Alisha' POV
The distressing images kept assaulting my senses, and I couldn't distinguish reality from the nightmarish hallucination. The pain in my head intensified, and I couldn't control the surge of emotions and fear overwhelmed me. My body trembled, my heart pounded in my chest, and I let out a strangled cry, unable to comprehend what was happening.
Brad and Suzy exchanged concerned glances as they tried to assess my condition.
"Hey, Luna, are you alright?" Brad's voice broke through the chaos, filled with concern. After he pulled over the car, Suzy reached out to touch my shoulder, trying to anchor me back to reality.
"No! Stay away!" I screamed, pulling away from her touch. The panic inside me intensified, and I felt like I was losing my grip on sanity.
Suzy quickly withdrew her hand, not wanting to exacerbate the situation. "Luna, you're safe. It's just a vision; it's not real. Take deep breaths and focus on my voice." Brad tried to comfort me.
His words were a lifeline, and I clung to them, trying to steady my breathing. I closed my eyes and listened to Brad's soothing voice, trying to block out the disturbing images that still lingered in my mind. Slowly, the intensity of the vision started to fade, and the reality of the car's interior came back into focus.
"Good, just keep breathing," Brad continued to reassure me. "It's not uncommon for werewolves to experience vivid visions, especially during times of stress or change. Don't be afraid, Luna."
I nodded weakly, trying to regain my composure. The unsettling feeling still lingered, but I forced myself to push it aside for the time being. "Thank you, Brad. I don't know what happened... it was like I was transported to another place, another time, very very scary." Just like a battle field or burial ground.
"I am sorry for having you experience this, Luna. The journey to Blood Dawn can be overwhelming, for their territory is close to the Dark Forest, especially for someone who never been there before." Brad explained gently. "You might have been affected by its terrible vibe. I should remind you before."
Upon hearing Brad's words, a sudden realization struck me. It was said that the Dark Forest harbored a terrifying group of rogues, where the cursed bodies of countless werewolves lay buried. Consequently, the entire forest exuded a chilling aura, capable of causing even ordinary werewolves to lose themselves completely. No ordinary being dared to venture lightly into the dreaded Dark Forest, for it exuded a chilling aura of darkness and evil.
I felt a mix of fear and curiosity wash over me. The Dark Forest was infamous among werewolves, and stories of its malevolence had been passed down through generations. To think that Blood Dawn's territory was in such close proximity to this dreaded place was both unsettling and intriguing.
"I've heard about the Dark Forest," I replied, my voice slightly shaky. "But why is Blood Dawn's territory so close to such a dangerous place?"
Brad nodded, his expression serious. "It's true that the proximity to the Dark Forest is concerning, but Blood Dawn's pack has a strong defense system in place to keep any potential threats at bay."
Suzy opened her mouth, concern etched across her face. "But on this occasion, Luna doesn't even have the strength to stand up. Brad, what should we do?"
Brad stared at me, his expression determined as he reached into his pocket and retrieved a small box. "Forgive my offense, Luna," he said, his voice firm yet gentle. He opened the box to reveal a stunning ring adorned with a dazzling pink diamond – my wedding ring!
Then Brad handed the ring to Suzy, "Help Luna wear it!"
My heart skipped a beat as I looked at the ring in disbelief. "But how is this possible? Didn't Archie buy it and give it to Erma?" The thought left my head spinning, and the pain in my head intensified. I tried to resist Suzy's actions, but my weakened state made it futile.
"Please, Luna, you must wear it," Brad urged, his voice imploring. "This ring can help you resist the influence from the Dark Forest. In fact, Alpha specifically instructed me to ensure you wear it. But before this..." Brad's words trailed off as he hesitated, understanding that I didn't want to hear anything about Archie before.
Surprisingly, as Suzy slid the ring onto my finger, almost instantly, the overwhelming sense of fear and suffocation began to recede, leaving me in a state of peace.
The ring's presence was like a shield, protecting me from the malevolence of the Dark Forest. I could feel its calming energy coursing through me, grounding me to the present moment. With the ring on my finger, I found my strength gradually returning, and the visions that had haunted me seemed to fade away.
But I still felt uncomfortable. Seeing my pale face, Brad said, "We've arrived at Blood Dawn's territory. The ceremony will take place at their central hall and Luna can have a rest there. Let's proceed."
Not long after, the car finally arrived at its destination, and as it came to a stop, Suzy helped me out of the vehicle and into a magnificent palace. The grandeur of the building was breathtaking, but my mind was too preoccupied to fully appreciate it. Brad guided us through the palace, and after a brief conversation with the servants, we were led to a secluded and quiet room.
I sank into a plush sofa, trying to steady my breathing and regain my composure. Brad turned to Suzy and said, "Alpha will need some more time to arrive. I'll go and fetch a witch doctor to examine Luna." With that, he left the room.
As I sat there, feeling a little better, Suzy stood nearby, her gaze filled with concern. Trying to reassure her and downplay the severity of what I had experienced, I managed a weak smile and said, "Perhaps it's just a case of low blood sugar. You know, after such a long flight and no food."
However, Suzy's worry was not easily appeased. She immediately responded, "I'll go and get some food for you right away." Before I could protest, she had already hurried out of the room.
Left alone, I took a deep breath, my mind still reeling from the unsettling visions and the unexpected turn of events. I couldn't shake off the feeling that something significant was about to unfold, something beyond my control.
I couldn't help but touch my wedding ring. The familiar presence of the ring brought a sense of comfort amid the uncertainties of this journey. As I held onto it, the delightful fragrance of flowers wafted in from outside, filling the air with a sense of joy and pleasure, gradually easing my tension and making me feel much more at ease.
Suddenly, my ears caught snippets of hushed conversations outside. It turned out that there was a small garden outside the room, where someone were talking and their voices faintly reaching my ears.
"Dad! Why won't you let me teach those arrogant fools a lesson? They dare to deny us entry to the upcoming formal ceremony! They claim that only invited Packs have the privilege to attend!" A familiar and annoying female voice sounded.
"That's enough! Haven't I warned you before? This is The Blood Dawn; don't you dare stir up trouble! Otherwise, you can go back where you came from!"
"But they actually allowed that wretched woman, Alisha, to attend the ceremony. I can't bear this injustice! What makes her more noble than me? She's just lucky to be chosen by Archie. Deep down, she's no different from her harlot mother, a despicable bastard!"