The Elemental Wolves

Eight-Year-Old Serena's POV

Eight-year-old Serena was being put to bed by her mother. As usual, she requested a bedtime story.

"Mommy, can you tell me a story?" she asked with a yawn.

"Of course, baby, you know I always will. Which one do you want to hear?" her mother asked.

"The one about the lost princess."

Her mother laughed softly. "Why do you love listening to that one so much?"

"I don't know, I just love it," Serena replied, her voice tired.

"Okay, let's get into it."

Once upon a time, in the Golden Palace of Aeternum, preparations for the birth of the newborn princess were in full swing. The king and queen wanted this celebration to be remembered as the grandest in history. Staff members hurried about, tying up last-minute preparations. Meanwhile, the beautiful princess cooed happily in her nursery, undisturbed by the hustle and bustle.

But the peace was short-lived. As the celebrations began and aristocratic families filled the great hall, all eager to catch a glimpse of the royal heir, disaster struck. The music slowed to signal the princess's grand entrance-but instead of the princess, her hysterical governess burst into the hall, her dress drenched in blood.

"Your Royal Highnesses, she's gone!" she wailed, collapsing to her knees, staining the marble floors with her bloody palms.

"What are you talking about?" the queen demanded, as guards rushed to restrain the trembling woman.

"The princess... she's gone," the governess choked out. "I stained my dress and went to change, leaving the other nurses in charge. When I returned, the princess was gone-and the maids were dead."

The king and queen paled visibly before racing from the hall, presumably toward the nursery. Murmurs erupted among the guests, but the queen's piercing screams silenced them all.

"Where is my baby? Where is my baby?" she cried over and over. In the background, the king barked rapid orders at the guards.

"Dispatch every available soldier! Lock down the castle! Search the forest! The princess must be found!"

The guards' hurried footsteps echoed throughout the palace as they moved into action. Meanwhile, the doors to the great hall were sealed, preventing anyone from leaving.

Hours later, the guests were finally released, but the princess remained missing. Though her parents clung to hope, the princess of Aeternum was never found.

Serena wiped at her watery eyes. "Mommy, I pray they find their baby."

Her mother leaned down to kiss her forehead. "Okay, baby. But remember, it's just a story. Time to sleep."

She turned off the light, leaving Serena to dream of lost princesses and broken hearts.

---

Twelve Years Later

"Argh," I groaned as the force of their blows connected again and again with my body. Sharp cracks echoed with every hit to my ribs, and the metallic tang of blood coated my mouth.

"This is my problem with you," a voice sneered, almost unrecognizable through my haze of pain. "You never beg. You're too proud. But I'll break you."

The hits kept coming, but I refused to utter a sound. I wouldn't give them that satisfaction. I refused to lose my self-respect by begging these vile, heartless humans.

Eventually, they tired of their cruelty and left. Summoning all the strength I had, I forced myself to my feet and staggered home.

Every step was brutal. The exhaustion clung to me like chains, and it was a miracle I even made it back. Once there, I slipped into the warm water of the bathtub. The stinging pain from my bruises was sharp, but the water's embrace felt almost like comfort.

I couldn't help but feel relieved. Thoughts of my impending move filled my mind.

"Haven College... you might really become my haven."

From childhood to adulthood in this godforsaken town, I had known nothing but bullying, pain, and abandonment. Finally, a door to escape had opened.

Food was the last thing on my mind; the pain was too overwhelming. Thankfully, my mother wouldn't be home tonight to see the sorry state I was in.