2

Natalia

"Natalia! Natalia!!... Are you there?" A voice called out softly at me from behind the tent.

My head snapped up from the thinking position I had assumed after Beta Heimdall left the tent. I would always recognise that soft voice calling out to me anywhere.

It belonged to Marie, my infamous partner and I was sure that Keira would be with her. We weren't what could be referred to as close friends as they each had their different cliques but we were more like an infamous trio who only stuck out for the others in times of trouble.

We had become attached to each other when we came together to attack Dave, a haughty wolf who had decided to make running in the woods a nightmare for young girls. Back then, we had hatched a plan and scared the living hell out of him in the forest. Though it wasn't easy, the memory is good. Keira had used acupuncture needles on him . Anyway, as good as the memory is , it's in the past. Right now, I have a problem to face.

"Marie! What are you doing here? Don't you know it's dangerous to be here?" I asked furiously in a quiet voice.

It was enough that I was being sent as a tribute to the dreaded Devil Claw Wolfpack. I couldn't risk making another young lady go through what I was about to go through.

My eyes darted about the room while waiting for an answer from them. I couldn't risk a guard just walking in.

I felt air around my legs. On looking down to see that that part of the tarpaulin had been slit. I felt strong pairs of hands drag my legs . I couldn't shout for fear of being discovered.

I aided my escape by slipping through and faced the underbrush on that side of the tarpaulin. The only thought in my head as I took cover in the bush was how Beta Heimdall's face would look upon discovering that I was gone. Terrible, I guess.

I ran for about ten minutes without glancing back. Marie and Keira covered me as they ran behind me. I kept going in a particular direction as I knew what I was on the lookout for.

I couldn't risk allowing any of the pack members seeing me and raising alarms or worse, reporting to Beta Heimdall for fear of the entire pack being punished.

I got to the low rock I was headed for and stopped running. Using my hands and feet, I scrambled onto the rock and lay on my back with my face turned upwards to the sky.

"I'm not sure if you're both aware of this but I'm very sure that you girls are crazy." I harrumphed .

Both of them collapsed on the rock beside me. They were definitely as tired as I was.

"Marie suggested…"

"Keira felt that…"

Both of them chorused at the same time. I darted my eyes sideways to look at them but they seemed to have something else on their minds.

"Alright! Spill it. I'm all ears." I sat up and laid my eyes on them.

" I know we are not friends and we can't start now but I think there's something we can do about you being made a slave or a tribute something. It's unfair! We should stage a revolt."

Marie retorted in her usual hot manner. I was lost for words as I had no means to reply to her. Of the truth, I desired something like that.

I desperately wanted something that would break my pack free from the current captive situation they were in but my hands were tied.

Devil Claw Wolfpack were the most dreaded pack amongst the packs in the area and they have already crushed all the smaller packs which could have come together and fought off their oppression.

The other larger packs are acting like they aren't aware of what was happening to the smaller packs which had been forcefully taken over by the Devil Claw Wolfpack as they were scared by the invasion of Alpha Draco.

Since there was nothing I could do about the issue, I turned to Keira in order to know what she was thinking. However, I wasn't prepared for what came out of her mouth.

" At this point, you've probably thought there's nothing you can do to help the Talon pack ." She said." Guess what, you're right. At this point you are, you're as helpless as the rest of us."

There was a slight pause before she continued.

"I didn't bring you out to tell you I'm your friend nor tell you sweet promises I don't intend to keep. If you should escape, the entire pack is in danger. If memory serves us right, we all know the Devil Claw Wolfpack wouldn't hesitate to wipe us out and we don't want that. The reason I brought you out is to remind you of who you are. You're Natalia and you shouldn't give up without a fight no matter how demeaning of a situation you find yourself. " She sighed."Now return. It's almost an hour since you were dragged away. I would love you to return at the exact time when they would be in disarray looking for you. That's for them to know you aren't a pushover. All said, I'm taking my leave."

Keira was done talking and walking away with no expressions on her face. . I took a last look at Marie and the surrounding fields and began to make my way back to the tent where I was held captive.

Just like Keira had predicted, all hell was let loose by the time I arrived back at the tent. I decided not to go in through the opening Keira had made in the tarpaulin but intending to spy a little from the safe side on the back side of the tent.

The guards who were watching at the door were tied to stakes and silver whips were being used on them. I could see their flesh where it cracked and blood oozed out of the torn flesh.

As if that wasn't enough, Beta Heimdall ordered that hot water be poured over their wounds to make it sting the more.

I was about to dance in joy when I saw several young boys from my pack arranged in a straight line. Their parents were already crying and pleading with Beta Heimdall to have mercy on them.

Without anyone telling me what was going on, I knew. It was obvious that those young boys were being taken in replacement for me.

I couldn't take this. I had to step out. I braced myself and drew in a deep breath.

"What's going on here?"

I asked as I walked up to them while maintaining a fearless face and a bold swagger in my steps.

"Oh my goddess!"

My mother and several other women whose sons were about to be taken as tribute exclaimed.

I didn't bother to wait for an explanation as I was sure I wouldn't get any with Beta Heimdall standing there like a statue that was possessed.

"I'm here now so there's no need for you to take these boys again. I just felt choked and decided to step out for fresh air."

I said and shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly. I could see shocked looks on everyone's faces. They obviously never thought I could stand up to Beta Heimdall like that.

"I give the orders here, you filthy thing. I decide who becomes a tribute or who walks away free." He growled at me, taking a step towards me, dangerously.

"You may make the rules but I won't forget you are an outsider here while I'm still the Alpha's daughter. I'm making the sacrifice for my pack now." I said defiantly. " Let those boys go. I never said I wasn't going with you. Or perhaps, you would explain to your Alpha why our entire pack decided to die rather than submit to your rule."

I looked him directly in the eyes. I had learnt from our previous confrontation that he couldn't bear losing to me and I was sure he wouldn't also risk explaining to his Alpha why he lost an entire pack.

"Bind her up! We're leaving now!" He ordered and stormed off .

I smirked. Beta Heimdall as if having second thoughts, growled and immediately began charging towards me in fury.