Wolf you Up!

Locked with the young witch in this space, Black let his words slowly spread. Even if he was impatient, rushing wouldn't do any good. He was close to his goal and Light was in his arms. She was his chance.

The Skinwalkers and the pack made everything easy for him. They made so many mistakes. It wasn't that surprising. It was Light. She wasn't only the daughter of the Luna and the Alpha but also their future priestess. They were ready to do anything to find her.

They made mistake after mistake, but the greatest of all was listening to the traitor in their ranks who managed to steer them away from any leads that led to Light. Black had thoroughly observed them, he knew everything.

Of course, that worked in his favor. However, Blue Moon and Bloodhood was the witch's family. He wouldn't stand a chance even as a savior, if she found out how desperate they were to find her, to the point of setting everything on fire and fighting with everyone.

Unconsciously, Black tightened the arm that was around her waist and he felt Light's fingers increase their pressure on his bicep. The sensation snapped him out of his thoughts and he looked down at her.

Snuggled against his chest, the head of the young woman was pressed where his heart was. Even though there was nothing human about him anymore, his body still had all its functions intact. His heart was beating, he was breathing, he even ate sometimes, although this was rare because he felt neither hunger nor thirst and the absence of food or water didn't affect his body.

Merging with his strongest spirit had given him the best of both lives. The power, eternity, and malleability of a spirit and the comfort of a human body that can interact and feel everything.

His eyes followed the movement of his hand stroking the top of Light's hair. Their touch was silky, delicate. He was waiting for the reaction to his words when a noise caught his attention. A steady thud. The sound was both close and distant. He listened carefully and realized it was Light's heart racing.

His hand froze as he realized how she reacted to his word and the next moment a smirk curved his mouth. Light meant more than the world for him. The young Skinwalker was the key to research that had lasted longer than the existence of three human lives. It wasn't his intention but it was true that his way of speaking and his gestures could have that kind of meaning. And it wasn't so bad.

He loosened his grip and his hand slid down the dark hair and approached her face. He lifted her chin so their eyes could meet and, taking advantage of her confusion, he leaned on to kiss her.

It had been decades since he had felt human desires, but if she offered him her aura, he would bind his existence to Light's for eternity. Giving her some love, soothing her betrayed heart, and giving in human emotions himself would make it all the more interesting.

The young witch blinked surprised by the man's sudden kiss but didn't push him away. She felt his lips press against hers softly at first, then more eagerly. At first, Light just accept the kiss. Her heartbeats were filling her head and astonishment had chased away all the negative thoughts that were still lingering. Black leaned a little more on her and finally she started to respond to his invitation.

The timid response from her lips was all the encouragement the man needed. Again he enveloped her waist but, this time, the embrace was so tight it took her breath away.

He released her after a few seconds and pulled away slightly to rest his head on her shoulder. When he did this he realized his own heart was racing and a smile spread on his face.

"It seems like I want you even more than I thought," he mumbled.

He smiled when he heard that the young woman's heart was racing as much as his and sighed. Black straightened up and made the fog around them disappear.

The wizard turned to the werewolf who was trapped in the runes circle. It was time to move on with his plan. Oliver flinched when Black's eyes paused on him. In less than a second, the wizard was on top of him. He put his hand on Oliver's shoulder and pulled it away almost immediately.

The werewolf felt a slight tingle at the contact. He tugged on the tunic's fabric that covered his shoulder but his skin was completely normal. When he watched back at Black, his creepy smile gave him chills.

The wizard turned to look at Light who was standing staring into space, her fingertips brushing her lips. The sight made him smile.

"Light, shall we bring you back home?"

Even though Black knew exactly where to go, he pretended not to and let the prisoner lead the way and guide them. The return trip to the tribe wasn't a trip. Barely a short stroll. The camp where Black had taken care of Light all this time was just a few miles outside of Bloodhood and Blue Moon territory.

When the young woman realized that she recognized the smells and sounds of the forest around her, something inside her tightened. If they were so close, why had neither the pack nor the tribe found her? They hadn't been looking for her? Why? She had understood that Oliver was the traitor, she had no intention of blaming the whole pack. The alpha would punish him and once back she would forget the whole thing.

Still, the closer she got to the territory, the more uncomfortable she was. Everything was calm. If her body wasn't so covered in scars, she'd be sure she was on her way home from a walk. Why everything was normal. Her disappearance didn't worry anyone? Usually, in times of alert patrols moved around the whole territory throughout, and there, they hadn't crossed paths with anyone. Not a sentinel. Not even hunters.

Suddenly, she no longer felt Black's presence near her and Light stopped. The wizard was a few steps behind and he looked at her, a faint smile on his mouth.

"Light, I think it's better if the pack doesn't see me but I don't want to leave you alone. I don't know why but I'm worried."

The young Skinwalker frowned and gazed at his face filled with worries. What could go wrong? It was her home. They must have been racked with worry since he left. Her heart sank as she remembered how peaceful everything was around here, but she pushed the thought away.

"You're my savior. I want you to be with me. They won't hurt you."

"But I'm afraid they hurt you…" he paused as Light's frown deepened and quickly said. "I'll just stay here and watch your reunion from a distance. If they ever give the green light, I will come, okay?"

Light nodded and walked away with Oliver. As soon as she was far enough away, the wizard's smile faded. He waited for them to disappear between the trees and ducked down to prepare the spells he would need to put the plan he had imagined into effect.

Under his fingers several runes and circles of runes took shape. He infused them with his magic and several balls of dark energy rose above the circle of runes. They floated for a moment and disappeared.

