Authoress' Note: My laptop decided to rebel, so I re-wrote this whole chapter on my Kindle. Yes, my nearly 7-year old laptop only had 30 minutes or so of life per session before it freezes hard. Rather than risk it not working later, I shut it off until I can get my stuff on to an external drive.

Because I kept everyone waiting, I am writing another chapter to fill the void, though it will differ slightly from what I typed on my laptop.

I might use this version of the chapter to continue this story since it is more realistic. Hope everyone enjoys this wild New direction I decided to go in to get something new out!

This picture is how I imagine Midnight, so don't judge:

Also, I decided to expand on Midnight's character since he will have a large impact on Dawn's life. And after a filler chapter, it is time to do some long awaited world building.

~Chibi Mirai Gogeta

Dawn of the Hunter

Chapter 8-The Ancient Ruins

"How many times have I told you not to go near those werewolves?" A shrill voice yelled angrily as she threw a lot at the dark-haired girl who cowered from her mother in fear. It shattered on the ground as the woman raised her walking stick in means to hurt the child.

Before the woman could take such action against the girl, a knock at the door interrupted her. "What is it?" She spoke in an angered tone.

"Forgive me for the interruption, Oracle of Fortune, but the chief wished for your guidance," a voice called from outside.

Fortune glared at the girl. "You're lucky I have been summoned. You will clean up the mess and prepare dinner. It's the only thing you are good for ever since your older brother protected your worthless hide from those accursed land destroyers."

The young girl trembled as her mother left, slamming the door hard behind her. She whimpered as she silently cried and did as the woman asked.

Ever since her brother died, her mother took her anger out on her for being careless any chance she had. Her brother was being groomed to be the next chief when his life was cut short by the land destroyers wielding strange metal sticks.

It was as the woman decreed: She was worthless all because she could not see into the future like her mother Fortune could.

Hence her name that meant she was blind to the world around her.

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Dawn watched the wolves hunting not far from the village. She was curious when she would get the chance. Sadly, she knew that the likelihood would not be until she could shift into her natural form.

She was wearing the brooch on her coat mainly because Midnight told her that it would help her with her first shift. She had tried to play with the other pups, but they were wary of her due to her not being able to change.

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"Most pups already know how to shift," Midnight explained to Dawn who found herself by the dark-furred wolf.

"I want to shift, but I don't know how..." Dawn frowned, feeling disheartened.

"You will in due time, Dawn," Midnight reassured as the girl clung to him, her tears running down her cheeks.

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'I want to be accepted,' Dawn thought before heading back to the village. Midnight was out hunting, so the girl found herself alone waiting for him to return.

As Dawn headed towards her den, she saw the dark-haired girl again. "Hey!"

The girl stiffened. "I... I can't talk to you..."

"Why not?" Dawn challenged.

"Your pack and my tribe are not supposed to."

"That is a stupid reason." Dawn looked at the girl with disappointment.

"I didn't write the rules..."

" Still... what's your name? My name is Dawn. "

"C-Cecelia..." the girl muttered softly.

"That's a pretty name," Dawn smiled.

"It isn't if you know it's meaning!" Cecelia shook her head sadly. "I have to go..."

A hand grabs Cecelia's wrist. "Wait. I don't care what the others think. I want to be your friend..."

"As much as you wish it is possible, we can't be friends because you're a werewolf!" Cecelia shakes her head. Why would anyone want to be her friend? She was not accepted due to her mother's reputation. If she was friends with a werewolf, her mother might end up disowning her.

"I wonder about that... I can't shift..." Dawn admitted sadly.

Cecelia looked at Dawn in shock. "You're lying..."

"I really can't shift..." Dawn frowned.

"Most werewolves shift at a young age," Cecelia noted. "Maybe you're cursed."

"Cursed?" Dawn was surprised. If she was cursed, she might never shift into her natural form.

"There might be a way to reverse it, but you have to go to the ancient ruins outside the village. Good luck finding them!" Cecelia pulls away and runs off.

"The ancient ruins..." Dawn decided to go find them. She wanted to change badly. Maybe if she went there, she could learn how.

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The forest was quiet as Dawn ventured out alone. She was not sure where these ruins were, but she would find them.

'I wonder if I will find the answer to break the curse...' Dawn thought.

Soon, she saw a worn path that led to a rock-covered ground. Dawn noticed a shrine up ahead she and noticed a stone circle. She stepped into the circle as a faint tingle ran down her spine.

'That felt weird...' Dawn thought while glancing at the symbols etched in each stone. 'I wonder what this means...'

She touched one of the stones and saw markings appear along her arms. The markings faintly glowed with a golden light as she wondered about it's significance. Before she could do anything else, pain started to flow through her body as the rocks glowed in the same light.

'Why is this...?' Dawn questioned as she suddenly heard her name being called.

"Dawn! Dawn, where are you?" Midnight's voice called out to her. There was concern in the tone as Dawn realized that the wolf was trying to find her.

"Midnight? Midnight, I'm over..." Dawn yelled before the pain intensified to the point that the markings burned in her skin. She screamed in absolute agony as the world around her darkened.

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Midnight had heard Dawn's voice as he cleared across the bridge and to his horror found that the girl was at the ancient ruins. He saw a small white furry wolf pup collapsed inside of the stone circle, the brooch glowing in the same white color.

Ever since Fortune's grandfather died, it was decreed by the medicine woman to not go anywhere near these ruins due to the saturated magic that was within these ruins. Yet, Dawn came here without knowing the consequences of her actions.

How did she find this place? Why did she stray from the village? And why did she venture into the time circle willingly? She should have stayed out, but Midnight had to remind himself that Dawn did not know if these rules. She knew nothing of avoiding this place.

Now, Midnight had to get her out. Shifting into his human form, he walked into the circle of runes as the magic surrounded his being. He fought against the urge to shift into his natural form, his focus being the small wolf pup that laid unconscious within. Lifting her form into his arms, Midnight jumped out and saw the markings fade from the furry wolf pup.

Before the markings vanished, he noted how they crisscrossed her body almost in a rushed manner. No one knew magic other than those who could see into the future, and based on the markings, it might explain why Dawn could not shift.

'Why would anyone do this to her?' Midnight angrily thought. He knew that Winter would not be pleased that someone had woven a spell upon one of their own.

What is more alarming is that Dawn might not be able to shift back to her human form without feeling the same pain she just experienced.

'I have a bad feeling that whoever did this wanted to make sure that she wouldn't be found for some reason...' Midnight thought as he carried the wolf pup back to the village.

He knew that whoever did this to Dawn might try to capitalize on her weakness.