“So, what is it that you appreciate about my mother?” Bray murmurs, creating space beside him for Jadi to enter the fort.
Jadi falls silent for a minute, and my heart plummets as I comprehend that his affection for me may solely depend on our trivial mate link. He assuages my doubts when he ultimately responds.
“Because she is strong,” Jadi says, closing the blanket door of the fort. “I desire to be sufficiently strong for her as well.”
I ascend the steps gradually, feeling a flutter of anticipation in my stomach as I reflect on his comments.
I am not as resilient as you believe… I wish to convey this to him. I am in the process of mending my fractured aspects… However, I believe I wish to undertake this restoration with you…
Nina’s Perspective
This location is perpetually shrouded in darkness. I am uncertain of my whereabouts, which induces fear. I desire to escape, yet regardless of my cries or screams, I am consistently confronted with frigid, profound quiet. Nonetheless, I persist in my quest for an escape, traversing several directions in the goal of extricating myself from this ordeal.
The rapid beating of my heart reverberates in my ears as I race into the void, urgently seeking a light, a sound, or any indication that I am not alone, that I am still alive, and that this is not my conclusion. I compel myself to continue running, placing one foot before the other. As I advance further into the darkness, the earth beneath me crumbles, causing me to plummet into the void, my heart descending to the depths of my stomach as I descend into the infinite blackness.
My arms flail, seeking something to grasp and rescue me from this interminable descent. The descent is prolonged and agonising, and eventually, I resign myself to my impending demise.
Death, however, never arrives to claim me, and my body ultimately ceases its descent, plunging into a body of water.
I attempt to scream, my lungs inundated with water, but I cease as I observe the light above me, illuminating the undulating waves. My heart is imbued with optimism; the gloom has finally dissipated.
I propel my arms and legs to the surface, expelling the ingested water and inhaling the fresh air as the gentle breeze caresses my skin. I clear my eyes and survey my surroundings, exhilarated to have emerged from the darkness into what seems to be a lake. I observe a sandy beach in the horizon and a tranquil forest situated just beyond it. The sky exhibits a greenish hue, devoid of clouds.
I swim to the shore and recline momentarily to recuperate, counting my breaths. Upon observing my physique, I discern that I am attired in a sleeveless, flowing white garment, with my feet entirely unshod. Having pacified my heart, I proceed into the verdant woodland. I quickly recognise my solitude; but, the silence does not intimidate me. Instead, a soothing tranquilly envelops me as I venture further into the forest.
The breeze softly resonates in my ears. “Nina…” it murmurs.
I pursue the gentle whisper of the wind into the forest, sensing the moist soil beneath my feet as I hasten through the trees. Under the canopy, I perceive the faint sound of water cascading in the distance. I seek the source and encounter a stream flowing through a stony substrate. Utterly fatigued, I enter the refreshing waters to cleanse my feet and perch upon a tiny boulder.
“Greetings, child,” a smooth voice whispers from behind me, shocking me to the point that I almost lose my balance and fall into the water.
I turn to discover a stunning woman with porcelain complexion and long black hair that cascades like silk curtains, framing her face and extending to her waist. Her feet, like mine, are naked; yet, she is adorned in a white garment featuring blue trim and embroidery. Her eyes like the nocturnal sky, two onyx orbs filled with countless stars. Her slender lips are as crimson as a rose, curved like two petals into a grin.
“Accompany me,” the woman commands, extending her hand towards me.
A soothing aura envelops her, and when I grasp her hand, a chilly, electrifying sensation courses up my arm.
“Are you aware of my identity, child?” she enquires as we stroll beside the stream.
I scrutinise the woman, and although she appears familiar, I am unable to ascertain the source of our prior acquaintance.
“You appear… recognisable,” I respond candidly, my voice trembling slightly.
A little laugh emanates from her flawless lips. “I trust that is the case, as you summoned me here.”
I halt and scrutinise her intently, arching an eyebrow. “Did I?”
The woman laughs once again, the sound deep and enigmatic.
“You requested a wolf,” she whispers, my eyes widening in astonishment.
