Exploration

Addy

We step outside after dinner, a gathering Tate arranged for his top-ranking wolves to mingle with us. His territory may be smaller, but it’s impeccably maintained. The forest floor is a charming mix of dirt and untrampled leaves, the air slightly chilled. It’s the kind of environment that makes a wolf want to run until exhaustion sets in.

Myra and I walk side by side, heading towards a river that feeds into a large pond. She tells me the pack often comes here to swim. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and I find myself laughing at her non-stop chatter. Behind us, Tate and Drake discuss pack matters, with Soloman and Ryan trailing behind them. Kevin and the other guards bring up the rear. As we near the water, the path widens, eventually opening up to a vast area where the river cascades down into a pool about fifty feet below.

Myra gestures to a small path on our right. “Most of the pack comes here to relax with their families. They play in the calmer areas up here or swim down at the bottom.”

I peer over the edge, taking in the clear pool below. It’s a beautiful spot, reminiscent of a secluded beach. It’s a safe haven, away from prying human eyes and the risk of a wolf shifting in public. Suddenly, a pull from the forest catches my attention. Mystic urges me to investigate.

Myra hurries to my side. “Where are you going?”

“I’m not sure,” I reply. “Mystic feels something calling from this direction. She wants to find out what it is.” I start walking towards the woods.

The men are so engrossed in their conversation that they don’t notice until a twig snaps under my foot. They turn and quickly follow as Myra and I disappear into the dense forest. The undergrowth is thick at first, but it thins out the deeper we go. Drake catches up to me and takes my arm.

“Where are you going?” he asks, scanning the woods.

“I’m not sure,” I reply, pushing a branch out of my way. “Mystic is guiding me. There’s a pull that’s hard to resist.”

Drake tries to stop me, but Mystic jerks my arm free and continues on. He growls in frustration, but we keep moving. Myra stays with me, while the men curse and scramble to keep up. After about fifteen minutes, we come to a halt in front of a massive wall covered in moss, fallen trees, and vines.

Tate steps up beside me. “Is this what I think it is?”

Mystic nods. “It is. This place has been here for over fifteen hundred years. I felt a disturbance when we arrived on your land, but I didn’t realize this was so close. The last time I saw this place was when Harold’s pack ruled here. His territory was ten times larger than yours is now.”

Tate touches the wall and shivers. “We need to leave.”

Ignoring his panic, Mystic guides me along the wall, my fingers tracing the rough surface. I can hear the others following, but I can’t stop moving. Eventually, we stop in front of two massive wooden doors, sealed shut.

“Addy,” Drake says, taking my arm. “Tate said we need to leave.”

I shake my head. “Not yet. Whatever is pulling me is behind these doors.”

Tate steps between me and the doors. “Mystic, I have a bad feeling about this place. We need to leave now.”

Soloman agrees. “I feel it too. Something is screaming at me to leave now.”

I try to touch the door, but Soloman grabs my wrist. My eyes flash with power, forcing him to let go. Tate steps back but doesn’t move away.

“Mystic, don’t,” he warns. “We’re both telling you to step down and let Addy leave with us. This place is dangerous.”

Mystic reaches for the doors again, but Tate grabs our arm. A surge of power shocks him, and he pulls his hand back. My hand continues towards the latch, and Tate growls.

“Mystic, that’s the second time you’ve lashed out at me. I order you to ~STOP~!” he tries to grab me again.

His words make me pause, but then my hand resumes its path. Soloman tries to hold me back, but another shock makes him let go. I can see their mouths moving, but Mystic has blocked their words. My hand lands on the rusty metal latch, and a light flows from my arm into the metal. The latch turns shiny and golden, the doors and walls revert to their original state, and the vines, trees, and moss retreat. The power flowing through me is intense, and my body starts to shake. Mystic drops our hand from the latch, and a loud click echoes through the woods as the doors slowly open.

Tate pulls me back against him. “No, we can’t. This place is filled with so much evil, I can feel it.”

I turn to him. “That was long ago, Tate. This place will be used for the resurrection. This is where I was told to go for the new beginning.”

Soloman steps up. “You can’t be serious. Why would she choose this place? This castle was used for so many tortures and sacrifices.”

I laugh, a sound that makes me wince in fear. “That will change. This place will be revived for good, not for what it was used for in the past.”

Drake sighs. “Why am I always the last to know? What are we doing here? Where did all that power come from?”

Soloman looks at him in shock. “She hasn’t told you about your future as her mate?”

Drake shakes his head. “No, she said it would be explained when the time was right.”

I start walking towards the castle. “It will be soon. I have something else to handle first.”

We continue towards the castle, the others following closely. Mystic extends our hand, and a burst of light hits the lock on the door, opening it. We all walk into the castle, Tate and Soloman’s nervousness palpable. They constantly look around as we navigate the dark halls.

“Where are we going?” Drake whispers.

“The throne room,” I reply. “It’s just around the corner. That’s where I’m being pulled to.”

We stroll a bit before stepping into a grand chamber. It’s clear to anyone that this was once a throne room. Two golden thrones perch on a raised platform, entwined with vines that thread through the legs and arms. Myra halts, a gasp muffled behind her hand.

She points, her voice a whisper. “Is that real gold?”

Tate takes her hand, his voice steady. “Yes, those are the thrones of King Harold and his Queen. This place was once known as the Devil’s Castle. Harold was a cruel king, known for his brutal games that ended in the death of our kind. He would find twisted ways to prolong the suffering of his victims. There were whispers that he would watch as their hearts were ripped from their chests with their last breath. The moon goddess was appalled by his actions, so she sent her greatest warrior to end his reign. The warrior challenged the King to a duel, a fight to the death. Harold, in his arrogance, accepted. They battled for three days, each day a different challenge. The final day was a sword fight. Harold seemed to have the upper hand, but the moon goddess granted her warrior a surge of power, allowing him to strike down the King in his moment of triumph. The Queen and the servants who aided in the tortures were also killed. The people were set free, and the kingdom was abandoned. It has been forgotten until now.”

We watch as Mystic ascends the platform, kneeling and bowing before the thrones. She throws her head back, releasing a howl that shakes the earth. She grabs my hands, slamming them onto the stone floor. A power I’ve never felt before courses through me, causing my body to tremble. Light radiates from me, illuminating the room. As I close my eyes, the power surges out, seeping into the stones. I hear the groaning and creaking of the room as stones shift back into place. The light grows brighter, draining my strength as more energy is forced into the floor. Tate’s voice rings in my ear, pleading for me to stop, but the light only intensifies. Finally, the light fades. My eyes flutter open, only to close again as my body gives out.

Drake catches me as I fall, cradling me close. “What the hell just happened?”

Tate’s voice is the last thing I hear before exhaustion claims me. “It’s time for them to return. She is the one who will fulfill the prophecy, along with you. The resurrection has begun; a new King and Queen will rise again.”