CHAPTER FIVE - RUN

BOARDER OF THE LYCAN CITY

VALERIE

My ankle twisted with pain as I limp, trying my best to keep myself from falling I used the next tree to support myself before taking the next step.

This was a run for my life, if I was caught by the Hunter this time I was sure he would not fail to take my head back to the Alpha Emeral.

My mind was frantic. My Hunter may or may not be alive. The golden wolf that had interceded had given me just about enough time to escape. It was dark and cold, not an ideal time and place for a female to be walking—or more like limping in the forest.

I leaned against a tree, allowing myself to rest against the rough bark. I had heard the siren blare a few seconds after I escaped the drunk Alpha, I was running away from my betrothal naturally I would be labelled a traitor and a bounty placed on my head. But what was I supposed to do? The Alpha had tried to rape me, I was merely protecting my self and the little dignity I had left.

I thought about my life before all this, sure it was nothing near perfect or at the very least pleasant but at I was living. I was living in a house, with my pack. Even if I was the scorn for most of the people it was still better than this.

I remembered the hateful way Lyxia has looked at me with her green eyes before she closed that and almost missed it, the girl would never want to admit it but we actually looked kinda alike. Both having the same blonde hair model like figure, difference being that she was adored for hers and I was scorned.

Tired, I heaved, almost laughing at the ridiculous and unfortunate way things have turned out so quickly, it was like one moment I was dreaming a nightmare then the very next I was actually living the nightmare.

My mothers worried face appeared at the fore of my thoughts. The roundness of her cheeks and slightly crooked nose bridge was not something I knew I’d never forget.

In a distance I hear a loud how in a distance. My blood chills to ice. There was still a wolf after me. My Hunter or not I couldn’t be caught. The Alpha Emeral had called a bounty for my head, even if I had managed to escape that one there would definitely be more.

I groaned as I pushed myself from the tree I had used as a supportive grace. The once beautiful gown I had been wearing was now a ripped up rag, but even still it was diamond dusted, I was sure it would sell for an amazingly high price.

I take the first step but my limbs give up under me and I wobble as I fall like a stiff log to the ground.

“Damn it!” I cursed aloud. My legs felt like jelly and my muscles ached with pain.

I excruciatingly pushed myself from the ground and fight to stay upright. When I walked it was with deep grunt and I drag my left foot against the dirt.

My soul jumped as I heard the howl again, this time it was closer than before. I was unsure of if the howl came from the Hunter or from the golden wolf but whichever it was I sure did I not want to be caught out here. Alone and vulnerable.

An army of goosebumps assembled on my neck and glanced over my shoulder to see if I would spot the silhouette of a Hunter but the darkness was so thick I could barely see anything not even the trees.

Holding up my tits I realized that my nipples were hard as pebbles and I wondered if it was because the cold or the alluring howl from which I suspected was the gold wolf. But I couldn’t take chances, I started to trot in the direction that led away from the deathly Hunter.

My heart pounded in my chest as I sprint, the faster I ran the less painful it got. My eyes adjusted to the darkness and sooner I was running, weaving between trees and evading whatever was behind me. The moonlight poured down from above. Its silver beams were a beacon of hope that I could live, that my life didn’t have to end at least not here and not in this way.

Abused, scorned and cursed by others for a life I had no control of. If this was how I was to live then I would rather live by my own way.

I hear the howl again, this time even closer than the last. My Hunter had found me! My heart skipped a beat and frightening chill shiver my body. I push myself, trying my best to stay alive.

The golden wolf that had interceded may have just done that to prove might. Usually when two males meet in their wolf, instinct usually drives them to battle for who was superior even if it could lead to either one of their deaths. A stupid but sometimes necessary thing to do.

I spot a light up ahead and a sliver of hope washed through me. A car? A person? Anything!

I knew at the back of my mind that I was acting in desperation but it was better than I being ripped like a doll in the forest where nobody could help me.

As I neared the light, the calming hum of a cars engine bleeds into my ears. I slowed down as the truck driver got up from under his vehicle and back into the truck.

I was sure I had stood for only a few seconds but now it felt like I had been waiting for hours. I had to stay still, like the prey I was. If I made any more noise my Hunter would find me not to mention the fact that the old man that was in the truck would probably not be friendly to a stranger at this time of the night. I waited, stalking him from behind the tree that prevented the blinding lights of the trucks headlamps from making me a visible pick.

Once the engine revved I knew that that was my chance. My foot ached with a searing pain but still I pushed myself, bolting out from where I hid in the darkness I made sure to make as little noise as I could. My weight dropped with a thud into the trucks rear, I held my breath, trying to stay as quiet as possible.

When I felt the gravity of the truck push forward I heaved out the breath I had been holding in for aeons.

I stared at the bright orb that shun high above, feeling blessed by the moon I closer my eyes and allowed myself this little moment of hope.

The howl came again, enraged, louder and too close. I gasped as I spotted a flicker of a wolfs tail from between the trees. The driver must have been frightened too as he gunned the engine of the car and I had to contract my body to avoid being thrown out from the back of truck.

