I see the flames before the smell hits my nostrils; burning flesh and fur "No, mum noooooo" I race towards the flames but instead I'm brought back to reality another nightmare that felt all too real.... Another dream where I am unable to save my mother from the blackthorn pack. I wiped the familiar bead of sweat that had gathered every night this same way for 10 years but now I also happened to be heat.
I noted every scent, every sound, every feeling and emotion was suddenly more heightened.
"Amara!!"
I threw on a shirt I had carelessly discarded on the floor the day before and went to answer what sounded like the Luna of the moonshine pack
"Luna"
She smiled in that way she did when I came ten years after my mother's death asking the alpha boldly to let me stay outside the line of their pack as I did not want any trouble, I had only been eleven at the time. The alpha had growled but the Luna had laughed and found it amusing, she calmed the alpha and spoke on my behalf saying I was too young to be lefr alone in the forest
"Amara, your 21st birthday is coming up. You will turn soon and you cannot do it here. You have the blood of alpha in you" her eyes were downcast as she spoke almost as if she was ashamed to turn me away and knowing her she probably did feel that way.
So I smiled half heartedly equally pained at the sudden realization I would have to leave a place I had Called home for many blood moons.
"Luna I understand, give me tonight and I'll be out of your hair"
Her face still solemn "I guess you could not sleep again, I could hear your screams on my way here"
Classic Luna, always caring even now when she had to push me out for the good of the pack and the safety of the alphas position
"just another nightmare of the day my mother died aka my birthday"
I said it with a slight chuckle but the Luna did not smile, her solemn face had some how gotten more solemn. She had always hated that my mother died on my birthday. I always managed to be more on edge, I refused gifts and parties there was nothing to be happy about.
"Amara I know you don't like gifts but this is for you and don't insult me by refusing it"
I smile accepting the velvet box from a woman that had been the closest thing to a second mother
"what is it"
She smiled in a knowing way as I gasped in awe at the moonstone pendant It shined brightly in the moonlight
"it's beautiful, thank you"
She waved her hand "No, I wish I could do more. If I'm sending you out there I'll atleast give you this necklace, it will protect you. It been passed down by the women in my family. I don't have to tell you I think of you as my daughter. The moon goddess knows why she only gave me sons"
I hugged her almost making her loose her balance touched by the warmth she had always shown me. I felt the tears streaming down my face and squeezed a little tight.
We pulled away from each other and she turned to leave
"Amara, dont go looking for those people. Leave the past in the past"
That was the last thing she said to me before she blended in with the trees.
I went back into the tent and packed what little I had inside a back pack- 3 flannel shirts, some shorts, 2 caps and the wooden embroidered compass my mother left me on my birthday ten years ago.
I wore the necklace the Luna gave me and made my way into the forest. I honestly had nowhere to go. I didn't have a pack. I'd always been a rogue even with the black Thorne pack my mom and I had been outsiders.
In an hour it would be 12 midnight and another cursed birthday. But this time it would be different.
The night dragged on heavy with mist, wrapping the forest in silver shrouds. Branched and mud cling to my feet like a second skin as I tore through the forest desperate to find a safe place to turn, breath trembling, heart pounding.
Then a strange scent hit this scent, it was familiar.
But it was too late, a wolf came out of the shadows fully transformed
"Not now.... "
I turned to run in the other direction my chest burned, heat clawing at my skin worse than fever, my wolf suddenly restless;trashing and fighting to break free. The air shifted, I stopped running but Ronan had caught up with me
"traitor" he growled in a low rumble
I staggered back, bones cracked, heat searing through veins. My wolf came out not interested in whether or not this was a good time for me. I heard a strange gut renching scream but it didn't feel like mine, I looked at my hand, I was the one screaming. Ronan kept advancing towards me, his dominance in each step
"stay away!"
I dropped to my knees and my ribs cracked, I felt it
He stopped abruptly and his nostrils flared, he could smell my heat I bet.
Even as I transformed the undeniable mate bond was clawing at me urging I run to him
I hated it
I hated him
I hated everything about this moment
Another half shifted male came out, eyes pale but comforting "Ronan! Leave her - - she's shifting for the first time"
He came to my side kneeling
"Then let her bleed for it" Ronans eyes remained trained on me
Pale eyes touched me lightly "easy now, don't fight it just breathe"
And then it happened, my fur red like my mothers once was. I turned from them.
And then I ran.