Whispers of the Moon

Chapter 9: Torn

Fawn didn't look back as she walked away, forcing herself to keep her pace steady despite the urge to turn around and see Lucian's face one last time. The ache in her chest was overwhelming, a reminder of all the feelings she was trying to push away. The forest loomed around her, dark and enveloping, as if it were shielding her from the pain of reality.

But the deeper she ventured into the woods, the heavier the silence grew. Each rustle of leaves, each distant howl in the night echoed in her mind, a constant reminder of the bond they shared and the pain of its unraveling. As she walked, she could still feel Lucian's presence lingering behind her, a specter she couldn't shake off no matter how hard she tried.

He's still my mate, her wolf whispered, a desperate longing filling the space where anger had resided just moments before. We're still bound. You can't escape him.

Fawn pressed her lips together, fighting the tears that threatened to spill over again. I can't keep feeling this way. I can't keep letting him hurt me. The internal struggle was exhausting, each thought wrestling with another until she felt like she might shatter under the weight of it all.

But the truth was, even as she tried to convince herself that she was done with Lucian, a part of her still ached for him. The moments they had shared, the laughter, the connection-it was all too precious to simply forget. And now that he was back, now that he had come after her, those feelings rushed back to the surface, clawing at her resolve.

Fawn's pace slowed as she entered a small clearing bathed in silver moonlight. The sight was breathtaking, and for a moment, it took her breath away. The serene beauty of the night sky felt like a balm on her tortured soul, but it did little to ease the tumult inside her. She stood still, breathing in the cool air, allowing herself a moment to gather her thoughts.

What do I want? she thought, staring up at the stars that twinkled like diamonds against the dark canvas of the sky. Do I want to go back? The idea sent a shiver down her spine. The prospect of facing Lucian again was both tempting and terrifying.

Suddenly, the stillness of the night was broken by a low growl. Fawn's senses heightened instantly as she whipped around, her instincts kicking in. Her heart raced as she scanned the trees, searching for the source of the sound.

Out of the shadows, a rogue wolf emerged, its eyes glinting in the moonlight. It was large and muscular, its fur a dark mottled gray that blended seamlessly with the forest. Fawn felt a rush of adrenaline as her wolf surged to the forefront, ready to protect her.

Stay calm, she thought, trying to channel her fear into focus. The rogue's gaze was predatory, and Fawn could feel the malice radiating from it as it approached. It was clear this wolf meant business, and she was alone-far away from the pack and any potential help.

"Get back!" Fawn shouted, trying to sound more confident than she felt. She shifted into her wolf form, her white fur glimmering like snow under the moonlight. Her body felt powerful and alive, and even in her fear, a spark of determination ignited within her.

The rogue wolf paused, its eyes narrowing as it assessed her. There was a moment of tension where neither moved, both sizing each other up. Fawn could feel her heart pounding in her chest, the instinct to flee battling against the instinct to stand her ground.

Then, in a flash, the rogue lunged at her, jaws snapping. Fawn barely had time to react as she dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the wolf's teeth. She leapt forward, using her speed to her advantage, but the rogue was quick, following closely behind.

I can't let him corner me, she thought desperately, pushing her legs to move faster. The forest blurred around her as she ran, weaving between trees and underbrush, her heart racing as she felt the rogue closing in.