I had done it.

I finally made it out of the sterile room and ate the chocolate sundae and went shopping and watched a movie at the cinema. My dreams were slowly being pursued one step at a time and I was forever grateful to my parents for letting me finally leave. I was still in the pack territory, but after countless times begging, my father had allowed me to go out with Gemma.

Just Gemma and I.

There were no guards, no doctors, no protective parents, just me and my best friend.

“I don’t know”, I reply as I kick a rock with my feet, “it was too cheesy for me. Too hopelessly romantic. I mean the main guy did not deserve the girl but at the end of the story they both end up getting married and having kids. How unrealistic.” Gemma bursts into giggles as she dances around me.

“Aria, I’m a freaking werewolf. I’m not realistic but I still exist”.

“True, true”, I reply amidst laughing. The wind picks up slightly and I shiver, earning a worried glance from Gemme. I shake my head. “I’m fine. I am just enjoying this feeling of freedom”.

Gemma remains silent before she rolls her eyes.

“That was your mother again, asking if you were fine,” I smile, tightening my grip on Gemma’s arm. Because Gemma is a wolf, she can communicate with the pack using a mind link, but since I am human, I don’t have that advantage.

“Tell her I’m fine, that I am having the best time of my life”. I close my eyes enjoying the feeling of the wind on my skin.

“I already did”, Gemma replies as she pulls me down onto a bench, facing the forest. She lays her head on my shoulder and closes her eyes.

“You have no idea how much I wanted to do this with you. Things like shopping and watching a movie with your best friends are so insignificant but when you can’t do them you finally realize the true value of it”

I close my eyes as well, feeling a painful pinch in my chest.

“I’m sorry; you got a defect like me as a friend. Not only am I just a human, I’m also pathetic little human whose body can’t even work by itself”. Gemma silences me with a hug.

“Don’t say that. You are the most powerful human I know. For goodness sakes you are the Alpha’s daughter and not just any Alpha but the Alpha of Crescent Moon. You have no idea what that title means”.

We sit in silence for a while longer watching as the sky begins to darken.

“Shall we?” Gemma finally says, making me alert again.

“What?” I ask in confusion as I notice the amused glint in her eyes.

“Shall I show you, my wolf?”

I screech in excitement as I jump up and drag Gemma into the woods, laughing and giggling as we both run through the forest. It was always something I had wanted to see, because I can’t do it myself so I want to watch someone else transform. The thought of a wolf emerging from a human body seems magical and impossible and before I leave this world, I want to experience it myself.

We reach a clearing, where the soft forest bed squelches beneath our feet and I glance up to meet Gemma’s gaze.

“Now please promise me you won’t freak out”, she whispers and I roll my eyes. I have waited my whole life for this moment and even if the world was ending or we were being attacked by zombies I would still stay to the end.

Gemma takes off her large overcoat which reached her knees and hands it to me, and I hold it tight against my chest. She then kicks off her shoes and keeps her eyes on me as she clicks her neck side to side. Then she reaches forward and crouches against the ground and suddenly it happens.

The hairs on my arms stood tall as I heard the snapping and rearranging of bones in Gemma’s body. It looked so unnatural but at the same time so natural and couldn’t look away as her body elongated and dark brown hair sprouted over her body. Her hands became paws with long claws and her mouth changed into a snout. A tail grew and the only thing ‘Gemma-like’ was her eyes which still remained a sharp bluish-grey.

My jaw dropped in awe as the wolf approached me slowly as if not to scare me.

“I’m not scared Gemma,” I whisper as I reach out my hands and place them on her soft fur. Stroking her, I notice that the wolf is the same height as me; it makes me smile.

“You’re so beautiful,” I say and I wonder if she can understand me.

Gemma bends down and for a second, I am confused until I realize she is telling me to climb onto her back. I shake my head. “No way, I’m too heavy and I could hurt you”.

