Page 4 of Surrendered to Mate

I bite back a sob, forcing myself to keep moving. The smoke is thicker now, making it impossible to see. I'm completely disoriented, unsure if I'm heading towards safety or deeper into the inferno.

My lungs burn with every breath, and spots dance before my eyes. I'm going to pass out. I'm going to die here, trapped in this burning glacies. The thought fills me with a rage so potent it drowns out even my fear.

I blink hard, forcing the memories back into the recesses of my mind where they belong. The forest swims back into focus, and I see the dae still standing there, unaware of my inner turmoil. My hands are shaking, but I've learned to shoot through worse.

Taking a deep breath, I steady myself. The scent of rirzed herb grounds me in the present. This is now. This is real. I am no longer that terrified child, but a survivor who has carved out her own place in this unforgiving world.

I refocus on my prey, letting the familiar routine of the hunt wash over me. The dae shifts slightly, presenting the perfect shot. Without hesitation, I release my arrow.

It flies true, a whisper of death through the forest. The dae doesn't even have time to startle before the arrow finds its mark, piercing its heart. It crumples to the ground with barely a sound.

Relief and satisfaction flood through me as I approach my kill. This will feed me for days, maybe even allow me to smoke some meat for later. As I kneel beside the dae, I murmur a quiet thanks to The Hunter for this blessing.

My knife slides easily through the dae's hide as I begin to dress it. The routine motions are soothing, helping to further banish the lingering echoes of my past. This is my life now - wild and free, answering to no one but myself and the rhythms of the forest.

As I work, I can't help but feel a sense of pride.I've built a life for myself out here, learned to not just survive, but thrive. Every day I live is a victory, a flaunt to those who thought they could break me.

The forest around me is alive with the sounds of other creatures going about their day. A karasu caws overhead, no doubt eyeing my kill. In the distance, I hear the low growl of a likar on the hunt. But I'm not worried. I know how to avoid their territories, how to make myself invisible when needed.

This is my home now, and I know its secrets intimately. As I finish dressing the dae and prepare to haul it back to my cave, I feel a sense of contentment settle over me. Tonight, I'll eat well and sleep safely, far from the reach of those who would seek to cage me again.

I settle into my cave, belly full from the dae meat I've roasted over the fire. The flames have died down to embers, casting a soft glow across the rough stone walls. I stretch out on my bedroll, muscles aching pleasantly from the day's hunt.

As I drift towards sleep, something nags at the edge of my consciousness. The forest feels... different. I strain my ears, trying to pinpoint what's bothering me. Then it hits me - silence. Complete and utter silence.

No chirping of night insects. No rustling of nocturnal creatures. Even the wind seems to have stilled. It's as if the entire forest is holding its breath, waiting for something... or someone.

A chill runs down my spine, and I sit up, suddenly alert. In all my years out here, I've never encountered another person. The forest has been my sanctuary, my private domain. But now...

I shake my head, trying to dislodge the uneasy feeling. Maybe I'm just being paranoid. It wouldn't be the first time my past has made me jumpy. Still, as I lie back down, I can't shake the thought that my solitary existence might be coming to an end.

"You've been lucky so far," I mutter to myself, staring up at the cave ceiling. "But how long can that luck really last?"

The silence of the forest seems to echo my question, offering no comfort. As exhaustion finally pulls me under, my last conscious thought is a grim realization: my luck might be about to run out.

3

CASSIUS

Isoar above the treacherous forest, my wings carrying me effortlessly through the air. The canopy below is a sea of emerald and jade, punctuated by flashes of vibrant colors from exotic flowers and fruits. But I know better than to be fooled by their beauty.

"Shit," I mutter as I narrowly dodge a capucho that leaps from the top of the trees, grasping at empty air where I just was. These animals — and even some of the plants — seem more wild than I remember.

I bank sharply to the left, avoiding a cluster of numiscu blossoms. Their bright blue petals are alluring, but I know their sap could paralyze me in seconds. Can't afford any mistakes here.

As I glide deeper into the forest, something... changes. It's subtle at first, a faint tug at the edge of my awareness. I frown, trying to pinpoint the source. It's not a scent or a sound, but something more... ethereal.

The pull grows stronger as I continue, like an invisible thread tugging at my very essence. It's magic, that much I'm certainof, but unlike anything I've encountered before. Intriguing, but potentially dangerous.

I land on a sturdy branch, folding my wings as I survey my surroundings. The forest seems to pulse with an otherworldly energy, the air thick with it.

"What the fuck is going on here?" I mutter, running a hand through my hair. This wasn't in the Council's briefing. Then again, those old bastards always seem to leave out crucial details.

The magical resonance thrums through me, urging me forward. Every instinct screams that I should turn back, report this anomaly to the Council. But curiosity gets the better of me. After centuries of monotony in those dreary tunnels, this is the most excitement I've had in ages.

I spread my wings once more, ready to plunge deeper into the heart of this enchanted forest. Whatever's causing this strange phenomenon, I'm going to find it. And if it turns out to be a threat... well, that's what I'm here for, isn't it?

I let my instincts take over, allowing that strange magical pull to guide me through the dense foliage. The vegetation grows thicker, more twisted, as if warped by some unseen force. Vines with pulsating, bioluminescent veins snake around trees that seem to breathe. It's unlike anything I've ever encountered in my centuries of existence.

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