Chapter 4 I got caught, at last...!

Scarlett's point of view...

I froze as he pulled me up as if I was just a piece of fabric and then he leaned closer, sniffing. His minty breath touched the tender skin of my cheek and I could feel my heart rate increase even in my miserable state.

The thought of what he was going to do gave me a tingling feeling in my chest.

He leaned close to my neck, though, and sniffed once more. I couldn't hold my eyes from shutting down after that.

I could not stop feeling everything he was doing to me, even with my heavy eyelids closed. I was unable to even juggle my finger, which was another issue.

He forced me to lie flat on the ground, kneeled next to me, carefully grasped my shoulders, and used his fingers to examine the wound on my neck.

There was a pause for a few seconds before he started licking the wound on my head and neck.

That really felt awkward.

So awkward.

I wanted to resist, but seriously, I couldn't.

I have no idea why I can't push him away. Maybe because I was too weak to resist or it maybe because he was so intimidating.

But no matter what, I can't deny that I felt an electrifying effect that jerked my entire soul with his every touch, which was really alien to me.

My body burnt and started to shake. He sniffed near me again and again as if trying so hard to recognize my scent.

His curious sniffs made my mind burst into a maze of doubts.

Is he after the divine bloodline too? Could he recognize my blood despite the divine spell?

Luckily I had already wrapped that locket on my neck.

I lay there for a while as my body had already given out. I wasn't able to move at all just like the molten candle.

I couldn't feel anything after that.

Did he leave?

After what felt like a long deep slumber, I heard him calling me again.

"Hey..." I heard his concerned voice, "Do you still feel pain, kid?"

When I recovered eventually, I found myself still lying on the ground but it surprised me that I was covered with soft grass. Did he arrange that for me?

That was so considerate of him.

When I forced myself to open my eyes, I saw the most beautiful face I had ever seen, his grey eyes peered at me with curiosity. In addition to the obvious lack of animosity and signs that he intended to harm me, there was a unique gleam in his eyes. However, all I could see in him was irritation and annoyance.

I was simply a source of inconvenience for him. A burden for him.

Even if so, I wanted to be near him. I wanted to be protected by him.

My mind instantly alerted me I couldn't trust him yet.

I don't know him...! I don't know if this infatuation is really the true mate bond.

I made an utterly futile attempt to stand up while still staring into his eyes. I couldn't move even an inch.

"Can you hear me?" he called out patting my cheeks. I jerked out of his eyes and thoughts.

Why was I being enchanted by this man?

I wanted to talk and after squeezing in a deep breath, I finally made it out,

"Hmm..."

He pulled himself back and I could see his eyes having just pity in them for me.

Nothing else.

Just like how we feel when we find a wounded bunny and pity him. I was not more than a wonder little bunny for him.

It had been heard that numerous dangerous rogues were roaming around the werewolf forest where I was at the moment, flirting with females before killing them for their meat.

Perhaps this man is one of them. Nevertheless, a sensible and attractive one.

The thought of attempting to determine whether he was an angel sent by the moon goddess or a predator made my heart skip a few beats.

If he had wanted to, he could have killed me long ago or done anything to me while I was unconscious, but he chose not to.

Despite being a rogue, he could still be superior to Alpha Xian, the man of the monster. He will not torture me nonstop, at least when it comes to killing me. Feeling lightheaded again, I comforted myself.

"Want to survive?" His voice echoed once more, and I unintentionally nodded.

Of course, I wanted to live, or else why would I be running like that leaving my own sister in the Death Gorge?

"Hmm..." I hummed weakly.

He covered me with something which had his scent on it and I was inhaling it like the only means of living.

Getting intoxicated by each sniff.

As he strode off, leaving me behind in the darkness to perish alone, I heard his firm voice commanding me, "Wait for me here."

Even though I may just be a piece of prey that he managed to capture, I am nonetheless relieved. Without realizing it, relieved.

I was immediately struck with a dizzying and calming sensation due to his powerfully calming scent.

I was able to escape that packed house and that horrible situation, but I had no idea what lay ahead for me. If my savior was not discovered by them, then I would be set free.

They would have no trouble catching him if they had come looking for me.

Unable to move, I waited.

If he failed to return, I was waiting there for death to claim me.

We are not permitted to eat before the masters go to bed, so when that tragedy occurred, eating was the last thing on my mind. I have not had any food or water since yesterday.

Because of the first shift, I felt lightheaded and experienced throbbing pain throughout my body; I am not sure why I continued to hang on.

If all I am going to have in the afterlife is a miserable existence, what good is it to survive?

I was pretty sure somewhere in my mind that I would not make it to see the sunrise the following morning, but I was surprised when I fell asleep after taking in his aroma.

And not just any old deep one, either!

Catherine's words reverberate through my mind whenever I consider death, and I even see her yelling in dreams.

"You must endure...!"

"Make sure my effort is not in vain...! I smack myself back to life shortly after saying, "You can not get caught."

When I finally became somewhat conscious after some time, I realized that the enigmatic man who had saved my life had not returned.

I felt some movements around me, so my mind alerted me to the danger.

Just hide...! I felt my inner self urging me.

Just hide until he comes back...! I found it weird but I was like talking to a different person.

Was that my wolf? I hadn't got the chance to interact with her properly.

I considered the repercussions as I snapped back to the dangers I was in.

I forced myself to open my eyes and look around for any potential hiding places even though I was unable to flee. My last will to fight for my life was awakened when I noticed a hollow tree nearby, thanks to the moonlight.

"Just a bit more..." I whispered, slowly raising my hands and punching my legs to move while crawling to that hiding spot. It was my only chance for survival.

I was at arm's length from that hole when I froze, hearing a sudden snickers in the darkness ahead.

There was indeed someone...!

I looked around, my head bobbling up in panic.

I forced every fiber of my being to hold my breath to duck from their trailing stares. I waited a few more seconds to see if there was any more rustle or bustle, but all I could hear was the faintest sound of the night breeze. I exhaled a breath of calm. It was probably nothing dangerous.

I started to move.

I heard more footsteps as I hesitated once more before reaching forward to grab the root and pull myself under the tree. It was not something I imagined.

Somebody was in front of me.

Each step was careful but heavy. I shoved aside so I could get a glimpse behind the tree, but then I jerked back, my eyes going wide with fear.

I got caught, at last...!

Three of those creatures, the men of Alpha Xian, were prowling around, detecting the odor of my blood. They were coming toward me, I could feel it.

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