Chapter 3: Reality

Zora's POV (also called Zoe)

'Werewolf' it kept ringing in my ears.

My body couldn't move and my mother's voice sounded distant.

The space was not enough to breathe anymore. I felt suffocated as if something was clawing at my throat. I stood up and disappeared from their presence not caring about time or anything. My life had been a lie.

Tears streamed through my eyes as I began to sprint, increasing the distance between myself and my house.

Without warning, it began to rain heavily. But that did nothing to stop the flow of my tears or me. I had no idea where I was going until I saw the lonely path. Quickly I entered the enclosed space and cried to my heart's content. I was drained at this point, emotionally and physically. So many thoughts ran through my mind, giving me little to no time to react and protect myself.

"It shouldn't take much time." A faint familiar voice hastily said. I didn't think much of it and continued with my disarrayed thoughts.

The rain had stopped by now.

"We can handle this," Another said. "Move it, " the same voice repeated.

"Don't hurt her." The familiar one said again. That was when it hit me, kidnappers? Who were they trying to kidnap? I tried to remove my phone from my pocket with the little strength I had, but it was empty.

Danger was lurking around someone and there was nothing I could do. I was pained because a situation like this never passes me by without helping out.

At this point, I thought being a werewolf wouldn't be bad. At least, I would have saved a life. I sighed and cuddled myself.

Even after the rainfall, I wasn't cold. Strange.

I didn't realize I had fallen asleep until someone touched me.

I screamed and backed away in shock as my heart began to race faster than someone who ran a 100m. Masked men dressed in black surrounded me.

"Take her" The voice commanded someone. A masked man standing close to me walked closer and picked me up effortlessly, throwing me over his shoulder. Then a feeling of deja vu hit me like a brick but I couldn't fight back or scream this time.

"Move it" the voice commanded again, making everyone.

Slipping into darkness was just seconds away, when the faint scent of the strange man flooded my nose, stopping me from going unconscious.

"Stop" the commander must have noticed.

"Take the other route now." He bellowed at them. A growl erupted and tore through the silent night. The growl was getting close, then it stopped.

"They did well." I heard before darkness enveloped me.

I groaned instinctively holding my aching head, hoping it would reduce the pain. My eyes were heavy, making it difficult to open. The worst was the heat that was brewing inside me. I screamed with every ounce of energy I had but no help came.

I wished it was a dream that I would wake up from but the pain was increasing by the minute. After what felt like hours, I fainted.

When I opened my eyes this time, I saw Justin, the events of the previous day started flooding back coupled with the pain I experienced. Tears filled my eyes.

"Are you okay?" Justin asked with concern. "You have been out for three days," Julia chipped in.

"Three days?" I croaked with wide eyes. "What happened?" I was still confused. Julia left the room to bring me water immediately when she heard my voice.

"It was a dream dear." My mum said wiping my tears away. I didn't even notice her presence until she spoke. I tried to look at her but more tears came out instead.

"It felt so real, it was real," I argued back weakly. "I can still feel the pain." I cried the more I tried to explain. She looked confused but kept assuring me that it was all a dream. I sniffled and looked at Justin. His face hardened, eyes avoiding mine. "All that matters is that you are home now." He said exasperated.

It wasn't going to be easy to find the right answer to all my questions but I will give it a trial. I thought.

I want to be alone for a moment." I told them after I finished the water Julia brought for me.

They nodded in understanding and left. Julia was hesitant. "I would be downstairs alright..?" she said and left after giving me a comforting rub on my back.

I thought of what to do first.

Finding the man called Kenzi was first on the list. He holds great importance for the journey ahead of me.

I got off the bed and heard some funny sounds as a result of not moving my body for a good 3 days. I took my shower, changed, and went downstairs, feeling energized.

I decided to be civil to my mum. After all, she did me a favor by taking good care of me all these years. I was hurt that she didn't trust me enough to tell me before now.

When I got to the last step, I noticed

Justin was gone, and Mum was sitting quietly going through her phone while Julia was playing soft music from her phone.

"Where is Cassey?" I casually inquired, startling both of them. Maybe they were expecting me to take more time than I did. The curious me didn't allow the bed rest.

Julia's phone almost fell from her hand but she caught it in a flash. 'That was too fast' I thought.

I nodded at her with a small smile. I guess she stayed home because of me.

"Julia, let's go for a stroll before I become crippled from staying three days in bed." emphasizing the 'three' she smiled, shaking her head.

"It's nice to have you back," she said.

"Or you would be bored to death without me," I said in a cocky tone that earned an eye roll. " For someone who was out for a few days, you sure sound goofy." I just shrugged. There was no point dragging anything. I had to look fine to get what I wanted.

We strolled for just 10 minutes before she received a call about an unknown emergency.

It was late afternoon, I asked my mum about the man called Ken. She gave me details of everything she knew about him and werewolves.

No wonder she wasn't scared when she heard I was a werewolf.

I asked her to arrange a meeting with him. That made her smile. "You don't need to arrange a meeting," She said.

"He has always been around you after he found out you were his mate." She gushed. That was news to me.

"Don't worry, he will be here tonight" She added.

"Alright," I said and sipped from the fruit juice in front of her. "Thanks, Mum." I rushed upstairs laughing.

I was in the sitting room when I heard a soft knock. His scent already gave him away.

"Hi," he said in his deep calm voice immediately after I opened the door.

"Hello," I replied and told him to come in.

Mum went to my Aunts to spend the night, giving me space to sort things out between us.

From the moment I opened the door, Kenzi has been looking at me with all sorts of emotions, longing to be precise.

It was unexplainable how I was attracted to a man I knew nothing about.

I sat on the sofa opposite him and ignored the pull and temptation to sit close to him.

"Do you know who my real parents are?.. I asked him.

"Not really," he said but I'm sure you are my mate.

"Why did you call me Zora?" I pressed further. To be honest, my body reacted to the name.

"I just felt the name belongs to you," he said looking away this time.

"I need your help to find the truth," I told him, looking straight into those alluring orbs.

"Of course, I will do anything for you," he said warmly. My heart melted at those words.

His gray eyes reflected the flecks of blue in them. The wolf. It clicked.

"Are you related to the wolf I saw a few days ago?” I asked expectantly.

"That was my wolf but I can't explain what happened." He replied hesitantly.

"Please come with me to my pack," He said looking unsure.

"Your life is in danger." He finished looking at me this time.