MARK OF THE FORSAKEN

The air was filled with tension as Liana stood at the edge of a clearing she had made, facing the imposing figure of Ryker, the Alpha who had found her sanctuary. The moonlight appeared through the canopy above, displaying long shadows that seemed to stretch between them as if echoing the distance Liana wanted to maintain.

"Why are you here?" she demanded, her voice sharper than she intended.

Ryker's dark eyes met hers, steady and firm. "Because I need your help. My pack is dying."

The simple statement sent a chill down her spine, but Liana folded her arms, refusing to let her unease show. "And you think I can help with what? I'm not a healer."

"No, but you carry The Mark," he said, his tone grave. "And I believe it's tied to what's happening to my pack."

Liana's fingers instinctively brushed the scarred skin on her arm where The Mark had lived. It was a birthmark that had brought her nothing but pain, a spiral pattern of darkened flesh that looked like a complex tattoo. It had been the reason for her exile, the reason for several whispers of curses and danger that followed her everywhere.

"You're mistaken," she said, her voice tight. "The Mark is nothing but a curse. It destroys everything it touches."

Ryker took a step closer, his powerful physique giving a shadow over her. "Maybe that's what they told you, but I've read the stories. The Mark is more than a curse, it's a tool, A weapon. And if I'm right, it might be the only way to stop the curse that's killing my people."

His words unsettled her. Liana had heard tales of The Mark growing up, silent warnings from her parents. They spoke of its dark history, its connection to ancient magic that no one truly understood. But her parents had also been afraid of it and had hidden her away because of it.

"Why should I believe you?" she asked with her eyes fixed on him.

Ryker's gaze softened, and for the first time, Liana saw a small sign of vulnerability in his eyes. "Because I've seen what this curse does. It starts with a fever, then the madness sets in. Wolves turn on their own families. The ones who survive the madness are left with marks on their bodies, marks that look like yours."

The mention of the mark brought back an overflow of memories Liana had tried to bury. She remembered the way her pack had looked at her when her mark first appeared, the fear in their eyes, the way they avoided her as if she carried a disease. And then there was the day they cast her out, her parents weeping but powerless to protect her.

"What if you're wrong?" she whispered, more to herself than to Ryker. "What if The Mark only brings more destruction?"

"I don't have the abundance of time for 'what if,'" Ryker replied. "My pack is on the brink of collapse. Families are burying their children. I'm willing to take that risk if it means saving them."

Liana's heart twisted at his words, but she couldn't ignore the sense of anxiety building up in her chest. Ryker's desperation was on full display, but there was something about him that kept watchful, he had an air of secrecy as if he wasn't telling her everything.

"Why now?" she asked suddenly. "If this curse has been around for so long, why come to me now?"

Ryker hesitated, and at that moment, Liana knew she had hit a nerve on him.

"There's more to this, isn't it?" she asked.

Before he could answer, a low mournful howl sound echoed through the forest, it went through the quietness that existed like a knife through a butter.

Ryker's head reacted toward the sound, his entire body became tense. "Stay here," he ordered, his voice sharp.

But Liana was already moving, her instincts kicking in. "Like hell, I will," she shot back, grabbing a lantern and following him into the trees.

The forest became alive with movement, several shadows bouncing between the trees as the howl grew louder. Liana struggled to keep up with Ryker, his powerful strides kept eating up the ground as if he were part of the jungle itself.

"What's out there?" she called, dodging a low-hanging branch.

"A cursed wolf," Ryker replied with a grim. "If we don't stop it, it'll spread the sickness to others."

The thought of it gave her some different type of scare. She had heard of cursed wolves, creatures consumed by madness, their bodies twisted by some dark magic. But she had never seen one.

As they ran, the scent of blood and decay grew stronger, until they came out into a small clearing. A wolf was lying in the dirt, it was unlike any Liana had ever seen.

The creature's fur was patchy and mixed with blood, its body covered in blackened scars that vibrated like they were alive. Its eyes glowed and filled with an unnatural yellow, filled with a mix of rage and pain.

"It's alive," Liana whispered, horrified.

Ryker didn't reply. He stepped forward cautiously while raising his hands to signify peace. "Easy now," he murmured, his voice low and refreshing.

The wolf growls while its lips curl back to reveal jagged teeth. It tried to stand but collapsed because its legs kept trembling under its weight.

"Is this… the curse?" Liana asked, her voice barely audible.

Ryker nodded. "This is what it does. It tears apart the body and mind until there's nothing left but pain and rage."

Liana's heart ached as she watched the wolf struggle and suffer. She had spent years feeling like a monster, but this creature was a true reflection of what she had feared to become.

"Can we help it?" she asked.

Ryker's expression darkened. "There's no cure… not yet."

As they approached, the wolf's glowing eyes locked onto Liana. It growled weakly, but then something strange happened. Its body shook violently, and a low, throaty voice came from its throat.

"Liana…" it uttered.

She froze, and her blood turned to ice at what she just heard. "Did it just—?"

"Yes," Ryker said, his voice tense. "It spoke your name."

The wolf jerked violently; its body tortured with convulsion. Ryker moved to end its suffering, but Liana grabbed his arm.

"Wait, what if it's trying to tell us something?" She said

Before they could do anything else, the wolf shrugged profusely, gave out a final loud howl, and died immediately, the lifeless body went still.

Liana stared at the lifeless body, her mind kept racing. How had it known her name? And what did it mean?

"Why?" Liana asked, still shaken.

"Because if this one found us, more will follow."

Liana's heart pounded as she glanced at the dark forest around them. The shadows seemed deeper now, and the air heavier. She didn't know what frightened her more whether the thought of more cursed wolves, or the secrets Ryker still wasn't telling her.

As they retreated into the trees, one question burned in her mind: What is The Mark meant for, and why does it keep pulling me closer to this curse?