What I say seems to make her laugh as she sticks her tongue out and wags her tail. She nudges me continuously until I have no option apart from gently pulling myself onto her back. I hold onto her fur gently, because I’m scared, I will hurt her and she slowly begins to trod throughout the forest. I laugh as I feel her pick up speed and holding onto her fur tighter, I feel her body move beneath me. The taut muscles stretch and as she sprints through the forest, dodging trees at lighting speed which makes my breath catch in my throat. She is not afraid at all and I know that in reality she could be running at a faster pace but she is restraining herself for my sake.

Eventually, after a long time of racing through the vast forest, she slows down and we stop near a lake and I get off her back. She shifts back and I hand her back her coat and shoes before pulling her into a hug.

“Oh, my goodness”, I scream. “That was fucking amazing”.

Gemma laughs as we both sit down by the lake and let our feet dangle in the icy water. We don’t recognize the hours going past as we enjoy the silence and talk to each other about everything and nothing.

“Aria, we have to go home now,” Gemma says as she stands while I pout and stare into the distance watching the sunset.

“I don’t want to go back yet.” I whisper, knowing fully that she is listening. Gemma strokes my hair and sits back next to me.

“We can do this again tomorrow if you want”, she offers and I nod my head but I know she is unsure herself.

Throughout the day I have been getting sicker. Even though I’m still standing and laughing, I can feel my skin burn and my head pound. I am becoming weaker and every time a pain kicks in my body I regret leaving the sterile room, ‘only for a second though’ because as soon as I feel a wince of regret, I quickly shake the thought from my mind. How could I regret such an amazing evening?

“Alright,” I whisper as I stand up watching curiously as Gemma stands tall, her eyes wide in what looks like fear.

“What’s wrong?” I ask as I step closer to her.

“Don’t move Aria”, Gemma whispers, fear truly showing through her voice. “I can’t believe I didn’t notice this before. Oh shit, what am I going to do?” Gemma is panicking now, her face losing all color and beads of sweat gathering at her hairline.

“What’s wrong?” I ask again, getting worried myself. Gemma’s frantic eyes turn to me.

“There is a territory boundary here. I can sense it because it is so strong, but I don’t know where it is”

“Well then let’s just move away from here”, I reply.

“But I don’t know in which direction Aria. The boundary seems to be all around us and I fear that if we move in the wrong direction, we might cross the boundary and be trespassing.”

OH SHIT.

Trespassing is a big deal in the werewolf world. It is deemed a threat and a lack of respect to the pack whose territory you cross and, in most cases, it means death.

I clutch Gemma’s hand tightly. “Message my dad, “I whisper, but she shakes her head.

“I can’t. I tried but I just can’t get through. It’s like there is a block that’s been out. I don’t know what to do”

I spin around on my feet ignoring the fact that I am definitely burning up now. I am sweating and I resist the urge to be sick as I glance around, taking in the area around us. It's getting darker and colder now so I know we can’t stay longer.

“Ok, Gemma let’s just move. “I point in a direction. “That route seems familiar, let’s go through there”.

She glances at me then to the route before taking my hand in hers. “Aria, you’re burning,” she whispers, and I can feel her worry. “Don’t worry,” I say, “let’s just try and get home.

We both head in the direction I suggested but as we continue, I have an overwhelming feeling that I was wrong and apparently so does Gemma, because she stops suddenly. Before I know it, she is dragging me back, screaming “RUN!” as we both sprint out from where we were heading.

“We crossed the boundary and now they know”” Gemma screams as she continues to pull me behind her. It is difficult for me to keep up; one she’s much taller than me so has longer legs.

My chest and legs burn as we continue to jump over broken branches and sidestep trees, but somewhere behind me I can hear the howls of wolves and the ground shaking beneath their pounding feet.

Oh, we are so dead.

Suddenly Gemma pulls me in another direction and I push at her hands.

“I can’t.....run....anymore,” I mutter as I slow down, causing Gemma to stop. “No Aria, we have to keep going. The moment we stop they will find us and then before we can tell them who we are, we will be killed.” She is panting as well, her cheeks bright red and her hair messed up from running.

