Chapter 3

“Eric! Time for lunch,” I shouted as I placed a small bowl of rabbit meat onto the ground.

A moment later an average sized pup came striding in through the door.

It’s been three years since I first met Puppy Eric. Three years since I became a rogue. And three years since my friends and family were killed at that night.

But now, everything was running smoothly for me.

When the rogue attack happened, it caused my village to burn down. It took me a whole day just to bury everyone, a week to clear all the ash, and a month to build a stronger wall around the destroyed village.

With the wall, it’s easier to be protected. Rogues usually pass by, but they know better than to bother coming in.

A year after the attack, all the plants and trees that were burned down started to grow again. Now, the village looks like a fortress built in a forest.

“Alright, Eric, you hold down the fort. I’m just going to go out and pick some berries.”

The pup looked up from its bowl to look at me and nodded, then continued to eat.

I exited the dining room and entered the corridor. But then I realized I forgot to grab something. I mentally slapped my face.

Since I was going to go gather today instead of hunt, I needed to get my basket.

I ran back into the dining room and retrieved my basket from the table. Then I ran back through the corridor and out the door. When I stepped outside, the breeze slapped me in the face. Around me, the trees and bushes were rustling.

Hmm, strong wind.

I didn’t mind the wind though. In fact, I enjoyed it. I loved how it would gently raise my long blonde hair and have it surround me.

It was absolutely breathtaking.

‘Don’t forget to pay them a visit Diana. You seem to forget a lot of things lately.”

I shook my head at my wolf. “I won’t, don’t worry. And hey! I only forgot the basket, but I quickly remembered that.”

‘Sure, just wait until you look into a mirror.’

Until I look into a mirror?

Oh forget it.

‘Now let’s get going.’

“Okay, okay. I’m going, I’m going.”

I did as my wolf told me and began to stroll down a little dirt path to visit them.

When I reached their resting spots, I crouched down and placed a hand on one of the gravestones made of bark.

Gianna Jones

Cause of death… Killed in battle

1973-2013

Loving Mother of Hank Jones, Solomon Jones, Thomas Jones, and Diana Jones.

“Um, hey guys. I just wanted to stop by and say I miss you all so much. A lot has happened since you all, ya know, died. Like, you should’ve seen Eric yesterday. He caught a rabbit and literally did a back flip of joy. That was lunch for today. Right now I’m going to gather some berries to make a pie for us. I’ll try to stop by tomorrow. Love y’all.”

I knew they heard when the breeze shifted a little. It was just a small feeling I had. I just felt like they were dwelling in the breeze.

‘Alright, let’s go get us some berries.’

I nodded and got to my feet. It’s been a while since I actually went gathering. I once tried to grow my own fruit and vegetables so that I didn’t have to often leave the safety behind the walls. But… well, let’s just say the crops didn’t turn out well.

I began my pursuit towards the opening of the wall.

As I was trudging along, the breeze started to shift. It seemed the wind had gotten colder and the air was to thin to breath in.

I recognized this feeling. And I haven’t felt this since that one day, three years ago. Could it be him?

Would he come back for me?

I shook the crazy thought from my head. That idea was preposterous. I haven’t seen him in forever. Why would he show up now?

‘It’s not him. Trust me. This feeling was a little, off, a bit different. Let’s just focus on the berries. We should get them as soon as possible, just in case anything happens.’

I nodded and continued walking towards the opening. Soon enough I was no longer in the safety of my wall.

“Well, where should we look for the berries first?”

It took a while before my wolf answered me. I guess she was thinking.

Hmm, do they even think? That might be a mystery.

‘Keep straight. I smell something really good that way. Must be some delicious berries.’

Wait… Does that mean she could actually smell while being inside me? Do we share the same nose?

‘Hey! Are you listening to me? I said go straight.’

“Oh! Right, I’m listening. Sorry, I was just thinking about something.” I shook the crazy idea off my head and marched forward. Onward, to the berries!

For some reason, as I continued to walk, my body started to shiver, tingle. Something it’s never done before. It was nonstop.

“Um, are you sure the berries are over here,” I asked while shaking. Not that I wanted to though.

No answer.

“Hello?”

‘Yeah! I’m absolutely positive. And they smell so good! Oh Divine Moon Goddess, it’s driving me crazy!’

“Whoa, okay, calm yourself-“

If only I was paying attention to where my feet were stepping. But of course, I wasn’t.

I tripped over a small log and began to tumble. And of course, the tumbling turned into rolling.

Why, oh why, out of all places to fall on my face, it has to be on a small hill?

When the rolling ceased, I slowly got to my feet and picked up my basket, which by the way survived the fall.

“Ow…”

‘Diana, you are so dumb.’

“Hey! I was to busy talking to you. So there for-“

‘Wait, look, the berries!’

I turned and saw the tiniest bush I’d ever seen. Those, those are the berries?

I crouched down and started to poke them.

“These are the berries? They’re so tiny. And they’re not even ripe. I don’t think these ones are even edible.”

