled warmly at Audrey.

She had been holding herself back from hugging and kissing her adorable niece ever since she appeared in their Secret Coven.

“Niece?” Audrey was astounded and confused. For the first time, someone was claiming to be related to her by blood. She felt ridiculed.

Who would want to be related to a nobody like her?

“I don’t believe you.” Audrey was in huge denial, it was written all over her face. Miranda smiled at her like she was expecting her reaction.

“I wouldn’t believe me too. It’s been such a long time... Sixteen years.” Miranda stood up and went over to the table.

She drew open the third drawer and took out an old photo album.

“Maybe when you look at these pictures, you’ll find reasons to believe me.” She placed the photo album in front of Audrey on the bed.

Audrey skeptically took it in her hands and reluctantly opened it.

The first picture she saw made her heart skip a beat, her palms became sweaty and unstable. It was a picture of the woman from her dreams.

She would recognize those familiar red hair and green eyes anywhere, they were just like hers.

Miranda noticed Audrey staring at a particular picture, she moved closer to her and caressed the face of the woman in the picture.

“I knew the moment you appeared, that you are my sister’s daughter.” She placed her hand over Audrey's, calming her jittery nerves.

“She is my… Mother?” Audrey asked. She has had an inkling about it for the past sixteen years, and the mysterious dream she had was finally becoming clear.

“Yes. She is.” Miranda said softly.