Chapter Two: Missing Adelia

Reina stood still for long, looking distant and lost until she heard the birds chirping. She chuckled at her self-righteousness that seem to have inspired that redheaded girl. ‘She had never know, how dark the other side of people could be.’ She thought.

As she wandered through the forest, Reina walked through the unfamiliar trees and heard the songs of unknown birds, she felt a sense of excitement and adventure stirring within her. That adventure she gave up for something else, for someone who had never noticed her. She smirked at the thought of her new but dark ambition.

As she walked deeper into the forest, Reina’s mind wandered back to how her thoughts had become an obsession and with her obsession came a dark ambition over these years. The thought of it sent shivers down her spine, but she couldn’t deny the thrill it brought her. She had always played by the rules, done what was expected of her, but now she wanted to break free from the constraints of societal norms.

The forest grew darker as she walked further, the trees closing in on her, but she wasn’t afraid. She felt a sense of power coursing through her veins, as if the forest itself was bowing down to her. She knew that she had the potential to be something great, to leave her mark on the world. But she also wanted something else, something she never told anyone and now, she would go extra lengths for it, regardless of who came in the way.

Speaking of who, Adelia pretty face appeared in her head. “The next phase is here.” She smiled mysteriously.

Reina’s footsteps quickened as she made her way through the overgrown path, her mind consumed with thoughts of Adelia. She had known Adelia for years, ever since they were both young girls, but their relationship had not changed. Adelia had somehow become her entangled in the quest of reaching her obsession, her dark desires.

Then she took a turn to approach Russe’s cabin, she could feel her heart hammering in her chest. It had been weeks since they had last spoken, and she could picture his miserable self secluded in sorrow. ‘Tskk, Adelia really didn’t hesitate to dump him.’ She thought. Reina pushed open the door to Russe’s cabin and stepped inside.

Russe was sitting on his office chair, his long brown hair cascading around his shoulders. He gave off a dark and sorrowful vibe that made her want to hug all his pain away. Russe looked up as Reina entered the room, his eyes narrowing in annoyance.

“Didn’t I say I don’t want visitors?” Russe asked, his voice cold.

Reina ignored her question and walked over to his bookshelves, picked up a stool and sat down right in front of him.

“Till when will you stop acting like this?” she asked him, folding her arms.

Russe scoffed, his eyes still fixed on the papers in front of him. “Like what? Trying to deal with my broken heart in peace?” he retorted, his voice laced with bitterness.

Reina shook her head, her eyes softening as she looked at him. “No, Russe. Shutting everyone out and wallowing in your pain. You need to take time to heal, but you can’t do it alone,” she said gently.

Russe’s eyes met hers, and for a moment, she saw the pain and vulnerability that he was so desperately trying to hide. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, his eyes closing for a moment.

“You’re right, Reina. I just... I don’t know what to do,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

Reina reached out and took his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. “That’s okay. We’ll figure it out together. I could help you check on her, perhaps she had give you another chance of you continued showing her your sincerity.” she said, a small smile gracing her lips.

Russe looked at her, his heart feeling lighter at the thought of not having to go through his pain alone. He squeezed her hand back, grateful for her presence.

As they sat there in silence, Russe thought about everything that had happened. The breakup, the heartbreak. He didn’t know how to pick up the pieces of his shattered heart and move on.

But with Reina by his side, he hoped to earn back her love once again. Adelia was his light in the darkness, his anchor in the storm. He assured himself that with Reina’s help, he could slowly but surely get back Adelia’s heart, but also heal and find his happiness in her once again.

He looked at her and smiled, a small but genuine one. “Thank you, Reina,” he said softly.

Reina smiled back, her eyes shining with warmth and understanding. “Anytime, Russe. I’m here for you,” she replied, giving his hand another squeeze.

“So, could you help me check on her whereabouts? I need to know that she’s okay Reina.” Russe asked in an unsettled voice.

Reina nodded, her expression turning serious. “Of course, Russe. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure she’s safe and well.”

Without another word, Reina quickly set to work, pulling out her phone and scrolling through her contacts. She knew just who to call to get information about Adelia’s whereabouts. “It’s possible that she is still in the woods since getting out of this forest is no easy feat. Let’s go look around.”

Russe’s heart swelled with gratitude towards his warrior friend. He knew that Reina would always have his back, no matter what. With a sense of relief coursing through him, he leaned in to plant a soft kiss on her cheek.

“Thank you, Reina,” he murmured, his lips lingering for a moment longer than necessary.

Reina’s cheeks flushed pink, and she couldn’t help the fluttering sensation in her stomach. Russe had always been the finest man in the Teros Pack and any female werewolf would love to have a mate like him. Seeing him so vulnerable and in need of her help only made her feel assured that things would get better, for her. 

“Let’s search the woods, shall we?” Reina proposed.

You think she is still around somewhere?” Russe asked.

“Hopefully, the Teros forest has never been easy to escape you know.” She winked at him.

For days, they made their way through the woods, the tension between them was palpable. Reina’s heart raced faster with every step, feeling Russe’s warm hand in hers. She yearned to be the one to comfort him, to take away his pain. She felt really tempted to make him forget about Adelia.

