Karina’s Mistake

Chapter 45
Nalani could not stop thinking about what Err Seldam had said about her powers. She had never considered the magic that had suddenly appeared to be anything special, although Bertold suggested otherwise.

The magic of life, as Bertold called it, was just magic to grow plants and heal wounds.

She couldn’t think of any other uses for the magic, because even when it created a protective shield, she couldn’t summon it anymore.

And how could she find someone to guide that power? Err Seldam seemed very confident that there were people who understood the magic she possessed, but it was very annoying that the old man did not mention any names or where she could find these people.

She was still thinking about this when Mita came and told her that her dinner was ready.

If there were no orders from Karyan for Nalani to join him for dinner, Mita usually went to the kitchen and brought some dishes to be prepared in her room.

And lately, those orders have become less frequent. Nalani knew why. Karyan was so busy with everything that had been happening lately.

Instead of being disappointed, Nalani felt happy.

Dinner with the alpha was usually filled with arguing or teasing, and it ruined her appetite, even though she was very hungry beforehand.

“I’m not too hungry yet, Mita,” Nalani said. “Can you feed Kapoo first? Give me a few minutes, I still need to think about some things.”

Nalani went to the window of her room that overlooked the forest. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with fresh air.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement below, heading towards the forest. She turned her head and narrowed her eyes.
“Is that Karina?”

Nalani leaned out the window and narrowed her eyes again.

Now she clearly saw a slender black wolf with extremely shiny fur, carrying something in its muzzle. She was sure it was Karina, who was running into the forest.

“Mita, wait here. I’ll be out in a moment.” Nalani decided to follow Karina into the forest.

She ran out of her room, hurried down the stairs, and mindlessly moved quickly through the castle. Her mind filled with curiosity.

Why would Karina go into the forest alone, especially after everything that had happened? And what was she carrying?

Once she had left the castle, Nalani quickened her pace, following Karina’s path.

The forest was dark, the trees casting long shadows in the moonlight. Nalani's heart raced as she pushed through the underbrush, determined not to lose the trail.

She finally spotted Karina ahead, still in wolf form, moving quickly and silently.

Nalani held her pace so that Karina would not hear her coming. She continued to move into the heart of the forest. Nalani hesitated, should she follow her?

However, she remembered the actions of Karina and Thad who disturbed the creature’s lair, which led to the deaths of the Mond members, and she almost became a victim too.

She Couldn’t stand by and let Karina be careless again.

Nalani finally made her move.

She followed the direction Karina had gone. The forest was getting darker and quieter.

There was no sound of insects, not even the wind was willing to blow in that place.

She kept walking while sharpening her eyes. Sometimes she saw Karina ahead, or the soft rustle of dry leaves that she stepped on.

After walking for a while, Nalani suddenly stopped. In front of her was a cave. The entrance was almost covered with vines.

She saw Karina standing not far ahead of her, staring at the cave.

The black wolf turned around, her eyes narrowing at the sight of Nalani. It dropped the bundle from its mouth and changed back to its human form.

“Nalani, what are you doing here?” Karina whispered...

“I saw you from my bedroom window,” Nalani replied as she stepped closer. “I was worried. What’s going on? What are you doing out here?”

“None of your business. You need to get back to the castle right now.”

“Is this the creature’s lair? Is that what you brought for him?”

Karina glared. “Don’t ask too many questions, Mirean. Go Away!”

“I won’t leave until I make sure that you won’t harm anymore people with your foolishness of disturbing that creature.”

“How dare you say that to me,” Karina hissed. “You know nothing, Nalani.”

“I know who he is,” Nalani said. “He used to be your father. But I’m not sure any part of him remains in that creature.”

“Listen, Nalani. I’ll do what I have to do. You must return to the castle and keep your mouth shut. But if you insist on being here, you’re on your own. I won’t help you at all.”

Karina gripped the bottle she was carrying, braced herself, and started walking towards the mouth of the cave.

But her steps were immediately halted when a howl and a loud growl echoed from within.

The creature emerged from the darkness, roaring at them.

The creature’s anger was obvious as its face seemed to have wrinkles on its forehead and mouth.

Its eyes glowed red with rage as it focused on the two girls. Its fur fluttered, and its horribly sharp-clawed hands raised towards them.

“Back off!” Karina yelled, raising her hands, her palms pointing forward in a peace sign. “I just want to talk!”

The creature replied with a growl, its eyes narrowed. It suddenly lunged at Karina, who barely had time to jump out of the way. The creature’s claws slashed the air where it stood.

“Please, we don’t want to hurt you!” Karina pleaded, her voice trembling as she tried to reason with the creature.

The creature’s response was another roar, louder and more threatening. The creature attacked Karina again, and this time, she wasn’t fast enough. It knocked her to the ground, its teeth biting inches from her face.

“Stop!” Nalani shouted, stepping forward.

“Don’t attack her!”
The creature’s head looked up at Nalani, its eyes filled with hatred. Suddenly, his voice echoed in her mind, dark and scary.

“I do not like to be disturbed. Those who disturb me must die.”

Nalani’s heart pounded in her chest. She took a step back, but her voice remained calm. “Please, we are not here to hurt you. She just wants to talk to you.”

The creature growled, its massive body towering over Karina, who lay stiff in fear.

“Talk? There’s no point in talking. You invaded my territory. You must pay the price.”

Nalani glanced at Karina, who was struggling to get up. Despair struck her. “If you want to talk to him, talk now, Karina! Aren’t you sure your father still has some left in him?”

Karina’s eyes filled with tears. “Deegon...,” she trembled. “Deegon, I’m Karina. I’m.... your daughter.”

The creature was not affected in the slightest. It growled angrily. Karina grabbed the bottle and, with trembling hands, tried to pour the contents onto the creature. But the creature brushed her off, the bottle shattering on the ground. Now it looked down at Karina who was huddled on the ground trembling, ready to pounce.

“I said leave her alone!” shouted Nalani. She moved toward the creature. “I won’t let you hurt anyone again, Deegon.”

There was a loud chuckle in her mind. “What can you do, witch? You think that time I left because of your weak shield? I left because your alpha came and I don’t like dealing with him unless I have to.”

“You will deal with him if you kill Karina.”

“She’s always bothering me. It’s not my fault.” he replied arrogantly. “Now choose who wants to die first,” he growled. “I guess you.”

He glared at Nalani, shifting to make a move. “You’re too chatty, and I don’t like you reading my mind.”

Karina screamed loudly as the creature lunged at Nalani. However, a second later the creature was knocked backward. It fell to the ground with a roar.

Nalani was still standing where she was. Like last time, her body was shrouded in a glowing white light that was brighter than before.

“Who will die now, evil creature?” Nalani’s voice echoed, as if from another world.
***