Blood and the Sea's Song

Chapter Three: Eyes in the Shadows

To the woman who walks her own path, who faces life with strength and grace. May you always remain fierce, unshaken, and unapologetically yourself.

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The cabin, nestled within the thick forest of Forks, offered a kind of quiet that Selene usually found comforting. Today, however, she could not shake the feeling that something was off. She moved through the small space, feeling the chill of the morning air seep through the gaps in the wooden walls. The mist hung heavily outside, draping the forest like a shroud. Normally, such sights brought her a sense of peace, reminding her of the serenity she found in the depths of the ocean, but today, they felt oppressive.

She tried to distract herself, adjusting the few items she had gathered, making small adjustments to the cabin’s interior. The day before, she’d spent time exploring, getting to know the area around her temporary refuge. She had picked up the scents of deer and small creatures, all harmless to someone like her. But as the sun rose and the mist began to lift, a different scent lingered in the air—one she couldn't place.

The sense of being watched had been there since dawn. She felt it first as a light tingle at the back of her neck, a faint whisper in the back of her mind. It grew stronger as the hours passed, until it was impossible to ignore. Every time she glanced out the window, she expected to see someone—something—waiting beyond the tree line. But all she saw was the empty forest, shrouded in its eerie silence.

Selene knew she was not alone. It wasn’t just a feeling; it was an instinct, honed by centuries of living on her own terms and surviving the dangers that came with being a siren. She had always trusted her instincts, and they were screaming at her now. Something was watching her. Something hidden among the trees, studying her every move.

She inhaled deeply, trying to center herself. The bond with the vampire she had seen by the shore still tugged at her, a steady, unrelenting presence that kept her on edge. But this was different. This was new. It felt closer, more immediate, as if whatever it was lurked just beyond her sight.

For a while, she tried to brush it off, telling herself that she was simply unsettled by her encounter with the vampire. Her mother’s stories had always warned her of the power and danger of soul bonds, and Selene had never imagined she would experience one herself. She had always been careful, always kept her distance from others, and now that she was caught in the web of fate, she felt exposed.

But no amount of reasoning could calm her nerves. She paced the cabin, her eyes darting to the windows, catching glimpses of shadows that danced beyond the glass. She had lived in isolation for so long that she was usually attuned to any shift in the environment. But here, on land, she felt as if she was one step behind.

By midday, she had had enough. She refused to be caged by her own fear. Her grip tightened around the edge of the table, and she drew in a slow, steadying breath. If she was being watched, she would find out who—or what—was responsible. She wouldn’t be a passive target.

Determined, Selene dressed quickly and stepped outside. The cool, damp earth felt familiar beneath her feet, grounding her as she scanned the forest around her. The sun was struggling to break through the clouds, casting dappled shadows over the undergrowth. She pushed forward, venturing beyond the clearing, the trees closing in around her as she left the safety of the cabin behind.

Her senses were on high alert, every sound amplified by her heightened awareness. She could hear the wind rustling the leaves above, the distant murmur of the stream winding through the woods. But there was something else—a silence that seemed to move with her, as if the forest itself was holding its breath.

Selene pressed on, her eyes sharp and her ears straining for any hint of movement. The feeling of being watched was stronger now, an oppressive weight on her shoulders. The mist had begun to lift, revealing the deeper parts of the forest, where the trees grew thicker, their branches tangled and heavy with moss.

She had no clear path in mind—only the urge to keep moving, to uncover the source of her unease. She knew she was heading toward the outskirts of the forest, where she hoped to find the small town she had heard whispers of. Humans might have answers, and while she wasn’t fond of their kind, she was willing to seek information from any source if it meant understanding this new land and its secrets.

The woods grew denser, the light dimming as the trees blocked out the sun. She wove through the undergrowth, pushing aside branches that clawed at her skin. The forest felt different here, more alive. She could feel the weight of its presence pressing in on her, a living, breathing entity that seemed to watch her every move.

And then, she felt it.

Her body went still as a shiver ran down her spine. Her instincts flared, and she paused, her gaze darting to her right. The shadows between the trees seemed to deepen, and for a brief moment, she could have sworn she saw movement—something quick, something large. She narrowed her eyes, muscles tensed and ready for anything.

The presence was no longer distant; it was close. She could feel it, a prickle of awareness that set her senses on edge. She was no longer alone, and the forest itself felt like it was hiding secrets she was not meant to find.

Every muscle in her body was coiled, her hands clenched at her sides. Her scarred eye, pale blue and unblinking, caught the light as she scanned the trees. She wasn’t afraid, but the feeling of being hunted was unmistakable.

It’s testing me, she thought, feeling a flare of anger rise within her. She didn’t take kindly to games. If whatever was out there wanted a fight, she would give it one. But it was smarter than that—remaining hidden, watching, waiting for the right moment.

The wind shifted, carrying a new scent to her—musk and earth, heavy and potent. Her nose wrinkled. It wasn’t a scent she recognized, but it was close. Too close.

“Show yourself,” she whispered, her voice barely more than a breath. The forest didn’t respond, but the silence grew heavier, pressing against her. She pushed forward, deeper into the shadows, feeling the pulse of the earth beneath her feet. She was close now; she could feel it.

Another rustle, this time behind her. Selene spun, her eyes scanning the undergrowth, but all she saw were shifting shadows and tangled branches. She moved cautiously, each step light and deliberate as she continued her search.

The forest seemed to part before her, the trees thinning to reveal another small clearing. She stepped forward, her senses still on high alert. The air was thick with anticipation, and she felt her heartbeat quicken.

That’s when she saw it.

Ahead of her, just beyond the edge of the clearing, a shape materialized. At first, it was nothing more than a shadow—a blur of movement among the trees. But then, as it stepped into the light, she saw it for what it was.

A massive wolf stood at the edge of the clearing, its fur as black as midnight. It was larger than any wolf she had seen before, its body rippling with muscle. Its eyes, a striking yellow, glowed with an intensity that sent a chill down her spine.

The wolf’s gaze locked onto hers, and for a moment, the forest seemed to hold its breath.

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11.10.2024
Edit:
Words: 1353

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Not as long as I would if hoped and a bit late of an update hit here it is now

Would you guys like the next chapter be from Jasper pov again?