Mark of the Lycan Queen

Episode 3. The Birthmark

TAHLIA~

I stood there, gasping for breath, my heart pounding like a war drum. It wasn't relief that coursed through my veins but a flicker of hope, a shred of evidence that Ulric had been here. Clutching the necklace tightly in my hand, I scanned the surroundings, desperately searching for any trace of his presence.

“Ulric!" I called out once more, my voice echoing through the dense forest. "I have your necklace! Please, show yourself!"

Silence clung to the air, teasing me with its empty embrace. I knew he hadn't intentionally left the necklace behind, lurking nearby to reclaim it. I must have been foolish to entertain such desperate thoughts.

I started to make my way further into the depths of the unknown forest, following the faint trail left by Ulric's necklace. Every step felt like a leap of faith, my heart praying for a glimpse of my little brother. The forest grew denser, the towering trees casting eerie shadows on the forest floor.

But then I crossed the boundary. I steeled myself for what lay ahead, and pressed on, refusing to let the encroaching darkness or the fear of the Lycans hinder my search.

The night soon wore on, exhaustion gnawed at my bones, and weariness weighed heavy on my eyelids. I contemplated taking a brief respite, but the thought of Ulric alone in the unforgiving forest propelled me forward.

However, my steps grew sluggish, and my senses dulled by fatigue. The forest transformed into a swirling blur of dark shapes, merging into an otherworldly tapestry. Doubt crept at the edges of my mind, whispering that perhaps I might be chasing a mere illusion.

Finally, I stumbled upon a small clearing amidst the trees and considered taking a momentary rest. Collapsing near a fallen log, weariness consumed me like a relentless tide. My depleted body surrendered to sleep, seeking solace from the burdens of the world.

Hours slipped away, and the night surrendered to the soft hues of morning. Startled awake, I momentarily grappled with disorientation before reality settled back into place. Realizing how much time had passed, I shook off the remnants of sleep and pressed onward.

For hours, I forged through the woods until a faint sound reached my ears—a gentle, persistent rhythm of running water growing louder as I approached.

Thirst munched at my throat, urging me to seek out the source of the sound. Following the gentle stream, I soon found myself near a riverbank. To my surprise, two young men stood by the water's edge, their bare torsos glistening under the sun. Their presence caught me off guard, and I instinctively sought cover behind a cluster of rocks and foliage.

In my haste, I accidentally tripped over a fallen log, emitting a resounding thud and a pained groan that reverberated through the surroundings. The noise shattered the tranquility, drawing the attention of the young men. Panic surged within me as I froze, desperately hoping to blend into the scenery, to remain unnoticed.

One of the men, fueled by curiosity, started making his way towards my hidden location. Sweat trickled down my brow as the distance between us closed, and I prepared myself for the possibility of discovery.

But fate intervened, and just as he was about to uncover my hiding place, a sudden disturbance in the distance diverted his attention. The man's focus shifted, his gaze fixed on something else. Taking advantage of the momentary distraction, I seized the opportunity and quietly slipped away, careful not to make any more noise that could betray my presence.

Yet to my dismay, his seemingly supposed voice pierced through the air, cutting through the silence like a sharp blade. "Don't think of running, I can hear you. I can hear your heartbeat, and I know you're there."

Shit.

Fear gripped me, and my mind raced to find a way out of this precarious situation. I pressed my body against the rocks, trying to merge with the shadows, praying that the words were not directed at me. But then, his voice came again, more insistent this time. "Show yourself. There's nowhere to hide.”

I stayed silent.

“You can't hide forever” his voice rose again.

It was much like I was being made fun of. If he could hear my heartbeat he probably knows I'm a werewolf–a lone one at this moment.

My options ebbed, and I knew I couldn't remain hidden forever. Reluctantly, I emerged from my concealment, my heart pounding against my chest like a caged bird desperate for freedom. I stood a few steps from the man, my gaze packed with fierceness.

