ELENA'S POV

I had no idea where I was going. But as long as I was far away from him, he'd be happy.

I'll miss you big brother.

I finally reached the border separating the town from the forest. I took a quick look back at the town, my eyes focused on my house.

“He'll be happier without me.”. I said to myself.

I sighed and continued into the forest. I had heard many stories about this particular part of the woods. The monsters that roamed here were ruthless and seeked blood.

As I walked further my legs began to ache. I started searching for a safe place to rest my leg. I found a huge oak tree and settled there.

It was almost 3am, I could barely see so I decided to stay there till dawn and continue my journey.

Journey to where exactly?

It hit me. I had no plans and nowhere to go. I didn't even know how I'd survive in the woods that night. I was a weak beta who had no powers. My wolf had become dormant, how would I defend myself in the face of danger?

I held my head with both hands as it started to ache.

Calm down Elena, you'll think if something

I remembered there was a town not too far from here. I'd go there and start a new life. Maybe find a job or something.

What if they treat you like the townspeople did or even worse?

I started panicking but managed to calm myself down again. I'll just try to get through the night, or rather the morning. By dawn I'll think of something else.

I spread a piece of cloth on the ground close to the oak tree and drifted off to sleep.

“Elena…”. I heard a voice calling out to me.

“Elena….”. It came again.

“Huh? W-what is that?”. I looked up and saw my mother. My eyes widened as she came closer to touch my face.

“Mother?”. I said in disbelief and she smiled.

“Yes my love, it's me”. She said as she sat down on the ground.

“What are you doing here, how are you even here?”. I continued asking.

“How I'm here doesn't matter my dear. As long as I'm here. Oh my sweet child look at the horrors those monsters have put you through”. She said as she caressed my face and hair.

I felt a peaceful sensation go through my whole body as she touched my face. I felt warm and cozy for the first time since… she died.

I started crying uncontrollably, I missed her so much.

“Oh my dear child don't cry”. She said as she hugged me.

“I miss you mom, I can't help it. I've been through so much in that hell hole. They beat Micah to a pulp and ridiculed him”

She patted my head.

“You should be ashamed of yourself”. She said I'm a cold distorted voice.

“W-what?”. I said in disbelief and looked up at her.

She has a cold and stern look on her face.

“You are the cause of all the pain he's going through”

“N-no”

“But it's true my child”. Her voice became scary and more distorted. Her face started changing.

“You should just die!”. I heard.. Draven's voice. My mother's face morphed Into Draven's face.

“You bastard!”. I said angrily and he laughed.

“Even your mother knows you're a disgrace, just like her”. He said with a devilish smirk.

“No she doesn't, this is all you're doing!”

“I didn't do anything, you did. Your brother was almost killed. He hates you!”. He said with a distorted voice.

“No he doesn't! Micah doesn't hate me”. I said while covering my ears.

“But I do”

“M-micah?”. I said as I looked up to see Micah. He stared at me with disdain. The same look that the townspeople always gave me.

“I hate you Elena. I wish you were never born! I would've been much happier. I would have been a warrior!”. He said with a hateful tone.

“Micah no. I'm sorry”. I said in tears. He really hated me.

I kept hearing him say it. My head was banging.

“You should just die!”.

I woke up and let out a scream. It was so loud that it made the birds in the oak tree flee.

It….it was just a dream

I held my chest and then my head. My heart was beating at a very fast pace and my head hurts more than anything.

He doesn't hate you..

I kept saying that to myself. He didn't hate me. He loved me, he doesn't think I'm the cause of his problems. Or maybe he does, because I am the cause of his problems. I remembered his frail body being tendered to by the healer.

He could've died today…

I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if he had died. I sighed and laid down, trying to go back to sleep but I heard footsteps and leaves rustling.

What was that?

The footsteps started getting louder. Whatever that was, it was getting closer. I started hearing multiple footsteps and then grabbed a stick nearby.

“Who are you?”. I shouted and the footsteps stopped. The whole place was dead silent. I looked around but didn't see anything, not that I could even see in the dark. My scream must have attracted the attention of whatever that was.

I mentally face palmed myself.

Fuck

The place seemed clear, maybe it was some animals. I let out a sigh and relaxed a bit.

Slash

I felt a sharp pain on my back and let out another heart curling scream. The pain was immense and I fell to the ground.

What was that

I looked up and saw three rogue werewolves looking like beasts ready to feast. I tried to stand up to run but the wound they had left on my back prevented me from doing so.

One of them came forward and held me by the neck, raising me up from the ground.

“Well well well, look at what we have here.”. He said as he scanned my face.

“What's a lonely looking mutt like you doing out in the woods by this time. Are you lost?”. The other said and they all laughed.

“P-please spare me”. I said almost breathless as he squeezed my neck.

“Spare you?”. He said with a cold voice and then laughed again and then threw me to the tree.

Blood came out of my mouth and nose as my body made contact with the tree. I hadn't even recovered from the pain when he jumped on me.

“The forest isn't a safe place for a girl like you”. He whispered in my ears. His voice sent chills down my spine.

“Please please-”. Before I could get another word in he sunk his teeth into my shoulder.

I had never felt so much pain in my life. I screamed for help half hoping that someone would come to my aid, but what were the chances of that happening.

Suddenly it stopped. I couldn't feel his teeth in my skin.

Was I dead? But I could still feel the pain

A howl pierced the air. It was from the rogues. Blood splattered everywhere.

He fell to the ground and so did the others. A shadow came from behind them and carried me. I couldn't see his face properly and everywhere started getting blurry.

“Who…who are you? Are you here to take me to the afterlife?”. I said as I gradually lost consciousness.

Before I knew it I blacked out.