Well Beyond

1

"We have to go!" my mom screamed, her frantic expression ringing through the safe house. 

Her grey eyes, framed by years of deep sorrow, seemed to glow wider and brighter than any earthly moon I'd ever witnessed in that deadly moment. My stomach sank into a feeling of total unease; my senses heightened, and the gut instinct to either fight or flee began to surge within me. 

"Did you hear me? They found us, we have to go," she scolded, shaking me as if trying to jolt some sense into me. 

Her grip was ironclad, her nails digging into my shoulders. I sobered up instantly, the fog clearing from my mind.

"Where's Dad?" I managed to ask, my voice barely a whisper. She scoffed, her eyes flashing with panic. 

"We don't have time for questions." She stood up quickly, grabbing my wrist and yanking me to my feet. Our emergency bag, packed with our essentials and money, hung heavily from her taut back. We bolted for the door, our wild footsteps echoing through the tiny, musty cabin that had served as our sanctuary for the past month. Its rustic charm had long since faded, replaced by a sense of impending doom.

Mom ripped open the door, shoving me out into the cold night air, causing me to stumble. 

"You need to run, now," she hissed, thrusting the bag into my arms with a force that almost knocked me over.

"What about you?" I pleaded, panic rising in my chest.

She shook her head silently, her face set with grim determination. "I'll be okay, go."

The back door slammed shut behind her. Panic filled my veins, a cold rush that threatened to paralyze me. I took in the foggy forest, barely able to see mere feet in front of me. A soft, warm glow emanated from the front of the cabin. I ran straight back from the house until the glow had softed. I paused, looking back, my breath coming in ragged gasps.

The shadow of a man loomed by the door, brooding and menacing. He was obviously stronger than most males in our former pack, his presence exuding raw power. Surrounding him was a small army of men who looked small by comparison. As the men shifted, I caught a brief, clearer glimpse of the bloodied man on the ground, and dread settled in my gut like a lead weight. His stomach was pressed firmly against the mossy ground, which had sponged up copious amounts of his blood, by a large foot. My eyes strained to see who it was, but the darkness of dusk prevailed.

I crouched down by the thick tree line, my heart pounding in my chest as I watched. The brooding figure by the door commanded the attention of his men with an unspoken authority, his dark silhouette standing stark against the dim light filtering through the cabin. He nodded his head forward, signaling his two men. They lurched into action, one of them delivering a powerful kick to the front door, the impact splintering the frame and sending shards of wood flying. Without hesitation, they rushed into the cabin, their movements swift and brutal. The sounds of crashing and fighting erupted from within, and seemed to reverberate through the trees. My mother's muffled screams pierced the night.

I shifted uncomfortably in my hiding spot, every instinct screaming at me to run in and help her. The forest around me felt alive with tension, the rustling leaves and distant animal calls a stark contrast to the chaos within the cabin. Silently conflicted, I wrestled with the urge to act against the overwhelming fear that held me in place. The primal need to protect my family clashed with the stark reality of our situation, leaving me paralyzed.

"Fuck you," my mom growled out, as she was shoved out of the door, landing hard on the mossy ground. 

She stumbled to her feet, her eyes widening in horror as she looked at the captured man. A soft whimper escaped her lips. It instantly clicked: that was my dad, beaten past the point of recognition, even to his mate. The leader of the intruders watched her intently as he approached my dad.