Deep Within the Woods...

Luna Cindy's bare feet barely touched the ground before she took off again. Soaked in sweat and smeared with blood, she ran deeper into the forest, one arm clutching her tender abdomen as tears streamed down her cheeks.

"I have to keep going... I have to lead them away from her," she whispered breathlessly, eyes darting around as her chest heaved. Behind her, the thunderous pounding of horses shattered the stillness, their hooves crashing through the bush, their voices and wild howls echoing through the air.

"Find her and bring me that cursed child!" the head warrior's voice roared.

Cindy's heart sank. Her eyes widened in terror as she tripped, nearly falling. Her knees buckled beneath her, the pain searing through her legs, but she forced herself upright. She had to keep running. She had to stay ahead.

But she wasn't fast enough.

The head warrior lunged and grabbed her roughly. Her breath hitched, and her eyes fluttered shut as realization gripped her chest like a vice. This was the end. The warriors of the Lunaria Pack would never spare her life-not after what her husband had done.

"I'll only ask you once!" the head warrior snarled.

But Cindy said nothing.

"Where is she?!" he screamed again.

Cindy slowly lifted her chin and gave a bitter, blood-streaked smile. "I thought you said you'd only ask once."

"Search the entire forest!" he roared. "Bring me that child!"

"You'll never find her!" she spat defiantly, locking eyes with him, then spitting in his face.

The slap came hard and fast, making her head whip to the side.

"You will bear the consequences of your husband's betrayal," he growled.

"Why don't you just kill me already?" she cried out. "You've destroyed my pack! Killed my people!"

"Your greedy husband should've thought of that before declaring war."

"Bring her along!" the warrior barked. He mounted his horse and galloped away as the others dragged Luna Cindy through the dirt.

Silence slowly fell over the forest, thick and suffocating.

Unknown to her, a lone warrior had been dispatched to search the woods. The trees trembled, the air tense, every shadow stretched long as the hunters closed in.

But fate had other plans.

Moments later, a group of human hunters stumbled upon a child wrapped in the finest animal fur, lying motionless beside their tent.

"What the hell...?" one of them muttered, frozen in shock.

"What do we do?" asked the second hunter, eyes wide.

"She looks... healthy. Fragile," said the third, his voice uncertain.

"This is insane!" the first hunter exploded. "Who the hell leaves a baby alone in the middle of these woods?"

"Is there any note? A letter or something?" the third one asked, glancing around.

His friends blinked at him.

"What? I've seen this in movies. There's always a letter or something," he added.

"I'm not touching her, man," the first hunter muttered, stepping back.

"Me neither!" the second one agreed quickly.

The third hunter chuckled and stepped forward.

"Hey! You crazy?" the first hunter barked, pulling him back.

"It's okay," he whispered. He carefully lifted the baby into his arms. "It's a girl."

"This is messed up," the second hunter said, his voice hushed. "What are we supposed to do with a mysterious baby in the middle of cursed woods?"

"We could keep her," the third hunter said quietly, already smiling as the baby cooed in his arms.

His companions exchanged a look that screamed disbelief.

"We?" the first hunter said incredulously.

"No!" the second said, exasperated.

Billy, the third hunter, scoffed and playfully tossed the baby in the air. She giggled, her little pink gums showing, and for a heartbeat, everything stopped.

Just the two of them,him and the child, bonding in a silent connection. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she fell asleep peacefully.

"You serious, man?" the second hunter asked, still stunned.

Billy nodded. "Sarah and I have always wanted a child. Maybe... maybe this is how the universe gives her to us."

"You don't know what you're getting into. That child,she might be something more... something dangerous," the first hunter warned.

"Nah. I believe she's a gift from God."

"You're preaching to an atheist?" the second hunter chuckled.

"I'm an atheist," Billy said. "Not a non-believer."

"Same difference," the second hunter muttered.

"No, it's not. I just don't believe in God's existence. Doesn't mean I reject everything."

"You might be dragging yourself and Sarah into danger, man. That child,she could be cursed."

"Just give her to the police," the first hunter suggested. Then he suddenly froze. "Did you guys hear that?"

"Hear what?" whispered the second hunter.

"Footsteps," Billy replied quietly.

"I've heard stories... about something that lives deep in these woods."

"I told you coming here was a mistake," the first hunter muttered. "We need to leave. Now."

"What about the child?"

"Are you crazy? A baby just lying here, and you think she's a miracle?"

"Calm down. We'll figure it out after we get out of here," the second hunter said.

"Keep that cursed thing away from me!" the first snapped and stormed off.

"You don't have to do this," the second told Billy gently.

Billy didn't answer. He turned and walked in the opposite direction, the child still held tightly in his arms.

**

New York City ★ 10 PM

Mr. Billy walked through the front door and gently laid the sleeping baby on the couch. He called out to his wife:

"Honey! Can you come down for a minute?" But there was no response.

He called again, rubbing his hands together nervously, then walked into the kitchen and back out, scanning the space. "Where could she be?" he murmured.

He made his way upstairs,and nearly tripped over her.

Sarah sat slumped against the wall, her head buried in her hands.

"Oh! I didn't know you were here. I've been calling..." he whispered, helping her up.

Sarah lifted her head, her long black hair falling to one side. She looked young, beautiful,maybe in her late twenties,but her eyes were red and tired.

"I'm fine," she mumbled, forcing a weak smile. "You're home early."

"I have a surprise for you," Billy said gently. He covered her eyes and led her to the living room.

"What is this about?" Sarah giggled softly.

"We're here," Billy whispered and uncovered her eyes.

She gasped. "A baby? Her eyes... Billy! Where did? What's going on?"

"Calm down, love," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Who is she, Billy? Is she one of your mistress's children?" Sarah's voice cracked, her pain raw and bleeding into her words.

"That's enough, Sarah!" Billy's voice sharpened. "I won't let you insult me over one mistake I made years ago!"

"One mistake?" she sobbed. "Now it all makes sense,why you never cared that I couldn't give you children."

"I'm sorry," he said, his tone softening. "I didn't mean to yell. And she... she's not mine."

"Are you telling the truth?" she whispered.

"Every word," Billy nodded, his eyes sincere.

"Then who is she?"

Billy sighed and told her everything,the woods, the baby, the hunters, how he found her alone in the cold.

"Oh, the poor child," Sarah whispered. She reached out, brushing the baby's cheek. "Can we keep her?" she asked with a small, hopeful smile.

Billy nodded and pulled them both into a tight embrace.

*****

Later That Night...

Billy drifted into sleep. In his dream, he stood at the very spot in the forest where they had found the baby. But this time, he wasn't alone.

A mysterious woman stood before him,her piercing blue eyes glowing. Blood trickled down her legs, yet her face held no fear.

"She shall be called Iridessa," she whispered.

"Who are you?" Billy asked.

The woman didn't answer. She simply smiled,and vanished.

Billy awoke with a start, a cold sweat covering his skin.

"Iridessa..." he murmured, rising from the bed and walking to where Sarah held the baby.

"We'll name her Iridessa," he said solemnly.

"Iridessa?" Sarah repeated, and the baby giggled.

Billy lifted her gently into his arms.

"Iridessa," he said once more, firmly.

And just then, thunder cracked across the sky. Lightning lit up the night.

A name had been spoken.

And fate had been sealed.