Paths Crossed

 

Chapter 2: Paths Crossed

Zoey

I was an orphan who grew up with my old grandmother. My parents’ death was never explained to me. One day, I just woke up, and they were gone. The next thing I knew, I was bundled up and sent to my grandmother. So, originally, I was an indigene of Skywood Pack.

“Zoey! Come to the yard!” my grandmother yelled. She was a traditional healer, and I was supposed to take over, so I was always expected to be with her.

“Grandma, I have an aching pain, so can I just rest in my room?” I lied. I was fine, but I didn’t want to do anything. It’s safe to say I was lazy, but truthfully, I wasn’t built for stress, and my grandma’s line of work required a lot of effort.

“When your grandma is a healer? Get me the tonic with the blue cover from my room,” she instructed. I frowned. There was no way I was escaping this one.

“The one with the blue cover? I think we’re out of it.”

“Then rush to the farm before the park museum and fetch herbs. Be back before the cock crows,” my grandma instructed. This was a perfect excuse to escape. I grabbed my bicycle, but it wouldn’t start, so I was left with no other option but to walk.

I had no intention of going to the farm early. I planned to wander around for a while before heading there. My park was a calm and peaceful neighborhood—not one filled with wars, disputes, or nuisances. It was a serene environment.

“Serena, do you want to go for a run?” I spoke to my wolf, but she didn’t respond. She was too weak. I hadn’t gone hunting or even for a race. She was frail. My grandma had given me different supplements to boost her strength, but none of them seemed to work.

I didn’t want to be like my mom. She was known to be the weakest, and I didn’t want that title.

“Why are you so weak?” I scoffed. By then, I was already at the farm, and it was nightfall. My heart pounded in fear because if anything happened right now, I might not be able to defend myself or even fight back.

The bushes began to rustle, and the sound of branches snapping echoed through the quiet night. My heart raced, my palms sweaty as I clutched the small bag of herbs tighter. "Who's there?" I whispered, my voice trembling.  

The rumbling grew louder, and before I could move, a massive wolf leapt out of the shadows, pouncing on me. I screamed, falling to the ground as its weight pinned me down. My hands flew up to shield my face, and I shut my eyes tightly, tears streaming down my cheeks.  

“Please don’t hurt me,” I cried, my voice breaking.  

But just as quickly as it attacked, the weight lifted off me. I opened my eyes cautiously and froze in shock. The wolf was gone. In its place stood a man—tall, powerful, and terrifying.  

Alpha Lyon.  

“You!” I yelled, scrambling to my feet. My fear quickly turned to anger. “What is wrong with you? Are you trying to kill me?”  

His cold eyes narrowed at me. “Kill you? If I wanted to kill you, you’d already be dead.”  

“You’re insane!” I snapped, my voice shaking. “Jumping out at people like that! You nearly gave me a heart attack!” 

Lyon crossed his arms, looking at me like I was the most pathetic thing he’d ever seen. “You’re pathetic. Crying and begging for your life? Can’t even stand up for yourself?”  

I glared at him, furious. “And what’s your excuse? Pouncing on someone in the middle of the night like some wild beast? Oh wait—you are one!”  

His jaw clenched, and for a moment, I thought he might lunge at me again. But then his lips curled into a smirk. “Careful, little girl. Your mouth is going to get you into trouble one day.”  

It suddenly hit me who I was talking to. My anger drained, replaced by sheer panic. This was Alpha Lyon—the same man who’d taken over our pack, the same man who terrified everyone.  

“I—uh...” I stammered, my hands fumbling to grab my bag. Without another word, I spun around and ran, my heart pounding in my chest.  

Behind me, I could hear him chuckle, his deep voice carrying through the night. “Run all you want, Zoey. We’ll cross paths again.”  

I didn’t look back. I didn’t dare.   

I ran all the way home, my heart racing faster with every step. By the time I got to the yard, I was out of breath, clutching my side as I burst through the door.  

“Grandma!” I yelled, my voice trembling. “I was attacked!”  

Her head shot up from the herbs she was sorting, her face creased with worry. “What happened? Where are you hurt?” She stood and hurried toward me.  

I held out my arm, showing her the scratch I’d gotten when I fell to the ground. It wasn’t deep, but the sting was enough to remind me of the terrifying encounter.  

“Let me see that,” she said, pulling me to sit down. She examined the wound closely, then immediately reached for a jar of ointment on the shelf. “You should be more careful, Zoey. What were you doing out so late anyway?”  

“I was getting the herbs you sent me for,” I mumbled, avoiding her eyes.  

She dabbed the ointment on the scratch, making me wince. “And how did you end up getting attacked?”  

I hesitated. Should I tell her it was Alpha Lyon? What if she got angry? Or worse—scared? I decided to leave out his name. “It was a wolf. It just jumped out of nowhere.”  

Her face softened with concern, but her tone was sharp. “This is why I tell you not to wander around after dark. You’re lucky it didn’t hurt you worse.”  

“I know, Grandma,” I said, my voice low.  

She finished wrapping my arm with a clean bandage and patted my hand. “There. Now go to bed and rest.”  

I nodded, dragging myself to my small room. I collapsed on the mattress, my mind racing.  

Alpha Lyon.  

I couldn’t believe I had yelled at him. Insulted him, even. What was I thinking?  

A chill ran down my spine as I remembered his smirk and the way he’d called me pathetic. There was no doubt about it—I was now on Alpha Lyon’s bad side.  

I sighed, pulling the blanket over me. If he really hated me, my life was about to get a lot more complicated.