Opening my eyes, I sat up on instinct, instantly regretting the action.
"Ahhh," I moaned as the pain all over my body crashed into me at once.
"Shit."
"So you are finally awake."
Of course, I am awake. Was I supposed to die? Looking up through blurry eyes, I watched as a figure made its way towards me.
I recognized the voice, but I couldn't tell where exactly I had heard it from. "Sorry, do I know you?"
"Not exactly. We have not met before. My name is Sarah Crane, an elder wolf in this society."
"Oh, okay." Looking around, I tried to spot Mascot, but he was nowhere to be seen. "Have you seen Mascot?" I asked as the feeling of unease came over me.
"Mascot? Who is Mascot?" She asked, confusion written all over her face.
"But I thought he was with me when you came to save me?"
"Oh, you mean the tall young man with a dark mass of hair?"
"Yes, that's him."
"I'm sorry to tell you that he didn't make it. He gave his life for you," she replied, looking crestfallen.
Gave his life? What is she going on about?
"Wait, what do you mean by that?"
"When I arrived at the scene of your fight, you were surrounded by those beasts. When I pushed them back, you were knocked out as well. But it didn't stop them from coming again. To protect you, he asked me to take you away while he stayed back to fight them."
No, he couldn't have done something as crazy as that.
"So you are telling me that you left him to fight back that horde alone?"
"Yes. It turned out your safety was paramount to him. He wanted you to be safe."
What was he thinking?
"Oh God. No! No, no, no. This is all my fault."
"Listen, none of this is your fault," she said, placing her hand on my shoulder.
"You are wrong; it is actually my fault." I replied, shrugging her hand off my shoulder. "He warned me against going to interfere in those... animals' business, but I wouldn't listen, and now he is dead."
"I still believe it isn't your fault. It's fate."
"Fate? He was my second chance mate, and now he is gone."
Why do all these sorts of things have to happen to me?
"Second chance, mate? What do you mean by that?"
"Nevermind. Thank you for saving me," I said, looking away. It's not like it matters anymore.
"No problem. Look, he understood the enormous role you have to play to save us all; that's why he gave his life. So, don't beat yourself up about it."
"What role?"
"To get the artifact that will help you stop the dark lord Eden's nefarious plot to take over the werewolf society."
"Me? You have got to be kidding me. There is no way I am doing anything reckless again." I stated. "That was not what I signed up for. All I know is that I am supposed to find an artifact, not defeat some dark lord."
"It's your destiny. You have been chosen by..."
"What if I refuse? I don't want to be part of this. Look what happened to Mascot. There is nobody to help get this artifact in the first place." I said, cutting her off.
"That's not a problem; there will be other people that will assist you."
"Listen, Sarah, I can't do this. Not anymore. I can't bear to put another person at risk."
"So you are saying you are not going to embrace your destiny?"
"If you put it that way, yes. I want nothing to do with this mission of yours." Sarah sighed, her eyes reflecting both sympathy and urgency.
"Tasha, the path of destiny is not always chosen; sometimes, it chooses you. The safety of our world rests on your shoulders, and while the loss of Mascot is tragic, it's a sacrifice he willingly made for the greater good."
I bit my lip, torn between the weight of responsibility and the desire for a normal life.
"But I never asked for any of this. I'm just a girl trying to find her way in the world, not some savior."
"Destiny rarely consults with us before unfolding its plans," Sarah explained. "You possess a unique bloodline, a power that can tip the balance against the darkness threatening our existence. It's a burden, yes, but also a gift."
As I absorbed her words, a mixture of fear and uncertainty clouded my thoughts. Mascot's sacrifice echoed in my mind, a reminder of the perilous journey ahead.
"I need time to process all of this," I admitted, glancing around at the unfamiliar surroundings. Sarah nodded understandingly.
"Take all the time you need, but remember, the forces seeking the artifact won't wait. Time is both an ally and an adversary in this quest."
Without another word, I walked away towards the direction of my refuge and prison.
Alone with my thoughts, I reflected on the different events that had led me into a world I never imagined. The artifact, the dark Lord Eden, the destiny I was forced to embrace-they all swirled in a chaotic way within my mind.
Mascot's face haunted my thoughts, a constant reminder of the sacrifices entwined with my newfound purpose.
Rushing back to the clearing where I left Sarah, I quickly said: " I have made up my mind."
"And?"
"I can't do this. I need to go home." I replied.