No more excuses, darling. You crouch and sprint. Don is in route to Tower pack, traversing the eastern section of the forest with his warriors; therefore, you will proceed to meet him.
What is your perspective? What will occur to you?
I must terminate my relationship with the Alpha King. I must engage him in a lethal confrontation; that is the one means by which we may attain our desired happiness.
Oh no, my beloved Jim. What if he sustains severe injuries or, worse, is killed? What will become of me? I cannot endure separation from him again; my love for him is profound, and I never wish to be separated from him.
I was silently weeping as my heart tightened in anguish. How much longer must we remain separated to ultimately unite?
“Dear, please refrain from that action.” “Do not weep,” he reassured me, “this is not a farewell.” I will return to you intact. My sole desire is to eliminate this beast.
“What if he causes you harm instead?”
“My intention is to lead a prolonged life, and I aspire to do so alongside you.” “Please wait for me and cease your weeping.”
“Promise me you will return to me, Jim,” I urged, still embittered by this absence.
I assure you. I shall return, my dear, and we shall never be separated again. I assure you of that.
We severed the mental connection, and I prepared myself before striking a lethal blow to the Alpha King’s shoulder.
It surprised him, prompting him to dismiss me hastily, contrary to his better judgement.
He hurried to reach me once more, but Jim obstructed his way, resulting in a violent altercation.
“Flee!”Jim shouted at me, prompting me to rise swiftly and proceed to the eastern side of the woodland.
I heard ferocious howls and was compelled to turn around; a gasp escaped me as I beheld Jim and the Alpha King already transformed into their wolf forms. They were engaged in a fierce confrontation, each intent on inflicting maximum harm upon the other.
I pivoted once more and compelled myself to persist in running.
Jessica’s Position
I continued to run through the dark forest until I finally discerned indistinct chattering. It was faint, however sufficient to identify as voices rather than just animal sounds. I followed the voices, which grew increasingly apparent with each step I made towards them.
I was gasping for air and urgently needed to regain my breath. I had been running in my human form, as my wolf was still too feeble for transformation. Despite numerous attempts to shift, I repeatedly fell to the ground. With no alternatives, I persisted in my human form, resolute in reaching Don.
Jimmy requested my presence, and I was reluctant to defy my friend. Thus, despite my physical exhaustion and weakened spirit, I compelled myself to run.
I rushed further, but I failed to notice the log of wood obstructing my path, causing my foot to strike it and resulting in a loss of balance.
I tripped and tumbled down the incline till I came to rest in a depth of decaying leaves. I rose, grimacing slightly from the pain in my foot that had struck the log.
I descended to the location from where the voice emanated; it was now distinctly audible, and I could hear Don issuing commands to one of the soldiers. Thank the gods I have finally located him.
“Who is that?”A curt voice enquired as I approached them. They all illuminated me with their lights, nearly dazzling me.
“It is I,” I winced, feeling too feeble to provide an extensive account of my identity. The scant vitality I possessed was reserved for regaining my breath, not for superfluous elucidations.
I raised my palm to my face, shielding my eyes from the blinding headlights.
Jessica? Don shouted, instructing them to extinguish the flashlights. He rushed to my location and supported me as my knees buckled.
“Don,” I exhaled, grasping his shirt and burying my face in his embrace. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I experienced a profound sense of relief and safety. I had finally located him.
It is acceptable. “You are secure now,” Don reassured me, caressing my back with his hands.
My eyelids gradually descended as I sensed consciousness fading. Darkness enveloped me, and I welcomed it, losing awareness in his embrace.
***
I emitted a faint groan, gradually opening my eyes. The celestial expanse revealed itself, and upon glancing to my side, I observed a small fire consuming a stack of wood.
I abruptly sat up, but strong hands restrained me almost instantly.
Greetings, Jessica. “Take it easy, you’re injured,” Don remarked, kneeling before me. I glanced down at my feet and observed the nicely bandaged area, the location that had struck the log.
