0004

 

{ Grace }

With my bare feet touching the cold ground of the forest land, a chill ran up my spine. The misty smell of rotten leaves and after rain filled my nostrils.

With the dark space of the forest, I could feel my heart pounding violently and my every step resounded in the dim forest. 

The rattling sound of animals could be heard, the cold wind rushing through my hair and swaying it back and forth.

The sound of dry leaves crushing under my feet each time my feet collide with the cold ground. 

I didn't know how long I had been running, but the forest seemed bigger than I anticipated. I could see the unending darkness ahead, but my feet were already given up as I could feel immense pain under my feet.

A low growl resounded in the eerie forest, piquing a newfound fear in me, but I didn't stop running. I wanted nothing more than to get out of the territory of the man who hated my father so much that he couldn't stand hearing anything about him.

And as much as I hated to admit it, he hated me for an unreasonable reason. Whatever transpired between him and my father shouldn't have anything to do with me. Besides, my father was no more, so why couldn't he be reasonable?

Did they realize I was missing? I couldn't help but panic at the thought of being caught and taken back to the pack.

Soon, I found myself in the deepest part of the forest where the huge branches of the trees have made a canopy, therefore blocking the little light that comes from above.

I could feel pain under my feet, but I didn't see myself giving up, especially whenever I recalled his hateful words towards my father. 

He called him a bastard, he loathed him so much that his eyes stared at me with hate and disgust.

…….Your bastard father doesn't deserve my hatred………

 ……I can see your scumbag father didn't teach you manners but as long as you live under my fucking roof, you do exactly as I say……..

His words rang in my head repeatedly, my eyes suddenly blurred with tears, and my pace increased.

I have no desire to live in his territory or under his roof.

I just needed to get out of here, and everything would be fine; I tried to console myself when deep down; I knew there was no other place for me.  

Because there was nothing left of me or the star pack. 

No home, nothing. I was all alone.

I was all by myself now.

My father was gone so was the star pack.

Suddenly, I tripped on a log and fell face flat on the cold floor; a pain from my palm made me wince.

A painful growl slipped out of my mouth when I tried to get on my feet and failed because my feet were numb and cold.

Tears pooled in my eyes and a sob broke out of my mouth.

The familiar feeling of loneliness and hopelessness slipped into my heart, and tears drained from my eyes, wetting my face. 

I was all alone, the reality made my heart clenched in my chest.

Why did this have to happen to me?

Why did it have to be the star pack? 

Why, my father?

I wished I hadn't celebrated my birthday; maybe my father would still be here, and the pack wouldn't be wiped out. 

I turned my head to the side when I felt the ground beneath me shook.

The sudden terrifying growl made me cower away but it was only a matter of time before I saw what was hidden in the darkness. 

A huge bear pulled out of the darkness behind the trees, its mouth open with drool falling out and terrifying growls slipping out at the same time.

Its red, predatory eyes stand out in the darkness, coursing fear to wrap me up. My eyes moved down at my bleeding feet.

My whole body was shaking in fear, and my breathing was running slower. 

Suddenly, I felt my eyes blurring, my head hurting, and my vision dimming. I didn't know what was happening to me as I raised my hand to hold my head. 

Father, we will finally meet again, I will no longer be lonely, nor will I be alone.

Through my blurred vision, I saw the bear calculatively approaching me and I knew it was the end for me. 

My father and I would be finally united.

I fell back on the cold floor as darkness took over my senses, tears slipping down from the corner of my eyes as they shut.

∆∆∆

Slowly, my eyes opened. The familiar white ceiling made me panic as I wondered where I was. 

” Are you feeling a bit okay?” the familiar gentle voice said and I frowned. I turned my head to my side; Zoe was standing with a relief expression.

Was I back to the central pack?

A large knot formed in my stomach, and I swallowed hard.

“ Don't move so much, the doctor advised against that.” She held me down on the bed. 

I was confused; how did I end up back here? I left, didn't I? 

“ Alpha Cronus was there in time to save you,” Zoe explained as if she noticed my confusion. My eyes ran around the room as if trying to confirm her words. I was indeed back; I didn't die, nor did I get eaten by the bear.

It was a relief that I wasn't eaten, but I wished I had united with my father.” You don't have to worry, you are safe now. “Her comforting words would have hit me differently if I had a reason to live.

I bit my lips as I pulled up to a sitting position with Zoe's help. “ Thank you,” I whispered, “ You don't have to thank me, it is the alpha who saved you.” She smiled and I lowered my head. 

My feet and my hand were wrapped in a white bandage, and my dress was also changed.

“ Did you say a-alpha Cronus brought me back?” saying his name out loud makes me feel weird inside. Zoe nodded firmly, and I bit on my bottom lip again. 

Why did he save me? Did he hate me because of my father?“ Don't think about it, the good thing is you are safe.” Zoe said but I wasn't excited to be alive. I have nothing to live for, my life was crushed on the night of my birthday. 

I was reduced to nothing when I lost my father that night.  

“ Here, I made this for you.”

looking at the tray of soup in her hand and my bandage hand, I knew I couldn't feed myself but I still insisted. It was enough that she had to take care of me.

“ You need to take your meds; the doctor will be back in a few hours to check on you.” I nodded hesitantly before grabbing the spoon with my left hand to feed myself.

My hand clenched around the fork when the door suddenly pushed open, revealing Cronus's cold face.

“ How is she?” He asked.” She is recovering.” Zoe replied politely.

And the air in the room suddenly grew stiff.

“ Did you think walking away from here without my permission is possible?” I could feel his gaze on me, my throat suddenly felt dry.

“ You fucking look up when I speak to you.” He growled, and I stared up, as if that was all I needed, his permission.

“ Did your bastard father not teach you….” 

“ Don't you dare insult my father?” hot tears pulled in my eyes. 

“ My father has nothing to do with me escaping. Didn't you hate me so much? Why did you rescue me?” Something in his eyes changed but I didn't look away. “ I never begged to be saved, alpha Cronus.” I finished and his hand went wrapping around my throat. 

“ Ungrateful little cunt!” She shoved me away, the tray of soup pouring on the bed. I turned my head when I heard the door open.

“ Lock her up.” He ordered coldly and the man grabbed my arm roughly and yanked me from the bed.

I heard Zoe gasp, but my tear-filled eyes remained on him as I was being dragged out of the room.