Forbidden Mate: Awakening

Sarah and Aunt Belinda, after days of trekking, finally arrived at the grove. Absolutely tired, they went towards the area where Lily’s parents and the elders had gathered. The atmosphere was tense, and people present were already talking. As they got closer to the high table, people couldn’t help but look at them intently, hoping for any news.

Rebekah stood up and couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw Sarah and Aunt Belinda coming. “Is it true?” she asked, her voice shaking with both hope and fear. “Is Lily really alive?”

Sarah nodded. “Yes, she’s alive,” she confirmed. “We found proof that she’s out there and met someone who saw her.”

Aunt Belinda, with tears welling up in her eyes, said, “We followed the path and found evidence of a fight, footprints, and other clues that suggest she was taken by the vampires. But we have reasons to believe she’s still alive.”

Henry stood up, with hope and worry on his face, and stepped closer, “Please tell us everything.” His voice was steady but carried the weight of a father’s love and concern.

Sarah took a deep breath and shared their journey, the things they discovered, and the dying escort they encountered. She talked about moments when they felt unsure and hopeless, but also about the hope that kept them going. Aunt Belinda added more details and answered any questions that came up.

As they talked, the feelings in the grove changed. They went from being unsure to feeling convinced again. The pack members leaned in, focusing on Sarah and Aunt Belinda and listened closely to every word as if it held the answer to what would happen to their leader’s mental health.

Rebekah had already broken in tears while her husband held her. “My poor daughter…I knew she’s still out there.”

Rebekah, with gratefulness and worry in her voice, spoke to Sarah and Aunt Belinda. She said, “Thank you,” expressing how much she appreciated their relentless search and the hope they brought. Her words showed the deep love of a mother.

Henry faced Aunt Belinda and he humbly said, “I had ostracized you, yet, you went through such great lengths for my daughter. Thank you.”

There was an awkward silence and glance exchange between Rebekah, Henry and Belinda which Sarah noticed but Belinda broke the silence. “She’s also my daughter and I understand if I’m not welcome here after the search for Lily is over and she’s successfully brought home, alive and well.”

Henry wanted to say something but Rebekah chipped in, “Belinda, you’re always welcome here. I know the past has been…rough on our relationship but that doesn’t give us the right to take away your membership in this grove. You’re still a part of the community.”

Aunt Belinda smiled bleakly, “Do not worry about me, Bekah. You know I’ve always preferred the wild and my peace and serenity, but thank you for your consideration.”

There was another awkward silence till Sarah spoke.

Sarah nodded, “We can’t stop until we bring Lily back safely. We have to send out a search party again to find her. She has to be somewhere in the vampires’ lair.”

Henry, with a hopeful sparkle in his eyes, looked at the grove. “Yes. We need to stay strong and stick together,” he said firmly. “We’ll gather our forces and bring my daughter back.”

The grove members, filled with new hope, quietly agreed. Their determination resonated through the area. As the sun went down, painting the surroundings in warm colors, the discussions shifted to making plans and strategies. Sarah, Aunt Belinda, Lily’s parents, and the elders talked about the best way to proceed, considering what they had and the information they had gathered.

During their conversation, Sarah remembered and mentioned, “What about Adrian? It seems we’ve all forgotten about him…”

They all looked at her questionably.

Rebekah asked, “You mean the hunter boy?”

Sarah nodded her head sheepishly, “Yes.”

“Well, if he is found, I’d kill him myself for ever letting my daughter fall into the hands of those ravenous beasts.” Henry’s voice became tense as he said so.

Sarah gulped and insisted, “But what if he was outnumbered and captured too?”

Aunt Belinda sensed the uneasiness that came with Sarah’s remarks and held her hand, signifying her to stop talking.

Rebekah said, “I think it’s best to leave the planning to the adults, dear Sarah. You should go freshen up and have something to eat.”

Sarah wanted to say something but the look she got from Aunt Belinda made her just nod and leave.

••••••••••

The urgent call for action resonated through the grove as Lily’s father swiftly organized another search party. Determined to rescue his beloved daughter, a group of skilled warriors were gathered. Rebekah, her eyes filled with hope and fear, looked on as they prepared to venture into the forests.

As the search party made their final preparations, Henry addressed them with his authoritative voice. “You must find my daughter,” he proclaimed, “She’s counting on us, and we won’t let her down. We already have before. Stay vigilant, trust in your training, and bring her back safely.”

The warriors nodded in agreement, their expressions resolute and unwavering. They tightened their grip on their weapons, ready to face whatever setbacks lay ahead.

