SHADOW FOREST

SHADOW FOREST
Elara’s POV

“Find them! Don't let them escape!" Voices roared through the walls of the mansion. Running down the hallway with Ava was the only thing I could do to protect her from the claws of my enemies.

“Mom, what's going on? Why are we running? Why did Dad act like that?" She asked too many questions at once. 

“We don't have time to chat," I said as I dragged her towards the secret passage I had built within the mansion. The only escape route to save us both.

As we were about to cross the last wing that led to the secret passage, Ava's steps flattered behind.

“Dad said I wasn't his daughter and claimed Evie was his real daughter. What did he mean by that?" She asked, her voice low with betrayal. 

I could sense the rebellion in her words by the way she looked at me. Rage. Confusion. Disbelief. I could see them all in her eyes.

“Your Dad was under a spell. Alpha Sebastian's men infiltrated the mansion in search of you. I tried my best to help him but their magic was too powerful," I lied through my teeth, sounding too convincing even to my own ears. 

Her brows relaxed when she heard my explanation. Edward has always been good to her. She loved him, I could tell from her worried gaze. But right now was not the time to let her dwell in guilt. 

“Come, we have to leave." I urged her into the entrance and she followed. We were halfway through the passage when we heard some men call out at the entrance.

The passage was an abandoned tunnel that led to different parts of the city. If used correctly, anyone could find their way out.

In order to confuse the approaching men, I chanted a spell, twisting the passage behind to buy us time.

Ave and I crawled out to an open field that led into the deepest part of the forest. Once we left the pack's premises, I masked our scents and made our figures into shadows. 

Using magic wasn't my thing but ever since that Layla girl offered some spells to me, I have been able to manipulate my ways through things including beings.

“Mom, where are we going?" Ava grunted as she pushed through vines along the bushy path. 

“We are going somewhere no one can find us. Until the tide is down, we are going to stay in hiding," I said, moving branches aside.

This was the only way for me to protect what I truly owned. Ava had a diamond ring that would be very useful to us now that we were in exile. 

“I can't believe we are going through all of this because of that stupid girl. If only she knew listened and married Lucas. We would have gotten you married to Alpha Sebastian and you would have been a Luna. But somehow, she saw through our plans," I snapped in anger. Thinking about it, Evelyn seemed to have known our plan from the beginning.

But how was she about to find it out? I was always careful about saying things publicly and I prevented maid from gossiping out on the corridors. 

She must have overheard me making the plans or something.

I looked over my shoulder and noticed Ava was awfully quiet. She had those lost eyes strangers had when finding their way. 

“What's on your mind?" I asked, breaking the silence between us.

“Why are we doing all of this again?" Her question threw me off guard and for a moment I felt a surge of anger. 

“Don't taste my patience, Ava. You know how much I hate it when someone tries to act oblivious. Evelyn is the problem we have. The enemy who has refused to accept her tragic fate," I said, sounding annoyed.

She pressed her lips tight as if holding back something. But one glare at her, she opened up. 

“Why does she need a tragic fate? All along I have known her, she has been suffering in our hands. We have been the ones tormenting her. Maybe that is the reason we are going through this. Karma is against our neck." she fidgeted, breaking down in the middle of the forest.

“Listen up, Ava. Evelyn is the one at fault. She was never supposed to be born in the first place. If she had obeyed my instructions and lived in absolute isolation, married Lucas and gotten lost, none of this would have happened to us. Do you understand?" I shook her shoulders as she trembled, tears pouring down her eyes like a fountain.

“You are not weak, Ava. I am going to make sure you get that crown. Even if I have to stain my hands to get it."

“But..."

“Do not question my resolve. First, let's find a place to sleep for the night. I am exhausted." With that, I stepped forward and we matched into the forest.

My strength wavered each time we crossed a mid point. The forest darkened with shadows, howling with the trees. If we don't get out of the shadow forest on time, creatures worst than the night beast would creep out.

Ava wasn't strong enough to face a night creature nor to I have a wolf to fight either. 

Just when I thought we could go through the forest without getting eaten, a growl echoed ahead. 

A night creature was in front. Ava became still as a log when she heard the growl. I stepped behind her and chanted a spell that made the both of us invisible.

Slowly, the creature matched past us. It lingered at our spot for too long as if It could sense our presence.

I held Ava tight, warning her not to make a sound if she didn't want us to get eaten. The more the creature lingered, the quicker my veil weakened.

“Emlis coups..." I whispered another spell to hold the veil. But my powers were to weak to hold on.

As I was about to chant another spell, the creature whipped its tail and the veil shattered.