CHAPTER 6

Raven hadn't realized that her words were soon to come true. We never realize the amount of power that our words carry within them until it is much too late. By the time that she would come to realize the magnitude of the words that she had uttered, it was already too late.

When Chaire spoke up again, it was about the smell of something burning. Her body felt warm, and she didn't understand what the reason was. She was able to slowly pull her eyes open as he looked around. Her eyes widened in shock as she took in the sight of the room around her. It was entirely engulfed in flames, but for some reason the bed on which she lay was safe and had no signs of issues.

She sat up abruptly as she tried to even out her breathing. She didn't know what to do, but the first thought that came to her mind was about her parents. She needed to get to them. She needed to make sure that they were safe. At least they had to be, because if they weren't, how was she supposed to apologize for saying that she heard them.

That couldn't be how things ended. If she listened closely, she could hear loud screams coming from outside, but she couldn't go out and help them. She wasn't entirely sure the reason why but for the most part, it was because she was a coward.

She didn't want to die, and she would consider her own life before that of a pack she couldn't save. She curled into a ball as she prayed to the goddess to protect her. She didn't know what it was exactly what she was praying for, but she hoped that she would get the answer she needed.

She needed her family to be okay as well. She couldn't believe what was going on, and it was as though her whole world had taken a downward turn. One moment she seemed to be perfectly fine, and the next moment things had gone terribly wrong.

She began to feel the smoke that surrounded her grow stronger. She tried to stay calm, but soon enough, it began to fill her lungs. She was scared because, in truth, the last thing that she wanted to do was die alone.

She called out one last time to her mother and father, silently hoping they would come one last time, but she got nothing in return. With one last cry from her lips, she felt herself become dizzy as the need to rest took over. She knew that it wouldn't be long now, and she hoped that once she was gone, she would be able to meet her family there.

….

"I think I found someone. Come quick." She heard a voice say something in a baffled tone from behind her. Clair Mel wasn't entirely sure what was happening, but she had thought for a moment that it was a hallucination.

"That is impossible. We've already searched everywhere. Everyone is dead". One of the warriors spoke. She let out a whimper as she realized it wasn't a dream and was slowly able to pull her eyes open.

She looked around her once bright pink room, which was now covered in gray soot. She felt her eyes water at the sight as she choked back a sob.  She couldn't begin to think of what had happened, but at that moment all she wanted was to see her mommy and daddy.

"I tell you. I can hear a heart beat." One of them argued. "Mummy daddy." She managed to cry out, and she heard loud gasps coming from the other side.

She heard the sound of the door opening, and she hurried under the covers to protect herself. She didn't know what they wanted from her, but she would have no part in whatever it was.

She watched as the door handle knelt once more before a force was placed against it as the door was thrown open and they made their way through.

She aqueaked slightly as she heard movement, and for a second, she thought that it was the monster that had come to get her. She shook her head vehemently from side to side as she didn't want to have to face it. She wanted to say sorry for the times she had lied.

She didn't have much time to process it as the doll was pulled away from her. She heard a loud gasp come from above her. "Come on little one. We aren't going to hurt you." She heard a voice call out.

She whimpered as she managed to pull her eyes open. She scurried backward when she took notice of the two uniformed guards that were standing before her. She moved backwards and she watched as they raised their hands at her in surrender, but that seemed to do little to calm down her racing nerves. She didn't know what they planned on doing to her but she wasn't going to sit around and allow them to do it anyway.

"Come on, little girl, I promise you that we aren't going to hurt you. Everything is going to be just fine." The first one said. He stood still as he shook his head slightly at her. They looked between each other as though they were having their own silent conversation.

She watched as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small teddy bear. "Look. This is a little cutie, isn't she." he asked her, and as she looked over the beat closely, she had to agree as she nodded her head at him in agreement.

"Well, this used to be my daughter." He said and she could see the sand look on his face. "Well, my daughter isn't around anymore, but i was thinking that you could have it. I am sure that she would be honored to know that I gave it to such a brave little girl as yourself." He said to her in a mutter.

She didn't know how to feel about his words, but she only nodded her head at him in response as she gave him a small smile and pulled the dall into her hands. "Now come in. You can't stay here. It isn't safe." He said to her in a tender tone.

She looked at him curiously as she tilted her head. "Mummy and daddy?" she asks him in question. She watched as sadness came over his eyes, and it felt as though there was a lump that had formed at the back of her throat.

"I am sorry, little girl. They aren't here any more. You are the only one. That is why we have to go. It isn't safe." He said to her and she couldn't help but let out a loud sob.

"But no. Mama had to come back. I didn't tell her that I loved her. Is that why I am being punished? I promise that I won't do it again. I swear I will try to be better." She cried out.

She watched as the man leaned into her and was quick to wrap his arms around her. "I know, I know. And she didn't mean to go early; it wasn't her fault. But now we have to go. I will take care of you, okay? I will not let anything happen to you". He said to her firmly. She looked at him with wide eyes as she tried to analyze his features to see if he was being serious.

"Come on. You have to be brave. I know they would want you to be brave." He said to her and she sucked in a deep breath before she nodded her head at him determinedly.

She allowed him to lift her up into her arms, and he pressed her head into his neck, saying, "Don't look." He whispered as they slowly made their way out of the room.

She didn't know where she would be going now, but for some reason, when he had her in his arms, she couldn't help but feel safe.

"What is this?" They heard a loud, booming voice call out from in front of them. The Alpha king stood before them with a hardened stare, causing the Beta to gulp.