As they prepared to depart, Rebekah stepped forward. “Please, bring her back to us,” she implored, her eyes welling with tears. “Keep her safe, and return her to us. Bring my baby back.”

The warriors reassured her with nods. With a final glance back at Rebekah, they embarked on their journey, disappearing into the night with only one purpose – rescuing the daughter of their leader and his wife.

However, as fate would have it, their path was met with an unexpected and devastating obstacle. As the search party approached one of their warehouses, a sudden explosion rocked the area, tearing through the air with a thunderous force. The ground trembled beneath their feet, and chaos ensued as debris scattered in all directions.

Amidst the chaos, the search party found themselves disoriented. Their initial momentum had been suddenly halted by the unforeseen attack. Shouts of panic and concern filled the air as the warriors regrouped, ensuring the safety of their comrades.

As the smoke enveloped the area and spread out, a bell began to ring in the grove. Lily’s parents stepped out of the mansion and ran up the watchtower. They saw the smoke rising up from the distance and the warriors running helter skelter.

Rebekah’s mouth fell open, “What in goddess’s name happened over there?”

•••••••••••

With her fearful eyes, Tiana tightly held the old journal as she ran through the dark forest. Her heart raced, aware of the risks she was taking, but driven by the urgency of her mission. She had made a decision that would change everything. She wouldn’t want to fail Audrey now.

As Tiana reached the place she and Audrey had planned to meet, she hesitated for a moment, feeling unsure. She looked around, carefully observing her surroundings, until she spotted Audrey standing among the trees. Audrey’s eyes met Tiana’s. Their gaze held anticipation.

Taking a deep breath, Tiana approached Audrey and they hugged. She then withdrew back and handed her the journal. “Here,” she said, her voice trembling with nervousness. “I kept my promise. The journal is yours.”

Audrey smiled with satisfaction as she took the journal from Tiana, briefly touching her fingers. “Great job,” she whispered, sounding wickedly pleased. “You did really well, Tiana.”

Tiana couldn’t help but shiver as she felt the dark energy emanating from Audrey. She squinted her eyes and in a second, Audrey’s eyes turned bright fiery red.

“Audrey?”

But a heavy wind blew her back and she hit her head on a tree. Pain engulfed her head and she tried to stand up again but Audrey was now standing in front of her, wickedly smirking down at her.

“Audrey, what are you doing?” She said, breathless.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

“What I should’ve done a long time ago.” Her hair blew up as she gradually raised her hands up beside her, the journal levitating in between them.

“What’s happening to you? What are you-” But her air flow was cut and she felt a large hand strangling her by the throat and raising her whole body up.

“I’m sorry, Tiana. You’ve been of good help to me for this long. I do not need you anymore.” Her voice had a gutty snarl to it.

Tiana’s eyes filled with tears as her whole face became puffy and red. “You’re…. a…witch?” she managed to say but Audrey laughed and Tiana immediately fell to the ground.

“No, not a witch, but the end of everything.”

Tiana massaged her neck and steadied her breathing, overwhelmed by fear and regret. “What have I done? What happened to you, Audrey?” she whispered, barely audible. But it was too late. The consequences of her actions were already in motion.

As Audrey’s fingers closed around the journal, a sudden surge of power poured through her which passed to Tiana. The old pages seemed to tremble in her hand, surrounded by a dark aura. Tiana’s eyes widened in shock and horror as her appearance started to change, her body consumed by a ghostly fire.

“Ahhhh!” Tiana screamed in desperation, but her words were drowned out by the loud crackling of the fire. In just a short time, she was completely destroyed, turned into ashes. The journal fell to the ground, unharmed.

Audrey simply smiled like nothing just happened. She took the journal from the ground, blew the specks of ashes off it and took one last look at what was once her friend before walking away.

Tiana woke up in a glass-like encompassment.

She stood frozen, her heart racing in her chest. She was unaware of her surroundings. She felt the full weight of her actions crashing down on her. She sank to her knees, tears streaming down her face as she realized how big of a mistake she had made. She had put her whole trust in Audrey, believing that she was working for something important, not realising Audrey was playing her all along.

No, she still refused to believe Audrey would betray her. That wasn’t Audrey, that wasn’t her best friend. No…how could she?

Audrey turned her into ashes.

There was a heavy silence, broken only by Tiana’s choked sobs. She was all alone now, burdened by the weight of her betrayal. Where was the journal now?

Finally, she realized. If she was turned to ashes, why was she still alive, crying? She lifted her head off her hands and looked around her. She was in a glass tube and then she heard Audrey’s crackling laughter.