When The Fates Align

Chapter 3

Following extensive research on my chosen destination for my first shift, I ventured to a local specialized hiking gear store. I acquired essential items such as sturdy boots, a high-quality sleeping bag, and a durable hiking backpack, alongside several other necessary supplies.

As I made my way home, thoughts of the man from the club consumed my mind. He was strikingly handsome—perhaps too handsome. I couldn't shake the feeling that he was, at the very least, a wolf, though I could not be certain. Curiosity gnawed at me: why was he here? Had my father sent him to track me down? The mere thought tightened a knot of anxiety in my chest.

Upon entering my cozy apartment, I set my backpack down on the table and started to collect the essentials for the coming days. I filled a bottle with ice and stashed it in the freezer, ensuring it will be the last item I pack this evening. I also added a few bottles of water to serve as makeshift ice packs, just in case I need them. As I prepared my meals, I packed several sandwiches, nuts, and a couple of packs of beef jerky for sustenanceI packed several outfits, a hairbrush, and a couple of hair ties along with a small bottle of shampoo.

“How are you going to shower out there? There isn’t a bath tub with running water is there?” She giggled.

“We are going where there is a place to wash in a small fresh spring coming off the mountain. We will reach it first and follow it upstream until we reach our destination.”

“Ohh. Well, okay.” She retreated to the back of my mind.

I was grateful for that moment as I desperately needed some rest. I stretched out on the couch and took a nap, recharging my energy for later this evening.

When my alarm rang, I mustered the energy to rise from the couch. I quickly changed into my outdoor clothes, slipped on my boots, gathered the final essentials for my bag, and stepped out of my apartment. The hours that followed were an adventurous journey through the shadowy forest, where my eyes seamlessly adapted to the dim surroundings, using the moonlight as my guiding beacon. I stopped from time to time to use my phone as a navigational tool.

By the time the sun rose, I had arrived at the stream. After two hours of trekking upstream, I decided to take a well-deserved break. I settled onto a large rock and rummaged through my backpack, retrieving a granola bar and my water. I relished the warmth of the sun as it bathed my skin in its golden glow.

I took my boots off and rubbed my aching feet. “I should have just worn my regular tennis shoes, or at the very least, worn them while I napped on the couch.”

“I wasn’t going to say anything. Hell, you could have went barefoot and it wouldn’t have been that bad.” Claire giggled.

“Oh, hush! My feet would be worse than they are now.” I sat for a moment and listened to the woods around me. “It is peaceful here. It’s not quiet, but at the same time, it is.”

I finished the granola bar and took a refreshing sip of water. As I dipped my feet into the water, the cool sensation gracefully enveloped my skin, alleviating my aches with each gentle swirl. The sun sparkled on the surface, creating a dance of light that mesmerized me. I closed my eyes, letting the warmth of the sun mingle with the cool water, feeling a sense of relaxation wash over me.

“We should take a small nap, gather our strength.” Claire suggested.

I pulled my feet from the water and slipped my socks and boots back on. Gathering my belongings, I relocated to a spot beneath a tree. With my head leaning back and my eyes gently closed, I surrendered to a deep, blissful sleep. The gentle whispers of the wind through the leaves created a soothing lullaby that carried me into a dream. In that serene state, the worries of the world faded away, replaced by the peaceful embrace of nature.

Cyrus

The alley enveloped me in a shroud of darkness, masking my presence as I watched the faint glow emanating from the apartment. I strained to catch every sound until the light finally flicked off, unveiling her silhouette as she emerged. Dressed in hiking gear—at night? I could barely make out the determined set of her jaw, a hint of purpose in her steps. As she glanced around before disappearing into the shadows, curiosity gnawed at me, propelling me to follow her.

"What on earth is she thinking? This is dangerous! We're following her, aren't we?" Bordou insisted, drawing my focus as he surged forward. I felt him watching her through my eyes.

"Absolutely. However, we need to keep our distance. It's preferable for you to take the lead, as you're much quieter on your feet than I am. Your movements won't attract attention," I advised him.

"Naturally, I can blend into the shadows far more effortlessly than you can. She's slipping away!" I sensed the urgency in his voice.

“We've picked up her scent. Once we transform, we’ll need to maintain our distance. She’s not human and can hear us far better than any human could, even with your stealthy footsteps,” I cautioned him.

“Yeah, I am just worried for her.” He admitted. “Let’s get on with it then.”

We waited until she had moved a considerable distance before shifting. My lycan form was imposing and tall, with pitch-black fur that blended seamlessly into the shadows. As I stalked through the underbrush, my senses heightened, the moonlight glinted off my sharp eyes, illuminating the path ahead. Every sound was amplified, every scent was distinct, guiding us along the way. She was at least a mile, possibly two ahead of us. We moved slowly through the woods.

When her scent became stronger in the air we hung back. I could hear the soothing sounds of water. She must have stopped for a break. I could smell her food from here and caught myself smiling. We slowly moved forward and stopped right at a half of a mile. We laid under a tree and waited for her to make her next move, but after two hours of nothing, we both got worried.

“Should we move forward to check on her?” He asked.

“I think we should. But we need to be smart about it. Go down stream about a mile and cross. We should be able to see her from the opposite side, if we stay in the tree line.” I instructed him.

With that, we were on the move again.