Chapter 2

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~Elena~

My favourite part of every morning, walking through the forest. 

There was nothing more refreshing than inhaling the fresh scent of leaves. 

The forest felt a little heavier than usual, the air thick with damp earth and the faint scent of wild berries. 

My boots crunched over dried leaves as I followed closely behind Crystal. 

Gilhirst, our house mistress, had asked us to fill up our baskets with apples. 

That could only mean one thing, there must be a special occasion.

And also, Gilhirst is going to bake her famous, apple cake!! 

"You’re useless, ," Crystal's stern voice snapped me out of my thoughts. 

"Do you even know how to pick fruit properly, or do you want me to hold your hand like a child?” she asked her voice laced with irritation. 

I held the basket tightly in arms, trying very hard to hold in my anger. 

Arguing with Crystal on a great morning like this, would only ruin my mood, it wasn't worth it. 

Arguing with Crystal never was. 

The faster we got this over with, the sooner I could leave her behind and return to the safety of the pack.

We continued, going deeper into the forest. 

A strange stench reached my nostrils and I immediately stopped in my tracks. 

It suddenly dawned on me, that we were away from our pack. 

"We should turn back," I said, my voice breaking the silence.

Crystal stopped and turned to glare at me. "Don’t be ridiculous. The best fruit is always deeper in. Stop whining.”

“Suit yourself.” I wasn't going to follow Crystal any further. 

If things go side ways for her, she can easily shift into her wolf, but not me. 

But, just as I was about to make a turn back to where I came from, I heard a loud and menacing roar. 

I instantly froze to the spot, dropping the basket of apples in my hand to the ground. 

   From the shadows, shapes began to emerge, their glowing eyes and bared teeth sending chills down my spine. Rogues. They were two, and looked very dangerous. 

Rogues are known to be wolves without a pack and they are known for being wild and ruthless. 

   Mom had warned me several times never to step out of the packs boundaries for fear of the rogues. 

  I had never seen any rogue before, but seeing these ferocious wolves in front of me, I was sure they were the rogues, I was warned about. 

“Look what we have here…” one of the rogues said, he wore a hideous smirk on his face. 

“Princesses!”

My blood ran cold as the wolves encircled us. 

  I glanced at Crystal , hoping, praying she would stay and help me fight. But she was already shifting, her body trembling as fur covered over her skin.

In moments, she stood in her wolf form, her sharp teeth bared, and for a moment, I thought she would stand by my side.

She looked at me, just once. Her gaze was void of concern, her amber eyes cold. Then she turned and bolted, her powerful legs carrying her far into the woods, leaving me behind.

“Crystal!!!” I yelled out her name, my voice echoing through the trees. 

But she didn't stop, even for a second. I stopped and stared at her, until she dissappeared into the sunset. 

Panic surged through my veins as they began to stock me, taking gentle steps towards me. 

“Stay back!!”

I threw stones at them, and any other thing I could pick up. But they didn't even flinch. 

And then, in the next moment one of the wolves lunged foward at me, his sharp teeths sank deep into my shoulder. 

Before I could I think, the other swiped his claws at me, tearing through my sides. 

“Arggh!!” I screamed out in pain. My knees buckled and then my body collapsed hard to the ground. 

“It's probably best we don't kill her, after she's royal .”

I heard their voices. And soon their growls became faint as they walked away. 

I laid on my back against the hard ground, staring up at the sky through the trees, gasping for air as the pain consumed me.

Tears blurred my vision, but they weren’t just from the pain. Crystal had left me. 

She had looked me in the eye and chosen to save herself, knowing I couldn’t shift, knowing I was defenseless.

But I shouldn't cry about Crystal, she isn't worth it, and what more could I expect from her. 

My eyes began to flutter, and soon i was consumed by the darkness.

My eyes flung open to a bright morning. My head ached terriblyz I couldn't recall how I ended up here, all that came to mind was the pain I had felt.

“Thank goodness you are awake Elena, I thought you might not have woken up until a week.”

I took a glance at the figure talking. Healer Miranda!! 

“What happened... How long have I been asleep?” I asked. 

“You've been out for five days now.”

What!! I couldn't believe my ears. How did I black out for so long? 

“You were injured pretty bad. But for the gardener who was able to pick up your scent, you might not have made it dear.”

Miranda said, her voice tinged with concern.      My mind drifted back to Crystal. 

Crystal didn't say anything… she would have left me to die here!! 

“I need to go!” I gingerly rose up from the bed, still feeling the pains heavily. 

“Where are you going?” Miranda asked. 

“To find my father.” I said, managing to stand up striaght. 

“I'm afraid you can't right now!” 

I raised my brow at Miranda. 

“And why can't I?” 

“Because, there is going to be event, and he has to prepare for it.”

Miranda answered.

“What event is that?” 

“The alpha of the star Raiders is coming today!”

What? I couldn't believe ears. The star raiders are going to be here. 

The most powerful and legendary werewolf pack ever known are coming here. 

And their Alpha, the most powerful figure among others. 

“I have to go!!” 

I stormed out of her tent, my feeling a mix of excitement yet rage.