Chapter 11: Chapter 11

Chapter 11

AUTHOR’S POV

Tessa stood frozen, her knife still pointed at him, her breath caught in her throat as she stared into the eyes of Fenrir. His gaze was anything but friendly and it made her nervous. The tension in the air was palpable, each moment stretched taut like a bowstring ready to snap. Tessa knew she was treading on dangerous ground.

Her grip tightened on the hilt of her knife, her knuckles white while Fenrir mirrored her stance clearly aware that he was dealing with an amateur – they were caught in a deadly dance neither willing to lower their weapons.

For what seemed like an eternity, they stood there with their drawn weapons and the silent breeze whooshing past, it was past dark now and Tessa knew that Gabe would be worried.

Finally, Tessa lowered her knife slowly, tension rushing out of her body, Fenrir watched her closely in wariness before following suit, his gaze never leaving her face.

“Who are you? How do you know me?” He asked gruffly, his eyes boring holes into hers.

Tessa took a deep breath and pulled the shawl away from her face revealing herself.

“I never thought I’d see those hazel eyes of yours again,” Tessa said to him.

He sta ggered back and his eyes widened.

“Tessa?” He said, his voice barely above a whisper.

She nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Memories flooded her mind, transporting her back eight years to Silvermoon pack where she had first met Fenrir.

FLASHBACK TO EIGHT YEARS AGO

The air was thick with tension as young Tessa watched in horror as the pack sentinels flogged Fenrir with whips, their laughter echoing in the clearing. They had discovered his half–blood heritage and he was to be ostracized and branded an abomination.

Tessa was only 17 at this time but she couldn’t watch them kill the innocent boy while staring idly at the scene but what could she do? She wasn’t someone of power in the pack.

She followed them quietly through the clearing when they stopped and left him by the road to go and prepare where they would sleep for the night.

Tessa’s heart ached in pity knowing that they would sell him off.

She crept quietly to where Fenrir lay on the ground, bl oody and bound.

“Quick, we must make haste” She whispered, her fragile hands trying to untie the knots

His eyes fluttered open and he caught a glimpse of his savior- the beta’s adopted daughter? Why should she save him?

He felt the knots free and he willed himself up and quietly escaped with her.

They ran for a while deeper through the forest when she stopped and let go of his warm bloodied hands.

“I’m afraid my journey ends here,” She said quietly peering into his hazel eyes.

He struggled to catch his breath.

“Wait! Why, why did you help me?” He asked through painful breaths.

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She pushed her hair back.

“Because it’s humane and no one deserves that type of treatment,” She said

“I’m Fenrir…” He said watching her with curiosity.

She took a step back and smiled

“Fenrir” she repeated

“You’re the beta’s daughter,” He said to which she nodded and smiled

“Then why aren’t you against me? I’m not a true wolf” He said

Tessa smiled again

“You say you’re not but you are. A special breed at that, don’t let people tell you otherwise” she said

“What’s….what’s your name?” He asked through wheezing breaths.

“I’m Tessa. Good luck and I hope we one day meet again” She said smiling brightly.

Fenrir forced a smile.

“I’ll pray to the goddess for our paths to cross again so I can repay you for your kindness” He said before running away.

BACK TO THE PRESENT.

As the memories faded, Tessa looked at Fenrir and smiled through the pain.

“I guess the goddess really wanted us to meet again” She joked.

Fenrir’s shock was evident as he processed her words, his features softening with understanding and remorse.

“I…I didn’t recognize you,” he stammered, his voice filled with regret. “I’m sorry, Tessa. I didn’t mean to….to threaten you”

Tessa smiled a bittersweet pang in her heart at the memories of their first and last meeting. They barely knew each other.

“I also didn’t mean to point my knife at you, I was just startled” She laughed.

His knife clattered to the ground as he pushed his long hair back.

“So….”

Fenrir looked questioning at her.

“What are you….” He began to say.

“Ha, long story for another time. What are you doing here if I may ask” She cut him off.

He raised the sleeve of his shirt to reveal a deep gas

Tessa’s eyes widened in concern and she held his arm and looked at it

“You need to get help,” she said.

But before she could do anything, Fenrir’s eyes began to flutter and he slumped forward unconscious, resting on her body. Tessa struggled to keep his body upright, her heart clenched with fear. Oh Goddess, please keep him safe till she can reach

Gabe.

“Daphne, I need your help” Tessa communicated telepathically to her wolf who responded with a soft howl. Tessa knew she

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needed to transform into her wolf form if she was going to get to Gabe on time to save Fenrir.

Closing her eyes, Tessa focused on the raw energy coursing through her veins. She felt the familiar tingling sensation as her body began to shift and contort, bones elongating and muscles bulging as she transformed into her wolf form.

In a matter of seconds, Tessa’s human form melted away, replaced by the sleek and powerful body of a large gray wolf. Her senses heightened, she could smell the earthy scent of the forest, feel the cool breeze ruffling her fur, and hear the faint. rustling of leaves in the wind.

