Chapter 18

Sara's POV

Having finished my delicious meal of noodles that Gwyneth kindly brought me. I continued to read for some time, engrossed in the history of wolves. After a while, I began to feel restless like there was something important I had forgotten. Hearing the chatter and commotion nearby left me with a pang of sadness that I was not involved - I had been so used to being part of the pack since arriving, I had never felt more out of place here than I did tonight. Suddenly, I felt a huge amount of regret for napping. An early night sleeping through the party was not on the cards for this evening. Pacing the room, I went over everything, continuously making sure all was in its rightful place. The room was always kept tidy. I knew better than to leave it messy - years of living with my military father taught me to never leave my bed undone. Looking down at the floor, I made the decision to pull the circular, cream crocheted rug out from under the bed and move it over to underneath the window seat, in an attempt to keep myself busy. Desperately trying to distract myself, it seemed like a great idea to clean up my bed. I unmade the bed, removing the white bedding that was currently on it, then remaking it with new navy blue bedding I found in a laundry room down the hall. The smell of fresh laundry filled the room. Brushing down each corner of the duvet, the soft cotton material tickles my fingers. Lastly, I placed the cushions against the smooth branched headboard, the navy blue sheets seemed to compliment the headboard, and the wood seemed to have a newfound deepness to it. My nerves still had not settled, and my body felt like I had forgotten something, leaving me feeling chewed up. Mimicking the pacing inside me, I paced the room a few more times before I walked over to the window to try and watch the celebration, rhythmically stroking my chest. The knots from the crocheted rug softly dug into my bare feet, massaging them as I walked over it. Tucking my knees up to my chest, I sat on the bench seat at the window, leaning my forehead against the cold glass to better see the people moving below. Watching them sway was hypnotic, and before long I was lost in a daydream - goosebumps started at my neck and spread over my whole body as I offered up my neck to Drew and had me turn into a wolf, much like the way Arius offered to change me. I lose myself in the thought of what my life could be like. As my mind started to clear the fog, my senses were returning as I blinked away the daydream.

The full moon was big and beautiful tonight, a strange bright yellow hue covered it entirely - I can't say I had ever noticed the colour of a full moon before, it had me fixated on it. It was mesmerizing.

The coldness of the air infiltrated my lungs and the scent of the forest seemed stronger than ever. Uncertainty about how I got outside consumed my thoughts, yet I did not stop moving. How long had I been outside? One foot in front of the other, the dry leaves and sticks crunching underfoot as I marched - my destination was unknown, yet my body knew where I was heading. The world's vibrations travelled into my body through my bare feet. I knew I should not be out. I knew that I should be tucked up in my bed sleeping. I had promised to stay out of the way, so I found myself unconsciously slinking into the shadows on my journey to avoid detection. It was as if the moon was lighting my path and all I had to do was follow it. The path around me felt so familiar. Gazing around between the trees and stone rocks, I realised I had walked to the lagoon - my body instinctively knew where to go, yet I had only come here once carried on Drew's back. Knowing the way is not something I should have remembered but my mind did, without me even realising this.

The height of the moon in the sky indicates I have about one, maybe two hours before it hits its peak. The rough rock rubbed across my fingers as I trailed them over the ridges of the rock's face, hoping to find an entrance I knew would not be there. My fingers had grown sore as finally, in defeat, I slumped to the dry, dusty earth. With pursed lips, I twisted my face contemplating my options. The first option: I could walk back and sneak back into the house. I do not believe I would be fortunate enough to make this trip twice and remain unseen - I got lucky the first time. My second choice was I could hang around until the morning and hope nobody came across me, then when the sun rose I could claim I was out for an early morning walk. Pondering my options, neither felt like the right choice. I know it's pointless being here - logically, I cannot get in, yet I cannot tear my eyes away from the solid stone entrance. Swiftly leaping to my feet, I searched all around the floor. I picked up and discarded various different sized and shaped rocks until I located one I could use. I hissed as warm blood filled my palm from pulling the sharp edge of a thin, slate stone over my hand, cutting it deep. The blood flowed from the wound, the sticky red substance filling my cupped palm like a bowl, trickling over the edges and down my wrist. Salt and pennies. The smell of the blood sends a flash of something flooding my brain, the image only lasted for only a moment before disappearing and leaving me unsteady on my feet. Regaining my balance, I swept my bloody hand over the rock. I said with as much confidence as I could muster "I, Sara Glover, a friend of the alpha blood, seek entrance once more to the sacred lagoon... please." Stepping back, watching with hope. Much to my disappointment, nothing happened. All I managed to do was bloody up the rock and hurt myself once again. i***t. Feeling a fool for even considering it, I pulled my hands over my face, exasperated, leaving fresh blood smeared over the left of my face. A slight hissing noise directly ahead of me gets my attention. Upon removing my hands, I saw my blood slowly sinking into the rocks - it was being absorbed. My eyes widened in disbelief as I saw the doorway appear. Not wanting it to have the opportunity to disappear on me, I bounded through it haphazardly, heart pounding in incredulity.

