Chapter Three: Echoes of the moon

Days turned into weeks, and the bond between the werewolf and the protagonist grew stronger. We spent most of our time together, exploring the woods, sharing stories, and learning more about each other. I found myself opening up to the werewolf in a way I never had with anyone else.

One day, as we were walking through the woods, the werewolf stopped and turned to me. "There's something I want to show you," he said. "But we have to be careful."

"What is it?" I asked, intrigued.

"It's a special place," he said cryptically. "A place where my kind go to connect with nature, and with each other. It's hidden deep in the woods, and not many humans know about it."

I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I wanted to follow him into the unknown. But something about his words drew me in, and I found myself nodding in agreement.

We walked deeper into the woods, the trees growing thicker and the underbrush becoming denser. As we went further, the werewolf's senses seemed to sharpen, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger. I felt a sense of unease wash over me, but I trusted the werewolf to keep me safe.

Finally, we came to a clearing, and I saw what the werewolf had been leading me to. A group of werewolves were gathered around a campfire, their faces illuminated by the flickering flames. They all turned to look at us as we approached, their eyes narrowing in suspicion.

The werewolf who had brought me there stepped forward, his voice strong and commanding. "I bring a friend," he said. "A person who has treated me with kindness and understanding."

The other werewolves looked at me warily, but they didn't attack. Instead, they welcomed me into their midst, and I found myself surrounded by a group of creatures unlike any I had ever encountered.

Over the next few hours, we shared stories, laughed, and bonded over our love of nature and the wild. I learned more about werewolf culture, and the deep connection they had to the land around them. They showed me the proper way to hunt, and I felt a sense of exhilaration as I joined them in chasing down prey.

As the night wore on, I began to feel more comfortable in their presence, as if I had finally found a place where I belonged. But just as I was beginning to relax, I heard a rustling in the bushes, and a figure emerged from the darkness.

It was Liam.

He looked at me with a mix of anger and disappointment, and I felt a sense of dread wash over me. "What are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

"I came with the werewolf," I said, attempting to maintain my tone. "He wanted to show me something."

Liam's eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer to me. "You shouldn't be here," he said. "This is dangerous territory, even for someone like you."

I felt a surge of defiance, and I stood up to face him. I raised my voice and said, "I can take care of myself." I have no concerns regarding you or your kind.

Liam seemed taken aback by my words, and he looked at me for a long moment before finally nodding. "Fine," he said. "However, whatever happens to you is in your own head."

With that, he turned and disappeared into the woods, leaving me alone with the werewolves. I felt a sense of relief wash over me, but I also understood that my situation was far from resolved. I needed to figure out why the werewolves had attacked me and what they wanted from me.

I began to walk back to the cabin, my mind racing with questions and fear. As I walked, I heard a twig snap behind me. I swiftly turned around, but nothing was there. I continued walking, trying to convince myself that it was just an animal.

But then I heard it again, rustling in the bushes. I stopped in my tracks and tried to listen, but the sound stopped. I was beginning to think I was going insane.

A hand suddenly reached out to grab my arm. I screamed and attempted to flee, but the grip was too firm. When I turned to look, I saw Liam standing behind me.

"Easy there," he said, releasing his grip on my arm. "I didn't mean to startle you."

"What are you doing here?" I asked, still trying to catch my breath.

"I wanted to talk to you, "With all the chaos and everything," I said, "I didn't get a chance earlier."

I didn't know what to say. I was still on edge from the attack, and I didn't trust anyone at this point.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

Liam looked at me for a moment before speaking. "I want to apologize for what happened earlier. That wasn't supposed to happen. We're not supposed to attack humans unless it's absolutely necessary."

"I appreciate the apology, but that doesn't change the fact that I was attacked," I said, feeling a bit more confident now.

"I know," Liam said. "And that's why I want to help you. I can't speak for others, but I don't want any harm to come to you."

I didn't know whether to believe him or not, but something in his eyes made me think he was sincere.

"What do you suggest?" With my arms crossed over my chest, I inquired.

Liam stated, "I can assist you in determining what the other people want from you." I might be able to get some answers because I have connections in the pack."

I considered his offer for a moment before nodding. "Okay," I said. "But how do I know I can trust you?"

Liam smiled. "You don't," he said. "However, I swear to you, I will not gain anything by betraying you," he added.

I thought about his words for a moment before finally nodding. "Okay," I said. "Let's do it."

Liam and I walked back to the cabin together, and he filled me in on some of the basics of werewolf culture. I learned that there were different packs all over the world, and that each pack had its own set of rules and traditions.

As we approached the cabin, I saw Blake standing outside. He looked up as we approached, his expression unreadable.

"What's he doing here?" I asked Liam, nodding towards Blake.

"He's here to protect you," Liam said. "He's one of the best fighters in the pack."

I looked at Blake again, and this time he met my gaze. There was something in his eyes that made me feel like he was sizing me up, trying to figure out if I was worth protecting.

I wasn't sure what to make of him yet, but I knew that I needed all the help I could get if I was going to survive in this world.