8

GIGI'S POV

As I staggered through the bush, my stomach grumbled in protest. The hunger pains were relentless, like tiny knives that never stopped twisting and turning in my gut. But I had to keep moving and keep fighting. Because in this wild, dangerous place, there were only two options: kill or be killed.

I had been living like a wild animal for weeks now, ever since I was cast out of my village. My parents had passed away, leaving me to fend for myself in a world that was cruel and unforgiving. And now, as I stumbled through the dense underbrush, I couldn't help but wonder if their curse had followed me here.

I wondered why I'm the only one suffering this; it seems like Max, my brother, was a total difference.

but not me. I was weak and frail, my body covered in scars from the countless battles I had fought with rogue beasts. And now, as I crouched in the bushes, listening to the low growls of approaching predators, I knew that my time was running out.

Maybe it was the hunger talking, but a crazy idea suddenly popped into my head. What if I just gave myself up to the rogues? They were hungry too, after all. Maybe they would spare me if I offered them my flesh. It was a gruesome thought, but desperation does strange things to a person.

But even as I contemplated this twisted plan, a fiery rage began to smolder inside me. I had been cast out of my home and left to die in this wilderness. And now, as these beasts closed in on me, I realized that I had nothing left to lose.

"If I survive this," I growled, "I will take revenge on every single one of them." "My aunt, my supposed brother, that bastard Jules... they will all pay for what they've done to me."

With a newfound sense of purpose, I charged out of the bushes, screaming at the top of my lungs. The rogues hesitated for a moment, taken aback by my sudden burst of energy. But I didn't give them a chance to recover. With all the strength I had left, I lunged at them, my fists flying.

It was a brutal fight, one that left me battered and bloodied. But in the end, I emerged victorious. The rogues lay at my feet, their lifeless bodies a testament to my newfound strength.

As I collapsed on the ground, gasping for air, I knew that I had just taken the first step on a long and dangerous road. But I was ready for whatever lay ahead. Because now I had a purpose. a reason to keep fighting, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

And with that thought in my mind, I closed my eyes and allowed myself to rest. For the first time in weeks, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. And I knew that, no matter what happened next, I was ready.

As I lay on the cold, hard floor, a sharp cry pierced through the silence. It was a bird, but not just any bird. It was a bird that was said to help those in need. Intrigued by this notion, I followed the sound, my curiosity guiding my steps.

As I approached the source of the sound, my eyes widened in surprise. Before me lies a river, its clear blue waters glistening under the sunlight. I had been in this place for a long time, but I had never known of its existence. Without wasting any time, I rushed towards the river and quenched my thirst, the cool water providing a much-needed respite from the scorching heat.

Feeling refreshed, I decided to take a dip in the river. The water was cold and invigorating, washing away the dirt and sweat that had accumulated on my body. As I swam, my mind wandered to my friend Bella. We had often debated about the existence of maidas, those mystical creatures said to possess magical powers. I had always been skeptical, but now, as I lay in the river, surrounded by nature's beauty, I couldn't help but wonder if there was more to the world than what met the eye.

Regret weighed heavily on my heart as I thought about my friend. I had accused her of lying and of making up stories about maids to sound interesting. But now, as I lay in the river, I realized that I had been wrong. I had dismissed her beliefs without giving them a chance, and now, as I faced the uncertainty of my journey, I wished I had been more open-minded.

As I emerged from the water, a surge of energy coursed through my veins. I felt renewed, invigorated, and ready to face whatever lay ahead. But just as I settled back onto the ground, a voice echoed in my mind, warning me not to push myself too far. It was my mother's voice, filled with concern and love.

And then, as if on cue, my mother appeared before me, her eyes brimming with tears. I asked her why she was crying, but she refused to answer, simply holding me close in a tight embrace. In that moment, I realized that sometimes words are not necessary. Sometimes, a simple act of love is enough to heal even the deepest wounds.

As I lay in my mother's arms, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. I knew that the road ahead would be filled with challenges and obstacles, but I also knew that I was not alone. With my mother's love and support and the power of the bird and the river guiding me, I was ready to face whatever lay ahead.

Something touched my body, and I woke up in fear. "So it was a dream," I asked myself. "I wish it were real that I saw my mom."

!

Tears streamed down my cheeks, the salty droplets leaving a trail of bitterness as they made their way down my face. The memory of my parents promising my brother and me everything in the world before their lives were brutally taken by a rival pack flooded my mind once again. It was a crushing blow that sent my world tumbling down in one fell swoop.

The road ahead was tough, and my brother and I struggled to make sense of the world we now found ourselves in. We were alone, orphans with no one to turn to. That is, until our aunt came into the picture. But even in the midst of our grief, I could sense something different about her toward me. Was it my plus size that made her hate me? I couldn't tell for sure.

As the pain of my loss and the memory of my parents' promise continued to weigh heavily on me, I found myself at a crossroads. I was nothing but a weak human; not even a werewolf could help me navigate this harsh world. Fate seemed to be against me at every turn, and I couldn't escape the overwhelming pain that clung to me like a shadow.

Despair crept in, and I began to wonder if there was any point in continuing this struggle. Was there any hope for a life beyond pain and heartache? The thought of ending it all began to take hold of me, and I wondered if death would be a kinder fate than the one I seemed destined to endure.

I couldn't help but wonder what the future held for me. Was it a life of never-ending pain and loss, or was there a glimmer of hope for something better?

As the rustling of dried leaves echoed in my ears, I felt my heart skip a beat. Something was coming. I could sense it. Instinctively, I tried to make myself as small as possible, hoping to blend into the environment. I didn't want to draw attention to myself.

That's when I saw them. The warriors of the rival pack scour the land with a sense of urgency. They were searching for something or someone. I knew I had to stay silent or risk being torn apart by their savage claws.

As they drew nearer, I felt my palms sweat and my pulse quicken. I had to think fast. I quickly scanned my surroundings, looking for a place to hide. The river! That was my only hope.

I lay flat on the ground, hoping to avoid their keen eyesight. But it was no use. They were closing in. I could hear them talking in hushed tones, discussing their next move. I was a sitting duck.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps behind me. I knew it was too late. They had found me. I braced myself for the worst, but to my surprise, they didn't attack. Instead, they dragged me into their pack.

What did they want with me? I had no idea. All I knew was that my fate was now in their hands. Would they spare me, or would they tear me limb from limb? I could only wait and see.