Chapter 28: Echoes of A Dark Path

"What is that? It appears to be a figure clad in a white cloak." Elias spoke, his voice tinged with a hint of sarcasm. Hearing him speak that way, my heart jumped inside my chest.

As the figure made its way closer, the air was filled with black smoke. "I can't see anything! I can not walk further than one step!" I screamed in the dark and placed my hand out to feel what was next to me.

The more I tried to grasp something, the harder it became. It was as though everything around me started to become blurry. I was in a state of shock, as the smoke started thickening with each second that passed.

I was trying to figure out what to do, but the darkness of the room was so overwhelming that I was about to faint.

Just as I began stumbling, two strong hands held my waist. Yet, their hands shook so much, and I could feel the cold air in my lungs. But whoever was holding me, I was not the only one to be afraid in this situation.

"Hmm. Who is touching me?" I whispered under my breath, my voice trembling. I couldn't help but wonder if it was either Elias or Gabriel. Their hands were warm, and I could feel their nerves running through my body.

My mind raced while I tried to figure out what to say to them. But then, something struck me hard. I couldn't tell what it was, it took everything within me to think over it.

By the way they spoke, and how the smoke spiraled around us, I started coughing uncontrollably. I clung to their hands, desperately wanting to gain all the strength I needed to escape.

Although the room was dark and eerily quiet, I maintained my composure, and I was able to use my mates, to gain the strength that I needed.

With each step we took, the area where we stood grew darker by the second.

Was it enough to stop us from worrying? I wasn't sure, yet I knew I had to do something. If I don't figure out what to do now, I won't ever find the strength to overcome the rest of the challenges.

"Elias, Gabriel, and Seraphina. Please come closer to me." The mysterious figure spoke with an otherworldly tone, causing my hands to tremble. Whoever this person or figure was, has something up their sleeve. I'm not fond of it at all. And I'm afraid of what they might do. It took me a while to figure out how to overcome the fear of not being seen as a strong person.

Once those words were uttered, my heart sank inside my chest. *Who are they? And what do they want? It's weird to think I am here to find the truth about my life. Yet, I am not alone. I have always wanted to be a part of the journey, and the best part is that I'm here to figure myself out. I never thought this would be possible. All my life, I was deemed as this weak wolf who was always looking for trouble. But that is a lie. All I ever wanted was to be a good person and be loved.*

Subconsciously I started rubbing my left hand up and down my arm. Everything in me was fighting to come out, but I had to say some words, although my heart was pounding.

"How do you know our names? Is there some magic at play here?" I managed to ask even though I was a bucket of nerves.

Unsure of how they would respond, I squeezed both of my mate's hands. Their presence had a huge impact on me, yet, where we are together, is something that I know I wouldn't be able to overcome if they were not with me.

Before the figure could answer, Dara started to sing a song unknown to our ears. One that was so beautiful that it made me want to sing it too.

***Dark clouds. Dark clouds dissipate. Go back to where you came from. You are no longer wanted here. Light, Light. Shine your way through the room. Make us a path so we can walk through.***

As the song started to finish, the thick black smoke started to dissipate. When it was finally gone, our mouths were widened. The room was gorgeous, and filled with any trinket you could think of. I started speaking, my voice filled with awe at what I was seeing in front of me.

"That was interesting. I didn't know she could do that. I wish I could perform magic like that." I said as my voice started breaking. I was about to say something else, but Elias spoke up.

"There is something oddly familiar about this place. I feel like I have been here before," Elias replied in the middle of the room, his voice was calm and reassuring, one of the most important things I desperately needed.

While he continued searching the room, his eyes started widening each second. "Is this place a part of my past? Or am I seeing things? I do not know what to think." I heard him whisper, causing me to look closer at our surroundings.

Then, for a brief moment, he looked up at the ceiling, smiling.

Curiously, I peered at him, and my brain was filled with a sense of doubt. *Why is he smiling? Does it have to do with where we are? Being here with him, there is something different. But the more I looked at him, I realized he was not who he seemed to be. This place is not a place, it is a mansion that reminds us of our past.*

"This place is so beautiful, I can not believe we are here. This journey that we took together is so awe-inspiring. I am so grateful to have the two of you with me every step of the way." Gabriel spoke, a voice that encompassed the calmness of the moment.

Sighing, I allowed myself to be distracted by his words. I was not sure if he was joking or not. But I was determined to believe him.

Grabbing his hand, I looked deep into his eyes. "I am grateful as well. You have both been very kind to me, and loving."

Before I could continue, a chilling voice called out, "My, my. What a touching moment. But you have no idea what we have in store for you."