Serena
I stood in the dimly lit kitchen, the aroma of simmering carrot soup filling the air. Beads of sweat glistened on my forehead as I stirred the soup absentmindedly. As Ollie had suggested, I became part of the kitchen staff in the pack after I recovered. Although I enjoyed cooking for everyone, there were some days when I didn't feel like doing it for some reason, just like today.
That's when I heard a hushed whisper from the nearby doorway. It was Lia's voice, engaged in a conversation with one of the warriors whose name I didn't know. Though I didn't mean to eavesdrop, I couldn't help but overhear what they were discussing.
"Lia, we need someone to assist in the infirmary. Ollie and his team are bringing in a wounded being. They need you there, NOW!”
Lia was shocked and asked, “Who was it?”
“We have no clue,” the warrior responded. Lia no longer pressed for information and told the warrior that she would retrieve some things from her room before heading to the infirmary. Just then, I heard her call my name.
“Katniss! Where are you?”
“Here!” I answered before stepping out the door. “What do you need?”
“Ollie and his team are back from hunting. Can you prepare an additional meal for them?”
I nodded, my wooden spoon still in hand. "I've got it. Don’t worry," I assured her, and Lia smiled in appreciation before leaving.
Setting down the spoon, I rushed to the pantry to gather the necessary ingredients. My thoughts were racing as I began preparing the food for Ollie’s group. My worry grew as I wondered where this wounded being had come from.
An hour later, the meal was ready. Balancing a tray laden with steaming food, I made my way to the tent where Ollie and his team were resting. Inside, the warriors were sitting around, their faces bearing the weariness of battle.
"Katniss, you're a lifesaver. This looks good," Ollie said, accepting the tray from me. As they ate, my curiosity got the best of me.
"Did you know who that wounded wolf is?" I asked, my voice laced with concern.
Ollie shook his head, his brows furrowing. "We don't know. We found him near Goldenridge where some rogues are attacking him.”
My heart skipped a beat at the mention of my old pack. I couldn't let Ollie or anyone else here know my connection to it so I pressed on cautiously.
"I heard that pack before. What happened to it?"
Ollie sighed, his eyes troubled. "It doesn't look good. Smoke hung over the territory when we left. It seemed like the pack had fallen to an attack."
A gut-wrenching pain tore through my chest, and I clenched my fists to suppress the tears threatening to spill. "Let me get you some more soup," I lied, my voice wavering as I found a way to excuse myself. My eyes welled up with tears, and I hurried away, desperately seeking a place to hide my overwhelming grief.
In a quiet corner of the camp, I leaned against a tree, finally letting my emotions out. Despite everything, Goldenridge was still my home. As much as I wanted to forget the torment and suffering I had endured there, a part of me mourned for what had happened to it.
Fearing that others might see me in this vulnerable state, I wiped my tears away with trembling hands. A plan formed inside my head. I needed to know who the survivor was, and I had to find out more about the attack from him.
****
That night, under the cover of darkness, I plotted my course to the infirmary, determined to catch a glimpse of the person Ollie and his team had saved. Stealthily, I moved through the shadows, my heart pounding in my chest.
As I entered the infirmary, the soft glow of lanterns illuminated the room, casting eerie shadows on the walls. I moved closer to where the wounded being was resting, There he lay, his face peaceful in slumber.
I approached with utmost caution. Half of his face was hidden under the white blanket and I couldn't tell who he was because of it. So, I bent down to look closer, curiosity guiding my action. I gently lifted the blanket to reveal his face in the dim light.
My breath caught in my throat when I finally saw his face. It was Beta Ashford from Blood Rose. I knew him as I saw him with Damon the night of the mating ritual. I couldn't help but wonder why he was in Goldenridge when the attack occurred.
For a moment, I simply stared at him, uncertainty clouding my thoughts. But just as I thought about slipping away, a cold hand closed around my arm, making me freeze in place. It was then that I realized Beta Ashford was awake, his eyes fixed firmly on me.
My thoughts fell silent as I turned to look at him. Beta Ashford remained silent too, until a glimmer of joy illuminated his face.
"Serena?" he whispered, and my eyes widened in disbelief. I quickly glanced around to ensure no one had heard him utter that name. My first instinct was to deny it, of course.
"My name is Katniss, not Serena," I replied, mustering the courage to pull my arm back from his grasp. But the Beta wore a smirk, causing my heart to race within my chest.
At that moment, he retrieved something from his pocket and handed it to me. It was a picture of Shey and me from our younger years, the very one I knew my best friend displayed in her room back in Goldenridge.
"Who would've thought I'd see you here?" he added, his dimples showing as he genuinely appeared happy to see me. Did he come to Goldenridge just to find me? But why? Why was he searching for me?
As if he could read the questions in my mind, he spoke once more. "It was the Alpha Heir, Damon Sanford, who tasked me with finding you."