Chapter 8

Denise's heart was racing with anticipation and a little terror as she followed Kael and her mother through the woodland. She was unsure of what to anticipate because she had never been in the presence of a pack of werewolves before.

The trees got taller as they traveled, and the smell of damp earth and leaves filled the air. Denise knew they were approaching because she could sense the forest's energy flowing all around her. Denise noticed an opening in front of her when the trees abruptly separated. A huge stone mansion with moss and vines growing up its walls stood in the middle of the clearing.

Denise could hear laughter and voices coming from within as smoke drifted languidly from the chimney. After guiding them to the door, Kael opened it to see a spacious, dark chamber crowded with werewolves of all ages. When Denise saw so many strong animals in one location, her eyes grew wide. A huge male werewolf with sharp yellow eyes, the alpha of the pack, came up to welcome them.

"Welcome, Denise," he replied in a rumbling, low voice. "We've been expecting you." When the alpha's eyes met Denise's, she became extremely anxious. She knew she was with a real leader because she could sense his strength and authority radiating from him. Denise was welcomed into the pack by the leader, who introduced himself as Thane.

Denise was astounded by the power and agility of the other werewolves when she first saw them. She had never seen anything like them before. However, Denise started to feel uneasy as the evening went on. She kept having the uneasy feeling that there was more to the group than first appeared.

Denise saw a shadowy figure observing her as she excused herself to take a breath of fresh air. Denise could feel the sadness radiating from the young woman, whose eyes were piercing green. "Who are you?" Denise hesitantly walked up to the woman and inquired.

After hesitating, the woman responded. She said, "My name is Aria," in a voice that was hardly audible above a whisper. "And Denise, I'm here to warn you. It's not the pack as it seems. Something ominous and gloomy is hiding beneath the surface. As Denise heard Aria's remarks, her heart skipped a beat. What was she trying to say? What was the pack concealing? Denise turned to continue questioning Aria when she felt a hand resting on her shoulder.

Kael was there, his worried eyes narrowing. His voice was frantic and low as he said, "What's going on?" Denise paused before responding. After what Aria had just told her, she wasn't sure if she could trust Kael. However, she noticed something in Kael's gaze that made her heart skip a beat. She felt secure because she perceived a strong sense of loyalty, genuineness, and protection. When Denise responded, "I'll tell you later," her voice was hardly audible above a whisper.

"But let's just leave here for the time being. The vibe of this place bothers me. Kael nodded while maintaining eye contact with her. "Let's go," he whispered in a low, anxious voice. Aria looked at Denise as they turned to go. With a little smile on her lips, the young lady nodded. Denise was aware that she had just found a strong ally who would assist her in learning the pack's secrets.

Denise, however, couldn't get rid of the sensation that they were being watched, that unblinking eyes were staring at them from the shadows as they left the stone home. Denise then noticed a slight stirring in the underbrush as they approached the forest's border. As she turned, she saw a person with eyes that burned in the night like flames come out of the shadows.

"Denise," the apparition whispered in a low, threatening voice. "You ought not to have arrived here. You won't ever leave now. As Denise looked at the man coming out of the shadows, her heart was pounding. She could make out a person's form, but the shadows obscured their face. Kael took a step nearer, staring at the figure. He snarled in a low, threatening voice, "Who are you?" Instead of answering, the figure moved in closer to Denise. They seemed to be drawing her in with an odd energy that she could sense coming from them.

Denise attempted to take a step back, but her feet appeared to be stuck in place. She couldn't move, couldn't get out. Anger flared in Kael's eyes, and he hurled himself at the figure. However, the creature lifted its hand as he attacked, sending Kael flying across the clearing. When Kael fell to the ground, unconscious, Denise let out a horrified gasp.

She had no one to defend her now, so she was on her own. With its gaze fixated on Denise, the creature advanced one more step. Its energy washed over her, leaving her feeling lightheaded and confused. Abruptly, the apparition touched Denise's face with its outstretched hand. Everything turned black as a shock of lightning swept through her body. Denise was laying in a wet, dark cave when she woke up. She didn't know where Kael was or how she got there. She heard a slight rustle in the cave's corner as she fought to sit up. As she turned, she noticed a figure coming out of the darkness.

The young lady from the pack, Aria, was there. Despite her terrified and pale appearance, she was unwavering. Aria exclaimed, "Denise, I'm so sorry," and hurried over to join her. "I was unaware that they would abduct you. I had no idea what they had in store. Denise was trying to piece together what had happened, and her mind was racing. Her voice trembled as she said, "What do you mean?" Aria paused before responding. Her words, "The pack is in danger," "Among us, there is a traitor who is working against us. Additionally, I believe I know who it is. When Aria identified the traitor, Denise's eyes widened in surprise.

