The Prophecy Of The Wolves I - The Beginning

~ Chapter One ~

It had been nine years since her parents had died. Evelyn and Ryan had done their best to raise her and help her through the trauma of losing them. They became second parents to her, but they started getting busier with the pack over time. The more active they got with the pack business, the more time she spent in the forest.

Liliana was walking through the forest, taking everything in with astonished eyes. Her love for the forest had never died, even after that horrifying day. She felt as if she were closer to her parents when she was in the woods. Liliana lightly traced her fingers over the charms on her bracelet. She had made them herself and had put a small number of her parents' ashes in each one. That way, they were always with her.

Liliana was petting an adorable fox when it suddenly grew skittish and ran away. She frowned as she looked around. It only took her a minute to find the hellhounds that had scared off the fox. She took a few steps backward and stared at the hounds with wide, frightened eyes. Hellhounds had never been seen in the area before. They couldn't even leave the underworld unless someone had summoned them.

Liliana's frown deepened when the hounds started stalking toward her as if she were the one they were after. She quickly spun around and started running as fast as she could. Unfortunately, the hellhounds were slightly faster than her as they easily caught up to her. Liliana let out a loud cry of pain and terror as one of them got their razor-sharp teeth into her calf. She fell to the ground and tried to crawl away as the hounds stalked closer to her.

Liliana threw her arms up to try and protect her face when she heard something hit the ground in front of her. She looked up and saw a tall man standing with his back toward her. Liliana watched in amazement as he moved faster than the hounds. Within minutes he had killed all five of the hellhounds that had been after her.

Liliana lay curled at the base of a tree as the man turned to her with a reassuring smile. "Hey, little one," he said in a gentle tone. "I'm not going to hurt you. I promise."

Liliana studied him for a minute before whispering. "Who are you?"

He flashed her a bright grin. "My name is Jacques," he said softly. "What's your name, little one?"

She gave him a small, tentative smile. "I'm Liliana," she said quietly.

Jacques grinned as he knelt in front of her. "It's a pleasure to meet you, little Liliana," he inhaled deeply and frowned. "Were you hurt, little Liliana?" He asked as he looked her over.

Liliana slightly moved the calf that had been bitten and nodded with a frown. "Yeah. One of them got my calf," she said quietly.

Jacques gently took her leg in his hand and looked at her calf. It was a deep bite that wouldn't heal on its own. He could smell that the young girl in front of him didn't have a wolf. "Are you feeling tired at all?" He questioned as he glanced up at her.

Liliana nodded as she exhaled harshly. "I am getting sleepy," she said in an exhausted voice.

Jacques was enjoying the calm of the forest when he heard it. Footsteps rushed toward the tree that he was lounging in. He frowned as he looked toward Orthrus and gave him a slight nod toward the thicker part of the forest, telling him to hide. Orthrus backed into the woods as Jacques stood in the tree and looked toward the sound.

Jacques's frown deepened when he saw a young-looking girl running toward him. His forehead creased in confusion when he found five hellhounds on her heels.

One lunged forward and took a bite out of her calf, sending her to the ground screaming in agony and terror. Jacques watched as she tried to scramble backward to get away from the hounds. Finally, as Liliana threw her arms up to try and protect herself, he couldn't take anymore. He swiftly jumped from the tree and landed protectively in front of her.