Once In The Dust

Willow,

I opened my eyes, feeling confused. My mind was foggy and disoriented. What is going on? I felt a light headache, but it was fading away quickly. The confusion I felt was unnatural. A few moments ago, I must have been alright to find myself in this condition. I looked around and had a Deja vu feeling. 

The grainy sand hurt my knees kneeling on the ground; I knelt in the centre, covered in dust, wounds and blood, while the guards surrounded me, half in their beast form, ready to strike. Was I the enemy? I searched my mind for answers but couldn't find any. The environment seemed unfriendly, so I did the only logical thing. I ran.

They chased me, and I pushed myself. I was confused. Why was I the enemy? What did I do? Fragments of memories reeled in my mind, but I was too afraid and confused to make sense of them.

"Hey!" I heard a voice and some growls. The guards were still chasing me, so I ran faster. I needed to get away as quickly as possible and leave now.

I moved fast and ran with all my might. While I moved through the woods, two trees fell before me, bringing me to an abrupt halt, and before I could figure out how to manoeuvre through the mess, the guards caught up with me. Against my better judgement, I knelt and placed my hand on the back of my head to surrender.

They wore me silver cuffs, and I followed them back to where I was running from.

I was back on my knees, and a familiar voice approached. She moved through the guards and stood in front of me. How could this be? Everything came back to me.

FLASHBACK.

I was on my knees and my hands were tied behind my back. The place was crowded and noisy, but I couldn't hear them clearly. I felt like I was under the water and the voices around me were muffled. All of a sudden I heard myself gasping drastically as if someone just dragged me out of water. Now the voices came strident. I raised my head and I saw those familiar faces, they all looked ferocious like some kind of monster, monsters that screamed “execute her” and  It was time for my execution.  Luna Aida wore her black clothes and wept bitterly, her lover comforting her as she rubbed her belly, crying for justice. The crowd shouted obscenities and asked for my head. They wanted me dead. There was no pity in their eyes. All I saw was rage and judgement. There was no one to speak for me or come to my rescue. The one person that could stop this was dead, and I was taking the fall for his murder.

"Execute her! Execute her!" I heard the cries of the crowd. They wanted justice, and they believed my death would give it to them.

The executioners put me on my knees, ready to lay my head. I looked at Aida where she stood and wondered if there was a soul in her. She walked to where I knelt, eyes focused on mine, revelling in her victory over me. She had succeeded. She had wanted me dead and gone for so long. I was a problem, an obstacle, and now she would finally get what she wanted. I bowed my head in defeat.

Aida lifted my chin so I could see her face. She wanted me to see her victory and accept it. No one could see the smug look on her face except me. No one could see the evil grin on her lips. She had won, and she knew it. 

"You were too stupid and naive to think you would win, Willow. Look around you. How does it feel knowing you are about to take your last breath?" She linked me and then slapped me. She dramatically stepped back and pointed at me.

"I hope you burn forever for what you have done. My child will grow up without a father because of you," She wailed, and I was angry. I had a resolve at that moment. If I could do this again, I wouldn't spare her. I will make her pay for this and expose the real culprit. The woman had no regard for life. She was a monster.

I remembered everyone's face before they laid my head to be chopped off. I cried to the goddess for redemption and for her to save me. I cried for another chance, and everything went dark.

END OF FLASHBACK.

It all came to me, and I watched Luna Aida stare at me with confusion. She and her lover plotted against me and execute me to hide their secret. I felt rage rising, but I had to be careful. I realised I had been sent back in time. To the very moment, I was arrested for trespassing. Everything was just as it was.

"Behave, Willow, we are on a clock," my wolf, Raya, warned me, and I bowed my head. Raya sounded cold; I was just as dead inside as she was. There was no time for emotions. My mind wasn't foggy anymore. It was clear, and I knew exactly what needed to be done. I needed to expose her and her lover. I also had to find the culprit that killed the alpha. I had been given a second chance and one year period to succeed. I did not plan to fail this time.

"Look at me," Luna Aida said, and I looked up at her. I tried to control a growl. She took everything away from me, including my life, to keep her secret. I bet she would have spared me if I did not know of her affair. I was about to speak when I heard another voice.

"Don't hurt her," He said, and that familiar scent filled my senses. 

My heart was racing as Alpha Christopher approached because I knew exactly what would happen. I braced myself for it. The universe made sure I would relive every moment again.

"Why did you run?" Christopher asked me sternly, and I dared not look into my mate's eyes.

"Are you dumb?" Aida asked me, and before I could speak, a guard hit the back of my head, and I fell forward, hitting the ground. There was malice in the blow. I guess they were angry I made them run.

"Don't do that again," Christopher warned the guy, and he apologised to his alpha. Christopher was friendly sometimes, and I knew this was the extent of his kindness.

"Why did you run?" he asked me again, and I managed to get back on my knees with my head bowed.

"I was afraid," I managed, and there was silence. I fought the mate's scent and locked away the longing in my heart. It was the bane of my life, and I knew I would have to live without it to survive.

"Very well then. What is your name, and why did you trespass?" He asked me the same question he had asked in the past, and I knew I had to answer so I did not get him angry. I guess my running did not alter much.

"My name is Willow Brooks. I am a lone wolf. I was travelling with my mother when Lycans attacked us. She is gone, but I managed to escape," I said, and people gasped at the mention of Lycans. Werewolf hated and feared Lycans, and I could not blame them; they were faster, stronger and more domineering than werewolves. They were like siblings that got the better genes.

"She is trouble, alpha. We have to throw her out," I heard a voice I never wanted to hear again. The treacherous Beta Mark Gilbert.

"No, we can't leave a defenceless lone wolf to survive on her own." Alpha Christopher said, repeating the same things he said in my past life.

"After here is the werewolf King's kingdom. Unless you return the way you came, and I doubt you want to. There is no need for you to be afraid. I will give you refuge here as long as you swear your loyalty to me, keep our laws, and follow our way of life, or else I might have to execute you for trespassing." He said, and he had stylishly made the obvious decision for me. I was determined to expose Aida and Mark. I was determined to succeed and redeem myself. I looked at the alpha and accepted the only choice available. I will try again.