Freya jogged through the forest, her heartbeat syncing with the rhythm of nature around her. Ever since she arrived in Blackwood town, the forest had been calling to her. All her nightmares, and the ones that kept coming, were about the forest. And when she'd asked her grandfather about them and if it was real, he hadn't denied their truth.
Her grandfather had brought her, and introduced her to these woods, she had felt a strange connection to them, like they had always been waiting for her. The trees, the earth beneath her feet, even the distant rustling of unseen creatures, it all felt familiar, like a forgotten memory.
She had asked Jeffrey if there was something special about the forest. He had only given her a knowing look and told her she would understand in time.
The wind rustled through the trees, and she slowed her pace, sensing something or someone behind her. She came to a stop and turned.
Dominic stood before her, his vivid red eyes locking onto hers, surprise flickering within them as they came face to face.
A small smile curving her lips. "Good morning."
"Good morning."
"You must come here often," she teased, tilting her head. "Or did you just happen to stumble upon me?"
He nodded. "Yeah, I do. But I've never seen you here before." He paused, studying her. "What are you doing here? Aren't you afraid to be out in the woods alone?"
Afraid? The thought hadn't even crossed her mind. This forest felt more like home than anywhere else, but she wasn't about to admit that. He'd probably think she was crazy. Instead, she shrugged. "I don't go too deep into the forest."
That much was true. She knew better than to venture too far.
"Same here," he said, though something in his tone suggested otherwise.
For a moment, they simply stood there, before he added, "It's... good to see you again."
Freya smiled. "Yeah. You too, friend."
The wind picked up suddenly, rushing through the trees. Leaves swirled in the air, the forest shifting as if alive.
They stared at each other as the trees swayed, a strong wind rushing past them. They both wondered why they always felt this intense connection. Slowly, they stepped closer, the space between them shrinking until there was none.
Dominic reached out, brushing away a strand of hair the wind had blown into her face. His fingers were warm against her skin, his eyes locked onto hers as if he were searching for something, something only she could give.
For Freya, it felt like looking into a mirror, as if she had known him long before this, as if their souls had already met.
"Dominic! Dominic! Nico!"
The sound of his name pulled Dominic from the moment, snapping him back to reality. He turned toward the voice, his vision briefly blurring before clearing to reveal Elena walking toward him.
His jaw tensed. For a second, it felt like Freya and he had been in their own world, just the two of them, lost in something neither could explain. But now, reality had come crashing back.
Elena's eyes darted between them, her brows pinched together. "What's going on here?"
Dominic and Freya stepped away from each other.
"Nothing," Dominic said too quickly. "Elena, this is Freya, the one who gave me the cake."
"Oh! Hi! It's nice to meet you." She smiled, though there was something curious in her eyes.
Freya forced a polite smile. "You too! It's great to finally meet you face to face." She winced internally at her own words. "I mean, I've seen you around campus before, and we met at the bar too."
"Well, that cake was amazing. I was actually hoping I could convince you to make another one. I'll pay, of course," Elena said.
Freya shook her head. "No need to pay, I'd be happy to do it. Actually, I was thinking, I could start baking cakes and selling them at the bar. What do you guys think?"
Elena and Dominic exchanged a look before Dominic nodded. "That would be great."
A brief silence followed, thick and awkward.
Freya cleared her throat. "I should head home now. I can get your address later for the cake." Without waiting for a response, she turned and started jogging away.
She pushed herself faster, needing the distance, needing space to breathe. But no matter how far she got, she could still hear them.
Elena's voice, slightly amused: "Well, that was awkward."
Dominic's reply: "She's new in town. Just getting used to everything."
Of course it was awkward. How could it not be? She had just stood there, practically melting in the presence of a man who made her heart race in the most perfect way, all while his girlfriend watched.
She groaned and picked up her pace. Only then did she realize it. She was faster, much faster. Her feet barely touched the ground as the trees blurred past her, every sound amplified—the rustling leaves, the distant heartbeat of a rabbit, even the faint voices of Elena and Dominic. What else was changing? Agility, speed, heightened senses. What other powers lay dormant, waiting to be discovered?
Freya stepped into the house, as she made her way to the kitchen. She turned on the tap, letting the cool water run over her hands before grabbing a glass from the shelf. She filled it with water and gulped it down in seconds. Just as she set the glass down, Jeffrey appeared at the foot of the stairs, watching her with a knowing look.
"So, how was your run today?" he asked.
"I ran into Dominic and his girlfriend." She added, "Elena asked me to bake another cake. Apparently, they really liked it. It got me thinking... maybe I could turn it into a small business."
Jeffrey nodded, a proud smile forming. "That's a great idea. I'll help you however I can."
"Thanks, Gramps." She smiled. "I'll bake the cake tonight and ask Elena to guide me when I take it to her."
Jeffrey observed her eyes, his expression changing as he moved closer. His eyes slightly narrowed, his focus locked on hers.
"What? Is something wrong?" She asked.
"Your eyes," Jeffrey murmured. "They're shifting-changing into your werewolf form."
"Changing how? What color are they?"
"Silver blue," he murmured, fascinated. "They'll be even more intense when you werewand."
"Werewand? What's that?"
"It's the term for fully shifting into your werewolf form," Jeffrey explained. "You still have a lot to learn, but don't worry, I'll guide you. I'll give you some books on werewolf history and transformation. You need to keep getting stronger every day." He patted her shoulder. "But you're doing great so far."
"Thanks, Gramps," she said softly.
***
Dominic and Elena stood outside their apartment, as Dominic fumbled with the keys, trying to unlock the apartment door when-
Whoosh! An arrow tore through the air, streaking toward Elena's heart.
Instinct took over.
Dominic caught the arrow inches from Elena's chest before it could pierce her. His head snapped toward the direction it had come from, his gaze locking onto a shadowed figure in the distance.
A low growl rumbled in his throat as he moved.
Before the attacker could react, Dominic was on him, grabbing him by the collar and dragging him at inhuman speed toward the apartment.
Elena, already shaken, hurriedly unlocked the door and pushed it open just as Dominic hurled the man onto the couch with enough force that rattled the furniture.
Dominic loomed over him. "Why the hell did you do that?" he growled.
The man glared up at him and sat up, unafraid, his dark eyes burning with fury. "You killed my brother," he spat, his breathing ragged. "I saw it in my dreams. It was you."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Dominic said.
"I'm not afraid of you," the man sneered before his lips parted in a chant. He lifted his hands, whispering under his breath.
"Oblivionem tenebrae, vita extingue! Oblivionem tenebrae, vita extingue!"
A cold chill crept through the room.
Dominic stumbled as a freezing sensation spread through his body like poison. Every lightbulb burst at once, glass falling like raindrops. Darkness swallowed them whole, save for the eerie glow of ancient werewolf symbols that began appearing across the walls.
He fell to his knees, clutching his chest as if something were stealing the air from his lungs, draining the life out of him.
"Stop it!" Elena's yelled. "You're hurting him! Please stop!"
The warlock ignored her, his chanting growing louder. The power in his voice rippled through the room like an unseen storm.
Desperate, Elena lunged at the warlock, but with a flick of his wrist, he sent her hurtling backward. She slammed into the wall with a sickening thud before crumpling to the floor.
A deep growl rumbled through the room.
Dominic's head snapped up, his once-bright red eyes darkening into a deep, blood-red. His breaths came heavy and slow, controlled rage tightening every muscle. A low, guttural growl rumbled in his chest as his hands curled into claws, his fangs lengthening.
Then, with deadly speed, he charged—a feral snarl ripping from his throat as he lunged at the warlock.