AUTHOR'S POV
Meanwhile, Scott, Lucas, Cory and Christina have been traveling on the rough terrain deep in the jungle for several hours now. It was still dark when they arrived in the Valley of the Falls, and until now that the heat is getting in the forest, there's still no signs of Diana. The blazing sun is now at its peak, and the group is still running in circles with no clue where to go. "We're lost", Lucas smirked at Cory through the rear view mirror. Earlier, they were fighting over which way to go. Since Cory was behind the steering wheel, he navigated the way trusting his own impulse, rejecting everyone's suggestions.
"We all sensed him here, so how come they're gone", Cory scratched his head as he grin back at Lucas.
"We're just running in circles", Scott said as he look out the window seeing the same yellow tree a couple of times now.
"You bet", Lucas replied. "Hey, I thought you know this place?", Lucas scoffed at Christina who's sitting with him at the backseat.
"I said, I know how to go to the Valley of the Falls. I didn't say I know the way around", Christina rolled her eyes at Lucas.
Driving in the seemingly endless terrain of the enchanting forest, the pack saw a group of bloody and skinny men who looked like they're done hunting. With a lifeless gazelle and wild boars hanging on their shoulders, they looked baleful as they stare fixedly at the wolves driving in a black truck. As much as possible, the four young wolves refrain themselves from giving off awkward stares and gestures that would provoke the creatures of the Valley of the Falls, the home of the werewolves and other mythical creatures. Scott nodded in one of them as he mindtalk, 'Just passing through'.
"Werewolves. How come they are frightening even if they are in their human forms?" Cory asked as he slowly drive. "Ughhh.. I hate their smell", he pinched his nose and squinted his eyes at the disturbing scent of the werewolves.
"It's their aura, and their strong smell covers the entire land. That's why Roman went all the way here. The scent of the werewolves stink so much that not a single creature can be easily sensed. He can hide without being tracked", Scott replied as he lit a cigarette. "Turn back. We'll split up at the junction point, much easier for us to locate Diana", he ordered.
"And much dangerous, I'd say", Christina disagrees to separate.
"Any other acceptable objections?", Scott asked as he gritted his teeth as he pounded Cory by his shoulder.
Cory grinned and immediately maneuvered the car to turn back. "Oh I love to live a dangerous life, Alpha! I love blood.. killing and beating.. did I mention mention blood?", Cory laughed nervously at Scott.
"I guess there's no other choice", Lucas replied as he sighed sharply.
From the junction point, Scott and the rest of the pack combed the forest separately marking their way in case they get lost. The forest is green all the time, where the herbaceous plants and tall trees everywhere looked the same. The strong distinctive adamant scent scattered all over makes it hard to sense creatures drawing near. Hence, each of them went on the perilous journey with much courage and caution. Scott trailed through the thick bushes and large trees carefully. He didn't want to disturb elves and fairies. He then leaped from one tree branch to another to see the area from the higher ground. He passes by a stream and walked by the streamline as he sense someone following him. There were sudden flickers in the trees. Leaves bend even without the wind. He stopped, picked a pebble, and flicked it directly to the creature lurking on the tree branch.
"Ouch! That hurts!", a tiny voice blurted out. The leaves cleared, revealing a tiny man perched on a branch, not longer than Scott's leg.
"What do you want?", Scott stared at the white-haired tiny man with black round eyes, skin as white as the clouds and pointed ears who suddenly appeared from the dark bushes. His face was too gentle, almost looking like a child. And his clothes were sheer, shimmering under the glistening sun rays.
"I should be the one asking you that. This is my forest.", he said in a very tiny but sharp voice.
"The forest belongs to all beings, not just elves.", Scott said as he furrowed his brows at the seemingly harmless creature.