I shake my head. “I can hardly breathe. Maybe if we stop running, they will stop chasing and perhaps we ca-

A deafening roar stops me from uttering another word. I see how Gemma’s eyes widen and fill with tears. Gemma shakes her head and I stand silently, watching her take a step in front of me and lay on the ground, her head to the floor, her neck tilted up. She is surrendering, submitting, showing we are no harm.

I still have my back to the so I can’t see much of what is going on.

“Turn around!” a gruff voice commands and the power in those two words makes my leg wobble. I close my eyes and clench my fingers into a fist. I slowly turn around, something tells me to look up, so I do and in that second, I am blown away.

Seven men are standing around us, all well built and strong enough to kill us with their pinky finger. But none of the other men interest me because all I can do is stare at the tallest man, standing in the middle partially hidden in the shadows. He has the most power.

He is an Alpha and a very strong one I realize.

“You have trespassed,” he growls and suddenly all recognition is removed from his face and only a dark glare and snarl are left on his gorgeous face.

We apologize, it wasn’t our intention. We lost our direction and crossed the boundary by mistake. It will never happen again. We mean your pack no harm and we will leave straight away.” Gemma is shaking and even I can feel her fear.

“You dare to touch me or her and I will show you real consequences,” I state, my eyes narrowing in anger. There is slight silence before the bastard begins laughing. Gemma grabs my hands and tries to pull me back but I ignore her.

“Laugh all you want but if my friend and I don’t leave here unharmed then I can assure you that when tomorrow comes your pack will be burnt to the ground.” The words fall from my lips and the moment I say them aloud I can’t help regretting my impulsiveness.

There is a unison of growls and I know exactly why. I have threatened the safety of their pack.

“Enough.” My eyes dart to the Alpha who begins to emerge from the shadows to stand in front of me. I’m finding it hard to breathe.

“You think you, a human girl, can take down my pack?” There was amusement laced in his voice and my chest clenched at his voice.

I shake my head, my hair framing my face. “No of course not, I’m human, not stupid”. He cocks an eyebrow and watches me carefully.

“I didn’t say I was the one going to destroy your pack”

“Then who is?” someone in the background asks. I don’t know who because my eyes are still locked onto the Alpha’s. I just can’t look away.

“My father, the Alpha of Crescent Moon pack, will have no problem showing you why he is one of the most powerful Alpha in the world.” I smirk as the Alpha in front of me scrunches his eyebrows together.

“You are Jaxon Kronex’s daughter?” he asks, confused.

I blink and gasp back air as pain explodes in my stomach. Gemma instantly notices my movement and grabs me by the arm to steady me. I turn to her and catch my reflection in her eyes. Pale face, so pale I wonder to myself if there is any actual blood circulation happening in my body. Gemma clutches my arm tightly and that’s when I notice I am shaking, trembling like a paper house about to be blown down by a simple gust of wind.

“Yes, I am Alpha Kronex’s daughter and the only heir to the Crescent Moon pa-ck”. I stutter as another shooting pain makes me gasp.

“What the hell is going on with her?” a voice shouts and in the background, I can hear murmurs and voices which all soon just turn into a disoriented blur of noise.

Suddenly an arm wraps around my waist and I’m folded into someone’s chest. At first, I thought it was Gemma trying to hold my crumbling body steady, but when the smell of pine cones and wet earth flooded up my nose I knew better.

With all my strength I try to push away, groaning in pain as the pain tightens around me.

“Gemma,” I whisper, “get dad.....”

And then I pass out, succumbing to the pain in the arms of the scary Alpha.

When I woke up, I thought for a split second that I was back in my own bed. I was lying on a bed. I was lying on a bed, warm and comfortable and it smelt clean and nice and for that split second, I was overcome with a great sense of happiness and then suddenly I heard beeping.

*Beep, Beep, Beep*

I blinked several times and turned my head to the side where there was a monitor set up. I watched as a heart rhythm traced on the screen and it took me a few seconds to notice all the wires that were attached to me before I realized it was my heart rhythm on the screen.

I glanced around the room and realized that I was back at the same medical room I was in when I first woke up.

“Hello”, I gasped in shock as a woman approached me. ‘Bloody hell, where did she come from?