Light walked for a few minutes when she noticed Oliver's attitude change. The man was suddenly nervous and she understood why when she saw a group of hunters in the distance. Her heart swelled with joy at the sight of Blooshood pack members, and without hesitation she rushed to them, leaving Oliver behind. As she approached the werewolves, she heard the voice of the one who had betrayed her rise.

"Kill her before she gets to the village!"

Light continued on her run. She didn't understand why he said such a thing. He already betrayed her what was his point?

The werewolves were getting close but something was wrong. They were claws and fangs out ready to shred her. Light's feet stopped, heavy as two boulders. Her shaking body could only raise her arms in protection as she waited to be torn apart.

"Die, you useless cursed !"

It was the only sentence she heard before a series of cries rose around her. Her head was spinning and her ears were ringing. Light opened her eyes and froze in horror. Again, whips of energy saved her and left behind a vision of horror. They pierced the bodies of the werewolves around her. She was about to scream but Black's voice stopped her.

"Shhh… I know but I had to. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't want to hurt you. I wasn't sure they would try to hurt you and when I saw them I couldn't stand still and let them kill you. Please don't hate me."

Black hugged her and buried his face in the crook of her neck. The young woman was shaking. She didn't understand what had just happened. Face pressed against her skin, Black savored the effect of his machination.

The spell he had prepared earlier had created dark energy balls. These balls possessed the werewolves and forced them to attack Light. He devised this plan so he could, once again, save her. He was also the one who had pushed Oliver to scream.

He only had one card to play and it would be over, Light would be broken. He could feel it. The wizard pulled away and looked down at her sadly.

"Light, since you woke up, you haven't noticed anything have you?" She shook her head in response and Black continued. "Light, the reason the Skinwalkers abandoned you, the reason they never sought you out is that you are cursed. The Moon Goddess cursed you because of the ritual you performed and instead of defending you, instead of rejecting her, they wanted to keep their blessing."

The Skinwalker's eyes widened and her mouth opened but no sound came out. She wanted to say that everything was wrong but she had seen them. She had also heard their word. Her head was spinning and a taste of bile filled her mouth. Why she? Why all of this?

"If you want Light, I can save you. I can save you and I can also save them. I can take them away from the Goddess. It's her fault they are no longer in their right mind. I can stop everything. I can avenge you and protect everyone. All you have to do is let me use your aura. I would protect you even more fiercely than my own life. I promise you there will never be anything more important than you. Just give me the strength I need."

________

The Alpha watched the energy whips that pierced through the bodies of the Skinwalkers as they bled to death and his eyes landed on the frail figure that stood in their center with her back to them. The whips seemed to come straight out of this young girl's body. The alpha had never seen anything like it.

The young woman moved slightly and the wind picked up. A nostalgic smell penetrated the nostrils of the black wolf who immediately froze. He breathed again to be sure of what he had smelled. His heart quickened. 

Was this girl Light? Was he dreaming? He stared at the figure surrounded by pierced bodies and he rested his thoughts. it was not a dream but a nightmare.

The whips coming out of her body, the absence of her aura, nothing about this person reminded her of her daughter. Why did she continue to turn her back to him, impassive, when several men were taking their last breaths near her?

The Alpha gritted his teeth. He was about to move forward when he heard footsteps getting close.

A few seconds later, a young woman with tanned skin and intense black almond eyes came running. Her hair was cropped short, almost flush, and his body was more toned and built than it was a few months ago.

Moon arrived and ran towards her sister. She recognized the long black hair as the one she had and had given up to embrace the path of a warrior. She knew this silhouette, similar to hers, but more slender, more fragile. She didn't care about everything. Her sister, her twin, her other half had returned.

"Don't come near her!"

Moon heard screaming behind her and before she could react, a shock wave dispersed.

The energy that had just dispersed came from the aura of the strongest among the Skinwalkers. The Luna.

Called by her mate, she had arrived as quickly as possible given her condition. She was supported by one of her close friends. Seeing the scene ahead, the Luna felt her skin heaving in dread. She could feel how much the energy whips that pierced her daughter's body were dangerous and powerful. They contained a powerful and dark power which had for only target, the children of the Goddess of the Moon. 

Without hesitation, the Luna put her hand on her chest, where she wore the Crescent Moon mark. As if to answer her call, she felt her aura grow.

The energy within it expanded and took the form of a dome of golden light that grew larger and larger with each passing second. When he came into contact with the energy whips, they would disintegrate, releasing the bodies of the Skinwalkers which fell to the ground.

Moon was only a few steps away when the energy dome caught up with her and enveloped her body.

The dome stopped right in front of Light, and when her sister reached out the edge, she ran into an invisible barrier. The shock propelled her backward and Moon fell to the ground. Far from being discouraged, she immediately got back on her feet and ran towards the limit of the dome of light which she hit with all her might.

"Mom, please! It's Light! Please!" Tears flooded her face as she stared at her sister's still motionless figure.

The young woman had still not moved. An unusual silence enveloped the forest. The animals seemed to have all fled and not even a breeze was blowing. Only Moon's tears pierced this strange calm.

The tension between the pack, the Skinwalkers, and the young woman standing a few dozen meters from them was palpable.

"Why? What did I do wrong?" Light's voice suddenly rose and something snapped in the hearts of Alpha and Luna. This voice which used to resonate with clarity before, which rose with crystalline notes when it exploded with laughter, spoke to them with such coldness.

"Was it because I refused to fight? Or because I wasn't as strong as Moon? Just tell me why? Why didn't you come for me? Why did you abandon me? Why even the Goddess forsook me?"

She finally turned to them. Moon who had collapsed on the ground very close to her flinched seeing her face.. Two black orbits like two abysses appeared in place of her eyes.