"CORRECTION", he lifted a finger. "I'm not just an elf. I'm a Lythari Elf.", the creature rubbed its forehead from where the pebble hit. "And NO! The forest belongs to the ones who takes care of them.. I'm Wren by the way, guardian of this forest", Wren gave Scott a charming smile showing his very sharp set of teeth. Lythari elves are the rarest kind of elves which can transform into somewhat tiny beasts. They are called tiny lycans who were naturally brought into the world without a curse. More than usual, they are only friendly and companionable among elves of their own specie. What bewilders Scott, is how friendly this one speaks to him. Scott shrugged off the suspicious tiny creature as he proceeded walking by. "You're not just passing by just like what you told the werewolves earlier, aren't ya?", Wren looked down on Scott, who was standing at the foot of the tree.
Scott then realized that he's being followed by this elf for quite a while. However, he wasn't fazed with its curiosity. "I'm looking for someone", Scott replied as he look away.
"Who are ya looking for?", Wren hopped down, unbothered by Scott's height, and tugged on his shirt. "Maybe I can help ya", he added.
"I don't need help", Scott rejected at the disturbingly friendly lythari, walking away. The more he entertains it, the longer it lingers. He thought it was best to just ignore the lythari.
"You've been circling the forest, lycan! Aren't you tired?", Wren asked, as he tear a piece of leaf looking like an elephant ear, rode it and hovered around Scott.
Scott paused. "What did you just call me?", Scott turned his head at the lythari, and knitted his brows glaring.
"A lycan.", Wren simply said. "You walk like a king. And surely, you smell like something that devours kings", Wren smiled at the confused Alpha. "You need my help in so many ways", he continued flying around Scott.
"You got the wrong person", Scott turned away, and walked up ahead. He doesn't have more time for this creature. "Leave me".
Wren clicked his tongue as he shook his head in disagreement. "Alright Scott. Call me, if you change your mind", Wren winked at Scott as he walk away.
Scott turned to Wren only to find him vanished, as the leaf that he rode fall gracefully on the ground. 'Did I gave him my name?', he wondered. Scott pursed his lips as he exhale, returning to his mind-focused search for Diana in the middle of the forest. His senses wasn't treating him right. He listened closely in the sounds of nature. Laying his palm on the ground, he tried to feel the vibrations of any movements coming in. The taste of the air was intensely dense, that no scent of wolves seeps through it. He then continued trailing the stream. At some point, he wanted to get some help from the guardian of the forest to make it easier. But maybe, not yet. While trudging the streamline, he noticed Christina coming.
"Scott! Any luck?", Christina huffed, as she approach Scott.
It was not even too long that they separated, yet Christina found her way to him despite she took his opposite direction. Scott shook his head and walked ahead, walking past her. "Go that way, then I'll go this way.", he ordered.
"Hey Scott", Christina suddenly ran grabbing Scott's arm as she face him. "Scott.. I.. I still… love you. I lied about the imprint, I haven't met my mate.", Christina looked at Scott with eyes full of affection.
In the intervening period of time, Roman and Diana were hidden under the bushes seeing Scott at a distance. Seeing him, Diana widened her eyes, brimful with longing. "Scott..", she whispered, but then her smile faded when she saw Christina appear out of nowhere... along with those words that seemed to confess something that made her heart ache. Something broke in her. She peered through the thick lush of the bushes, watching Scott and Christina together. And that's when she realized, how unmatched her and Scott truly were. Her very existence brings death to Scott, while Christina would give him life.
Watching Diana tremble, Roman didn't had to hold her down in their hiding spot. She was pinned right where she crouches, without any plans to show herself to Scott. And at that very moment, Roman thought he have chances of winning the competition after all.
"Scott, please. Let's go back to how were used to be.. I've missed you", Christina plead. Diana was left with her mouth open as she hears Christina's sentiment. "Diana doesn't suit you. S-she brings you danger, nothing more!".
"Christina, I..", Scott said but was interrupted when Christina snaked her arms around Scott's neck and reached for his lips to kiss him softly. Roman slowly turned his gaze at Diana whose smile were no longer there. Diana then decided to turn away, thinking that it is best for Scott to find love the other way, while she quietly finds a way to save him from the curse.