“I’m glad to see you’re finally awake.” Her voice, so sweet and she smiled politely. She turned to the cardiac monitor and started to press some buttons, examining my heart rate closely.

I woke up having a very faint memory of what happened before I went unconscious. I decided to ask the doctor what had happened and then I remembered Gemma.

“Do you mean the she-wolf that was with you?” “Well, she has gone back with your parents”

And then it dawned on me that my parents were here to save me. Memories of what happened floods back to my mind and I begin to cry, my heart begins to ache again as I remember what happened.

*FLASH BACK*

I woke up after being knocked out by the pain and I noticed I was in a medic room. Gemma noticed I had woken up and ask how I was to which I replied and I asked if we were home and she said no, the Alpha lets us use their medic room after I passed out. My parents rushed in not long after and I received much scolding. The Alpha walked in also and my parents began thanking him for sparing our lives. Just as we’re about to leave he refuses and demands my parents leave without me, which leads to a heated fight and I decide to surrender to spare my parents lives as well as Gemma’s. I was taken to the dark cell, spending 2 days in there, crying and begging to be released. Refusing to eat food until I passed out again”.

*FLASH BACK ENDS*

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

“Well, everything looks fine. Let’s get you disconnected from all these”. She gestured to all the wires attached to me.

Her voice brings me back to reality.

I glanced around once again as she took off the wires and noticed a bag of blood handing up.

“Oh yeah, you were severely anaemic so I gave you a blood transfusion.”I watched the doctor with an amused expression.

“Um- I stopped to clear my throat when I sounded croaky,” “sorry, I just- um you do realize I’m a prisoner here”

The doctor looked up at me and raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, I’m aware” she stated as she continued to unplug me from the monitor.

“I'm sorry I just can't process why you would treat me. Surely as a prisoner it doesn't matter if I'm anaemic or not.”

The doctor smiled knowingly.

“I'm only following orders. To me it doesn't matter who you are. If you need help I will help, prisoner or not.

She offers me some clothes and I get to realise I'm wearing a Hospital gown. And she replies, “Honey they are no use to you now”.

The doctor informs me that my body is always trying to kill me, which always makes me sick. Then wonders how I have been alive all along, and then it clicks to her that I've been locked up in a sterile room.

Then her next statement shocks me.

“But don't worry I have fixed you” she said with so much confidence.

My mouth falls open and I just stare at the woman in front of me with an expression of shock, worry.. disgust?

“What do you mean by you fixing me?”

The woman hopped around excitedly, a complete change from the professional woman I met when I woke up.

“You see I gave you a blood transfusion and I'm serious it fixed you”

I felt like bursting into laughter. Like this situation was just too funny. I began to suspect that this woman might not actually be a doctor. In fact, perhaps she was a prisoner too who just went crazy and decided to pretend to be a doctor.

“A blood transfusion fixed me?” I asked curiously.

All my life I have been getting blood transfusions and none of them had cured me and suddenly this lady thinks her magic blood transfusion has ‘fixed me’

Just as I was about to say something back, the door flung open and Alpha Stone walked in.

His eyes immediately locked in on me and his gaze roamed my body from top to bottom and then something flashed in his eyes but it was gone before I could figure out what it was.

“Taliya, I need to speak to you”. His attention turned from me to the ‘Doctor’ and she nodded in reply, following him out of the door.

Strange though thinking about it, I did feel different. There wasn't that usual tightness in my chest or that constant ache in my bones and muscles. I felt lighter, like I could breathe.

Before I could ponder anymore on the matter, the door opened once again and this time it was the same man who had taken me to the basement.

He looked a lot bigger today, like he could crush me with his thumb. He was about 6’6 tall and looked like he was three times my size. His hair was shaved and his eyes were cold and empty. His nose looked like it had been broken a few times too.

“Follow me,” he commanded; I noticed a slight accent and his voice was rough. I hesitated, the thought of going back to the basement made me want to puke, but one fierce glance from the man made me move faster than Usain Bolt.

I trailed behind the giant, this time managing to look around. We were walking through a corridor; the walls were painted white and burgundy colored carpet was on the floor. The ceiling was so high that looking up made me feel dizzy.

