Hushed Willows [m] Mental Wounds

Mature Content Warning

This thread has been marked as mature. By reading and/or participating in this thread, you acknowledge that you are of age or have permission from your parents to do so.

The participants have indicated the following reason(s) for this warning: violence, sexual assault later in thread

The once fiery she-wolf made her way to the lake just west of the meeting ledge. Having endured the most embarrassing ordeal at her pack meeting, she found it unbearable to be around the others. Seeking solitude once more, she hoped Opal Lake would offer solace. The moon hung low, casting a silvery glow on the tranquil waters. Reina nestled beside the shore, her eyes reflecting the inner turmoil of wounded pride. The gentle lapping of the water served as a soothing backdrop, lulling her into an unexpected slumber.

In her dreams, a misty figure materialized—a colossal wolf, its form shifting like wisps of smoke. Eyes of brilliant silver radiated a gentle glow akin to the moon above. The mist-wolf approached Reina with a serenity that transcended the boundaries of the dream world. Safety emanated from its eyes, something she had been missing for the past year. Waking up was the last thing she wanted—why leave this world when reality was so cold and uncertain? The ghostly wolf dipped its head, and a wordless conversation occurred between the two within the dream state, rebuilding her mental walls.

As dawn approached, Reina awoke by the lakeside, the vivid memory of the mist-wolf lingering. Empowered by the dream, resilience settled into her bones; she was ready to face her pack again, especially Boone. He did not deserve her fear as it was truly reserved for him—Ruin, the leader of Deadhawk, her betrothed. On the night of her birth, she was promised to him to save her family.

What did he want? The daughter of a Break leader. Break pack, the oldest in Rhodesia National Park, was practically royalty. Ruin, growing up in a pack of outcasts, aimed to gain enough recognition to assimilate into Break pack. Met with laughter and ridicule, he returned home, tail between his legs in embarrassment. He used that to fuel his endeavors and, soon enough, using tricks learned from the outcasts, he became a pack leader in his own right; he became strong and powerful, backed by all of those who have a personal vendetta against Break. He took what he wanted. 

Even the old Break leader couldn't stop him, eventually agreeing to the marriage between Ruin and his daughter, with the stipulation that she would see her second year before he could take her. It was to save her and their family; her father rallied the pack and sent scouts to the neighboring packs for help. Ruin, discovering the plan, raged at the old man's defiance. He had Reina kidnapped after her first year and tortured. Somehow, she slipped her captors; to this day she is not sure how she managed to find her barrings enough to return home. But, she had been too slow. Deep, heavy snow seemed to have let go from the cliffs above her home. Her home was buried; a once teeming den of life and laughter was now eerily silent. The only sound heard was what came from her lips as she screamed for her family, the birds above joining in her grief and despair. They were gone, all of them.

Through her tears, she saw him, on the cliffs above. Watching. Waiting. Expecting for her to run to him as if he was the only thing she had in this world. But, what he didn't expect was for her to RUN. And run, she did. For a long and lonely year. She did the best she could to cover her tracks, to cover her scent in anything and everything that she could muster putting onto her body. No matter what she did, she still felt him everywhere. In the shadows of the mountains, the darkness at night, and the birds that seemed to track her with their sharp, angular eyes. Like his.

She may never escape him.

Only death would release her from his hold. His death...or hers.