Heart of a rogue

* Chapter 11

The sun was rising  on the horizon as Declan gathered us, his chosen few, for the expedition into the depths of our territory. Alani, Joshua, Abel, and Nova stood alongside me, their expressions a mix of determination and apprehension. We were the chosen few, entrusted with the task of uncovering the mysteries that plagued our land.

As we stood before the pack, a sense of anticipation hummed through the air. Eyes watched us intently, the weight of their expectations heavy upon our shoulders. But we were ready, fueled by the bond of pack unity and the shared determination to protect what was ours.

With a nod from Declan, we set off, our footsteps echoing through the woods as we ventured deeper into the heart of our territory. The familiar sights and sounds of the forest surrounded us, but there was an undercurrent of tension that hung in the air.

Nova led the way, her keen senses guiding us towards the edge of our land where the darkness had been spotted. Each step brought us closer to the unknown, the anticipation building with every passing moment.

As we neared our destination, the air grew heavy with a palpable sense of foreboding. The darkness loomed before us, a stark contrast to the vibrant life that usually thrived within our borders. 

"It's... It's become so much worse since yesterday," Nova said, her voice tinged with concern.

Declan exchanged a glance with her, their silent communication speaking volumes. "How much worse?" he inquired, his brow furrowing with worry.

Nova hesitated before responding, her gaze fixed on the darkened edge of our territory. "About an arm's length, I guess," she murmured, her words heavy with apprehension. "And it's spreading quickly..."

"How?" Abel's voice trembled with a mixture of fear and disbelief. "What is this?"

I crouched down, my senses on high alert, and leaned closer to the withering plants. Beneath the pungent scent of decay, there lingered another, more elusive aroma. It was a scent reminiscent of a blend of exotic spices, a fragrance that hinted at something mystical, something magical. "It's sorcery," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Sorcery?" Alani's tone was skeptical, her brows furrowing in confusion. "That's a myth," she grumbled, shaking her head.

"It's not," I replied firmly, my conviction unwavering. I had encountered the workings of sorcery before, albeit rarely. "However rare, there are sorcerers among us," I explained, my gaze scanning the group for any signs of recognition or understanding.

Alani wrapped her arms around herself, a shiver running down her spine. "Never seen one, never heard of it," she murmured, her voice tinged with apprehension.

"I have heard of it, seen it once too," I replied, my expression grave as he recalled the encounter. "A female who could make trees bloom with blossoms, a sorceress is the voice of nature, close to a spirit. Jenny told me all about them... But I don't get why they would do something like this..." I trailed off, his brow furrowed in thought, as if grappling with the mystery of it all. From what I know, they treasure nature deeply. 

Abel's voice trembled with urgency as he turned to me. "Lucy, do you have any idea where we can find this sorceress?"

I shook my head, feeling a pang of frustration at my lack of answers. "I don't know," I admitted, my voice tinged with regret.

Joshua's concern was palpable as he spoke up next. "Our lands are affected now as well," he said, his tone heavy with worry. "Soon wildlife won't return, and our pack will starve, like all the other packs."

Declan, ever the voice of reason, stepped forward to address the group. "Everyone, calm down," he said, his voice steady and reassuring. "We'll search for this sorceress and undo this curse. But we can't do it alone. We'll need to unite the packs, pool our resources, and work together to overcome this challenge."