Chapter 2 Anika

I wake on hard, cold bitumen, the smell of rain on asphalt filling my lungs as my eyes flutter open. My head lifts weakly, revealing only the woods surrounding a long, deserted road. My body feels fragile, and I shiver from the chill.

“Welcome to the surface, Anika,” I whisper to myself as I struggle to stand. I manage to rise and limp eastward down the road.

I feel like I’ve been tortured for a century. Every step is agony—nearly unbearable—but I’ve endured worse in the underworld.

I continue forward, hoping to find shelter or help. Surely, the surface will be kinder than the place I came from.

After what feels like an eternity, a large moving object barrels toward me. Its blinding lights pierce the night, and the roar it makes as it speeds forward is terrifying. I freeze, mesmerized.

Beep beep beeeeeeeeeeeeep!

Why is it screaming at me? “Oh, Moon Goddess, am I going to die?” I say aloud, panicking. My heart races. I shut my eyes tight and wish myself out of harm’s way.

When I open them again, I hear a screech. The object has stopped—and somehow, I’m behind it now.

Did I teleport? Is this a new power?

Curiosity overrides fear, as usual. I walk slowly toward the object.

It opens.

A woman with dark hair and almond-shaped brown eyes jumps out and runs toward me, shouting in a British accent, “Are you okay, love? I’m so sorry—I didn’t expect anyone to be walking on the road at this hour. Oh geez, look at you! You look like you’ve been hit by a semi!”

“A semi?” I blink, confused. “What’s a semi?”

She giggles and takes my hand. “A semi is a large vehicle, also called a truck. You don’t look too good, love. I think you might have a concussion. Come with me—let me get you some help, okay?”

Her touch radiates warmth and familiarity. I sense she’s a werewolf—and relief floods me.

I hadn’t expected to meet another wolf. Not so soon. Not ever, really.

I nod, and we start walking toward the vehicle. But I stop, staring.

“What is this object?” I ask.

“This?” she chuckles. “This is a car.”

She opens a door. “Get in, love. I promise I’m not a monster. I just want to make sure you’re safe.”

Her words are ironic, considering where I’ve come from. But I obey. She joins me, leans over, and buckles my seatbelt.

“Seatbelts are for safety,” she says with a smile.

I return her smile. “I’m Anika,” I say cautiously.

“It’s lovely to meet you, Anika. I’m Olivia.”

It’s been a long time—if ever—since someone has shown me kindness. The underworld taught me cruelty, coldness, and mistrust. Olivia feels different. She’s warm. Kind. But I know trust has to be earned. I have to stay guarded.

“Anika,” she says softly. “You have the name of a goddess. Beautiful. I’ll take you to the pack hospital to get you checked out. Then you can stay with me and the pack until you’re back on your feet.”

“Olivia, I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’m... basically a rogue. I’m sure your senses have picked up on that. I doubt your pack would appreciate you bringing a rogue home.”

“Hush,” she says firmly. “Rogue or not, I’m the current Luna of the Blood Moon Pack, and no one will question my decision. It’s fate that we met. Just accept my help.”

“It’s not that I don’t want your help. But there’s something you need to know before you bring me near your pack.”

I take a breath.

“I’m cursed. I carry the touch of death. These gloves keep it contained, but if they come off... it could be fatal. I don’t want to put you—or your pack—in danger.”

“I’m not worried,” Olivia replies calmly. “I can feel your power. It surrounds you like a storm. But I sense no threat. Let's get you somewhere safe, and then we’ll talk more.”

I nod. There’s no winning this battle. I let her take me.

The drive is peaceful. Beautiful, even. For the first time in many moons, I feel safe. I gaze at the full moon above and whisper a silent thanks to the Moon Goddess. Exhaustion washes over me, and I close my eyes.

I wake when the car stops. Outside the passenger window stands a large white house. On the driver’s side, a grand fountain glows with soft lights.

“Welcome to the pack house, Anika,” Olivia says gently. “I’ve sent a mind link to the Beta to help you into the infirmary. I want to make sure you’re well before we get you settled.”

“Olivia... are you sure you want me here? I don’t want to impose on you or your pack.”

“We’re not having this conversation again,” she says with a small smile. “When Beta Briar gets here, he’ll carry you to the doctors.”

A knock on the window makes me jump. Olivia’s smile widens.

She opens her door and wraps her arms around a tall man—strong, rugged, and smiling warmly.

“Beta, I was just talking about you. I missed you boys while I was gone.”

“Luna, we’re glad you're back. Your son’s been causing trouble again—picking fights just to get under the Alpha’s skin.”

“Of course he has. He’s his father’s son. Briar, this is Anika. She’s hurt. Can you take her to the infirmary for me? I need to speak with the Alpha.”

“Yes, Luna. And afterward?”

“Nothing else. Just make sure the maid prepares a room for her. She’s my guest.”

Olivia turns to me. “Anika, this is Beta Briar. He’ll take you to get checked out. I’ll meet you there soon.”

Briar walks around the car, undoes my seatbelt, and lifts me easily into his arms. His strength is obvious, but his touch is gentle.

“I can walk,” I mumble.

“Luna said this was non-negotiable,” he teases. “Besides, it’s not every day I get to carry a lady like you.”

“Thank you... Beta. I appreciate your help.”

He winks. We walk in silence until we reach the infirmary. He gently places me on a hospital bed and leaves. A doctor arrives almost immediately.

I’m examined, x-rayed, and poked until I feel more bruised than when I started. Then Olivia appears.

“How does Miss Anika look, Doctor?” she asks.

“Luna, she’s in terrible shape. Covered in bruises and scars—signs of prolonged torture. Frankly, I’m surprised she’s alive. She’ll need rest, nourishment, and round-the-clock care. I’ll prescribe something to aid her healing, but she hasn’t met her wolf yet, so recovery will be slow.”

“Thank you, Doctor,” Olivia replies. “Briar will take her back to the house. We’ll call if anything changes.”

She turns to me. “You heard the doctor—you need rest to heal. Let’s get you settled. We can talk more in the morning.”

Before I can respond, Briar is at my side again, lifting me like I weigh nothing. We return to the pack house, and he carries me upstairs into a room bathed in pink and gold tones. He lays me gently on a large, soft bed.

As he leans down, our eyes meet. I feel my breath hitch. He stands quickly, rubbing the back of his neck, his cheeks flushed.

“Thank you, Beta,” I whisper.

He nods and exits.

The moment the door closes, sleep consumes me.