CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER SEVEN

AVA

I was terrified with the speed at which that animal ran into us, I had never come across an animal as big as this in my entire life, not even in all my stay at the pack house, not even all the time I had spent in the forest training alone.

Even though I had made up my mind from my time in the forest to never let myself get scared of anything, I was still startled by this creature.

But still I did not give up. After Alpha Lesley was thrown away by the animal, I made it a point of duty to fight alongside him and get rid of the animal.

It was a bit challenging, but I held on. And within the twinkle of an eye alpha Lesley was back on his feet and we both fought the animal hand in hand. 

I gained a little upper hand, holding onto its horns. I tried to slit its throat by jumping on its back. But little did I know that I was setting myself up for a long run.

With just a little flip, I was thrown far away, not only away from the back of that mighty attacker, but far away from the venue of the fight.

I fell down with a heavy thud, feeling my head hit heavily on a three behind me.

"Ouch!" I exclaimed as I rubbed the back of my head tenderly.

I did not realize how serious the situation was until when I tried to stand up, I felt my leg stuck on something that felt like a trap.

At first I thought it was one of the regular traps I had encountered in the woods, but it turned out to be that this one was much worse.

I pulled even harder when I could not come out but it wouldn't bulge. That was when I realized that I was in great danger. I tried calling for help, at least maybe Alpha Lesley could help me. But it was obvious I was kilometers away from where he could hear me, I could not even hear the sounds from the fight with the animal, that again proved that I was far away from any help.

Not only was I stuck, but I was in severe pain, unexplainable pain.

The pain was almost unbearable. Every movement sent a jolt of agony through my body. The more I pulled, the more I felt more pain, the pain seemed to increase with every shot I gave at trying to save myself from the trap.

I tried to focus on anything but the pain, but it was all-consuming, to the point that it was hard to even concentrate on anything that is not the pain. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, and my breath coming in short, ragged gasps. Was this the end, was I finally going to die? After escaping death in the forest?

I tried as hard as he could to not let myself cry, I had gone beyond the phase where I would cry at the slightest injury.

 The forest around me seemed to blur and fade as I struggled to stay conscious. But I knew I had to keep fighting. I can't give up now. Especially since I knew that Alpha Lesley was out there fighting that unknown animal, he saved me once, and even offered me shelter. It was my turn to help him.

With that thought, I started pushing even harder to get out of the trap.

As I struggled to free myself, the pain got even more agonizing, I could feel my strength warning.

My limbs felt like lead, as if they were about to give up at any time. My head was spinning so badly that it felt like I would pass out at any time. I even felt a liquid trickle down my forehead and my legs, I knew it was not a seat, neither is it water. I was injured.

But still, I refused to give up, my time in the forest had taught me to be defiant and unwavering.

I dug my claws into the ground and pushed with all of my might while groaning at the same time, ignoring the pangs of pain that shot through me. I only had one aim, to get out of this trap.

While I pushed, I suddenly heard footsteps approaching. I immediately stayed still to make sure it was not my imagination. At that point, the only sound coming from me was the sound of my heart beat that sounded like my heart was revolting against my chest and planning an escape mission.

Alas, the footsteps got even closer, my heart sank when I was finally able to establish that the footsteps were real.

Was this one of the enemies Alpha Lesley talked about coming to finish me off completely? I had heard him talk about some rogues hiding in the forest, were they coming for me?

I gasped as I felt my heart pounding very fast against my chest. I braced myself up for the worst, but then all of a sudden I heard a familiar voice...

"Hey there, where are you? Don't tell me you are running away from me? Or are you in danger? Please reply to me so that I can save you."

Relief washed over me as I recognized the voice to be Alpha Lesley's voice.

I felt my muscles finally relax ever so slightly.

I tried to call out so he could hear me but it seemed like my voice was gone.

I tried to make my scent even more visible, and in no time. He had found me.

My muscles relaxed even more when he came into sight.

At least I would not be dying in this forest after all.

As Alpha Lesley approached me, looking a bit sweaty and haggard, obviously as a result of the fight with the animal. I felt bad that I did not stay with him till the end.

I felt a strange mix of emotions within me. Relief at seeing a friendly face which meant that I was not dying in the trap, fear at what would happen next, gratitude at being rescued from the jaws of death and exhaustion from all of my struggles to feel myself. my limbs ached and I felt dizzy and weak.

As he crouched beside me, I closed my eyes and let out a long sigh.

I took comfort in his warm hands on my shoulders, I wanted to speak to him and tell him all that happened but my throat was dry and my voice hoarse.

I realized I didn't even need to say anything, since he already understood my plight and showed sympathy.

I felt his strong arms pull me out of the hole ever so gently but at the same time firmly. Finally out of my misery, I felt my legs hit the forest floor gently. My head was spinning, and my whole body felt heavy and drained. But I tried to stand still as a strong independent woman that I had learnt to be.

I tried to put one foot after the other, trying to hide the fact that I felt like I would pass out any moment from now.

Alpha Lesley looked at me with concern all over his face.

"Are you okay?" He questioned with raised eyebrows.

"Of course I am, thanks to you." I smiled.

As we walked back to the pack, it was difficult staying still and walking normally with my hurt foot, it did not take long for him to notice that I was limping. I could feel his eyes on me, watching my every step. "You're hurt," he said gently. He even offered to carry me but I vehemently shook my head.

It was already embarrassing enough that I was like that in front of him, I did not want to be a burden.

 But then, I could feel my strength waning with every step. I knew I couldn't keep going much longer.

When I kept trailing behind, I noticed Alpha Lesley abruptly stop on his tracks.

"If you are going to continue walking like that, we might not get to the pack house till the year runs out." 

I was about opening my mouth to offer an apology, but then the word did not get to leave my mouth as he suddenly grabbed 

me, and before I knew what was going on I was thrown over his shoulder like a kid.