With Fenrir securely cradled on her powerful back, Tessa took off into the night, her paws pounding against the forest floor with the rhythmic cadence of a hunter on the prowl. She moved swiftly and gracefully, weaving through the dense underbrush with ease as she navigated her way back to her home.

Chapter 12

TESSA’S POV

Relief washed over me as I stumbled into the familiar enorm of my home Chemie Genery marry mured we ha face. He rushed over to my side and I transformed back to try horman form gently sharing kerrely by ground.

the

“Tessa, thank the stars that you’re safe. Who’s this? He exclaimed hurriedly regretting down to locate

I barely got a breath as I relayed everything to Cabe without miwing a beat, Cate kaked at the wond and the color d

the

from his face.

“We need to get him in fast,” He said getting up and flinging Fenrir over his headder like he mused on then. fascinating how Gabe could change his personality when there was a patient at hand.

He laid Fenrir down on a mat and rolled his sleeve up while muttering, something to hameet

“We need to neutralize the toxin. He’s a half blood right? If he were a full wolf, it would have been wore and the wild would have died from a bite from that vile creature”

I felt shivers run down my spine- I had never heard of such a creature.

“Get me that bowl of water by the counter” Cabe ordered pressing a warm towel over Kennir’s head, I rushed to the counter and brought back the bowl at lightning speed.

“What creature is that?” I asked, my heart thumping in my chest as I watched Cube do his work

Gabe didn’t spare me a glance as he spoke

“The nightshade viper. Its toxin will kill a Werewolf but seeming that your friend here is a half–od, he wasn’t fully affected, seems like he slashed the wound open” Gabe said,

I kept mute and let him do his job while watching silently.

First, Gabe cleaned the ga sh with water and crushed garlic known for its antibacterial characteristics, he gently dathed away at the surface of the wound, wiping off venom while careful enough not to spread it further.

Next, he prepared a poultice containing plantain leaves and comfrey roots, plantain leaves were known to draw out toxins while comfrey roots accelerated healing Gabe ground the ingredients into a fine paste, adding a few drops of water to create a smooth consistency

With gentle hands, he applied the poultice over the wound and I crossed my fingers in silent prayer. Fenrir broke into a cold sweat and groaned as Gabe massaged the poultice in.

Gabe rushed to the counter and brought out something from the cabinet–willow bark and meadow sweet, he measured them poured them into a pot with water, and boiled it. After some minutes, he poured the simmering concoction into a bowl and placed it next to where Fenrir lay, the vapor gently brushing past him.

“He’ll be stable in a while” Gabe finally said.

I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding

Gabe looked at me with satisfaction

“Step outside with me for a while, Tessa” He requested leaving the house.

I rushed into the house first to check on my babies, they were all awake and cooing, I kissed their foreheads and went out to meet Gabe who was sitting by the porch, his gaze fized on the full moon.

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I sat beside him and looked up at the moon also.

“I can’t remember when last I turned into my wolf” Gabe began, a dreamy far away look in his eyes.

Everywhere was strangely silent and unnerving because I knew Gabe wanted to discuss something important with me.

“I kinda also forgot what it was like to run around free till today,” I said.

Gabe turned to me.

“Your wolf…. What’s her name?”

“Daphne,” I said absentmindedly.

Gabe nodded.

“Give me your hand for a moment,” he said

I looked at him weirdly before placing my small hand in his. His eyes shut and I could feel Daphne relaxing in my mind. A second later, he let go of my hand.

“What did you do?”

He smiled.

“There’s more to you than meets the eye, Tessa. You’re unique, more than you think” He said.

I scrunched my face up

“Why did you go rogue?” I asked, it wasn’t the first time I had asked him this but he had always managed to dodge the question before.

His eyes turned darker.

“I didn’t go rogue for nothing, my pack was eradicated,” He said and I could see pain in his eyes.

I felt bile rise in

“Everyone?”

my

throat.

He gave a sad smile

“Everyone…” He paused and I didn’t have the heart to urge him on.

“Moon shadow epidemic, it was terrible, I had never seen anything like it not before and never since then. They dropped dead like flies and I don’t know if it was a good thing to be spared, I lost everything including her..” His voice cracked with emotions and I needed no one to tell me that he was talking about his mate.

“I’m sorry” I whispered feeling terrible.

He laughed painfully.

“Don’t be, after that, I became a medic, and I want to find the cure to it. I don’t want that to happen to another pack. I trained myself and..” He stopped there and said no more.

I stood up.

“Let me help you find a cure to it, teach me everything.” I said

He looked up at me.

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“You’re skilled enough to become a medic, Tessa. You’re already learning” He said, the jovial tint to his voice coming back.

He stood up equally and smiled.

“It’s not about learning Tessa, it’s a natural gift,” He said..

I bit my lip, there was a faint howl in the distance

“I want to save lives, Gabe. Teach me”

“Then you accept me as your mentor?” He said jokingly.

I smiled and nodded.

“Of course, sir,” I said laughing quietly, my voice quietly echoing in the still night.

He towered above me.

“Welcome aboard, my little apprentice”