I kept my head low, hoping that the wolf that had been tracking me would lose track of my scent and give up.

The truck driver seemed to even be more scared than I was. I gripped the sides of the truck as it sped down the bumpy road. Each gallop and my head banged against the metallic floor of the truck so much that I felt like I would pass out sooner because of it.

I did not know where this truck lead to but my best guess was the Lycan city. The kingdom that was my birth kingdoms greatest enemy and was ruled by the Alpha Lukkar.

I could still the burning sensation of the slap I had endured from the Alpha Emeral and for a brief moment I was back in the brightly lit room, the Alphas dick erect and my underwear torn away.

Silent tears slide down my cheeks. I blink a few times. Betrayed by my own father and brother, there was no going back now. My mother would weep without anyone to console her and it ached my heart to know that. She was my only light. My only reason to survive and thrive and now she was gone. I was alone, banished from my own kingdom.

**********

When I wake it’s to the loud crowing of a stupid cock. I raise my head wondering how a cock found its way into my bedroom.

I reached for my pillow but instead felt the cold hard metal of a more recent trucks trunk. Reality comes crashing down on me like a bolt of lightening and I lower my head as I fought back sudden need to cry.

I had thought the events were just a horrific nightmare. Usually this was about the time my mother walked into my room with a large tray of well seasoned meat and warm milk. She would tell me the more I ate the stronger my wolf will be when I finally shift, most times I would laugh her off and she would smile. Seeing me happy brought her joy and her smile warmed my heart.

Too bad I may never be getting that pleasure again.

The sun was still far away from rising. It must have been at least three o’clock in the morning. I peered through the small window at the back of the truck only for me to find that the driver had slumbered away, parking his truck carelessly at the side of the road.

This was my chance to get away. But as I carefully leaped out from the back of the truck my legs gave up and my face caught the gravel. Groaning in pain, I pushed myself from the dirt and leaned my weight against the back of the truck. I wondered where exactly I was going. I didn’t know this place nor did I know anyone I could call for help.

I heard the distinct sound of a click, and I paused immediately.

“Your hands in the air young lady!” The gruff voice of the truck driver was a merely a reminder that he had a riffle in his hands.

Slowly, I raised my hands above my head before turning to look at the old man. His red check shirt seemed to be stained with the same blood that soiled the denim jeans he wore. Was he hunting animals with a gun?

This was the perfect time for me to shift but even if I could the fear of a wolf fight with this old man was already enough to make me want to lay low. He may have been old but I way too weak .

“Who are you?!” He barked and I watched his finger steadily on the trigger, one little push and the bullet would probably blow my brains out of my head.

I stared into his grey pupils, the corners of his eyes were wrinkled with age. “I’m just a lowly peasant—”

“And who do you think you’re fooling?” He barked again. “Ain’t no peasant got a dress like that!”

His eyes went from my face to my exposed chest and almost pulled my arms down but kept them up when I realized that I could get my head blown to pieces if I made the wrong move.

“You’re an Emeral citizen now aren’t you?” And I saw the hate that flashed in his eyes. My heartbeat pounded even faster, there was a common hate between the Lycan city and Emeral Kingdom. That hate that often led to violence and I was alone, naked and vulnerable with someone pointing a  riffle to my head.

A bribe? If I had some Kobo coins on me I would have tried to pay him off, but seeing my situation it may take more than money to save me now.

“Answer me!” He scolded and I gasped as he shook the muzzle of the gun carelessly.

“I’m just a lowly peasant, I did not mean to startle you—”

“So it was you who chased after my truck last night!”

Oh no! He thought I was the wolf in the forest. My clothes were torn making it look like I had shifted and I was sure he thought the same.

“No, that was not me! I was trying to evade the wolf when I saw your truck and thought I would be safe if I hitched in the back!”

At this point I couldn’t control the tears that that streamed down my face and I slowly brought my arms down to cover my chest.

“What’s your name?!” He asked slowly. Revealing my identity now was the worst mistake I would ever make.

“Ariel…” I blurted out as it was the first name that came to my mind. Slowly his expression changed from the twisted anger to a more soft and calm one.

“Ahh, stop your crying! You’re not worth the pick anyway!” He sighed.

I was surprised when he lowered the riffle.

“This is no place for a damsel like you! You’ll be easy nick for the Hunters if you stay out here alone.”

Was he really sympathising with me?

“Say, my mate makes the best porridge, you can stay over for the breakfast then find your way from there… that’s if you’re willing to come?”

The fear that had shook my body turned to shock. But there was no other place for me to go.

I got into the front seat of the rickety truck, carefully watching the driver as he placed the riffle beside his chair. The trucks engine started and soon was were rolling down the bumpy road.

Alone, abused and with a bounty on my head this man was probably in more danger being around me than he knew. I know the Alpha Emeral was as persistent and brutal man. He would not stop until I was dead.

My mind drifted to the gory events of the night. The golden wolf that had interceded the Hunter that had had my life.

There was something about that wolf. His aura was so powerful and I was ashamed to admit that his aura had sexually turned me on.

The gold fur. It was almost like an Alpha.