I walked through the forest in slow steps, searching for some other Crescent, but it seemed that the wolves were fleeing me, I found no trace of the other members of my pack. The only one I found was a small cabin located on the edge of a large lake. I walked down the old dyke, the old wood creaked under my feet, and sat on the tip, taking off my boots and dipping my feet in the icy water.
I tied my hair with a rubber band in a ponytail. I admired the horizon in front of me, the moon was reflected in the green waters of the lake, the wind swayed the trees. The forest was silent, as if it knew the predators hidden in the shadows.
"I feel peace when I set foot in these lands, I can’t explain it, but I feel like I belong there."
I smile nostalgically with the memories that bombarded my mind, memories of when that city was my home, my safe haven. If I was not wrong, the territory of the Crescents at the time of my father was not far from there, if I had the courage, perhaps I would make a visit to those lands.
The sound of footsteps caught my attention, and soon the smell of my friends hit me. I turned my head and saw them approaching with two bags in hand. Clary was wearing another outfit, probably had to change it due to the blood on the fabric, just as Isaac had done. Madison was the only one still wearing the same costume.
— Hello, wild wolf— uttered Clary with hoarse voice, braided blond hair.
— We’ve been looking for you for almost an hour— informed Isaac when he threw his bag on the levee.
How are you, little witch?
Madison took the seat next to me, wrapping herself in a fleece blanket she had brought from the car. The witch’s cheeks were pink from the cold.
I’m fine, thanks for asking.
Clary moved something inside the backpack.
We brought some salty things to bake at the bonfire.
Isaac gathered some branches and dried sticks in a circle over the land, in an area that was not at risk of the fire spreading through the forest. Clary helped him light the fire in a matter of seconds, Madison and I approached the newly created fire, sitting around the fire that warmed us from the cold of the night.
Clary shoved the salted sticks and we extended them towards the fire.
— That’s not the way I imagined spending my Friday night— Kitsune commented with humor.
— In a forest of cursed wolves with a witch and two Crescents? — Madison inquired.
I turned the branch on the fire until it baked the salted ones completely, taking it to my mouth then.
— All the hunters have been eliminated?
Isaac confirmed it by shaking his head.
— The area is secure.
— What a good.
I devoured my salts in seconds, putting others back to bake. Clary cursed when extending the phone in the air, claiming that there was internet signal in that end of the world.
— I found a Crescent wolf.
Isaac quickly stared at me.
— Are you sure it was a Crescent?
I licked my lips.
No other wolf would have bowed to recognize me.
He swallowed the salty.
— That must be something good, it may mean that there will be no reluctance to your presence.
— I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Aiden and I left the Crescents ten years ago, I don’t think it’ll be so easy to regain the trust of the wolves.
— It’s not like they have another option— murmured Clary.
— Loyalty and trust are two things that when you are lost, is hardly recovered.
I set my eyes on the branches that were burned at the stake.
— Do you think other wolves will try to communicate with you? — Madison asked me softly.
— Maybe, I don’t know.
I bit my lower lip.
I’m more concerned with how we take the city again— I told you. We need an army to drive out the vampires.
— This could mean a war between species— Isaac said.
— War was already declared when my people were cursed and cast out of our land. We will only take back what belongs to us.
Clary stretched her legs over the earth.
— And how do you plan to win this war?
I snapped my tongue.
I’m still thinking about it.
Clary let out a dull laugh.
— Just don’t do anything stupid on your own.
How am I supposed to do that if all that stupid stuff is with you?
She raised her middle finger, but I saw her fight a smile. Madison yawned, rubbing her eyes.
I’m dying of fatigue.
You can have the car, I’ll spend the night here.
Madison gave a jolt, making a grimace of disgust.
In that abandoned cabin?
Believe me, I’ve slept in places far worse than this.
Isaac cleared his throat, beating his hands to get the dust off.
