Moonlight

Ethel: A full moon, night sky, dark shades of blue. A perfect evening it was. I had dreams of this very moment and I couldn't help but smile. Jack and I grew up together in the mountains, we did everything together, and we shared a bond like no other. We were to mate the moment we turned 17. And that day was finally here. He was not my fated mate, and I was not his, but we loved each other unconditionally. Standing deep in the forest by the waterfall under the night sky gazing into each other's eyes, it felt like we could see right through each other's souls, and two souls were about to become one. He was the most handsome boy I'd ever seen. "Close your eyes, Ethy," he said, in his deep husky tone as he held me close to him.- I could feel his warm breath brushing through my cheek. I closed my eyes waiting to feel his teeth gently sink into my skin. Suddenly, I felt a high-pitched ringing sound in my ears as I fell to the ground. I opened my eyes only to be met by a horrifying site, Jack's head lying there beside me, and I couldn't see the rest of him. A dark figure emerged from the darkness as I trembled in fear for the very first time in my life. My whole body went numb, and I could not move, my heart became louder and my chest heavier as he approached. My mind could not process what had just happened, all I could feel was my entire body aching. I don't remember when I collapsed, but the next morning when I woke up, I was in a silver cage in the village square with the smell of blood and ash in the wind. The village was burnt to the ground and I saw them dragging my father's lifeless body to the pile of dead bodies right in front of me. Finally, I found my voice, "Father!.." I called out to him in disbelief. Suddenly, I felt hazy. And before I knew it, I was lying on the cage with no strength left. All I could do was watch as everyone went up in flames. It was clear that everyone was dead except for me. The question was "why were they keeping me alive?". I wished for death more than anything and the only thing I could do for now, was wish. The horses pulled the silver-caged wagon away from the village. I looked at my entire life, it was now only smoke and ashes. A tear fell from my eye as I was lying there helpless, moving further and further away from the only life I knew. The next moment, when I woke up, I was lying on a cold, dirty floor, with hinges on the door and bars on the tinny square window. I could smell the pee on the floor, and I think I was lying in it. I could feel the pain all over my body still. It felt like my blood was boiling, and I felt like I was going to explode from inside out." Crea....k" The sound of the hinges on the door opening. Hardly able to keep my eyes open, all I remember were black copper boots walking in the room with faint voices in the background, and the high-pitched ringing sound in my ears. I lost consciousness and when I woke up, I was tied to the stake in the middle of what looked like a town square, with a pile of wood around my feet, my head hanging down to my shoulders with no strength left to react. I felt the moonlight brush through my skin as I closed my eyes, embracing its essence. With my strength returning little by little, I opened my eyes, only to be met by angry faces ready to set me ablaze. I had no idea of what was happening or where I was. So much anger filled their eyes. I had never met any of these people, but yet they were ready to end my life like it was nothing. With the loud voices screaming, "Torch her!.." I knew it was probably my end. As much as I wanted to exact my revenge, death is what I wished for the most, I had nothing left to live for. The clouds fully moved from the moon, exposing me to its full glory. I felt all my strength returning to me, fueled by sadness and confusion. Something awakened from deep inside of me. I lost control of all my senses, it felt like I was in the background watching as everything unfolded. "Blake! Is that you?", I asked myself this question as I stared at the reflection on the water puddle on the ground. "What is happening, how is Jack's wolf here?". I had so many questions, but along with the sadness and confusion there was silence. My wolf (Aurora) had not spoken to me ever since that night and with Blake's sudden appearance. "Was my Aurora okay?", I wondered. Standing in the middle of the crowd, he howled in pain and I could feel it all. Jack was his as much as he was mine. A tear fell from our eyes. Ready to attack, they knew deep down they stood no chance against him, and you could see the anger that filled their eyes turn into fear. A dark force was leaking from him, everyone in that distance could feel it. And I could feel the bloodthirsty, vengeful thoughts running through his mind. It felt like he was drawing strength from the moon just like me and Aurora, but this power was dark and it scared me. The moon disappeared into the clouds as he was about to attack, and I could feel myself gaining control over my body. Along with the moon, the strength I had felt before also went away. Laying there in my naked body, I felt the same aura I had felt before, the only aura that made me tremble in fear. It was the dark figure that killed my Jack, and this time I could almost see him as he was walking towards me. There was silence in the crowd, he covered me with his jacket and carried me in his arms. I could feel the rest of my strength draining as he walked away from the crowd with me in his arms. My head rested on his chest as I lost consciousness. I finally woke up, I was still weak and the blinding morning light coming from the window was not helping. With the wind hitting the curtains, I saw him standing there, all hazy like a dream. He was looking outside the window with his hands in his pockets. Who was he? Looking at his feet, I noticed something familiar. The black copper boots, I recognized those from the time I was lying on the floor of that room and when I was lying naked in the middle of that crowd. I felt his dark aura, and it was heavy on my shoulders. I felt fear kicking in. I quickly noticed the plate of fruit next to the bed and there was a knife on that plate. I was able to grab the knife, but the plate fell to the ground, making a loud banging sound causing him to turn around. I hid my hand under the blanket with the knife still in my hand. I stared at him as he turned around, and I couldn't help but notice his charming, distinctive looks and for a moment I was drawn to him. He had black shoulder-length hair, tall with broad shoulders. And you could almost see his muscles reaping through the t-shirt he was wearing. He looked at me with his awfully beautiful gray eyes and for a moment they looked silver. "You're awake!" He walked towards the bed. "Stop! Don't come any closer. "I pointed the knife at him while I struggled to sit up. He did not stop at my command, he grabbed a chair and sat next to the bed. I drove the knife into his perfect muscles on his shoulder, he did not even flinch. He pulled the knife out and threw it to the ground. I don't know what I thought I would achieve with that knife, but it definitely did nothing. He moved his hand to my face as I was lying there helpless on the bed. I closed my eyes in fear of him hurting me, but he just wanted to check my temperature. "You're still weak, but you'll be fine. I'll send someone to come take care of you. "He got up from the chair and walked to the door. "Hey, wait!". With a trembling voice, I called out to him as I stumbled out of the bed, and he caught me as I was about to hit the ground. He sat me down on the bed, lifting my feet from the ground and placing them on the bed. He leaned towards me, placing his hand on my cheek. I felt my entire body trembling in fear as he gazed into my eyes. Parting his soft lips about to say something. A knock on the door interrupted him. He removed his hand quickly from my face and walked away. He opened the door without saying a word, and two girls walked in.