Marked by the Monster [COMPLETED]

twenty four

To Manik,

If you're reading this letter, something bad must've happened. I'm sorry I am not there to tell you this directly but read this letter thoroughly and make sure to destroy it before it reaches the hands of someone who is not supposed to see it......

20 years back

Raj Malhotra trudged up the narrow lane of the forest trail, done for the day while carrying logs of wood.

"Dad!" He heard his small three-year-old boy running with no sense of direction, at full speed.

The little boy hugged Raj Malhotra's legs as he set the wood down.

"What did my little squirt do all day?" he asked as he picked the little boy up and walked into the house to see his beloved wife curled up on the sofa, reading a book.

"I made paper boats!" Little Manik said happily as he got out of his father's hold and ran to get them.

"Hi my love" Raj said as he bent down to kiss his mate

It was just another normal day for the Malhotra family. The usual chit chat of three- year- old Manik and the comforting glances of his mate. Raj Malhotra led a simple yet happy life.

As promised, Raj went to the stream with Manik to send the paper boats away and then returned home.

The next morning, Raj was up early and went for a morning run to let his wolf run free. He enjoyed the wind ruffle through his mane and as the sun came up.

He went back to the stream near the house to drink water when he saw something very strange. He saw something wrapped in a towel that moved. He went forward to have a closer look to find a baby! An abandoned baby in amongst the tall grass by the stream.

He shifted to his human form and without a second thought, took the baby who was now staring at his face in admiration in wonder and went home. Praveena, his wife was, of course, surprised to see her husband who had gone for a run coming back with a baby.

"Who is this?" Praveena asked as she took the baby in her arms.

"I don't know. I found her by the stream abandoned." Raj said and sighed.

"Oh, my world! who would leave this beautiful small girl all alone by the stream?" Praveena asked as she lulled the baby.

"Let's wait a few days to see if someone comes this way to claim her. Until then, the stream next to the forest is no place safe for a baby girl," Raj said and his mate nodded in return.

Years passed, but nobody came claiming the little girl. So she was called Mukti Malhotra, who grew up calling Praveena as her mother and Raj as her Dad and of course, the mischievous prankster Manik as her bother.

Everything was well and good until that fateful day.

Manik, Mukti, and Raj had gone to the nearby town to get groceries and a little cake to celebrate Manik's birthday that day.

"MOM! We're back!" Manik shouted and ran inside the house. But to his surprise she wasn't anywhere she normally would be.

"Mom?" Mukti called out as well.

Dropping the groceries, Raj went outside and searched for her.

"Praveena!!!" He yelled out and after what seemed like forever, he heard a slight groan from behind the tall grass next to the stream.

Praveena laid there covered in her blood with deep gashes all over her body. She struggled to stay awake as she held on to the little life that was left with her. But before Raj could do anything, his beloved mate breathed her final breath in his arms.