— You two can sleep in the car, I’ll stay with Hayley.
I arched an eyebrow.
Jackson would rip my head off if he knew I let her sleep alone in this abandoned cabin in the middle of the woods.
I rolled my eyes, but I didn’t deny your company, spending the night alone in that cabin didn’t seem like a pleasant thing.
— We have some blankets in the trunk of the car, I’ll get— reveal the beta, already rising from the floor.
Madison and Clary went with Isaac to the car, I took the opportunity to light a torch and take to light the cabin. The place was small and the walls made of wood, with a closet full of old things, a rocking chair before the door. I found a straw broom and used it to clean the inside of the hut, taking the dust off the floor.
I finished pushing the closet to make more room on the floor when Isaac came back with my backpack and some thick blankets.
I think we can improvise something with these blankets.
I agreed to the beta, taking the blankets from his hand and stretching it out on the floor, did it with another thick fabric quilt, would be enough for that night. I’d leave my clothing bag to use as a pillow.
Isaac did not yet show happiness for that situation. I laughed at his twisted face in displeasure.
— What bothers you so much, Isaac? We’re not gonna die for sleeping here tonight.
He rubbed his forehead.
I don’t think it’s right for the Supreme Court’s roommate to spend the night in this dump falling apart.
I sat on the blankets and threw my boots away, lying on the floor. He continued standing.
— I’ve been through more precarious situations than those in the escape years. I’m used to it, don’t worry about it.
Isaac sat next to me, keeping a distance and leaned his back against the wall.
Tomorrow we go to one of the houses the Supreme Court has in New Orleans.
— Jack has a house here?
— The Supreme has property in many places.
— That displayed wolf— mumbled with myself.
Snuggled up on the sheets, not as comfortable as my bed in Jack’s house, but I would survive without any problem. I pulled a fleece blanket to cover my body and peeked at the beta.
You’re not going to bed?
He denied.
I’ll stand guard while you rest.
— Have you lost your mind? Why are you staying up all night?
Isaac scratched his right eye.
I can’t let my guard down on enemy land, Hayley, don’t worry about me, I’m used to it.
Yawning, heavy sleeping eyelids.
— Will you be watching me while I sleep? That’s not weird at all.
He smiled from the corner.
I promised the Supreme Court I’d take care of your safety.
I shrugged, exhausted to the bone and too tired to argue with the beta.
— Let it be— murmured as I closed my eyes and fell into darkness.
I woke up an hour later sweating and scared because of another horrible nightmare, the memories of the torture I suffered at the hands of the strays. Tears wet my face. I brought my trembling hands to damp hair. My stomach turned furiously. I only had time to grab a metal bucket near the door and the flow went up my throat, vomited everything inside me, the bile burned.
— Hayley? — Isaac’s worried voice sounded in my ears.
— I’m well— managed to babble, dizzy.
When I was sure that my stomach was in place and that I was not in danger of continuing to vomit, I accepted the handkerchief that Isaac extended to me, cleaning my mouth and taking the bucket out of the hut. I lay down on the way back and closed my eyes, swallowing long breaths of air to contain the nausea.
— Memories of the kidnapping? — Isaac asked carefully and handed me a bottle of water.
— Nightmares have been constant since I came back. I still can’t get rid of the marks left on my soul.
I drank half the bottle of water, putting my head back in my backpack.
Every night I woke up from nightmares bathed in tears and sweat, Jack stood beside me to calm me, and I could only fall asleep in his arms. However, Jack was in another city at that time and I needed to deal with those torments alone.
I wrapped the wolf pendant hanging from my neck and tried to calm the terror installed inside me. I would give anything to hear Jack’s voice at that moment.
Isaac took his phone out of his pocket and moved something, a soft music began to play, filling the tense environment. My body relaxed slightly with the quiet melody.
I thought it might help you somehow.
— Thank you— I whispered to the beta, closing my eyes and trying to fall asleep again.