THE RISING TENSION

It was difficult for me to go to sleep. The heaviness of all my findings thus far made it challenging to keep my eyes shut for more than a few moments. The gentle beam of the moon shining into the room created an eerie atmosphere. I could still hear Kate and Gunner whispering to one another downstairs.

I was marked by the Moon Goddess.

Just thinking about it made my spine tingle. I was more than just a random girl who was rescued from a certain death. No, there was a deeper dynamic at work here that I didn't fully understand. It was all pulling me forward, this strange sense of destiny mixed with fear, even though I had no desire to be involved in any of it.

Hearing the creak of the door opening made me sit up straight in bed. Gunner stood at the doorway, shadows covering his face. He whispered, "Can't sleep?”

I gave a headshake. "Too much is happening here." I gently tapped my temple, still feeling the throb from earlier. "It's like... Something is missing from me. Everything feels wrong.”

He moved over and took a seat at the edge of the bed. His presence was calm with heavy and unexpressed thoughts. You're not the only one who has those feelings. This whole thing wasn't meant to happen. The hunters haven’t attacked this pack in decades, and now—”

“They’re after me.” I finished the sentence for him. “Because I’m marked.”

Sighing, Gunner raked a hand through his black hair. I could see the tension in his body as his jaw tightened. It goes beyond that. Here, there's more going on than we can understand. My dad... He stumbled and shook his head. “He hasn’t told me everything, but something about you is important to the hunters, more than just your mark.”

I blinked, taken aback. “More than my mark? What else could there be?”

I thought for a split second that he was going to tell me something important as he fixed his intense blue eyes on mine. But, he clammed up just as quickly. "At this moment, I'm uncertain." But we will figure it out. Together.”

Despite the intention to provide comfort, his words sparked more questions than resolutions. I could see that he was withholding part of the truth.

Before I could press him, the sound of footsteps echoed up the stairs, quick and heavy. A second later, the door burst open, and Dolph stormed in, his face twisted in anger. His eyes locked on me immediately.

“Why are you still here?” he spat, glaring at me like I was poison. “You’re putting the entire pack at risk, and Gunner, you’re just letting her stay?”

The sharpness in his voice made me wince. His anger was palpable, resembling an impending storm. I couldn't understand the reason for his strong dislike towards me. I was the one who was unaware of my own identity.

Gunner stood up, stepping in front of me, his back rigid. “Dolph, we’ve been over this. She’s not leaving. She’s under my protection.”

Dolph’s eyes flickered with something dark—something I didn’t want to name. “Your protection? You think that’ll matter when the hunters tear this place apart looking for her? They don’t care about your authority, Gunner. They will kill all of us to get to her”.

His words hit me like a punch to the stomach, causing guilt to consume me. I didn't desire to cause harm to anyone. I never requested this, whatever it may be. But I could see it in Dolph’s eyes—he was convinced I was a threat.

Dolph, not your enemy, I quietly said, I tried to make him understand. "Even I have no idea what's going on. I just—”

“I don't care what you want,” Dolph growled and interrupted me. “You shouldn't have been brought here in the first place, You’re nothing but a burden.”

The words stung, but I swallowed my retort. Gunner took a step toward Dolph, his voice low and dangerous. “You’re out of line. We don’t turn our backs on people, Dolph. She’s one of us now.”

“One of us?” Dolph laughed bitterly, shaking his head. "She does not belong here. She's a burden. And I will deal with her if you refuse to.

Dolph's hand suddenly shot forward, brutally snagging my arm. I instinctively pulled away, as panic shot through me, but he held on to me. A sharp pain pulsed through me as his fingers dug into my skin.

“Dolph, let go of her!” Gunner growled and stepped forward, yet Dolph ignored him, he tightened his grip.

I experienced a sudden surge of warmth in my body. I started to see things unclearly and my heartbeat increased in my chest. I experienced a strange sensation surging through me as if something within me was coming to life. When a flash of light burst from my skin and Dolph's hand was off me, as I gasped.

He stumbled back, his eyes wide in shock.

“What the hell?” Dolph hissed, his voice trembling slightly.

Looking down at my hands made my entire body tremble. Despite the absence of light, I could still sense the lingering warmth, resembling a blazing fire beneath my skin.

"What was that?" I spoke in a barely audible whisper.

Gunner gazed at me, a mix of fear and awe evident in his expression. “Zelena… that was…”

He chose not to complete the sentence, therefore he left it unfinished. Yes, I knew. What had just occurred was not typical. I wasn't certain if the transformation in me was positive or negative.

Dolph's angry expression twisted. “This is exactly why she’s a danger!” he shouted, pointing at me. “She’s unstable! You can’t trust her powers, Gunner. You’re putting us all at risk.”

Gunner turned to face him, his voice cold and firm. “She’s staying, Dolph. Whether you like it or not.”

Dolph sneered, his eyes narrowing. "This "This is just the beginning."

After that, he angrily left the room, forcefully shutting the door. A tense silence was left in the room after the sound reverberated.

I remained seated, my head reeling, while continuing to gaze at my hands. What had I just done? And what did it mean?

Gunner knelt beside me, his voice soft. “Zelena, we’ll figure this out. But we have to be careful. Whatever just happened. It's just the beginning.”

My heart was racing, as I looked up at him. “The beginning of what?”

But, before he could respond, a loud, angry howl echoed throughout the night. My blood ran cold.

The hunters had found us.