THE RETURN OF THE WOLF QUEEN'S DESCENDANT

I see several dark shadows creeping up behind me as I make my way down the pitch-black route. Since I usually take this path home after night practice, I initially feel comfortable. But as the shadows grow larger and larger, unease creeps in.

Then it hits me: the trio gang. The same ones I humiliated this week. My stomach clenches at the thought of Fen, their ruthless leader, who swore he’d make me pay.

With no one in sight, I have no choice but to run before they get any closer. I break into a sprint. They chase after me.

As I run, I catch a glimpse of their faces—especially Fen’s, my tormentor. My heart pounds. I know I can’t outrun them. My only chance is to hide. I veer off into the dark forest, hoping the thick trees will conceal me. I crouch beneath a massive tree, my breath shaky, my hands trembling. The silence is deafening except for the rapid thudding of my heart.

"Witch, where are you?" Fen’s voice slices through the night.

I squeeze my eyes shut and stay silent. If they find me, I know it won’t end well.

"Pray to your God that we don’t find you," Kendrick sneers. "Because if we do, we’ll kill you and bury you right here. And trust me, no one, not even the authorities, will do a d*mn thing about it. We’re the sons of the most powerful men in the city."

Terror grips me tighter. Sweat beads on my forehead, and suddenly, I realize: I’ve wet myself.

"I can smell you," Fen mutters. I bite my lip to keep from crying out. Desperately, I pray to the Holy Mother of Perpetual Help to protect me. "I'm giving you one last chance," Fen taunts. "Come out on your own, and I promise I’ll be gentle."

Lies. I know better. I stay frozen, my body trembling, tears silently streaming down my face.

Then I hear it: a sharp inhale. Fen is sniffing the air. His eyes lock onto my hiding spot. He starts walking toward me, slow and deliberate.

"Please, Jesus, make him turn away," I whisper. Fen laughs, then lunges. He grabs me by the arm and hauls me out of my hiding place. "You really thought I wouldn’t smell you?" he smirks. "You stink from miles away."

"Someone, help!" I scream, struggling against his grip.

"Shut your filthy mouth!" Harry snaps, slapping me hard across the cheek.

Pain explodes across my face. I press both hands to my mouth as more tears spill over. "You had the nerve to pour your urine on me in public?" Harry growls.

"I.. I’m sorry," I plead, my voice shaking. "Where’s that useless boyfriend of yours?" Kendrick sneers.

I didn’t answer. Jackson was supposed to walk me home, but he made an excuse that he had an ‘emergency’, and left me on my own. "All we did was set him up with another girl, and he ditched you," Fen chuckles darkly. I feel my heart twist. Even through my fear, Jackson’s betrayal stings. "I’m sorry," I whisper again, unsure of what else to say.

A sharp kick to my back sends me sprawling face-first onto the ground. Pain shoots through my ribs, but I couldn't even scream. Fen yanks me up by my hair and drags me deeper into the forest.

"You should’ve been sorry when you poured that piss on us," he said as he spat on me. I know their intentions are anything but good. Panic surges through me. I resumed screaming, thrashing, doing anything to escape.

"Shut up!" Harry yells, delivering another brutal kick.

Still, I keep screaming. Their patience wears thin.

"No one defies us and gets away with it," Fen growls. "Especially not a worthless peasant like you who was j7st lucky enough to get into King's College on a scholarship."

"Rise," Harry orders. I scramble to my feet, shaking so hard I can barely stand.

"Look at us," Fen commands. "To people like you, we are gods. Do you understand?" I nod frantically, my body trembling as if I was struck by lightning.

"Enough," Kendrick says, pulling Harry back. "She’s learned her lesson."

"Tell your pathetic boyfriend to watch his back," Fen warns. Then, without warning, he kicks me hard in the face.

My vision blurs. A ringing fills my ears. "Fen, what have you done?" Kendrick’s voice wavers.

"Oh my God! She’s not breathing," Harry panics.

Their voices grow distant, like echoes in a tunnel. The world fades to black. I feel weightless, like I’m falling from the sky. Then, darkness.

A NEW REALITY

I wake up to the sight of unfamiliar faces staring down at me. Bright lights burn my eyes. Where am I?

I struggle to sit up. My body aches all over. I’m… in a hospital? My thoughts scatter, but one thing is clear: my mother.

"Where is my mother?" My voice is hoarse, weak.

A nurse steps forward. "I don’t know. You were brought here by an elderly man. He said he found you unconscious near the riverbank. You’ve been here for three weeks."

“Three weeks!” I responded in shock. My breath catches. The trio gang Fen.

"What did they do to me?" i asked myself.

But right now, all I want is to hear my mother’s voice.

"Please, can I borrow your phone for a moment? I need to call my mother." I force a smile, hoping the doctor will help. He reaches into his pocket and hands me an old-fashioned phone. I don’t care about the model: I just need to hear my mother's voice. I dial her number. My hands shake as I press the call button.

"Dear customer, the number you are calling does not exist."

My blood runs cold. I try again. Same result. No. No, this isn’t happening. Where is she?

"I have to go home," I say, attempting to stand. "Take it easy," the doctor says, gently pushing me back down. "You’re still healing. I guess you don’t have a wolf yet."

I freeze. "A… what?"

He looks at me strangely. "A wolf. If you had one, your body would have healed faster." A wolf? Is he talking about a pet?

"I don’t understand," I say, completely baffled. The doctor’s expression darkens. He steps closer, studying my face.

"I don’t think you’re crazy," he murmurs, "but we need to confirm something." Without another word, he turns and walks away.

"Wait!" I call after him. "I need to call my mom!" He didn’t turn back.

Desperate, I plead with a nurse. She hands me another ancient-looking phone. I try again. Same response.

"Please," I whisper. "Can someone go to my mother? Tell her I’m safe."

"Maybe you should write down your address," the nurse suggests. "I’ll send someone to find her."

Hope flickers inside me. "Thank you." She hands me a pen and paper. I scribble my address and give it back with a grateful smile. She glances at it. Then suddenly, her face drains of color.

Something is wrong. "What is it?" I ask, my heart pounding. She looks up at me, hesitation in her eyes. Then, she asks a question that makes my blood turn to ice.

"Which pack do you belong to?

The nurse’s question caught me off guard. I didn’t understand what she meant, but something told me that things weren’t right.

"Which city am I in?" I asked, my voice laced with confusion.

"This is Adark, the territory of the Dark Moon Pack," she replied. Adark? I had never heard of such a place before. Before I had time to process this information, the doctor returned, accompanied by two men.

"This is Dr. Ben from the Red Moon Pack," he said.

"A specialist in treating delusional patients. And this is Andrew, a witch from the main Coven."

I sat up slightly, ignoring the dull ache in my body.

"I'm Lisa," I introduced myself, hoping they could tell me where I was and how to contact my mother.

Dr. Ben smiled. "It's nice to meet you, Lisa. We’d like to ask you a few questions, if that’s alright."

"Go ahead," I said, forcing a polite smile.

"How old are you?" "I'm 21." "Where are you from?"

"San Antonio, Texas," I answered witho