Chapter 2 Wolves

Cold air kissed Dianthe's cheeks as she scraped her bare, chapped feet down the lake's edge. Shivers ran down her back as her blood was mingling with the clear waters and lazily swirling around the eggshell and pumice pebbles.

Yuck. My feet won't be particularly appealing after this. She frowned and turned to look at the horizon before casting one more scornful glance at the soles of her feet. As predicted, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

Dianthe was determined to find out what was causing the glinting light from the previous night. But before she could advance any further, the woodland at her side grew silent, and she realised how exposed the region around the lake was. The next instant, as she heard jumbled voices, she immediately felt sick to her stomach.

She grew louder and spoke more quickly.

There is no doubt that voices are useful. I could ask for help. Dianthe's fear only increased when she could make out the words being spoken.

"We had been searching for days. She concealed herself inside so that we would never find her. A male.

A second voice responded. This time, she was a woman, and her voice was sharp and vicious. We do as he asks because he wants her.

Dianthe was aware that they were looking for her. She was not going to wait around to find out why, even if she did not know why.

Dianthe raced as fast as she could, cold, hungry, and worn out. Unfortunately, her stumbling sounds notified the trackers. Shouts erupted from behind her, and she was about to scream when a taloned hand wrapped itself around her wrist.

I finally found you, little weirdo, yelled the accompanying voice.

Dianthe realised right away that her efforts were in vain. She was much too weak to take on the muscular, balding woman after her feast of champions. I'm dying for one of those dry, crumbly snack bars right now. The portal-where the hell is it? She yelled to her grey-haired friend, who quickly pulled out a strange item. It had a front dial that pointed in the direction of the water, and it beeped and briefly flashed.

"In the lake," the man responded.

"For heaven's sake, I didn't want to get wet this time. The woman's grip grew firmer as she dragged Dianthe into the water, and her tawny eyes turned serious.

Ianthe's breathing accelerated as the icy liquid encircled their bodies. She even forgot if she ever took swimming lessons.

The man who was with them strained to stay afloat, and in front of her eyes, after a few loud groans, he transformed into a dog. Dianthe's scream was finally heard at that precise time.

What an absolute dog that guy is!

a massive grey dog.

'Wolf.' The correction was zapped into her skull by a voice other than her own. She had little chance to think about it before panic took hold of her.

"No, no, no!" I scream. Dianthe gave the woman a powerful kick in the stomach to release her grip before making a hasty attempt to swim to shore.

"Someone help!"

She started to hyperventilate as something grabbed the back of her T-shirt. She spun around in a wide arc and spotted the ugly woman again, looking even angrier this time. Dianthe realised it horrified as she cast a peek back. "No! You disgusting dog-wolf hybrid! Allow me to go!

When the animal pulled Dianthe below the water's surface as a result of her floundering, forcing them to swallow water, Dianthe choked, barely able to draw in enough air. A weird peace descended upon her as she opened her bulging eyes in opposition to the stinging waters. Underneath them, she observed a little shimmering ring suspended, still parallel to the lake's bottom. She struggled to explain the hue of the glittering, iridescent border around the dazzling focal point. She felt safe as soon as she thought of its name.

That's right, a Faery ring!

The woman and the dog hung on to each other's arms as they made their way through it together. The gang suddenly appeared on dry land, wet to the skin. Dianthe fought the impulse to vomit while keeping her head steady and her hands trembling.

That was terrible, my friend. Also popular...

Tall evergreens surrounded them, and the earth was wet to the touch. The surroundings appeared to be an exact replica of their previous location. As they observed the situation, Ianthe's disappointment erupted. However, after a brief delay, she smelled something. The aroma was faint, yet she salivated. earthy with a hint of spice. Cinnamon?

Let's go, weirdo," the woman with a bald head snarled. Her scalp was covered in a purple scar that ran from brow to nape and ended just before her drenched collar.

Why do you keep using that phrase to describe me? Dianthe whined behind her, still concentrating on the previous injury. She gave the five-foot animal seated next to her a quick glance.

You're the fucking weirdo, she uttered while pinching her nose.

The grey thing huffed and moved in front of them for a moment, his fur bristling. The dog's black eyes were alertly scanning the jungle when its white-tipped ears suddenly pressed back against its skull. Dianthe backed away while shoving against the woman's hold as his chest started to tremble with rumbling growls.

Shaking her head, the woman muttered, "Shit," to her friend. An "embrer claw."

Dianthe smugly reasoned that they must have used the incorrect Faery ring. Aside from their locations obviously being similar to the previous woodland she had been exploring, the new place felt familiar.

