Chapter 2

Elara’s Point Of View

From the moment I could walk, the forbidden forest would always call onto me. I had no idea if it was truly reaching out to me or I was just too interested in it. It loomed on the edge of our village and all of us had been warned to avoid it. Adults whispered to us that it was a dangerous place and that we should keep away, citing stories of those who had ventured too close and never returned. But for me, those warnings only fueled my curiosity.

As a child, I would steal away from the safety of our village whenever I could, going as close to the edge of the forest as I dared. I would stand there, peering through the thick tangle of trees, feeling the pull of the unknown. What secrets lay hidden within the mysterious place? I had no idea but as I grew up, I knew there was nothing stopping me from going to find out for myself. If there was something strange about the woods then, I need to check it out.

That certain morning, I gazed out of the window of our humble abode down to the forest and something told me that the time was right. The time to go find out more about the forest and ignoring the cautionary voice in my head, I slipped out of our little hut, careful not to alert anyone of my departure.

To my amazement, the dense forest kept beckoning to me. It felt like I was drawn to it and that I could associate with it. It was as if everything in it worked together with me to continue the path and I wasn't scared. The threat about the forest for the villagers never got at me, I just knew I needed to discover something.

Soon, I began to hear some strange sounds just like a faint whisper that seemed to spread out from every corner of the woods. At first, I dismissed it as the wind playing tricks on my ears, but as I continued on my journey, the whispers grew louder and more distinct. Yet, despite the sounds, I still felt strangely drawn to them, nothing seemed to be weird about it.

Suddenly, out of nowhere came a hulking figure, blocking my path entirely. My heart hammered against my ribs, with fear gripping me. Its red blazing eyes sent terror to me and for the first time, I was afraid of being in the forest. I froze, my breath catching in my throat.

For a tense moment, we stood locked in gaze as my mind raced, desperately seeking an answer to what I was staring at. Claws? Fangs? Terror washed over me.

Tentatively, I inched backward, keeping my eyes on the creature, not knowing the right way to escape from him as he kept staring dangerously at me. Was this what the people in the village were talking about? A huge creature living in the groove. So mischievous!

It was then it seemed all true to me. Things we were warned of and I didn't believe was something I was experiencing with my own eyes that made me wish I had never made the journey.

As I took steps backwards, the creature did the same. It followed me, howling at each step I took and because I was facing backward, I couldn't make too much effort to move as fast as I could, knowing fully well I needed to be extra careful.

My heart leaped as we locked eyes and I suddenly lost focus that made me knock my feets over the tangles in the forest and I went flaunting down instantly with screams escaping from my lips. By this time, my eyes were shut and I waited patiently for the creature to come to put me to my demise but after some moment, I felt nothing. Nothing? I flung my eyes open.

There was a sudden calmness in my spirit and it was like something whispered to me to push away my fears, that I was safer in the hands of the creature and I listened without any hesitation. Soon, it started to close the distance between us and I felt an electrifying spark coarse through me with my body vibrating to the movement. What were all of these? I couldn't tell.

Just then, a croaky growl erupted from the depths of its throat, reverberating through the trees like a warning, igniting a fear deep within me. It was a sound that transcended mere noise, resonating with a force that spoke of danger. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to flee, to escape the clutches of the mysterious being before it was too late.

But then, something inexplicable happened.

As I stood frozen in terror, I watched in disbelief as the creature's form began to shift and contort before my eyes. Bones cracked and shifted beneath its fur, muscles rippling as its body underwent a deformed transformation. With a sickening stagger, the creature's once fearsome appearance gave way to something altogether more human.

Before me now stood a figure, tall and imposing, yet undeniably human in form. Its eyes, once feral and wild, now bore a spark of intelligence as they gazed at me with a curious intensity. I struggled to comprehend what I was seeing, my mind racing at the impossible sight before me.

‘What have I just seen? Did I just watch a mysterious creature change into a human? How was that even possible?’ I questioned myself in disbelief as my lips parted in awe.

His bare form shone under the faint glow of the moon, as if sculpted from the very essence of light itself. The contours of his physique were so bright and attractive.

But it was his eyes that held me captive, two orbs of emerald fire that burned with a power that defied explanation, drawing me closer with an irresistible pull.

I couldn't tear my gaze away, couldn't shake the feeling that I was witnessing something beyond the realm of mortal understanding. Was he a figment of my imagination, a trick of my mind? Or was he something more, something beyond the limits of human comprehension?

As I stood there, transfixed by the sight before me, a single thought echoed through my mind. ‘How could I be staring at an angel, and yet feel so utterly alive?’

“Who are you?” His voice was hoarse and sounding all aggressive that it sent some fear signal to me but I still maintained my stance. No word came out as I tried to think of a way to access who he truly was. “Who are you?” his question rang sternly into my ears and woke me from my reflections that I was forced to speak up.

“I’m…Elara,” I sputtered in response and for some moments, all we did was exchange eye contact until he finally voiced out again.

“What are you doing in this forest? You aren't one of us,” he requested and I arched my brows at him. Them? What does he mean I wasn't part of them?

I said nothing and kept hearing growls come out from me as he kept gaping at me. I could sense some strange feelings but I just couldn't tell what was happening to me. We seemed drawn to each other.

He suddenly lowered himself to where I sat and stretched his hands forward to hold the side of my body. My entire core seemed to lock up as the unexpected wag sent a jolt through me. As his hand grasped mine, a warmth spread from the point of contact, tingling outwards like a current. It felt like... sparks. Like something unexpected was awakening deep within me.

He pulled me gently to my feet, the sensation of his touch lingering on my skin long after he let go. My cheeks burned, not just from the scrape, but from a sudden, unfamiliar heat. "Are you alright?" His voice was a low rumble, sending shivers down my spine.

“You..." I whispered, my voice barely more than a breathless exhalation. "You're... human?"