Words of a Witch

After transforming back into my human form, I felt a wave of weakness wash over me due to the injuries Lilly sustained during the fight. I coughed up blood while lying on the dirty ground. I had no strength left to investigate who helped us, all I knew was that we were safe and would make it back to the pack house in one piece. I waited for half a minute to gather some strength and lift myself up from the ground. 

I leaned against a large tree trunk and tried to mind-link with my wolf, Lilly, but she didn't respond, which worried me. "Lilly, are you alright?".

A faint growl was the only sound I heard from my mind. She's wounded, and now she's gotten even more injuries. I couldn't help but tear up thinking about Lilly's condition. I was worried about my only friend who understood me. "Lilly." 

I breathed a sigh of relief when I heard her weak voice. "Don't worry... I'm alright." 

"I told you not to fight, and we should have just run away. But you didn't listen. Look at you now, you're even weaker." I said, trying to hide my concern for my friend. Lilly wasn't just a friend to me; she was like a sister. 

"We're not taught to run away from battles, Livia." She said, and I fell silent. She was right; Kleo taught us to fight to the end when we can. 

"But you got hurt." 

"Getting hurt is part of our life, Livia. Don't be sad; I can take care of myself. But I think I'll need to rest for a few days." 

"Alright, take care of yourself, Lilly." After talking to her, I adjusted my sitting position and closed my eyes tightly as I felt the pain in my side and back. But after a few seconds, I opened my eyes when I heard some rustling sounds. 

"Good to see you're still alive." A man stood in front of me, and I furrowed my brows at his sudden appearance. 

"Who are you?" I asked, puzzled. 

"I'm a Beta." He replied, and I looked him up and down. I noticed he wasn't wearing shirts, and his body was covered in scratches. I remembered the large wolf that helped us, and I wondered if it was him. 

"You are the one who helped us?" I asked. "Thank you so much. If you hadn't shown up, we would've been done for--" I was about to continue, but he cut me off. 

"I was just following orders." His response made me frown. 

It wasn't out of kindness that he helped us, but because he was ordered to. But who would order someone to help me? Could it be...my husband? But that's unlikely. Helping me isn't in Aldrake's vocabulary, even if I'm on the brink of death. If it were Amber, he would've saved her without hesitation. Thinking about this is giving me heartache.

"Who ordered you to help me?" I asked him. 

"You'll find out soon enough. Stand up; I'll accompany you out of this forest." He said, offering me a t-shirt. I took it, still frowning, and realized I was naked. I quickly put on the shirt and stood up, holding onto the tree for support. My leg hurt, probably from the bite in Lilly's leg. I felt dizzy, and my body ached all over. 

"Can you walk?" he asked. 

"Yes, I can manage." I replied. As we walked, I remembered he was a Beta, which meant he was likely ordered by an Alpha?. I wondered who that Alpha could be.

*****

After a long while, we finally reached the wall the man had pointed out as the exit from this forest. My companion pushed aside the branches, revealing a hole just large enough for one person to fit through. He went out first, and I followed. I almost stumbled due to the pain in my leg, but he quickly caught me. 

"T-thank you," I said softly before he let me go. 

We walked a short distance, and soon we saw the cabin the man from the party had mentioned. It was a small, old cabin, and a black car was parked beside it. I furrowed my brows, wondering if the car's owner lived in the cabin, until I saw a familiar face. It was the man who had helped me at the party, the same one who had shown me the way out of this forest. But what was he doing here? Could he be the one who had ordered the other man to help me? The man approached him and bowed his head in respect, confirming my suspicion about his status. Based on his appearance, demeanor, and presence, it's clear he's a leader. 

"You survived," he stated, rather than asked. 

I slowly approached him, and he was leaning against his car, parked right in front of the cabin door. I wonder who owns this cabin and why they're not coming out despite people being right outside. 

"We almost died if not for your man's help. Thanks again. I'll make it back to the pack house alive. I'll head out now," I said, planning to turn around, but he spoke up. "You need medical attention. Your wolf's injuries from the fight look severe, and so do your human form's injuries." He pushed off from the car and headed into the cabin without another word. 

I stood there for a few seconds, stunned, before deciding to follow him. Upon entering, I realized this was likely a healer's or a witch's home. Based on the items here, I couldn't be mistaken. I sat down in an empty chair directly across from the man named Aldus. He was busy with his phone, so I couldn't help but stare at his face. 

He undeniably possesses a handsome face and a fit physique. "Stop staring at me, woman." I was startled by his sudden comment, which made me quickly avert my gaze. 

He put down his phone and looked at me, which made me feel self-conscious. "Hmm... w-who owns this cabin?" I asked, trying to change the subject to avoid the awkwardness I felt around him. 

"An old witch. She'll be able to help you with the injuries you and your wolf sustained." He replied, then pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. He took one out and lit it, bringing it to his lips. 

"May I ask, why are you helping me? I mean, you don't even know me--" My words were cut off when he spoke after blowing on his cigarette. "And who doesn't know the Luna of the Moonlight Pack?" His response surprised me. He knows me? He knows where I'm from? But how?.

"How did you know I'm the Luna of the Moonlight Pack?" I asked curiously. He didn't answer, just shrugged slightly and took another drag on his cigarette. After a few minutes of sitting, the old woman he mentioned arrived. 

"A Luna? This is the first time I've had a Luna step foot in my home." The old crone's words made me swallow hard. Her appearance was intimidating. Her skin was wrinkled, her long nails were black, and her round eyes were the same color. Not to mention her long nose. She wore a black dress and carried a cane. 

I jumped slightly in my seat when she suddenly appeared in front of me, holding my wrist and seemingly examining it. 

"An unaccepted Luna." After saying those words, I felt a pang in my heart. She knew. Just by holding my wrist, she knew I was an unaccepted Luna. The old woman let go of my wrist and looked at Aldus, who was watching me. 

"Why did you bring her here, Your Highness?" the old woman asked Aldus respectfully. 

"They need medical attention." 

"Is that so?" The old woman walked away from us, went to the other side of the cabin, and retrieved something. When she returned, she was holding a bottle and an old, thick book. 

"Luna, can you transform into your wolf form, even if it's just for a few seconds?" she asked me. I was puzzled about why this was necessary, but Aldus spoke up. "She needs to see the state of your wolf and give it the proper treatment." I nodded slightly.

I tried to mind-link with Lilly, but she immediately refused. "I don't think I can transform anymore, Livia. Sorry." I sighed and nodded. "My wolf is too weak. She can't take over anymore".

The old woman nodded. "That's alright. Let's begin." After saying that, she sat beside me and started working on her task. After a few minutes, she finished, and I thanked her. "Thank you so much." 

"No need to thank me, Luna," she said with a smile. We stayed there for a few more minutes before Aldus decided it was time to leave, and I followed suit. As we were saying our goodbyes, the old woman suddenly leaned in and whispered, "You're a Luna, but you don't have a mark proving you're unaccepted by your mate. You're close to the third full moon, and you still haven't completed the ceremony to bond with your partner. This will cause your wolf and your body to weaken severely. Worse, it will lead to your wolf's death. While there's still time, find your true partner."