But the primary difference was that it gave off a sense of security. A dozen footsteps approached, adding to her sense of security as the seductive aroma drifted across the forest floor and into her nostrils.

Four men and two women who had emerged from behind the pines formed a half-circle around the three alleged intruders. Only because Dianthe was pushed behind the unpleasant woman's back did she see their apparel.

"Janna, I believed I instructed you not to return here.

The bald woman, Janna, bristled in response to the slur. "We are on a mission for Alpha Zaire. I didn't know we were on your turf until we went through a gateway.

Didn't someone warn you not to meddle with Fae tools? Nasty little shits, said another voice.

Dianthe and Janna humped in response. "I have to bring Alpha Zaire this half-breed. You are not influenced by it. Let us now proceed. A fight with the Mystic Shadow Pack is not what you want.

The grey wolf then growled at his friend.

Oh dear, she spoke too much. Before battling it with a cough, Dianthe almost let out a giggle.

I can't believe a dog and this imbecile kidnapped me. This time, her pursed lips genuinely let out a chuckle.

Though she recognised she should be scared, it appeared like her captors were in conflict with the newcomers.

My friend is an enemy's enemy.

Dianthe immediately wanted to dissolve into a puddle on the woodland floor when a deep, holy voice began to speak.

Tell them, "Show her to me."

As a wonderful warmth wrapped around her ankles, her icy limbs started to thaw up.

Both of her captors were alarmed by the request. Inertia persisted.

Dianthe rolled her eyes and looked over Janna's shoulder from behind. She grinned widely as she turned to face the two people to her left.

Dianthe is here; welcome. Before anyone could say anything, she teetered onto the other foot and stared at the two people on her right.

"How's it going? She gave an imaginary hat-tip before being swiftly jerked back and coming down hard on her buttocks.

saying, "Shut up." Infuriated by the mocking, Janna walked over her.

"What? I'm only trying to be polite.

Dianthe was thrilled even though she was sitting on the wet ground since she could see that the people she had welcomed had wide smiles and eyes. Janna turned around to speak again, her strong legs spread wide into a triangle position.

Is she trying to come off as bossy? Dianthe took advantage of the opportunity to approach and poke her head in between the strong limbs. She simply wanted to see the last two rescuers, so her jaw dropped wide.

He was magnificent.

The man had olive-coloured eyes, the biggest cherry-red lips, a cleanly shaven jawline, and dark curls. Unintentionally opening her mouth, she sucked her lower lip in between her teeth. His focus travelled to her face, raising his brows.

Oh yeah, I look like a dirty, wet, and famished rat. She flushed along her cheekbones as she stared into his eyes.

A hand slap from the heavens, followed by a murmured "Hello," was delivered to Dianthe. A snarl could be heard in front of her, and she scowled and looked up at her kidnapper.

You are very rude, she grumbled as she slid between Janna's legs.

She is with us as we journey. The foolish grey dog growled menacingly when the green-eyed man murmured something that aroused Dianthe.

"We must not leave without anything. Janna glared at him angrily. She struggled to understand how someone could belittle such magnificent beauty. On closer inspection, though, they were all breathtaking.

If you don't leave right away, you won't be able to return at all, the first voice warned.

They dismissed their scepticism. Before giving Dianthe a shadowy stare, Janna gave the dog's head a long, hard look.

Your terrible mother will suffer because of this, and you are solely to blame.

I assume she is familiar with my mother. Her heart wrenched as she considered Janna's remarks. Before her mind could come up with horrifying scenarios in response to Janna's threat, her ears were assaulted once more by the sounds of fractured bones, torn sinew, and groans. They now emerged from Janna, who was now a tawny dog. She stepped back, enjoying the sickening diversion.

You're also a dog?

Laughter could be heard coming from behind Dianthe as Janna snapped at her hand with her teeth. But after at least three of her saviours gave her a hearty growl, the two dogs bolted, tails tucked between their knees.

Dianthe watched them leave with morbid fascination before turning back to the gathering, a sly smile hiding her quivering lip. Although they were compassionate enough to save her from the two canine monsters, it was still unclear whether they could be trusted with information about her missing mother.

Where to? she inquired.

Ianthe's heart raced and her cheeks flushed as each person responded with a grin; their genuine grins quickly eased some of her concerns. She pushed her flush to go away as she turned her sight to the man with the green eyes and swayed on her heels.

Big mistake.

He took a big breath and immediately started walking towards her, but halted in mid-step. Her body tingled as his eyes met hers, locking onto hers.

She said nervously, "What?

A hesitant, fleeting smile crossed his lips as she swallowed, and a spark of gold appeared in his iris.

This will either be fun or a huge mess.

He said, "Let's get going."