Chapter 1: Trapped in the Nightshade Pack

Seraphina’s POV

I walked along the familiar path, my backpack heavy on my shoulders. The soft breeze rustled through the trees, signaling the end of another day at Lincoln High School. It was a typical afternoon, just like any other in the bustling city of Riverside. Little did I know that this day would mark the beginning of my harrowing journey into a world I never knew existed.

As I turned the corner onto Elm Street, the quiet suburban neighborhood seemed to hold an eerie stillness. The sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting long shadows across the pavement. Instinctively, I quickened my pace, my heart pounding slightly as a sense of unease washed over me. It was as if the very air crackled with an inexplicable tension.

Just a few blocks from home, I felt a sudden surge of adrenaline, a primal warning that something was amiss. Glancing around, my eyes darted from one shadowed corner to another, searching for any signs of danger. But the street remained eerily silent, devoid of any human presence.

Then, as if emerging from the very depths of the darkness, they appeared. Figures materialized from the shadows, surrounding me with their imposing presence. Panic rose within me, constricting my chest as I realized I had unwittingly stumbled into a trap.

A low growl escaped the lips of the man who stood before me, his eyes glinting with a predatory hunger. He was flanked by others, each with an aura of menace that sent shivers down my spine. My mind raced, desperately seeking an escape route, but my legs felt rooted to the ground, paralyzed by fear.

"You’re coming with us, little girl," the man sneered, his voice laced with a sinister edge. "You belong to the Nightshade Pack now."

Nightshade Pack. Pack of what? Werewolves? A cold shiver traveled down my spine. The rumors and whispers I had dismissed as mere urban legends suddenly took on a chilling reality. They were real, and I had unknowingly stepped into their world.

"Please," I pleaded, my voice trembling. "I don't want any trouble. Just let me go."

Laughter erupted from the group, cruel and mocking. The man stepped forward, his eyes boring into mine with a mixture of triumph and sadism. "Oh, my dear, it's far too late for that," he hissed. "You will serve a purpose in our pack, whether you like it or not."

Fear gripped me like a vice, threatening to suffocate my very being. I fought against the panic, desperately searching for a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. But this unknown men had me ensnared

As they closed in on me, capturing my trembling form, a profound sense of loss swept over me. My life as I knew it had shattered, replaced by a nightmarish existence I never could have imagined. Would I ever see my family again? Would I ever see my friends at Lincoln High school again? Would I ever feel the warmth of freedom?

I stumbled back, my heart pounding in my chest. The man's cruel grin sent shivers down my spine. "You think begging will save you? You're in our world now, and in this world, we do as we please," he sneered.

Tears welled up in my eyes as fear consumed me. I desperately searched for an escape, but the other men closed in on me, forming an impenetrable circle around me. There was nowhere to run.

Suddenly, I felt a strong grip on my arm, squeezing with bone-crushing force. It was the man, his grip like a vise, cutting off the blood flow. "You're coming with us, We have plans for you," he growled, his voice dripping with sadistic satisfaction.

I struggled against his grip, my attempts futile against his superior strength. "Please... let me go," I whimpered, my voice barely a whisper. But my plea fell on deaf ears.

As they dragged me towards their waiting van, panic gripped me. The reality of my situation sank in. I was at the mercy of these monsters.

The van's doors swung open, revealing the dimly lit interior. My heart hammered in my chest as they forced me inside, the cold metal floor chilling me to the bone. The stench of fear lingered in the air, mingling with the metallic tang of blood.

I tried to fight back, to scream for help, but a gloved hand clamped over my mouth, stifling any sound. My muffled cries were drowned out by the sound of the van's engine roaring to life, and I knew escape was futile.

We drove for what felt like an eternity, the darkness outside punctuated only by fleeting glimpses of streetlights and passing cars. I wondered if anyone could hear my silent pleas, if anyone would come to my rescue.

Finally, the van came to a stop, and the doors were thrown open. I was yanked out, stumbling onto the cold concrete ground. I glanced around, taking in my surroundings. We were in an abandoned warehouse, its walls stained with years of neglect and cruelty.

The members of this Night shadows…. or whatever in hell was the goddamn name of this group , faceless in the dim light, encircled me. I could feel their eyes on me, hungry and eager. But it was the presence of a particular man that sent a shiver down my spine.

He stepped forward, a tall and imposing figure, his eyes cold and calculating. He looked like their leader as everyone seemed to revere him. His voice dripped with sadism as he addressed the pack. "Welcome our newest recruit," he announced, his words sending a wave of murmurs through the group.

My heart sank. I was now nothing more than a pawn in their twisted game. I watched in horror as one of them approached, a sadistic grin on his face. He held a bucket filled with icy water, taunting me with its presence.

"No... Please, don't," I pleaded, my voice quivering with terror. But my pleas fell on deaf ears. The icy water cascaded over my body, drenching me from head to toe. The shock of the cold water seeped into my bones, and I couldn't hold back the scream that tore through me.

"Oh, God!" I cried out, my voice echoing through the empty warehouse.