He scrutinised me with a piercing gaze, his eyes searching for answers. The other by the river joined him, their attention solely focused on me. I could feel their curiosity, their intrigue, and a sense of dominance emanating from their presence.

“And what may we have here?” The male with a tiny horn-looking pendant against his bare chest said inquisitively.

Summoning the last fragments of my dwindling courage, I spoke with a quiver in my voice, desperately trying to maintain calm. "I assure you, I mean no trouble. I'm simply in search of someone."

I hold my face tight, not to let the grimace sneak out. By the look of things they were Lycans and that made me concentrate on every flicker in their expression.

The moment hung in the air, tense with uncertainty. The men exchanged glances, their eyes narrowing as they assessed me. But before they could respond, I took a step back, my instincts urging me to retreat.

Without another word, I turned on my heels and bolted, my legs carrying me as fast as they could. The forest blurred around me as I sprinted, branches whipping against my arms and face. The sound of pounding footsteps echoed behind me, confirming that the men were giving chase.

Fear fueled my every movement, pushing me to go faster, to push beyond the limits of exhaustion. But then–a sudden impact halted me in my tracks. I collided with an immovable figure, as sturdy as a stone wall. Stumbling back, I struggled to regain my balance, my eyes fixed on his figure through the haze of the impact.

He came off to have jet black untamed hair and razored to his shoulders, giving him an air of wildness. His eyes, a mesmerising blend of amber and red— glowed with an otherworldly intensity, like two smouldering embers in the darkness, brimming with masked intensity.

They met mine, locking us in a moment of shared surprise.

Yet what instilled a profound fear within me was his identity as a Lycan. Not just any Lycan, considering the men who pursued me had halted their advance at a distance.

The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to his elbow, his face neutral yet firm.

Instinctively, I took several steps back, only to be met by the low, deep resonance of his voice.

“Don't even consider fleeing.”

A warning it was—as chilling as an icy wind, causing my nerves to constrict. The suffocating grip of fear clutched at me, and I involuntarily cast a furtive glance at the men behind me. Yet, as my gaze returned to him, the cold, piercing stare he directed at me sliced through, revealing a flicker in his eyes. I wouldn't see the hint if I was looking straight at them, but I was. I saw it—every bit of it.

In that fleeting moment, I felt my heart escape, leaving me defenceless.

“Is that a mark on your neck?" he inquired, his voice a blade slicing through the tension, causing my unease to stir.

Refusing to cower, I raised my chin defiantly, bitterness lacing my words. "And what if it is? It has nothing to do with you."

The mere sight of him, so cold and detached, stoked the fiery wrath within me, an inferno yearning to avenge the unforgivable acts his kind had inflicted upon my shattered community.

They slaughtered us, extinguishing lives as if we were naught but soulless husks. But the truth lay bare—they were the true perpetrators!

“Answer my question. Is that a birthmark on your neck?" His voice grew more challenging and frosty.

I refused to yield, meeting his challenge with a fierce whisper fueled by the seething hatred I held for his very existence. “And I told you, I don't owe you an answer," I spat, my words laced with the fervour of a blazing fire.

"Then you're coming with me," he declared, taking a step forward. Chilling my bones. Instinctively, I recoiled, our gazes locked in an unyielding battle of wills.

With defiance burning in my eyes, I lashed out at him, my words dripping with venom. "In your grave," I hissed, my escape plan forming in my mind. But before I could vanish into the shadows, his grip closed around my trembling hand, yanking me back with an ironclad strength.

“Release me! Let me go!" I shrieked, my voice piercing through the air, desperation fueling my struggles. But my pleas fell upon deaf ears as he remained unyielding, impervious to my words and entreaties. Suddenly, he pivoted me, his other hand unfurling like a viper, crashing into my senses with a vicious slam.

Time seemed to freeze in that harrowing instant. Silence enveloped the world around me, swallowing every sound, leaving only darkness to assail my vision.