Chapter 4: Sacrifices

Years passed, and I improved my hunting and tracking skills. I trained my senses and learned to move silently through the forest, blending in. I also became more wary, knowing that danger lurked around every corner.

Despite the dangers, I refused to live in fear. Nothing could stop me from living my life on my own terms because I was a survivor.

My heart was pounding with excitement and trepidation as I crept towards the cabin. As I got closer, I noticed that the cabin was small but cozy, with a few windows and a sturdy door.

A small vegetable garden with neat rows of carrots, peas, and potatoes was nearby. My mouth watered at the prospect of eating fresh vegetables, which I hadn't had in a long time.

I inhaled deeply and approached the door, my hand hovering over the doorknob. I could hear muffled conversation inside, but I couldn't understand what was being said. I pushed open the door and stepped inside with a sudden burst of courage.

The warmth was the first thing I noticed. The cabin was small, but a roaring fire in the fireplace kept it warm. Two people were sitting at a table in the corner, their backs to me. They were laughing and talking, their voices muffled by the crackling fire.

At first, they didn't seem to notice me, so I cleared my throat to get their attention.

When the two people turned to face me, I realized they were both werewolves like me. One was a grizzled older man with a scar across his cheek.

The other woman was younger, with bright blue eyes and a friendly smile. They both looked at me, surprised, but not terrified.

"Who are you?" the man inquired, his voice firm but not harsh.

"I'm just passing through," I explained, trying to sound assured. "I heard voices and decided to come see who was here."

The woman nodded, her eyes wide with interest. "Are you a lone wolf?" she inquired. "There aren't many visitors out here."

I nodded, relieved that they weren't antagonistic. "I've been living on my own for a long time," I explained. "It's encouraging to see that others think like me."

The man grunted as he poured himself a cup of tea from the stove. "We're not exactly a horde," he admitted.

"But we watch out for one another. If you want, you can stay for a while."

I paused, unsure whether I was ready to give up my freedom just yet. However, the warmth of the fire and the aroma of the cooked food were appealing. Perhaps it was time for me to try something new.

"That's fine with me," I said, a small smile forming on my lips. "I appreciate it."

I felt a sense of belonging that I hadn't felt in a long time as we sat down to eat. Perhaps this was what I had been looking for all along. But I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right as we ate and talked. There was an uneasy feeling in the air that I couldn't quite place.

After we finished our meal, we all decided to retire for the night. I heard a faint howl in the distance as we slept. It was a somber sound, full of longing and despondency. My instincts kicked in, and I knew there was danger nearby.

My eyes were wide with fear as I turned to face my new companions.

"Do you hear what I'm saying?" I whispered.

"We're not out here by ourselves."

A split second later, I felt an ant bite on my right hand and awoke in excruciating pain.

"Oh, no!" Was it all a nightmare? Without anyone noticing, I said quietly to myself.

When I looked at the old wall clock sitting on the blue-painted flower verse, it was already 06:15 a.m.

As a result, I had to get up and walk straight to the cabin toilet to wash my face with cold water.

After that, I returned to my bed, ruminating on my nightmare, when a completely different thought entered my mind. It was the prospect of having a companion.

I had always wanted a mate as a werewolf now living in the small town of Burywoods. I yearned for someone to love and protect me, and with whom I could start a family. However, finding a partner was not an easy task. In my search, I had met many werewolves, but none of them seemed right.

Some were overly aggressive, while others were overly cautious. Some simply lacked the necessary chemistry.

But I never gave up hope, believing that the moon goddess would lead me to my mate. So, every full moon, I'd go out into the woods, hoping to sense a change in the air, a sign that my mate was nearby. But months passed and I still couldn't locate him.

I began to lose hope, wondering if the moon goddess had abandoned me.

It was a clear, cold winter night, and I was out for my usual run when I noticed a change in the air. It was as if the moon goddess was speaking to me, letting me know that something significant was about to occur. My heart began to race, and my senses became more acute.

That's when I noticed the scent. It was a scent I'd never smelled before, but it was strangely familiar. I chased after it, darting through the woods, my heart racing with each step. I could feel the excitement building inside me as I realized I was getting closer.

I sped out of the woods and skidded to a halt in front of him. He was tall and muscular, with piercing green eyes that seemed to see right through me. My heart skipped a beat as our gazes locked, and I felt a surge of electricity run through me.

He was my mate.

We just stood there looking at each other for a few seconds. With each passing moment, I could feel our bond growing stronger. It was as if we were the world's only two beings, and nothing else mattered.

But then he said something, and the spell was broken.

"Hello," he said, his voice smooth and low. "Hello, my name is Jake."

I paused for a moment, unsure what to say. But then I realized I needed to introduce myself.

"My name is Mabel," I said, my voice steady.

We talked for a while, getting to know each other, and I could feel myself succumbing to his spell.

He was thoughtful, intelligent, and had a wicked sense of humour that made me laugh. I couldn't believe it had taken me so long to find my soulmate.

But then he dropped a surprise on me. He was only in town for the night and had to leave the next day. My heart sank as I realized how short our time together was. I wished I could spend every moment with him, but I knew that would be impossible.

We said our goodbyes, and I watched him walk away into the woods.

Will I have to find a way to be with him?