CHAPTER FIVE
Lena's POVStanding before the old, dilapidated shack, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of apprehension and curiosity.This was the home of the pack witch, the one person rumored to hold answers to the inexplicable changes that had consumed my life.The journey to reach this remote location had been no easy feat, involving a series of bus transfers and countless hours on the road. But I knew deep down that it was a necessary step in my quest for understanding.The shack loomed before me, its weathered wooden exterior seeming to hold centuries of untold stories. Its windows were cloudy, veiling the mysteries that lay within.The wind whispered through the cracks, as if carrying the secrets of the witch's ancient wisdom. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the encounter that awaited.As I approached the creaking front door, a chill ran down my spine, and a pang of uncertainty tightened in my chest.I reminded myself of the desperation that had driven me to embark on this journey, the burning desire to unravel the enigma of my white hair and the pale blood that flowed from my wounds.With a trembling hand, I reached out and grasped the rusted doorknob. It yielded with a slight resistance, as if reluctant to grant me entry.As the door swung open, a musty scent wafted out, mingling with the earthy aroma of dried herbs. The interior of the shack was dimly lit, illuminated only by flickering candles and the faint glow of scattered talismans.A sense of reverence settled upon me as I took in the scene before me. Shelves lined with dusty books, jars filled with peculiar ingredients, and a worn wooden table adorned with intricate symbols. It was a place steeped in ancient wisdom and mystical energy.I called out tentatively, my voice barely above a whisper, "Hello? Is anyone here?" The words hung in the air, carried away by the silence that enveloped the shack.Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, her presence commanding and otherworldly. The pack witch, with silver-streaked hair and piercing eyes, regarded me with a mixture of curiosity and wisdom. Her voice, when she finally spoke, carried the weight of centuries."You have sought me out, child," she said, her voice a melodic whisper. "What brings you to my humble abode?""Great one, there is something I must show you," I said, my voice quivering slightly. "Look at my hair. It turned white, inexplicably, overnight."With a nervous breath, I slowly reached up and pulled off my hoodie, revealing my stark white hair to the pack witch.The flickering candlelight cast an ethereal glow upon my transformed locks, emphasizing the stark contrast against my skin.The pack witch's eyes widened slightly as she took in the sight before her. She leaned in closer, her gaze intense, as if peering into the depths of my being. Silence enveloped us, as if the room held its breath, waiting for her response."And that's not all," I continued, my voice barely above a whisper. "My blood, it's not red anymore. It's...white."I extended my hand, my palm trembling slightly, displaying the cut that marred my skin. Beads of pale white blood welled up from the wound, a stark contrast to the crimson that should have stained my flesh.The pack witch's expression grew solemn, her eyes filled with a mixture of concern and curiosity. She reached out and gently took hold of my hand, examining the pale blood that pooled there."This is indeed a peculiar phenomenon," she said softly, her voice laced with a tinge of awe. "It is rare to witness such a profound alteration in one's physicality. You have caught my attention, young one."Her words filled me with a mix of hope and trepidation. Finally, I had found someone who acknowledged the magnitude of my transformation, someone who could potentially provide the answers I desperately sought."I need your help," I pleaded, my voice tinged with a vulnerability I couldn't conceal. "I need to understand what is happening to me, why these changes have occurred."The pack witch released my hand and stood back, her gaze fixed upon me with a newfound determination. Her voice carried a weight of responsibility as she spoke, "Lena, daughter of the pack, your journey has just begun. I will guide you through the realms of magic and secrets, but know that the path ahead is treacherous and filled with unknown dangers. Are you prepared to face them?"A surge of determination coursed through my veins as I met her unwavering gaze. The uncertainty and fear that had consumed me were momentarily eclipsed by a fierce resolve."Yes," I replied, my voice steady. "I am ready to uncover the truths that lie hidden within me, no matter the cost.""Lena, you are no ordinary being," she began, her words tinged with both solemnity and wonder. "You are a gift from the goddess herself, a White Wolf. It is said that once in a decade, a being of such rare distinction is born, destined to shape the course of fate."I listened intently, my heart pounding with a mixture of astonishment and trepidation. The realization that I held a pivotal role in a cosmic struggle between powerful and non-powerful species was overwhelming, yet it resonated deep within me."The prophecy foretells a looming war," the pack witch continued, her voice hushed with gravity. "A war that threatens to shatter the fragile balance between these two worlds. And it is you, Lena, who has been chosen to put an end to this conflict, to bridge the divide and restore harmony."As her words sank in, my mind swirled with a whirlwind of emotions. I struggled to comprehend all that was being said to rme."The White Wolf possesses powers beyond comprehension," the pack witch explained, her voice filled with a mix of reverence and caution. "Your strength, your connection to the natural world, your ability to navigate between realms — all these gifts shall aid you on your path. You are hifyrd Lrna"CHAPTER 6 LENA. The ride back home was silent, save for the occasional honks of vehicles driving through the intersection. My earbuds were driven into my ears while I listened to rock music to drown out my intrusive thoughts. The thoughts of my mother's very mysterious death and that of the very eerie discovery I had experienced from last night, kept clashing. It felt like a war was going on inside my head as several trains of thoughts fought for dominance. Even while the rock music played, it couldn't scramble off the discovery I had made today. I could still picture the face of great awe on the Pack witch's face after I narrated my ordeal to her. How her expression morphed from awe to ardor; like she had found a rare gem. I mean, it wasn't far from the discovery she made. I, Lena Hales, a white wolf. A seeming rarity. I had never heard of white wolves. Maybe if I paid more attention in Lycan History class or read more books about our origin, I would have gotten an idea. I made