She had believed that person to be her friend and had trusted them. However, Aria seized Denise's arm and dragged her to her feet before she could respond. She said, "We have to get out of here," in a pressing tone. "We have to warn the others." Denise's head was full of questions as they staggered through the tunnel. Who was the traitor? What were they seeking? And how would they prevent them? However, Denise's heart skipped a beat when she spotted something when they came out of the cave. A figure with eyes that seemed to pierce her soul was waiting for them. It was the beta for the pack, Lucian. And he wasn't by himself.

As Lucian looked at Denise, his eyes appeared to shine with a malicious glow. Two enormous werewolves stood on either side of him, their greedy gleams focused on Denise. Lucian said, "Welcome, Denise," in a sarcastic tone. "I see you're just in time to join the party." With her gaze focused on the two werewolves, Denise retreated from Lucian, her heart pounding. She was aware that, in her current condition, she couldn't handle them alone.

With defiant flashes in her eyes, Aria took a step forward. "You're not going to hurt her, Lucian," she stated firmly. "Not while I'm around." Lucian's gaze mocked Aria as he scoffed. "And what exactly do you plan to do to stop me, little Aria?" With a tone full of disdain, he inquired. Aria's face was fixed in a determined attitude, and her eyes narrowed. Her voice was forceful as she stated, "I'll do whatever it takes to protect Denise," Aria gave Denise a wave of appreciation, but she was aware that they were outnumbered.

She had to think quickly and devise a strategy to defeat Lucian and his henchmen. Denise's gaze focused on a nearby brook as she looked about. She recalled what her mother had said about the healing and protective properties of water. Denise ran headlong for the brook, Aria following closely after. Denise was slapped like a slap in the face by the shock of the cold water as they dove into it. However, Denise sensed an odd energy rising within her as they went farther into the stream. It seemed as though the water was reacting to her presence by strengthening her and enhancing her abilities.

At the water's edge, Lucian and his henchmen paused, staring at Denise with a mix of wonder and horror. Denise stated, "You can't defeat me, Lucian," in a forceful and assured tone. "Not now that I've tapped into the power of the water." Lucian's features curled in a scowl, and his eyes narrowed. He answered, "We'll see about that," in a tone full of hate. Lucian and his henchmen suddenly accelerated and charged at Denise and Aria. But with the water enhancing her abilities, Denise was prepared.

A burst of energy erupted from her fingers as she raised her hands, sending Lucian and his henchmen hurtling into the air. Stunned and confused, they fell to the ground. Denise and Aria came out of the stream, staring at Lucian and his henchmen. "It's over," Denise stated firmly. "You've lost." However, Denise noticed something that made her heart skip a beat as they got closer to Lucian.

An unearthly energy seemed to be radiating from Lucian's eyes, and it seemed to be getting stronger every second. "What's happening to him?" With a worried tone, Aria inquired. Denise's mind was buzzing with potentialities as she stared at Lucian. She remarked, "I don't know, but I think we're in trouble." Denise and Aria starred in terror as Lucian's body started to twist and writhe, his limbs becoming longer and taking on hideous, unnatural forms. "What's happening to him?" Aria's voice reverberated over the jungle as she yelled.

Denise's mind was spinning with amazement and fear as she stared at Lucian. "I don't know," she said quietly, "but I think it's connected to the prophecy." A dazzling flash of light suddenly erupted from Lucian's body, and he vanished as the brightness dimmed. A figure that chilled Denise's blood stood in his place. She had never seen her mother like this before, but it was her.

Her complexion was deathly pale, and her eyes were as black as coal. She was tainted and warped, and the atmosphere seemed to become darker just by her presence. Her mother responded, "Denise," in a low, threatening voice. "I had been anticipating your arrival. I'll do whatever it takes to get you because you hold the secret to unlocking the prophecy." Denise scrambled backward, falling over her own feet, her eyes wide with fright. Her head spun in horror and shock as she crashed hard to the ground.

She saw something that made her heart stop when she gazed up at her mother. Her mother's skin was starting to change and twist, exposing scales and claws underneath, and her eyes were glimmering with an unearthly light. Denise didn't have a mother figure. She was a creature from the depths of hell, a monster. Her next victim was Denise. Her mother's face contorted into a hideous smile as Denise screamed, and she grabbed her daughter with a clawed hand.