Unsteady on my feet I stumbled on my landing, which resulted in me knocking straight into a large sharp petal flower. With the impact, a huge puff of pollen powder filled in the air choking me - a coughing fit ensued, leaving me light-headed. Regaining my balance, I brushed my hands off onto my vest top as I continued to walk into the centre of the lagoon. Luckily for me, my vest was black hiding the blood well. I walked for a couple of minutes until I found myself back at the water's edge. My surroundings spun around me as if I had drunk one too many beers. After the 3rd spin, I chose to sit on the ground. Still feeling dizzy from the pollen attack, I remained seated leaning over to stroke the water. Jumping as my bloodied face was reflected back at me, taking me aback. "It must have been from rubbing my hand over my face earlier," I thought to myself. Scooping up some of the cool water, I splashed my face to wash away the blood. After a number of handfuls, I hoped the job was done. The water settled, allowing me to use the reflection of the water as a mirror. Using my fingers, I wiped the water from under my eyes. As I watched the water, a movement over my left shoulder caught my attention. I cursed inwardly for getting caught - I could see a white wolf in the reflection. Panicking, I turned to see who was there. My heart thumped in angst as I searched all around me, only to discover there was nobody. I was alone.

My conscience was playing tricks on me. The reason for this I can not be sure - I am aware I am meant to be indoors, out of sight. Perhaps I imagined getting caught. After all, I did not recognize the white wolf, nor have seen a single wolf with any white since I have been here. I put the experience down to paranoia and chose to move on. Pulling my vest over my head and throwing it down to the sandy floor as I continued to undress. The moment I had finished, I instantly jumped into the lagoon, goosebumps covering my body as the cold water coated every inch of my body. I watched the ripples my movements caused travelling over the top of the water in every direction. I still find myself glimpsing over to where the wolf was, wondering, doubting my own mind. A yellow glow crept over the water as the moon reached it's full peak as midnight arrived. My eyes lock on the moon, unable to look away. The moon blooms began puffing spores into the air. I realised that was what I had bumped into earlier, yet I still could not tear my eyes from the moon. Pressure from the moon's rays held me in place as if the water had turned to cement around me, making me feel full. For a full minute, I was stuck in place, unable to move. After that moment passed, I found I was able to focus once more, though I could feel the moon in the sky like a magnet. Breathing in the spores from the moon blooms, the scent was heavenly, but it appeared I was unaffected by the flowers. It did make me slightly dizzy, but otherwise, I felt totally fine. Tickling the water with my hands, I swam, enjoying the peace the lagoon offered. A white stone under the water shone in the moonlight. It was in the same place I got stuck under the water previously. My body shook remembering Drew saving me, the feeling of being totally safe within his swells my heart. It occurred to me this may be the same stone I was drawn to before. Although it seemed unlikely, I definitely felt drawn to the stone. Concern crossed my mind at the thought of getting the stone. The stone called to me and I felt forced to retrieve the stone from the water. The dizziness from the blooms making me feel slightly tipsy encouraged me enough to go for it, regardless of the risks. Inhaling deeply to fill my lungs, I dived under swimming down. It felt like it was taking too long to reach the bottom. As though time has changed into slow motion. I reached out my fingers, clawing them around the white stone, clenching it in my fist as I fought to get back to the surface. Exploding out of the water, I threw my hair back out of my face gasping for a fresh breath of air. Having paddled over to the water's edge, I jumped out to examine the stone. It glowed beautifully like the moon. Turning it over in my palm, it was just a standard smooth stone. The lack of oxygen or the moon blooms, I am unsure which, had me becoming dizzier and dizzier by the minute. Feet still dangling in the cold water, I once again caught a reflection out of the corner of my eye. A white wolf - I am sure it was. "Who is there?" I asked as I turned around once more to no one. Could I be hallucinating from the blooms? A white light shoots through the greenery, like a lighthouse guiding the ships home. I stood up and followed it through the curtains made from vines, sand sticking to my wet feet and legs as I walked. Trying to find that white wolf. A loud howl echoed in the area around me as I heard the pack's response in the distance...

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