CHAPTER 7 LENA. We were both seated across from each other. My fingers caught the hem of my hoodie and I began to pull at the free threads that had been let loose when the ends of my hoodie caught against one of the sharp edges of the railings at the bus terminal. "So, are you going to just stare at me from across there or tell my why your hair is the shade of platinum silver," He spoke up, his manly tone slicing the silence between us. My system wobbled up. I tried to compose myself, search for the right words, the right way to begin this. It was all confusing, and I have no idea how to start. "Dad, I am as bewildered as you are right now. Last night, while in my room, I— I don't know how to explain it. One moment, I was crying and the next, I felt a wave of intense despair engulfing my whole body. The temperature in the room suddenly dropped to zero or something. I don't know. My room was frozen and there were spikes of ice forming on every object that had frozen. I d
CHAPTER 8 LENA. This morning, I decided to come to school using the school bus. Leah had called this morning to inform me about her driving over the house to come pick me up but I turned her down immediately. I wanted to walk to school. Besides, it wasn't that far from my home. But on the way, I decided to get on the bus because it was almost time for classes to begin. Only that I got to school to see everyone milling about the parking lot. I climbed out of the bus and scanned the parking area for Leah's black Jeep Renegade. As soon as I saw her, I hiked my backpack higher and hurried my footsteps. She was standing with one Brenda, of the girls from cheerleading and as I drew close, I realized they were talking about Henshaw's death. "Can you believe this? He was found close to the filling station, dead. They said his body was mangled. I have the photo," Brenda said and pulled out her phone from her pocket. Leah contorted her face in disgust and waved her off. "I
CHAPTER 9 LENA. I couldn't contain the rage that filled my whole body as soon as I saw Trevor right beside me with a bunch of flowers in his hand. I wished I could wipe off that look of faux sympathy from his face. I tried to push past him but he blocked the way. "Can you at least hear me out? I know I fucked up but that isn't why I am here," Taking steps backward, I folded my arm and cocked my head to the side. "Really? So why the fuck are you standing right before me and encroaching my space?" The rage I felt from seeing him a few days back with those girls and the deep grief I was going through right now, combined with the pure resentment I already had for him laced up to form a rage I couldn't contain. I felt like I was exploding. Leah sensed the emotions rolling off me and grabbed my hand. He pushed his hand forward and stared at me. "I got this for you. These are your favorite. Carnation. I heard it makes someone who is grieving feel better," I deadpanned. "
CHAPTER 10 LENA. Mate? That was impossible. I sat up for a moment and stared at him, long and hard. He took a puff and turned to look at me. His perfectly arched brows lifted in askance. "Staring like the others? I thought you were different?" Frowning, I took the cigarette from his hand and took a few puffs. "What's wrong with staring at you?" "Nothing at all. Sometimes, I feel comfortable and most times, I feel my skin crawl," Scoffing, I shook my head and took another puff before handing it back to him. "You feel your skin crawl. That's really funny," "Funny? How so?" "You believe you're special. I don't know if you are and I don't care. You're just a fine specimen and trust me, everyone is going to stare, including the boys," "I don't think it's about my looks," He said with a shrug. The cigarette hung off his fingers. "Then what do you think it's about? Your ego?" "Ego? Nah. I just think I am special," "Narcissist much?" He chuckled to himse
CHAPTER 11 LEAH. I was taken by surprise. I flew out of my seat and Trevor followed suit. He had been beside me all morning, begging me to help him make Lena talk to him. This was a terrible situation and I wouldn't have let him help but she had to be taken to the sick bay. "Trevor, we are taking her to the sickbay, okay?" He stood, frozen to the spot as he watched Lena's pale body sprawled on the floor. I had just fallen to my knees, right beside my best friend when I realized that Trevor was still standing a few feet away from me. I looked up at him, glaring with everything I had in me. If glares could kill, he would have collapsed to the floor. "You fucktard! Didn't you hear what I said?" He blinked several times and stuttered and rushed towards me. "I'll lift her up. Don't worry," Standing to my feet, I watched as he lifted her up with ease. We rushed down the empty hallway, towards the staircase that led to the second floor. It was quite a hassle for
CHAPTER 12 LENA. My eyes fluttered open. Looking around, I realized I was somewhere else. Infact, I was out of this world. I looked around me to see that I was surrounded by plains. My skin was pricked by the low grasses I lay on. Pushing myself up my feet, I felt a wave of dizziness hit me but I was able to control myself from falling. I walked a little distance, hoping to see a road or a house. Anything to let me know that I was close to civilization but there was none. Nothing. I could see nothing but plains and small bills that were dotted with grasses. "Where the hell am I?" I began to stumble my way over the tiny hill. I missed a footing, hitting a rock I hadn't been quick enough to see. I stumbled down the hill. There was no way to stop as it was sloping and smooth. Finally, I hit solid ground. I groaned in pain and sat up to check the scratches I sported from the very strange fall from above. Just then, something hit my nose. It was the smell of iron.
CHAPTER 13 LEAH. This was absolutely impossible. Hell, Luke was my mate so what the hell was going on right now? I took a few steps back and shook my head like I was trying to clear some sort of charm that had been cast on me because that was what it felt like. Yet, my wolf kept whispering the same words into my ears. Mate. Mate. Mate. Damon was definitely one of the most handsome male in Willow High right now. The hottest, even and the only person who didn't seem to be affected by his looks and charms was Lena. Though I had a boyfriend and a mate who was Luke, I had shown a bit of interest. I mean, he was really attractive. Who wouldn't fantasize a little about this god-like being standing before me. "L—Leah," I stuttered and cleared my throat, blushing slightly that I was this way with him. "Leah," He said and nodded his head. "You look quite familiar," I frowned slightly. "How? We've never met face to face before. This is like our first time," He lo