“Faster!” He barked and I noticed he was quite a distance in front and I quickly jogged to meet him.

We kept walking some spiraling stairs and passed some rooms until we stood outside a door.

The man looked down at me and I watched him as he pushed open the door. It was a tiny room, probably previously used for storage. It was clean and empty apart from a single bed and a cupboard. The room was painted white and the floor was laminated wood. There were no windows or any natural light, but the room was brightened when the man flicked a light switch on the wall.

“This isn't the basement,” I whispered.

“The basement is being used for another prisoner. You use this room.” And with that he shoved me in and closed the door behind me, locking it.

A few hours had passed, or at least I thought so and I was starting to feel nauseous due to hunger.

A knock suddenly sounded from the door and I sat up waiting for the door to open but it didn't. Then whoever knocked tried to open the door, turning and shaking the door handle. I wanted to call out and say the door was locked but decided to keep quiet.

It went silent again and the handle stopped turning, and listening carefully I heard footsteps walk away.

Just as I was about to lay back down again the footsteps came back and this time there was a jingle of keys and the handle turned, making the door open.

“..bloody locking the doors, stupid idiot”.

I sat on the bed, wide eyed as a girl walked in carrying a tray of food. She looked at me, raised an eyebrow and then said, “Yeah I guess you're alright”

The girl came into the room and kicked the door close behind her. She was tall, probably a few inches taller than me , had short strawberry blonde deep wave hair and a nose piercing.

She was pretty, incredibly pretty. In Fact she reminded me of someone.

“Alright, my name is Kate, I'm Aiden’s sister”.

She placed the tray of food on the bed and stepped back, leaning against the wall to watch me.

“Um.., sorry I don't know who Aiden is”.

Kate looks at me with shock

“What do you mean you don't know Aiden. He's your bloody ma- oh shit, yeah. You don't know, right.”

I was confused by her words and actions but the smell of the food was distracting and inviting.

“Aiden is” Kate started again though I was only half paying attention. Most of my thoughts were on the tray beside me. Is that roasted chicken?

“...the Alpha of this pack.” Ah wait what?

I turned my attention back to Kate, who was watching me carefully.

“Aiden is Alpha Stone?” I asked, shocked to the core.

She came in just to see me and I wondered why Alpha's sister would be in my room.

“I heard we had a new guest and I wanted to see for myself.”

“Aren't you hungry?” Kate asked, gesturing to the tray.

I picked up the tray and devoured the whole meal; it must have looked like I hadn't eaten in a year.

“Damn girl, are you sure you’re human because you eat like a werewolf”.

I felt my face blush bright red.

Her eyes roamed my body, taking in my outfit. Then she said I needed some new clothes. I was shocked and had to remind her that I'm a prisoner and I surrendered to save my parents and best friend. She burst into laughter and then said I'm not a prisoner but a special guest. Her next statement stunned me.

“Well listen Aria, you my darling we're never gonna leave, surrender or not. The moment my brother saw you, he was never going to let you go”.

“Is it because of what I said?” I asked, wondering whether the whole situation could have been avoided if I had kept my mouth shut.

She asked me curiously what I had said earlier to which I told her everything and she burst out laughing again. This time she was uncontrollable which got me surprised as to why she isn't angry.

“Oh my God, you said what?” Kate exclaimed not just anger but her eyes twinkled with excitement and amusement. “No wonder Sven hates you so much”. She giggles.

She then tells me who Sven is as I look at her with confusion.

Then it dawned on me, no wonder he hates me so much.

A couple more hours passed by, again I think a couple more hours passed by; I can't be sure- you know because I don't have a clock or anything.

I had been trying to process everything that had happened so far but I was so confused now.

I curled up on the bed pulling the cover over me.

Also, have I actually been fixed by some weird-not-sure-if-she-is-an-actual-doctor who gave me a blood transfusion.

Rolling onto my back I gazed up at the ceiling, pondering all these thoughts when-

Hold on, Kate unlocked the door to come in but I swear I didn't hear her lock it when she left.

