Light in the Dark

Zara’s POV

The forest was quiet, too quiet. I’d walked for hours, walking  through tall grass, jumping over fallen logs, and letting my legs carry me as far away from Mooncroft as they could. The pain from my bruises had dulled into a deep, throbbing ache. My feet were blistered, and I hadn’t eaten since morning, but I didn’t stop. Couldn’t stop.

Eventually, I reached a riverbank, far beyond any place I’d ever explored. I dropped my bag and crouched near the water, letting the cold wash over my hands. The reflection staring back at me didn’t feel like me anymore. My bottom lip was still swollen from Mira’s punch. My cheekbone was a faint shade of purple. And yet, I wasn’t crying.

I was free. I leaned against a tree and closed my eyes. Half of me wanted to scream into the night, to cry until my chest emptied of every heavy thing it carried. But the other half, the stubborn, broken part wanted to turn back. Not to beg. Not to crawl back to the pack. No, that part of me wanted one thing.

I want answers, to demand answers from Dareen. Why did Darren lie?

Why didn’t he fight for me?

Why was I thrown away like I meant nothing?

I was still thinking about it when I heard the snap of a twig. My eyes flew open. It wasn’t a deer. It wasn’t the wind. I could feel it.

I wasn’t alone.

I quickly grabbed my bag and backed away, my heart racing. My senses were sharper than usual, not from power, but from fear. I could feel the presence of some people coming closer to where I was. They were extremely close to me. .

I turned and ran.

I didn’t know where I was going, but my legs didn’t care. My body was running on survival now. My lungs burned. Branches slapped my arms and legs, but I didn’t stop.

Then I heard a voice from behind, their footsteps approaching very heavy and faster. They were following me.

Panic gripped me, I don't know who they were, but I know they won't take it lightly with me.

“Leave me alone!” I screamed into the trees. No response. I just felt that they were fast approaching me like a wind. 

.

I darted between two trees and down a narrow path, hoping I could lose them. But no matter how fast I ran, they were right behind me.

Suddenly, something hard hit my back.

I cried out and crashed to the ground, rolling down a slope and landing flat on my stomach. Pain exploded through my ribs.

Before I could crawl away, someone grabbed my hair and yanked me up.

“Well, well,” a voice smirked. “The little stray thought she could run.”

I was dragged to my knees.

Six figures stood around me, all dressed in black. I didn’t recognize any of them, until the last one stepped out from the shadows.

Lily.

Her blond hair was tied back neatly. Her white coat is still spotless. Her smile… cruel.

“Oh Zara,” she said sweetly. “I told Darren to exile you, but I had a feeling that wouldn’t be enough.”

I spat blood on the ground near her feet. “You followed me?”

“Of course.” She knelt down in front of me, her eyes cold. “You were always a threat. A thorn in my perfect little future.”

I glared at her. “He still loves me. That’s why you’re so scared.”

Her expression was unexplainable for a moment, then she slapped me. I think it was hard to describe at that point. 

“You think I’m scared of you?” she hissed. “You’re wolfless, powerless, forgotten and lastly you have nobody.”

“Zara, read my lips, you are nothing, but a forgotten wolf.”

I tasted blood again but didn’t look away. “Then why go this far? If I’m nothing?”

“Because even a spark can start a fire,” Lily said, rising to her feet. “And I have plans. Big ones.”

I narrowed my eyes. “What kind of plans?”

She laughed. “Oh, you really don’t know anything, do you?”

She turned to one of her men. “Tell her.”

The man stepped forward. His eyes were pale gray. “There’s a school,” he said. “A hidden one. Where powerful magic is taught. Only the worthy are invited. Royals, high alphas… and chosen Lunas.”

Lily stepped forward again. “And I’m going to be one of them. Step by step, power by power, I’ll climb until I’m untouchable. And you?” She looked at me like I was trash. “You could ruin that. Darren’s feelings for you… they’re a crack I can’t afford.”

She raised her hand.

“Kill her.”

The men moved towards me, my heart race, waiting for miracle to happen, I screamed at the top.of my voice.I reached into my bag for anything, anything and my hand closed around the pocket watch.

My mother’s watch the only thing that was left to me by  her, I held it tight against my chest and closed my eyes. If this was the end, at least I had one piece of her with me.

But just as the first man raised his blade, suddenly a light burst from my chest, the light was blinding, warm and at the same time blazing. 

It pushed everyone back like a force field, sending them flying through the trees. they were all.screaming, the atmosphere changed. Birds scattered. I couldn’t see.

The watch in my hand was glowing just like gold and silver threads of light weaving in the air like stars. I tried to hold on, but my body was shaking. And then… Everything went dark.