Chapter 43 The Woman in the Mist

Chapter 43 The Woman in the Mist
Hours passed and still… the woman never came. The abandoned house had fallen into a suffocating silence, broken only by the occasional creak of old wood and Laura’s irritated pacing. Kelly stood near the window for most of that time, staring out at the trees as if expecting someone—something—to emerge at any second.

But no one did. The longer they waited, the more restless they became and the more opportunities Zoe looked for.

Her wrists burned where the ropes bit into her skin. She had been testing them for hours, twisting, pulling, and straining every chance she got. The wolfsbane still poisoned her system, making her body feel heavy and disconnected, but little by little, sensation was beginning to return. Not enough for Celeste, but enough for Zoe to keep trying. Laura turned, clearly irritated. “How long are we supposed to wait?” Kelly didn’t look away from the window. “As long as she says.”

Laura scoffed. “You don’t even know if she’s coming.” 

“She’ll come.” 

“You sound insane.” Kelly spun around, eyes wild. “Shut up.” Zoe stayed quiet, conserving her strength. But then, she felt it, something shifted; it was subtle, a change in the air pressure. A slight movement in the wind, she could smell a scent, it wasn’t strong, but it smelled ancient and cold.  It crawled along her skin like fingers, and Zoe’s head snapped up. At first, she thought it was Kelly or Laura moving toward her, but both were still near the window, staring outside and muttering to each other.

“Who’s there?” Zoe asked sharply, and the room went still. Laura frowned. “What are you talking about?” Zoe’s breathing changed. She was no longer looking at either of them; she was staring into the darkest corner of the room, and then… mist began to gather; it didn’t appear to come from outside, drifting slowly through the air as if it had always been there, waiting to be noticed.

Laura stepped back. “What the hell is that?” Kelly’s eyes widened—but not with fear, but with recognition—a shape formed inside the mist, tall, elegant and unnatural. At first, it was only a silhouette; then, as the fog peeled back, a woman stepped forward. She was beautiful in a way that felt deeply wrong—too perfect, too still, too knowing. Her skin seemed to glow faintly, almost silver, beneath the darkness. Long pale hair spilt around her shoulders, and her eyes…

Her eyes were silver, not like Zoe’s, older and crueller. Zoe’s pulse jumped “Who are you?” The woman smiled faintly. “It has been a long time, Zoe.” Zoe’s brows pulled together. “How do you know me?” The woman tilted her head, studying her with unnerving fascination. “I have known you since the world began.” Zoe felt her mouth go dry. “What?” 

“The precious wolf of the Moon Goddess,” the woman said softly. “The one who chose to become half-human, half-wolf.”
Zoe stared at her. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” The woman’s smile didn’t fade. “No,” she said almost sadly. “You wouldn’t. Your memory was erased.” Zoe’s heart pounded harder “Erased?” 

“Of our past.” Zoe shook her head, “No. I don’t know you.” 

“Not in this life.” The woman moved closer—but still not close enough to touch. “Who are you?” Zoe demanded again. “What are you?” The woman’s expression darkened slightly “You ask too many questions.” 

“Because none of this makes sense.”

A flicker of irritation crossed the woman’s face. “I had hoped time would make this easier.” Zoe narrowed her eyes. “You’re the one behind this.” The woman didn’t deny it. Kelly and Laura exchanged uncertain glances. Zoe kept going. “You orchestrated the kidnapping.” A soft laugh escaped the woman. “Those two foolish wolves were easy to manipulate.” Laura stiffened. “Excuse me?” The woman ignored her completely. Zoe studied her, trying to feel through the terror, through the lingering effects of the wolfsbane. “You’re not a wolf,” Zoe said slowly. “I can sense that much.”

The woman’s silver eyes sharpened. “No.” 

“There’s witchcraft in you,” Zoe whispered. “But not just witchcraft…” The woman smiled wider. “Very observant.” 

“What are you?” The woman’s expression turned almost contemptuous. “Certainly not like you. And not like that pathetic Moon Goddess you worship.” Zoe stiffened. “Don’t talk about her like that.” The woman stepped closer again. This time, Zoe saw it clearly. Something stopped her, an invisible wall, a pressure in the air. 

The woman reached out—and her hand stopped inches from Zoe’s face, as she had collided with glass. Her expression twisted. “Why can’t you touch me?” Zoe asked. The woman’s eyes flashed with frustration “Your blood.” Zoe blinked. “What?” “The barrier around you,” she hissed. “The one she placed.” The woman’s gaze turned venomous. “And the barrier around every pack you enter. I can only come to you like this because of it.” 

Zoe’s mind raced. A barrier? The Moon Goddess? What had been hidden from her? The woman pressed harder against the invisible force and recoiled, her form flickering slightly with the effort. She looked weaker for a moment, unstable, and Zoe noticed immediately. “You’re not as strong as you want me to think.” The woman’s eyes snapped to hers. A dangerous silence followed. Then, with a sudden movement, the woman lifted one hand. Something sharp—thin as a sliver of shadow—shot through the barrier. 

Zoe gasped. A sharp sting sliced across her arm, and blood welled instantly. The woman inhaled sharply, and for one terrifying moment, the blood itself seemed to lift toward her. But the effort cost her. Her form flickered violently, and the silver glow around her dimmed. Zoe saw it, the blood weakened her or maybe… the barrier did. “Why do you need my blood?” Zoe asked, pressing her hand over the cut. 

The woman smiled again, though the strain was obvious now. “You’ll know soon enough.” Zoe’s pulse thundered in her ears. “What do you want from me?” The woman’s eyes darkened. “I want to know where you’ve hidden him.” Zoe stared at her. “Who?” The woman’s expression sharpened, but she said nothing. “I don’t know who you’re talking about,” Zoe said. “I only imprison rogues.” The woman took another step, stopped again by the barrier, and her expression twisted with fury. 

“You always were stubborn.” 

“You still haven’t answered me,” Zoe shot back. “Who is this ‘him’ you keep talking about?” The woman’s face became stone. “Enough.” The single word sent a chill through the room. “Enough with your questions.” Her silver eyes glowed brighter, darker. “I will kill you,” she said quietly, “but only after you help me find him.” Zoe swallowed, forcing herself not to show fear. “I have no idea who you are talking about.” 

The woman smiled with terrifying patience. “You will.” Then her gaze drifted past Zoe, toward the window. Something changed in her expression, satisfaction. “Your mate is outside,” she said softly. Zoe’s heart nearly stopped. “What?” The woman’s smile widened. “Waiting,” she whispered. “To attack.”