Into the Shadows

Chapter 63

Lucia Lorenzo's POV

The tragic event happened suddenly. It's the point at which everything can quickly turn from good to terrible. It's the moment that stays with you forever and makes you feel a rush of emotions every time you think back on it. I have not personally experienced tragedy. I've seen other people suffer, such as Mirabel after her partner passed away or Blaine after his mother was killed, but up until this point, I've never taken the lead.

Perhaps that's why I'm at a loss for how to handle the current circumstances. I keep getting words thrown at me that my mind is unable to process. There is just one idea. Why me? Why should we? Why?

When Captain Romero touches my arm, I finally snap back to consciousness.

"Where did you say they are?"

"The western boundary has been crossed by the Nightshades. The battle started after Alpha De Lombardi and Beta Lorenzo grabbed some warriors. While Captain Nicholas and his teams evacuated the pack through the northern border, Captain Sebastian's teams were tasked with securing the remaining borders."

Spread the word to the packs that are nearby and ask them to send some healers. They will be necessary.

"Yes, Alpha."

I'm going to leave now. To make sure my friends and family are safe, I mind-link them right away. Rose and Valerie have to leave, even though I know my parents will stay back to fight. Blaine might be fighting, so trying to mind-link him would just make things worse. I'm shifting into my wolf and racing for the western border as soon as my feet hit the ground.

My fur bristles with the wind as I follow Blaine's scent. I can only use my eyesight to look out for Nightshades because it's so noisy while groups of warriors try to evacuate the pack. They have no scent, so even though we had no trouble figuring out who their master was, we were unable to identify him. Although a full-scale attack was not anticipated, it appears that these Nightshades are collaborating with other parties. I detect brief whiffs of strange smells, and all I can deduce is that they are human.

It's comforting to see fewer and fewer members of my pack as I approach the western border. The warriors that are left are also fleeing in the direction of the border. I saw a nightshade in front of me just as I got close enough to hear some noise. I will never forget its eyes and its hard, dark body that resembles tree bark. Its lips curl back to snarl at me, and I see its large yellow fangs that can pierce through the hardest of metals. They're so dark that I can see my reflection in them. It moves toward me, its talons digging into the earth. Although this nightshade isn't very large, I still maintain my vigilance. Since nightshades are more potent in groups, judging by the deafening screams that fill the air, there are probably many of them.

The nightshade lunges at me, and I hear its shriek. I'm faster than it is as its hand swats through the air, trying to sever me. While nightshades possess sharp teeth and talons, their agility is not up to par with that of wolves. I seize the chance to leap up and bite the Nightshade on the neck, forcing it to try to regain balance after the unsuccessful attack. It makes a strong attempt to shake me off, but I resist and tuck my teeth in further. I then tug, tearing off a sizable portion of its strange, hard flesh. I got up just in time to see the corpse of the nightshade turn to dust.

A Nightshade hits me in the side as I rush over to assist one of the warriors who is struggling against it. The blow bounces off my bones, causing me to taste the pain. Without any delay, the Nightshade seizes the opportunity to take advantage of my fallen state. Its talone-like fingers try to grab my chest, but I quickly roll away. It pierces my lower back instead.

The rush of smells attacking my nose is not something I'm grateful for, but I am grateful for the adrenaline that prevents me from experiencing the pain to its fullest. I manage to deduce that these humans are not far away, but there's not enough time to explore; I have to avoid becoming this Nightshade's meal. Although they are bipedal, Nightshade can also crawl on the ground. When the Nightshade that is battling me falls on its hands, it is barely taller than me when I transform into a wolf. It's probably trying to use its fangs instead of its talons to attack me, but I can't allow that to happen. Bites from Nightshade can be lethal.

I step up into the space between its torso and the ground just as it starts to take up its new position. I can run under it because of how elevated its body is due to its long arms. I seize the opportunity, barreling past its head and through the arch its body has made. Knowing that the Nightshade will take too long to turn around, I leap onto its back as soon as I emerge from under it. As I fight to hang on, my claws dig into its back for traction. I move quickly, stepping on its exposed bones when necessary until I reach the nape of its neck. I went for the kill, driving my teeth into its neck, because I knew I didn't have much time left.

The Nightshade attempts to rip me off by standing on its feet and putting its hand to its nape, but we both know that this is the end for the Nightshade. Judging by how much dark blood is in my mouth, it won't be able to heal this wound.

I kick myself free and fall to the floor. My fur is covered in black, sticky blood that I am unable to wash away. Before vanishing into dust, the Nightshade lets out one last cry.

I dash towards a tree in search of shade. Glancing around, I see that the majority of the Nightshades have been eliminated, and those that remain are smaller than those I was battling. I hear a slight rustling and look up to see that someone is staring back at me. A young girl, perhaps twelve years old, reaches behind her and draws a crossbow. Because of the tattoo on her hand, I am aware that it has been dipped in wolf's bane. It's the hunters' pattern, a swirl of sorts.

Even if they are trying to murder my ass so I can flee, I know I won't kill a child. Given my speed and the strong wind, there's no way she can hit me with her arrow.

Upon noticing the absence of people and Nightshades, I reduced my pace to a jog. Then I caught a glimpse of her.

I have no idea where Clara is running, but it appears like she has a destination in mind. I'm worried right away because of Clara's age and the fact that she's not a werewolf. While it's cool and all, being an oracle doesn't grant you any fighting skills. A hunter races behind her as she vanishes into the trees. I saw him reaching for the knife in his pocket and immediately charging towards her. He vanishes into the trees, probably in pursuit of Clara's traces.

I followed him, but strangely, past the trees, I didn't see him or any footprints. It seems as though the moment they arrived here, they both vanished. My back hurts even more, and my adrenaline starts to run out.

Be foolish, Nightshade.

I'm about to smell them when a purple powder lands on my face.

My vision is fuzzy, and my body feels like it weighs a ton. I waver and then drop to the ground.

I hear Blaine shouting for me.

Then everything gets dark.