Half-Blooded | The Dark Child Prophecy Series [✔️]

Chapter Four: The Takers

I ran until I couldn't any longer. My paws had begun to hurt and the whole world was blurry and out of focus.

"You're an animal. You won't ever be anything else."

I dropped forward and found myself on my hands and knees, back in my human form. My black silk shorts and tank top were waiting for me just a few feet away and I crawled forward to them. I didn't remember taking them off. I slipped into the top and then my shorts, finding my knees bruised and my feet covered in mud.

Sighing, I collapsed onto my side and curled up. I didn't care that it was cool out or that the grass was damp with dew. I threaded my fingers through the long green and gold strands, trying to focus my vision again as tears brimmed in the corners of my eyes. Just as I was about to give in to my emotions, I felt him.

My nose was suddenly filled with his unmistakable smell: oak, black soil, cloves, salt, and musk. I could hear his heart beating; I could feel him as if he were touching me. He was here.

I shot up into a sit, bracing my weight on my palms. I looked around for the mystery man, twisting to see the rest of the clearing.

Where are you?

I heard a branch snap and I whipped around, rolling my weight onto my bottom from my thigh, my hands on either side of my hips. I gasped as I came face-to-face with a black wolf the size of a miniature pony, his fur so dark that it was almost navy. His eyes weren't pure canine, but almost human, and the distinctive shade of purple. His ears were forward, his mouth slightly open.

"Hi," I whispered softly, knowing the human man inside the wolf.

His right ear flicked back and then forward again. He retreated a few steps to put some distance between us and I fought the urge to reach out and touch him. When he backed up more, I frowned.

"Wait," I said, holding my hand out in a loose fist. It was how to greet strange dogs... Even if he wasn't actually a dog.

The wolf growled and his ears lay back against his head for a second. He snorted and shook his head before turning and walking away.

"Hey," I snapped, affronted by the blow-off. I got my feet under me and started to get up. "Wait, don't just go!" I called as he continued to walk.

He glanced over his shoulder at me. When I started to rise, he kept going.

"Wait, wait. I need to know who you are. Why do I see you? What's your name?" I asked, getting to my feet and following him towards the trees. "Hey!"

The wolf paused again and then turned to face me. He growled softly and I could feel words trying to form in my mind, his voice filling them.

You can't... Understated—understand... Out of touch with...wolf...

"I can't understand you?" I asked, unsure of what he was saying.

He stared at me, his head tipping to the side with intrigue. I must have said something right. The wolf walked back forward towards me a few paces and looked me over.

Feel me... Influence... Hear my voice.

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts to only hear him. "Feel your influence? I don't know what that means."

The wolf growled again softly, snorting with annoyance. I could feel his growing frustration. He turned to walk away again, pausing at the edge of the trees. You'll find a way to understand, Serenity. You just have to want to enough.   

"Wait, I need to know who you are!" I called, following. "I want to understand, I do. Please, don't go," I added, stopping at the tree line. I crossed my arms over my chest, suddenly feeling the cool damp air as mist began to form around my ankles. The sun would be rising soon. "Look, I can't stay here and try to coax answers out of you, Wolf. Can't you just tell me your name? Are you even real, or am I crazy?"