That was my first night feeling the true hostility of Lycan environment. I survived by some miracle. The next night is far worse, at the top of the mountain with absolutely no shelter from the wind, snow, or freezing air, unable to use a fire for warmth.
Still, as soon as daylight hits I'm forced to move. Packing away my tent and everything inside of it, carrying the heavy items across miles of snow covered land that threatens to crumble under my feet.
I'm grateful for one thing. In the two nights that I've near froze to death, I haven't heard a single Lycan. There's been no signs of any creatures, and that unnerves me in ways I cannot begin to explain. Mostly because it means I'm too far south, heading North is the only way to get where I need to be.
North is Artic wasteland, supposedly dead and barren. The further I travel, the more I wonder if there's any Lycans at all, if the Elders really have sent me here to my death.
It wouldn't surprise me, they're known to be vindictive.
Five days.
Five days until I finally spot a small ocean of trees clustered between two mountains like they've been pushed there by force. It's not much, but it's enough shelter to light a fire.
With that thought in mind, I practically spring down the side of the mountain, using my binoculars to ensure there's no unexpected guests waiting for me.
But of course, it's just me. I kind of wish these Lycans are real, at least I won't be completely alone if I die.
The snow is much thinner between the trees, empty of leaves but thick with branches, providing some coverage from the harsh winds. I rush to build the tent, building the fire close to the opening, but larger than before, ensuring it doesn't burn down as quickly. Using the environment around me, I gather a pile of wood that would make a lumberjack proud.
Only problem now, I have no water left and the lake is almost a weeks walk. Which means I'll have to resort to using snow and ice, which is likely to have bacteria in just like the lake. Boiling it is a must to kill off as many organisms and bacteria as possible.
But the snow has to melt, which takes more time than I'd like.
After filling the pan with freshly fallen snow that hasn't been touched, I set it near the fire in hopes of speeding up the process. As it slowly melts, I walk through the trees, searching for any signs of animal prints, listening intently for any noises.
All that greet me is the howl of the wind through the mountains, dead-like silence offering nothing to comfort me.
It's moments like this when I feel most alone. This Artic wilderness is unforgiving and cruel, under different circumstances I'd somehow find the beauty in this place.
"Pull up in the monster, automobile gangsta,
With a bad bitch that came from Sri Lanka,
Yeah, I'm in that Tonka, color of Willy Wonka,
You could be the king but watch the Queen conquer." I whisper the lyrics under my breath as I head back to my small tent, a puff of white smoke filling the air as my breath freezes in front of my eyes.
"Okay, first things first I'll eat your brains,
Then I'ma start rockin' gold teeth and fangs,
'Cause that's what a motherfuckin' monster do." I carry on, my voice faint as the beat echoes through my head.
"Hairdresser from Milan, that's the monster 'do
Monster Giuseppe heel, that's the monster shoe
Young money is the roster and the monster crew." I almost break into dance.
And why wouldn't I? It's not like anyone is watching me, shaking there head and wondering how twisted I really am.
I suppose that's the plus, in this loneliness I get to be free. I wish I'd brought a book, wuthering heights...I never did get to finish it before leaving New York.
As I settle beside the fire with my ass inside the tent, I let my mind wonder to Hardin. Is he missing me as much as I miss him? Is Lucifer settled with him and Jackson?
Has he peeked at that new dress? I bet he has.
The thought of him fills me with a sense of loss, instantly ruining my semi-sane mood.
Adele. Adeles music is gut-punching, but her new album is definitely more emotional, there's more feeling.
"There ain't no gold in this river." I sing softly, leaning closer so the heat of the flames can warm my face.
"That I've been washin' my hands in fo-..." My breath freezes in my throat as I hear a faint crunch, a single step.
It's too close.
A predator.
My heart thuds heavily in my chest, my breath shallow as I reach into my backpack and carefully draw the Hunting knife out. The handle polished wood with metal fixings, while the blade appears a gunmetal grey, shaped like an arrow.
The unease of not seeing the thing approaching me isn't a new feeling, though it's never comforting. Especially on uncharted Lycan territory, with no real concept of their speed or strength.
Whatever this predator is, it's managed to sneak up on me without me so much as feeling it's presence. Now that's a predator. Why would it get so close, only to alert me of it's presence?
I didn't dwell on the question long enough to care.
As quickly as the second step sounds, I swiftly twist my body around, tossing the knife speedily at the unseen target.
My breath hitches, that familiar predatory instinct filling my veins. The sound of something whining makes me move quickly, grabbing another knife as I rush through the trees.
Yet there's nothing except a couple drops of fresh blood soaked into the snow, with the print of a medium sized creature. My blade nowhere to be found, meaning it's still inside the intended target.
It's too small to be Lycan, which leads me to believe it's another predator capable of surviving in these conditions.
A creature that will soon be my dinner. I thought, quickly setting off up the mountain, following the trail of blood back into the harsh winds and bitter cold of falling snow.
YOU ARE READING
ENDURING {Sequel to Everlasting} ❗️EDITING ❗️
WerewolfLife after the ceremony was different. Kali was completely alone for the first time in her life, no parents making her obey, no mate to confide in. Still, she found ways to adapt. Five years. Five years since she laid eyes on the man she once ador...
