The wind howled through the dense jungle, shaking the trees violently as if warning of something unnatural approaching. Inside the cabin, the wooden beams groaned under the pressure of the storm, the walls trembling as though they, too, sensed the impending doom. The fire in the hearth flickered dangerously, casting eerie shadows that seemed to dance in anticipation.

Eera and Arjun exchanged a knowing glance. This was no ordinary storm. This was something else. Something far older. Something that had been waiting.

Eera's sharp, golden eyes narrowed, sensing the presence beyond the storm. She had spent centuries hiding, running from those who sought to destroy her. For 200 years, she had walked the earth, shifting forms, living in the shadows, protecting her family at all costs. But now, the past had found her.

Resha stood frozen near the door, feeling the overwhelming tension in the air. The walls of the cabin trembled, and suddenly, a bolt of lightning split the sky open. The blinding flash illuminated the jungle beyond, revealing a thick black smoke curling towards them from the distance. It slithered and twisted as if alive, and within moments, it was there—at their doorstep. Then, like an invading force, it poured into the cabin through the cracks in the wooden walls, creeping toward them.

A whisper slithered through the air, carried by the black smoke: "They are coming for you all. Finish the ritual, or They will take Resha."

Eera’s body tensed, her fingers curling as she prepared for a shift. Her muscles ached to transform, to unleash the beast within, but she held back—for now.

Resha gasped, clutching her father’s arm as Arjun pulled her close, shielding her from the ominous force. His broad chest rose and fell with controlled breath, his mind racing. He had known this day would come, but he had hoped for more time.

Eera’s mind reeled, the words echoing in her head. The ritual. The truth. She had never told Resha what she was—what she could become. But now, the memories buried deep within her bloodline surged to the surface.

She saw it as if she were living it—, centuries ago, lurking in the shadows, a beast on the prowl. Eera had been hunting that night, slithering through the dense foliage of the Himalayan foothills, her massive black serpent form blending into the darkness. It had been so long since she had tasted human flesh. The hunger gnawed at her, growing stronger with each passing year. Nothing strengthened her powers like the blood of men. Her eyes, large and yellow like molten gold, flickered in the moonlight—vertical pupils slitted, deep and endless, capable of paralyzing prey with a single stare. They were the eyes of a predator, of something beyond human understanding.It was a full moon night when she found him.

Arjun stood at the edge of a tranquil lake, his towering frame reflected in the water. He was a striking figure—seven feet tall, his skin sun-kissed and bronze, his shoulders broad like a warrior’s. His hands, rough like stone, clenched and unclenched as he gazed at the night sky. But his thoughts were elsewhere, lost in a recurring dream that had haunted him for weeks.

In his dreams, he saw a woman. A vision of beauty cloaked in mystery, draped in a flowing black slit gown. Her face was always obscured, covered by a thin veil, leaving only her eyes visible—dark as the void yet gleaming like stars, smoldering with an intensity that both frightened and mesmerized him.

This dream had begun to consume him, making his nights restless. Even now, as he stood by the water, he felt her presence lingering in the back of his mind. He sighed, lying down on the soft grass beneath an ancient tree, trying to recall the details of her hidden face. If only he could see her—just once.

Above him, coiled among the branches, Eera watched, her serpentine body blending seamlessly with the tree’s dark bark. She had been waiting for the perfect moment to strike. To sink her fangs into his flesh, to feel the rush of power as his blood fueled her ancient form.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

She moved, inch by inch, her massive body gliding silently over the twisting limbs of the tree. The weight of centuries pressed upon her as she neared her prey. Her forked tongue flicked out, tasting the air, savoring the moment before the kill.

But then—

She saw his face.

The moment her gaze fell upon him, something inside her shifted. Her body trembled—not from hunger, but from something far more foreign.

Her bones ached, her skin burned, and without warning, she began to change. Against her will, the black scales melted away, her form shrinking, twisting, reshaping. The beast within her recoiled, retreating, as she transformed into a woman once more.

Moonlight caught the fabric of her black chiffon gown as it wrapped around her, accentuating every curve. Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her bare feet hovered just above the ground as the last remnants of her monstrous form faded. Her body shimmered as though woven from the night itself.

But she had lost control.

She tumbled forward, her weightless form descending from the tree like a fallen leaf, landing straight into Arjun’s lap.

The sudden impact jolted him awake. His breath hitched, his heart pounding as he blinked in disbelief. The very woman from his dreams was now sprawled across him, her warmth against his chest. It was impossible. It was surreal.

For a moment, fear flashed in his dark eyes, but it faded as quickly as it had come, replaced by awe. He raised a trembling hand, reaching for the veil that covered her face, desperate to see what lay beneath.

And then—

Everything shifted.

Eera gasped, her consciousness yanked back to the present. The black smoke still swirled around the cabin, whispering threats of what would come if the ritual was not completed. Eera’s breathing was ragged, her fingers twitching as she fought the urge to shift into her beastly form. Arjun, too, stood poised for battle, his protective instincts raging within him. But time was running out.

The ritual had to be completed. Resha’s fifteenth birthday was only ten days away. If they failed—They would take her.

Eera took a step forward, her voice filled with rage as she demanded, "Who are you? Who will take her away? Who sent you?"

The smoke shifted, taking the shape of a massive serpent that coiled and uncoiled as if mocking her. Then, as quickly as it had appeared, it started to retreat, seeping through the cracks in the window until nothing remained but the lingering scent of decay.

The storm outside began to subside. The air felt lighter, the walls of the cabin stopped trembling, and the oppressive darkness that had loomed over them lifted slightly. But even as the wind settled, an eerie silence took its place—one that sent a shiver down Resha’s spine.

Trying to break the tension, Arjun cleared his throat. "We need to eat now."

His words were simple, but his mind was tangled in worry. His grip on Resha’s hand tightened slightly, reassuring her. Eera, still tense, turned to the fire, where the bear meat was cooking. She served the thick slices onto their wooden plates, the rich aroma of roasted meat filling the air. The bear’s thick fur was piled in the corner, still to be cleaned and dried before it could be used as bedding or clothing.

They sat at the worn wooden table, their faces illuminated by the flickering flames of the oil lamps. Resha, still shaken, hesitated before asking, "What was it? What ritual?"

Eera’s face remained unreadable as she calmly replied, "Do not worry about that. We are here to protect you. Now eat your food."

The meal was quiet, tension still lingering in the air like an unwelcome guest. Resha’s mind swirled with thoughts she could not yet comprehend. The words of the smoke haunted her, but she knew better than to press further. Her mother’s tone had left no room for questions.

After dinner, Eera tucked Resha into her small, crooked bed. The thick, musky fur blanket wrapped around her carried the scent of the jungle—earth, blood, and something ancient. The bed was uncomfortable, but exhaustion pulled her into its embrace nonetheless.

Eera and Arjun spread out their bedding on the cold floor, lying down side by side. The fire crackled softly, casting long shadows across the walls. The night was quiet once more, but neither of them felt at peace.

Arjun finally broke the silence. "How can we do this to a little girl? She has no power. She could be killed."

Eera’s gaze was fixed on the ceiling, her expression unreadable. Fear flickered in her eyes, but her resolve remained unshaken. "She is still awake. We will discuss this some other time. She might hear us."

Arjun exhaled, glancing toward their daughter’s small figure curled up in the corner. "Perhaps you’re right."

The room fell into silence, but Eera did not sleep. Her mind was lost in the past, in memories of centuries gone by—memories of love, of hunger, and of choices that had led her here. The shadows in the room stretched and twisted, whispering secrets only she could hear.