Zoe found herself in the garden once more, a place that felt both familiar and otherworldly. Even in the knowledge that this was a dream, she was hesitant to depart. The goddess, Celine, revealed herself as the moon goddess, the creator of all supernatural beings. The enigmatic black wolf made another appearance, his presence both comforting and unsettling. The mere mention of Jared seemed to disturb the tranquility, causing the wolf to growl in warning.
Celine had revealed that Jared was never destined to be her soulmate. She also disclosed that Jared and Jennifer weren't true mates either. The goddess cautioned her about Jennifer's untrustworthy nature. She had wept on Celine's shoulder, sharing her pain about Jared's betrayal. The goddess's consoling words acted as a healing balm for her wounded spirit, promising that everything would eventually fall into place. In Celine's embrace, she experienced a deep sense of solace, as if her burdens had been lifted. The black wolf remained nearby, though not close enough for physical contact. Something compelled her to reach out and stroke the wolf, but she quickly withdrew her hand, feeling self-conscious. Before the wolf could move closer, screams jolted her from her dream.
She awoke to the sound of screams, a jarring reminder of the dangers that lurked in their world. The tension was palpable as everyone gathered, Eric and Tyler taking charge. She hurried to Katelynn, eager to understand the gravity of the situation.
Katelynn explained that hunters were in close proximity, and they had captured a girl from the other group. The screaming came from the girl's sister, who was distraught over her sibling's disappearance. The men from Jennifer's group had gone searching for her. Tyler ordered everyone to pack up immediately, unwilling to risk anyone else's safety. Danny and Eric had joined the search party. Meanwhile, she and Katelynn assisted Beth in dismantling their camp.
They had just finished clearing everyone's campsite when Eric and Danny returned with grim news. A pair of hunters had ambushed the girl while she was collecting water from the river. Though they had eliminated the hunters, the girl remained missing. Her heart grew heavy with the stark realization that this was their new reality-a world where they were constantly hunted, where any moment of carelessness could result in someone being taken away. It served as a sobering reminder of the constant vigilance required in their current world.
She approached the grieving sister and settled beside her. The situation hit close to home, making her contemplate the possibility of losing Katelynn. Her heart ached for the young woman as she introduced herself and offered condolences. The sister identified herself as Erica, explaining that Emma, her younger sister, was only 18 to 21 years old. They had been separated from their father and held hope of reuniting with him at the king's land. As Erica broke down, she remained by her side, offering silent comfort through an embrace, words failing in the face of such profound loss.
Jason made his way toward them as they rose. It was their first proper introduction. His tall frame matched her brothers' height, his broad shoulders adding to his imposing presence. Despite his attractive features, what stood out was his genuine concern for Erica. He enveloped her in his arms, expressing remorse for failing to save Emma. Erica sought solace against his chest as he provided comfort with gentle back rubs.
"We need to move," Eric announced, his eyes reflecting sympathy for Erica. "I'm sorry for your loss, but we'll be safer if we continue." Erica acknowledged his words with a silent nod.
Jason took his position at the group's forefront. According to his calculations, they could reach the king's land within two to three days. His priority was to distance themselves from their current location. The plan was to continue westward and secure a safe shelter before nightfall.
True to her nurturing nature, Katelynn verified that everyone had replenished their water supplies before departure, her concern extending to each group member.
Aliza linked arms with her, suggesting they stay together to avoid Jared and Jennifer. The mention of their names caused her stomach to churn and her heart to constrict. She inadvertently glanced their way, witnessing their passionate exchange, which recalled Celine's revelation about their false mate status.
Noticing her contemplative expression, Aliza prompted, "Penny for your thoughts."
She shared details about the dream garden and Celine's disclosure regarding Jared and Jennifer's relationship. Aliza's startled expression prompted her to dismiss it as merely a dream. However, Aliza's interest focused on a different detail. "What was the garden's name again?"
"The Garden of Eve," she repeated. Aliza's face lit up with recognition. "My grandmother's book mentioned it," she revealed. She elaborated that the garden was exclusively accessible to powerful witches. This information created confusion for both of them. After all, she was a werewolf, not a witch. The revelation added another layer of mystery to their already complex situation.
Was this what Celine had revealed about the truth? Questions swirled in her mind: Would the garden appear again? Could she access it at will? Was it exclusively through dreams? Who was the mysterious black wolf? Could he be something other than a witch? Anxiety crept in at the thought of never dreaming of the garden again. Perhaps it was merely a dream, though Aliza had previously mentioned the garden.
Azria interrupted her contemplation with the suggestion that their mother might have been a witch. But that raised another question - how did Katelynn and she possess their powers? Through Azria, she had learned that male witches were uncommon. Danny belonged to this rare category, being half-werewolf, though his powers paled in comparison to Beth's or Azria's. The possibility of her being a witch seemed improbable, yet uncertainty lingered.
The group maintained steady progress, pausing only for essential breaks and lunch. Jason and Tyler were determined to cover a significant distance. She shared their eagerness to put distance between them and their previous camp, keeping regular checks on Erica throughout the day. On several occasions, Erica walked alongside her and Azria, revealing that Jennifer was universally disliked within the group. She explained that Jennifer, Jason's sister, was only present because Jason had promised their father to escort her to the king's land. According to Erica, Jennifer's entitled behavior and numerous romantic entanglements, including Jared, had driven away three group members.
They continued until darkness descended, necessitating a fire for camp setup. Their water supplies, replenished at the last stop, would sustain them through this waterless area. Tyler remained optimistic about trapping rabbits or foxes for food. She finished her preserved rabbit from the previous night, exhaustion and anticipation about potentially revisiting the garden in her dreams weighing heavily. Her camp was positioned betweenKatelynn's and Tyler's; their protective instincts heightened after the morning's events. While such overprotectiveness had once irritated her, tonight, it provided welcome comfort. The crackling fire and the conversation between Ryker and Chris, who held the first watch, lulled her into sleep. They would alert the group if any threats emerged.