‘Wait, shush. Be quiet and listen.’

“What?”

‘Just do it!’

I nodded and started to listen. There was no sound. Only the chirping of birds and the howl of the wind.

But then I heard leaves crunching. Crunch after crunch.

‘That’s the smell!’

Does my wolf really want me to see what is making that crunching sound?

‘Go see what it is.’

I guess so.

I whispered in a hush tone. “I really don’t want to die today. Let’s just go back home.”

‘No! Please, it really smells good. And it obviously has an affect on you, let’s just take a look.’

I shook my head and turned towards the hill. “No, I’m sorry. I just really want to go back home now.”

I was about to take a step when two voices started to speak.

“Christopher, are you sure there’s a flower out here?”

There was a pause before the other spoke.

“Yeah, I’m positive. I can smell it, it’s absolutely captivating.”

A shiver ran down my spine. Two guys, two men, were coming right towards me, and I was too afraid to climb back up the hill.

“Christopher wait. Someone else is out here. I can sense it. It’s a female.”

‘What are you waiting for Diana? You said you didn’t want to see what, erm, see who they are, but now your just sitting there waiting to be spotted.’

I couldn’t reply. My body felt weird. I’ve never felt anything like this.

It was like I was going insane.

“A female? Where?”

“Right ahead, where this so called flower is.”

“Hmm, let’s just check it out.”

The crunching of the leaves got heavier and the smell that my wolf was smelling was right under my nose.

‘Come on Diana! Time to move!’

I shook my head and snapped out from my trance. What the heck was I thinking?

I began to ascend the hill, but it was already to late.

“Um, hello?”

I froze, not wanting to move.

“You know I can, well, we can see you.”

I turned slowly, but kept my eyes closed shut.

‘Talk to them, but don’t act suspicious!’ My wolf told me.

I nodded. “H-hi.”

“Ah, so she speaks. Can she open her eyes?”

Oh gosh, this was torture.

“Um, Christopher, why is she wearing an apron?”

That got my attention. My eyes snapped open and immediately looked towards my clothes.

Oh gosh, I was wearing my apron.

‘I told you that you were forgetting things.’

I shook my head. Stupid wolf.

“Um, may I have your name, apron lady?”

I looked up at the two men in front of me, but really only saw one. He was tall and handsome and captivating and… Oh god what am I thinking?

The strange thing was, he was looking at me the same way I was him. Like we were in a trance.

Our attention was snapped from each other by a cough.

“Well, since you won’t answer Christopher, I guess I’ll do the introductions. I’m Brent, the beta of our pack, and this is Christopher, he’s the alpha. Now, who are you?”

Who am I?

‘My god, you’re Diana.’

Oh, right, silly me. The shock.

“I’m, erm, I’m Diana…”

The guy named Christopher smiled.

“That’s a perfect name for you. So, if I may ask, where’s your pack? You shouldn’t be out here alone.”

My pack? They’re dead. I’m a rogue. Packs kill rogues. They could kill me! Oh god, I’m gonna die!

I turned my back on them and darted up the hill. I am not going to die today.

“Hey wait!”

I ignored him and kept running.

‘Diana.’

“Not now!”

‘Diana! I hope you know they’re chasing us!’

Wait, what?

I glanced back and started to freak out. They are. They really were chasing me, and they were going full speed. I’m going to die!

“Diana, stop! Why are you running?”

‘Hurry Diana! We’re almost home!’

I nodded and pushed myself to go faster. I have to get inside my wall. They wouldn’t dare to come in, would they?

Soon enough, I made it. I was in my village. But I still didn’t stop running. I had to get to Eric.

“Eric,” I yelled while running. A moment later my fuzzy friend came striding from the house.

He cocked his head to the side.

“Sound the alarms! Do something! We’re under attack!”

‘Diana! They’re here!’

I skidded to a stop and looked behind me. My eyes widened.

Christopher and Brent came charging in. Brent seemed to have lost breath and stopped running at the entrance, but Christopher was still running at full speed.

‘Move Diana!’

“I-I can’t!”

If my eyes could widen anymore, they did. He was coming right at me.

I really am going to die.

“Move Diana! I can’t stop!” Christopher shouted, trying to slow down.

I closed my eyes and held out my hands. A moment later he crashed into me and we tumbled.

When we stopped tumbling I opened my eyes. Christopher was on top of me.

“I-I-I-“

“Oh God. I’m sorry Diana. I didn’t mean to.”

He sat himself up to where he was straddling me.

“Oh shit, you’re hurt. Here, let me just…” He put the palm of his hand on my arm where I had scraped myself from the crash. Immediately sparks flew up my arm and engulfed my body.

His eyes widened. “Mate.”

Did I hear him right?

‘Mate!’

I shook my head at my wolf. Impossible. But I couldn’t help but question it.

“M-mate?” God, I stuttered!

He nodded and leaned down to where his mouth was by my ear. “Mate.”