Sitting up quickly I turned to look at the door. Jumping out of the bed I slowly tiptoed over to the door and placed my hand on the hand and turned it slowly.

‘Click’

The door opened and I held back a squeal of excitement. I was about to step out when I held myself back.

I weighed my pros and cons and decided to take the risk. I need to see my parents, I want to go home. I stepped out not minding the consequence. I wandered everywhere and I found 2 children arguing. I haven't actually seen anyone apart from Kate, Alpha Stone and Sven, ever since I came here.

I tried approaching them but they seemed scared and rather planned to kill me forgetting I can hear everything they're saying. I was shocked, I felt like laughing over the fact that they were just kids planning to kill a full grown adult. But then again I realised they were werewolf kids so possibly they could hurt me.

Before I could try to pacify them, a tall elegant lady called out their names to which they ran to her.

I continued my search in this generously big house. I had probably opened about 30 doors already, still no sign. I was hungry, tired and in need of a toilet which I hadn't found yet. Pondering my new theory I opened another door and hit the jackpot.

“Yes! finally” I whispered, opening the door further. The bathroom was massive, the floors marble and spotlights were on the ceiling. I took in the interior of the bathroom, while walking I passed a mirror and got a glimpse of my reflection. I was in total shock and horror.

No wonder those kids wanted to kill me. I quickly took a bath, after I was done I arranged everywhere, keeping each thing back in place.

I was about to leave the bathroom when I heard three ladies talking. At first I didn't mind, until they made mention of me.

“Oh goodness I can smell her from here.” The woman spoke up, her voice haughty and rude.

“Who, Elena?” the other woman in the green top asked.

“That human, Kierra, the one that's apparently Crescent Moon's heir”.

They kept talking about me and I kept listening but then Kierra mentioned my parents.

“Well then my darling, your brother must have also told you about how Alpha Stone ripped out Luna Kronex's pretty little throat right in front of her husband”.

Her voice was ice cold as she stared right into Cassie's eyes. Hearing her words I gasp loudly and fall back.

‘ripped out Luna Kronex's pretty little throat’

The gasp makes everyone turn in my direction but before Kierra and the other woman notice me, Cassie pushes Kierra away.

After they left Cassie tried calling me down, I was already losing consciousness because of shortness of breath. Soon I was calm and could breathe properly.

I asked her if what I heard was true and she replied saying you weren't aware, and telling me it was probably a lie. But I couldn't believe it until I saw my parents.

I took a knife threatening her to help me escape so I could see my parents. After much persuading she finally helped me.

“You'll have to go through the back door,” she pointed to the door behind her, “the guards are doing their evening training so they'll be in the front field.

I was ready to run to the door when Cassie grabbed me and held me back. She rushed to the cupboards and started taking out different items until she reached the back of the cupboard and brought out a container.

She then ran to the door and closed them all, locking them to make sure no one could come in.

“Take off your clothes,” She commanded and I raised my eyebrows when she started to take off her clothes.

“You smell like a human. If you go out, they'll pick up your scent quickly.

Not wasting any time to argue, I quickly changed out of my clothes and swapped them for Cassie's. She opened the container; inside was a wet black mixture, with a particular smell.

“It's a home-made mixture of flora, pine needles, mashed acorns and dirt”, it's something extra to hide your scent.

She went ahead to smear the mixture over my face and clothes.

“Now do you know your way back?” She asked and I just shook my head.

She reached up and took off a locket that was hanging around her neck. Flipping it open, I realised it was a compass.

“Just follow the compass North and you should be on your way back”

I held the locket in my hands and looked at Cassie, “why are you doing this for ms?” I asked, tears brimming.

Cassie forced a smile. “Because I know how you feel,” she sighed. “I'm a prisoner here too and every day I dream about escaping”

“Then come with me,” I suggest earnestly. “You can come to my pack and I swear you won't be a prisoner anymore”.

I tried convincing her for some minutes which she bluntly refused continuously.

She pushed me towards the door.

“Run,” she whispers and I do, only sparing a fleeting glance back before heading into the forest.