Streak And Pack

Prologue

Zarina got home from the park where she always stayed with Amaris, her best friend, whenever they wanted to relax. Amaris mentioned something about joining a "club" and Zarina was very supportive of it, though Amaris didn't exactly tell her what that "club" was about.

Zarina was thinking about it as she headed home.

Her house is located on the countryside and her house is one of the only houses standing on that location, far from town.

As she got home, she saw her mother, Maia, in the living room, holding and staring at her gorgeous teardrop shaped necklace, carrying the color of the deep shade of blue. As always, she is not smiling at all. She never heard her mother laugh and all her smile is not genuine.

She sat beside her mother.

"Mother, I am home." She said. Maia gave the same empty smile. "How was your day?" She asked her daughter while stroking her hair. "I am okay, my beautiful mother. Are you?" Zarina said, attempting to make her laugh but all Zarina received was a small smile. She thinks it's worth the try anyway.

"I am just going upstairs. I should probably clean my-"

Zarina stopped on her words when she saw her mother closing her eyes tightly while rubbing her temples and groaning in pain.

"Mother?" Zarina held her mother close. "I am okay. I am okay, Zarina." Maia responded. "Tell me, do you have any medicine? I can fetch them for yo-"

"I said I am okay!" Maia retorted and Zarina flinched, looking silently at her mother with a pained expression. Zarina is starting to get used with how her mother treats her. "I'm so sorry." Maia added, squeezing her daughter's hand. All Zarina could do was nod. "I'm just... going upstairs." She said and stood up.

Maia felt the pain once more. This time, even worse than before. She never expected to feel the same way again, after years that passed. She does not want to know what harm will come upon her but she has no control over it. She has to see what will happen in the next few minutes.

Most of the nights where she slept, Maia had this one particular dream. She saw that the enemies will take down the house and ambush her. There, she is killed and Zarina escaped. This time, instead of feeling that everything is just a nonsense dream, it felt so real.

Maia opened her eyes, gasping for air. It's what they always told her: she will one day die and she will see how exactly it would happen to her just minutes before it happens. She wanted to escape it but it has to happen. If she fought against what must happen, she will die instantly. She cannot do anything about her death. She cannot change it. It will happen and she cannot run away.

Maia hurried upstairs, heading to Zarina's room. The poor daughter was welcomed by the sorrowful gaze of her mother, filled with agony and fear. All Maia can think of is to show her genuine happiness of living in the moment, the happiness that both of them are forbidden to feel. Forbidden because as long as they are happy they emit their shifter scents that the enemy uses to determine where they are. Once they are tracked, both of them could be killed.

Zarina held her mother once more. "What's happening with you mother? Why do you look so afraid? What can I do??" The troubled daughter asked and Maia caressed her daughter's cheek. "I have not much time left." She blurted out.

"What? What are you saying?" Tears started to form in Zarina's eyes just by looking at her frightened mother. Maia led Zarina to the bed and they sat together.

"Listen to me, Zarina, my child. Promise me that you will be strong no matter what." Maia's hand tightened on her child's hand.

"I... I promise. Please tell me what's happening. Please." Zarina begged. "Hold still. Feel your surroundings." Maia said and Zarina did.