But the sound of a twig snapping underfoot halted their progress. Both of them froze, their senses sharp and alert. Reina’s hand dropped from Russe’s, and she reached for her dagger.

“Stay behind me,” she commanded, her voice low and steady.

Russe nodded, his eyes scanning the shadows for any signs of danger. In the distance, they could hear a low growling sound. As they moved closer, a figure emerged from the darkness, its eyes glowing with an eerie golden light.

It was Adelia, but something was different about her. Her once beautiful fur was matted and unkempt, and her eyes held a wildness that made Reina’s heart skip a beat. Russe stepped forward, his hand outstretched to soothe Adelia, but she growled louder, baring her sharp teeth.

“Stop!” Reina shouted, stepping in front of Russe. “That’s not Adelia anymore. Something’s taken hold of her.”

Russe nodded, his hand still outstretched. “But we can still help her,” he said softly. “We just need to get her back to the Pack.”

But as they approached Adelia, she lunged forward, her claws extended. Reina swung her claw, narrowly missing Adelia’s attack. The wolf retreated, disappearing back into the shadows.

“We have to find her,” Russe said, his voice shaking. “We can’t leave her like this.”

Reina nodded, her heart heavy with the weight of their mission. They continued deeper into the woods, their senses on high alert. But as the night wore on, their hope began to fade. Adelia was nowhere to be found.

Exhausted and defeated, the two companions stumbled upon a clearing. In the centre of it stood a large tree, its branches reaching towards the sky like fingers grasping for something just out of reach.

Without warning, a voice called out from the darkness.

“Who goes there?”

Reina and Russe spun around, their bodies prepared to shift, and their weapons at the ready. Out of the shadows emerged a figure, cloaked in black.

“State your business,” the figure demanded.

“We’re searching for a friend,” Russe spoke up, his voice steady. “A wolf named Adelia.”

The figure nodded, stepping closer. “I may be able to help you,” they said cryptically. “But it won’t be easy. Follow me.”

With no other leads, Reina and Russe trailed after the mysterious stranger, their nerves on edge.

They arrived at a small cabin, tucked away in the corner of the clearing. The figure gestured for them to enter.

The figure’s voice hissed and crackled like a campfire in the wind. The voice of the figure was that of several women talking at the same time, their tone high and raspy.

Outside, a storm was brewing, a low rumble of thunder and the flash of lightning illuminating the sky. The world fell silent for a fleeting moment, then exploded with the power of the heavens. Reina and Russe stepped cautiously inside the cabin, their eyes adjusting to the dimly lit interior. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering shadows across the room.

“Who are you?” Reina asked, her claw hand still tightened.

“I am called the Keeper,” the figure replied, a sly smile curling at the edges of their lips. “And I may be able to help you find your friend.”

Russe stepped forward, hope shining in his eyes. “Please, we’ll do anything,” he pleaded.

The Keeper nodded, their eyes darting between the two companions. “Very well,” they said. “But first, I must know what you are willing to sacrifice.”

Reina bristled at the words, her claw hand tightening. “We aren’t sacrificing anything,” she snapped. “We just want to find Adelia.”

The figure chuckled, their eyes glinting with amusement. “Everything comes at a cost, little one. Every love, every wickedness, every deceit, every deception and every favour.” Reina avoided the figure’s knowing eyes that seem to know her soul itself.

Russe stepped forward, his voice quiet but determined. “We’ll do whatever it takes to find Adelia,” he said firmly. “But we won’t sacrifice our morals or our souls for it.”

The Keeper cackled, their amusement growing. “Oh, how noble of you. But I’m afraid finding your friend requires a greater sacrifice than mere morals or souls.”

Reina frowned, her grip relaxing slightly. “What do you mean?” she asked cautiously.

The Keeper approached them, their eyes flashing with dark magic. “The only way to find Adelia is to enter the realm of the Mevara,” they said solemnly. “You must journey through the Shift Tower and face the challenges that lie within. But be warned, the cost of entering the realm of the Mevara is steep. You must give up a part of yourself.”

Russe and Reina exchanged a nervous glance. “What kind of part?” Russe asked.

The Keeper smiled wickedly. . “It could be anything. Anything that makes you who you are.”

Reina’s grip on her dagger tightened once again. “We won’t let you take anything from us,” she growled.

The Keeper shrugged. “The choice is yours, but time is running out. Adelia’s soul is slipping away, and soon she will be lost forever. She touched the Mevara tree in her human form, also in that kind of condition, she is bound to be punished by the Moon Goddess.”

Russe stepped forward, his eyes blazing with determination. “We’ll do it,” he said firmly. “We’ll enter the realm of the Mevara and find Adelia, no matter the cost.”

Reina nodded in agreement. “We’re in this together,” she said, her voice steady. “Let’s go.”

The Keeper cackled once more, their dark magic swirling around them. “Very well,” they said. “But remember, once you enter the realm of the Mevara, there is no turning back.”

Without another word, the Keeper disappeared into the eerie night.