Fated to a human

Haylie POV  

My screams faded into silence until I could no longer cry out. I blinked, disoriented, as I took in the new surroundings. I wasn't in that room anymore. Instead, I found myself somewhere that resembled a mountain range. The hardness of the rocks beneath me was undeniable, and as I glanced down, I noticed my clothes were different. 

The white dress what I was we. Instead, I was back in my old, familiar outfit: ripped jeans torn at the knees, my faded black shirt with the Mickey Mouse print, and my scuffed skate sneakers. 

My gaze shifted from myself to my surroundings, and I froze in place. Where was I? How had I ended up here? The night air was crisp and fresh, carrying the faint scent of pine trees from miles away. 

I pushed myself up from the jagged rocks I had been sitting on, brushing the sand and grit off my jeans. That's when I saw her—my breath caught in my chest, and my heart raced so hard it felt like it might burst. 

Standing a short distance away, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, was Snow. Her pristine white fur shimmered under the silver light, her piercing blue eyes fixed on me. 

"Snow," I whispered, my voice trembling with disbelief and longing. 

A nervous smile tugged at my lips as I took a tentative step toward her. But as I moved closer, she stepped back, her elegant movements deliberate and cautious. Before I could say another word, she turned around and began to run. 

"Snow, wait!" I shouted, desperation gripping me. 

Why was she running from me? Without hesitation, I took off after her, my feet pounding against the rocky ground as I chased the only familiar thing in this strange and foreign place. 

Snow didn't stop. No matter how much I called out or how fast I ran, she kept moving further away, her white fur a fleeting ghost in the darkness. I didn't understand why she was running from me. My heart pounded in my chest as I pushed myself to follow her, determined not to lose her again. 

Then, suddenly, I halted. 

I stood frozen, surrounded by people. Snow had led me here—to what appeared to be a village. But it wasn't like any village I had ever seen. Instead of houses, there were huts resembling the kind you'd imagine in stories about ancient tribes or indigenous people. The structures circled a massive campfire blazing at the center, its flames crackling and sending flickers of light into the dark sky. 

What was this place? 

I glanced around, taking in the scene. People moved past me as if I wasn't even there, their expressions calm and focused on their tasks. Some were carrying baskets; others were tending to children who ran freely, laughing and playing. Families gathered near the campfire, their faces illuminated by its warm glow. 

I tried to make sense of what I was seeing, but it only added to my confusion. 

"Am I invisible?" I whispered to myself, panic creeping into my voice. 

It made sense, didn't it? After all, I was dead—or at least I thought I was. But this felt different. This place wasn't familiar. It wasn't a memory. It wasn't anywhere I'd ever been before. 

"Where am I?" I muttered, my voice trembling. 

And where was Snow? I couldn't see her anymore. The last glimpse I had of her was when she darted into this village. Now, all I saw were these people, oblivious to my presence, and the children laughing as they ran circles around the glowing fire. 

I stood there, overwhelmed and utterly lost, as the strange, dreamlike village seemed to envelop me in its mysterious embrace. 

Liam POV  

I stood there, speechless, my thoughts a whirlwind of uncertainty. What was I going to do now? I had come all this way, exposed and vulnerable, with one goal in mind—to find Haylie and bring her back home. 

Yet, here I was, standing in the middle of this strange place, with no sign of her. I swallowed hard, trying to steady the nervous energy buzzing within me. 

"It's getting dark," Klinton said, his voice calm but direct. "If you'd like, you and your friend can stay the night. In the morning, you can make your way back to your pack." 

I glanced at Titan, silently asking for his opinion. The sun was already dipping low on the horizon, casting long shadows over the mountains. It had taken us hours to get here, and the climb back in the dark didn't seem wise. 

"That works for me," Titan said with a shrug. 

I nodded in agreement and turned back to Klinton. "If it's not too much trouble, we'll stay the night." My voice was steady, though my nerves were still frayed. 

Klinton gave me an understanding nod. "It's no problem. We have extra clothes and supplies for you and your friend." 

"Thank you," I said quietly, running a hand through my hair in an attempt to calm myself. My eyes darted toward JC, who was lingering just behind Klinton. His piercing blue gaze met mine, and I felt the unresolved tension between us flare again. I wasn't done with him—not by a long shot. 

As we began to leave the cave, following Klinton and JC, a sudden, forceful intrusion broke through my mind—a mind link from my father. His voice was like a heavy wave crashing into me, thick with anger and worry. 

"Liam, where are you?" 

I inhaled deeply, bracing myself before replying. "I'm okay, Dad." 

"The guards said they saw you and Titan take off into the woods. What's going on?" 

His tone was sharp, demanding answers, but also tinged with concern. I hesitated for a moment, debating how much to tell him. "We're safe," I responded finally, keeping my tone even. 

"Where are you?" his voice pressed again, unrelenting. 

My father wouldn't stop until he got the answers he wanted. I could feel his worry bleeding through the mind link, relentless and demanding. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation. 

"We're at the mountains," I finally said, my voice calm but firm. "I've found Haylie... sort of. I'll explain everything when I get back. Titan and I are staying the night here and will return tomorrow." 

There was a brief pause on his end, but I could feel the tension crackling through the connection. 

"You've found her?" he repeated, skepticism lacing his tone. "What does that mean, Liam? And why are you staying there?" 

I exhaled slowly, fighting the urge to snap back. "It's complicated, Dad," I said, keeping my patience intact. "We've made progress, but it's late, and the climb back isn't safe. Trust me, Titan and I are fine. I'll tell you everything when I get home." 

He was silent for a moment, his frustration and worry still palpable. Finally, his voice softened just slightly. "Alright. But you'd better have answers when you get back, Liam. Stay safe." 

"We will," I assured him before the link broke, leaving me with a lingering sense of unease. 

I glanced at Titan, who raised an eyebrow but said nothing. He knew better than to ask me about my father when I was already on edge. Instead, we followed Klinton down the rocky path, the faint glow of the village fires lighting our way.