Something Disturbing

There was something special to being a Hawthorne. The Hawthorne name was respected throughout the country because of this one reason, and that reason was that they were blessed by the goddess. Their silver hair, believed to bear semblance to the moon goddess, was what identified her as a Hawthorne and nothing more.

While her family, though late, were remembered for the gifts—her father had great strength, one that rivaled the lycans despite being a wolf shifter if not surpassing most of them. Her brother possessed the ability to heal, not just himself, but others too. His battle prowess was sung by many.

While, Esme, had not even a wolf of her own. Her mother, though not Hawthorne by birth, was a skilled warrior, but she—Esme, was weak. For someone born into a family of warriors, she was a disgrace, and if her family were alive to see her now, they would be greatly disappointed.

Esme cried for herself for so long that she lost track of time and didn't even know when she fell asleep, but she welcomed the darkness. Her mind drifted off, wandering within the darkness. The coldness of the void somehow felt comforting. It was nothing new to her.

Until something within the void changed. Her feet that had been floating aimless found solid ground, though cold, but she could feel it. Her eyes then fluttered open, and she gazed into nothingness.

“Where am I?” Esme asked. Her eyes are searching for anything—a sign. But nothing came into view. Then suddenly out 9f the darkness, a glimmer of light appeared. Faint, but it was there. Seeing the light, Esme wasted no time and chased it, and the moment she stepped into its shadow, she found herself on another plane. Her feet stood on the water surface, the sky of the most beautiful shade of blue that she had ever seen.

Time ticked by speedily, days and nights flashed within a moment, and just like that, two days had passed. “What's going on here?” She wondered aloud. Just as she spoke, time seemed to stop, and the sound of a ticking clock was heard. Once it stopped, it was the third day.

Her feet landed on the ground of the NightCrawler Pack. This caused a deep furrow between her brows; she attempted moving forward, but her feet refused to listen to her as they stood rooted to the same spot. A rumble from afar shook the ground, and soon, wails filled the air and the metallic stench of blood.

Emde turned around and found the pack house on fire. It happened so fast that she did see how it all happened. The packhouse crumbled down to dust the very next second.

“Stop running and fight,” she heard Dawson's frantic yell from within the flames and rubles.

Esme frowned upon hearing that voice. It didn't hepo when she heard a low growl com8ng from behind her, and her heary nearly leaped through her mouth as she saw Alpha Dane's phone stalling behind her. He dashed forward, and she instinctively shielded her face and screamed.

“NO!!”

She expected the pain of the impact but felt nothing. Rather. She felt something go through her, and she opened her eyes just in time to see the tail of his wolf passing through her like she was just air and her eyes widened. Her thoughts were terrified when another growl echoed inside, followed by many others.

Those who survived ran out with bruises and deep cuts on the bodies. Bleeding from everywhere, her eyes could see. Trailing her eyes back, her heart stopped.

Unfamiliar roars were heard, and within seconds, she saw creatures she had never seen before emerging from within the rubles. Their eyes were round and big and red. Though small, they looked bulky, radiating nothing but raw strength.

“What are these things?” Esme uttered in a whisper as if afraid she would be heard. Her heart jumped once again when the unknown creatures stared directly at her as if it could see her. It even started steps towards her and even sprinted.

Esme tried to run, but she couldn't. Her feet were still glued to the same spot. Everything started to spin when a low and ferocious growl erupted from behind. The growl sent ripples down her spine like none other ever had. But that was the last thing she registered before she stirred awake

She glanced around and realized that she was still in her room.

“It's just a dream,” she whispered, touching her chest, trying to calm her fast beating heart. “But it felt so real,” Esme was so engrossed in her thoughts that she failed to notice the light glow of her hair and eyes. “Shouldn't I tell them?” She didn't think anyone would believe her. She didn't even know why she had such a dream.

The creatures she saw, they don't exist. So there was no way that could ever become a reality, but there was this nagging feeling, urging her to warn the pack.

“Do I really have to? No one would believe me even if I told them. I wouldn't even believe myself if I were someone else,” Esme thought, but remember everything that her family did for the pack survival? She knew she couldn't let them down. If they didn't believe her and if it really came through, then she wouldn't be blamed, and her conscience would be clean

She rose to her feet and then realized that she was still locked inside. She looked out the window, the moon was still up in the sky, and she realized that the first day that passed in her dream would be in a few hours.

She began banging on the door hard and loud if anyone was sleeping. They would be awake by now, but she didn't care. There was undeniable to warn them. Depriving them a night of rest is better than sleeping eternally. Still, no one came to open the door, and Esme felt her strength leave her once again, but she didn't give up. Fuelled with rage and desperation, she punched the door as hard as she could and much to her surprise there was a dent on the door but she didn't stop and threw another punch and the door crumbled.

Esme stood up, her breath ragged, and beads of sweat formed on her forehead. Her hair glowed wildly and fluttered behind her as if the wind from outside had broken through the closed window. But all of these were oblivious to Esme.

As he dashed through the hallways, she realized that the party was still ongoing, and she went into the hall, and all eyes returned to her. Many wire the look of surprise while others took on her disheveled appearance and snickered.

“She was affected by the rejection after all,” someone uttered, "And those around him chuckle in mockery.” Esme knew without a doubt that this member of her pack.

“Alpha,” her eyes found Dane, and the man stared at her with shock. He didn't expect her to be out here. Not after he locked her in. Suspicion grew in his gaze, thinking someone had released her without his permission. “There is something I must tell you,’ Esme's voice pulled him back, and he glowered at her.

Esme swallowed the umpteenth in her throat as she thought about what would happen once she told him, and he didn't believe her. He would definitely do something grim.

“The packing is in danger,” she began, and his expression darkened even further. “In two days, it will be attacked, please…” she trailed off when his eyes glazed over and his wolf took over. Esme took a cautious step back, but that was pointless. He could still get to her before she could make a run for it.

°°

Away from the NightCrawler Pack, a man was seated behind the desk in his study when the door opened and hurried footsteps approached in. He raised his head and found his beta with a worried expression.

“What…”

“We have a problem, your Majesty,” the beta said even before he could speak.

His brows knitted together in distaste.

“The witch, she saw something—something disturbing,” he said, but that didn't ease the deep furrow in the king's expression. “It would be better if you talk to her yourself.”