Elara ran through the forest, her breath coming in short, panicked bursts. The vampire's cold smile and the crack of Kael's neck echoed in her mind, mixing with the cloaked figure's dark power. Her boots slipped on the wet leaves, and her side throbbed where she'd hit the rock. Her wrist ached, and her wet clothes clung to her skin, heavy with mud and stream water. She clutched her bag tight, the picture of her and Kael crinkling inside, a painful weight. Tears blurred her vision, but she blinked them away. She had to keep going.
The forest was quiet now, the pack's howls gone, replaced by the rustle of leaves and her own ragged breathing. Kael was dead—or so she thought. The vampire had dropped him, and she'd run, too scared to look back.
Her heart ached, torn between grief and fear. He'd banished her, but he'd been her love, her home. Now, she was alone with a baby she didn't understand—a "vampire's child," Kael had said. She pressed a hand to her belly, whispering, "I'll protect you."
The trees thinned as she stumbled onto a dirt road. The sky was lightening, a gray dawn creeping over the horizon. She'd been running all night, her legs burning and her side pulsing with pain. She stopped, leaning against a tree, catching her breath. Her hands shook as she opened her bag, pulling out the scarf her mom had knitted—soft with little blue flowers. She wrapped it around her neck, letting its warmth steady her. Her mom was gone, but the scarf was a piece of her, a reminder she wasn't completely lost.
She had to find somewhere safe.
Havenwood. Kael had mentioned it once—a small town south of the forest where different kinds lived, not just wolves. Maybe she could hide there, start over. It was her only hope. She followed the road, the cold air biting at her face. Her stomach growled, but she ignored it. The roast chicken and potatoes from last night sat cold on the cabin table, a life she'd never see again.
Memories flooded her as she walked. The day she met Kael—rain soaking her books, him helping her up with that kind smile. The nights by the fire, dreaming of kids and a bigger house. It all felt like a lie now, broken by one stupid night. She'd gone to the bar in town, lonely with Kael away on patrol. A tall guy with pale skin and strange eyes had bought her drinks. She'd been too drunk to think, waking up alone in a motel room with a headache. She'd buried it, ashamed, until her body started changing. Now, Kael's words—"a vampire's child"—haunted her.
How could that be? She didn't know that guy, didn't even remember his name.
The road stretched on, lined with trees that blocked the rising sun. Her feet dragged, and her side hurt with every step. She stopped again, pressing a hand to it, wincing. The pain was sharp now, maybe worse from the fall. But she couldn't stop.
She took a deep breath and kept going, the promise of Havenwood pulling her forward.
Hours passed, the sun climbing higher. Her clothes started to dry, but the cold still clung to her bones. She thought about what Havenwood might be like. Kael said it had werewolves, maybe others. Could she fit in with a baby like hers? She shook her head, focusing on the road. A sign came into view—faded letters reading "Havenwood – 5 Miles." Hope flickered in her chest. Five miles. She could make it.
She walked slower now, her legs heavy. The sun warmed the air a little, and she saw birds flitting between the trees. It felt almost peaceful, a sharp contrast to the chaos behind her. Her mind wandered to the vampire and that cloaked figure. Who were they? Why did they want her baby? The thought made her shiver, and she hugged her coat tighter.
The road dipped into a valley, and Havenwood appeared—small houses with smoke curling from chimneys, a few shops along a main street. People moved in the distance, tiny figures going about their day. It looked normal, but her senses tingled. That hum she'd felt before, the one that let her sense supernatural beings, grew stronger.
Her gift was waking up, telling her this place was different.
She reached the edge of town, her legs shaking. Her side pulsed, and she stopped to rest against a fence. A woman stepped out from a shop nearby, carrying a basket of bread. She was middle-aged, with brown hair tied back and a kind smile. "You look worn out," the woman said, walking over.
"Need help?"
Elara nodded, her throat dry. "I… I've been walking all night. I need a place to stay."
The woman's smile faded as she studied Elara. "I'm Mia. Come with me. You can't stand there looking like that—people will talk." She led Elara to a small café with a faded sign—"Mia's Place." Inside, it smelled of coffee and fresh bread, warm and welcoming. Mia pointed to a chair. "Sit. I'll get you something."
Elara sank into the chair, wincing as pain shot through her side. Mia brought a cup of tea and a slice of bread, sitting across from her. "What happened?" she asked gently.
Elara's hands shook as she took the tea.
"My pack… they kicked me out. I'm pregnant, and they didn't want me anymore."
Mia's eyes softened, but she didn't push.
"This town's seen its share of outcasts. We don't judge quick here. But you've got a story, haven't you?"
Elara nodded, sipping the tea. It warmed her, but her mind raced. Could she trust Mia? Before she could answer, the door jingled. A man walked in—tall, with a scar on his cheek and hard eyes. He stopped, sniffing the air, his expression darkening.
"Mia, who's this?" he asked, his voice gruff.
"Someone who needs help, Torin," Mia said.
"She's in trouble."
Torin stepped closer, his eyes narrowing. "She smells… wrong. Like blood and shadow. You sure about this?"
Elara's heart sank. Not again. "I don't know what that means," she said, her voice shaky. "I just want a safe place."
Torin glared at her. "Safe? You bring vampire stink into Havenwood, and you think it's safe? We don't want trouble."
Mia stood, putting a hand on his arm. "Torin, calm down. She's hurt. We'll sort it out."
He muttered something under his breath and left, the door slamming. Mia sighed.
"Don't mind him. He's wary of outsiders. But he's right—you've got something unusual.
That baby…"
Elara's hand went to her belly. "It's mine," she said firmly. "I don't care what it is. I'll protect it."
Mia nodded slowly. "Fair enough. Rest here tonight. Tomorrow, I could use help in the café. It's not much, but it's a start.
Relief washed over Elara, but it didn't last. A low hum outside made her tense. Mia frowned, going to the window. "That's odd," she muttered.
Elara joined her, peering out. The street was empty, but the air crackled with that strange energy. Then she saw it—a cloaked figure in the distance, moving toward the café. The vampire? No, this felt different—older, darker. The figure raised a hand, and the windows rattled, a burst of light flashing.
Mia grabbed her arm. "Get down!" she shouted.
The door burst open, and the cloaked figure stepped inside, its face hidden. A deep, cold voice filled the room. "The child is ours. Hand her over, or Havenwood falls."
Before Elara could react, the figure raised its hand again, and the café shook, shelves crashing to the floor.