The Shadow That Saved Me

Seraphina’s POV The forest had gone too quiet. My instincts screamed at me. Run. But my body was already failing. Each step felt heavier than the last, my vision blurring as exhaustion dragged me down. The strange warmth inside me flickered, unstable… like it didn’t fully belong to me yet. Then— A twig snapped behind me. I froze. Slow. Deliberate. Hunting. My heart slammed violently against my ribs as I turned— And saw them. Three rogues stepped out from the shadows, their eyes glowing with hunger, their bodies tense and ready to strike. Their clothes were torn, their faces twisted into cruel smiles. “Look what we found,” one of them sneered. “A lost little she-wolf,” another added. “And weak too.” My breath hitched as I stumbled back. “I—I don’t want trouble…” They laughed. A cold, mocking sound that echoed through the trees. “Too late for that.” The largest one lunged. I tried to run—but my legs gave out. He slammed into me, sending me crashing to the ground. Pain exploded through my body as I struggled beneath him, clawing, kicking, fighting with everything I had left. “Pathetic,” he growled, gripping my throat. Air— I couldn’t breathe— My vision darkened as his grip tightened. So this is how it ends… Not as a Luna. Not as someone strong. But as nothing. Tears blurred my sight. No. Something inside me stirred. That same strange warmth surged again—stronger this time, burning through my veins like fire. The rogue froze. “What the—?” My body trembled as a pulse of energy exploded from my chest, forcing him off me. I gasped, rolling onto my side as I coughed violently, dragging air back into my lungs. The rogues stepped back, wary now. “What is she?” one of them whispered. I didn’t know. I didn’t understand. But for a brief second… I felt powerful. And then— It vanished. Just like that. Leaving me weak again. “No…” I whispered, panic rising. The rogues exchanged looks. Then smiled. “Whatever that was… it’s gone,” the leader said coldly. “Finish her.” They moved again. Faster this time. Stronger. I tried to crawl away, but my body refused to obey. My strength was gone. Completely gone. A shadow fell over me. And then— A growl. Low. Deep. Terrifying. The entire forest seemed to shake with it. The rogues froze. Fear flashed across their faces. “What… is that?” one of them muttered. Another step. Heavy. Controlled. Dominant. From the darkness… he emerged. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Wrapped in power so suffocating it made the air feel heavy. His eyes glowed—cold, lethal… inhuman. An Alpha. But not like any Alpha I had ever seen. “Leave,” he said. One word. Calm. Deadly. The rogues hesitated. That was their mistake. He moved. Fast—too fast for my eyes to follow. A blur of power and violence. A scream tore through the night. Then another. I watched in shock, barely able to process what was happening as the rogues were taken down one by one… effortlessly. Like they were nothing. Silence fell again. Heavy. Final. My heart pounded as I looked up at him, my body trembling—not from fear this time… but something else. Something deeper. He turned to me slowly. Our eyes met. And for a moment… The world stopped. His gaze softened—just slightly—as it lingered on my face. “Who did this to you?” he asked quietly. My lips parted, but no words came out. Everything faded. The last thing I felt… was his arms catching me as I collapsed. Warm. Strong. Safe. And for the first time since that night… I wasn’t alone.