Two

Chapter 2 

Leena's Pov 

I had to run. Quickly. I had to get help and the only person who could help me was him. My lover. The one whom I thought I was going to be given to. 

I passed through the back bushes, careful not to make any noise. Making my way to the back door, I opened it slowly, softly, and then filtered into the house, my footsteps light and airy. 

“Vin.” I called out softly, frowning when no one answered me. Where was he? I sniffed the air, waiting for his scent to hit me but still, the house smelled stale and dry. Like he hadn't been home in a while. 

Vin was lame, so he couldn't have been able to walk far. I stepped back outside, sniffing the air until I found his trail, which I followed. It led to a clearing, where the moon shone directly on the ground, so it was very easy for me to see what was going on. I crouched down, using the bushes to camouflage myself. There he was, with three other people, two men and a woman whom I recognised pretty well. 

She was one of the omega's who had always bullied me. Sera, that was her name and her arms were placed intimately on Vin's, her body pressing against his. 

“V…” 

“It's better that she gets killed, I won't have to concern myself over her smelly ass ever again.” Sera began, her lips moving fastly, “Didn't you say that you sold her to some slave traders or something? For how much, can you remind me again?” 

I froze, my breath caught in my throat. Sold? What were they talking about? Vin sold me to slave trader's? 

“Oh. I sold her just for a penny and a few bags of food. You know the Alpha has been rationing food these days. It'll serve us and our baby for a few months.” 

Vin. My Vin. The man I had trusted with my life. The one I had thought was my salvation, my escape from the torment of this pack. He had betrayed me.

For a penny. It was impossible for me to pretend that I had misheard. There he was, standing casually with Sera and the others, his expression far too relaxed for someone whose mate was being hunted.

My heart clenched painfully, but I forced myself to remain silent. This was not the time to confront him. Not yet.

Sera’s voice rose again, sharp and mocking, “A penny, huh? That’s what her life’s worth to you? You’re pathetic, Vin, but I guess I can’t blame you. She was useless anyway. Always clinging to you, expecting you to fix her messes.”

Vin laughed, and the sound sent a chill down my spine. It was a laugh I had never heard before, cold, cruel, and utterly devoid of the warmth I once believed he had for me.

“She’s not my problem anymore.” He said, shrugging, “Once the people the Alpha sent to find her finds her, it’s over. And if they don’t, the slave traders will. Either way, I’m free. She was just dead weight holding me back.”

I bit down hard on my lip to keep from crying out. The coppery taste of blood filled my mouth, but it was nothing compared to the agony in my chest.

I had to get out of here. Now.

Backing away slowly, I moved as silently as I could through the bushes. They were too wrapped up in their conversation to notice me slipping away.

So I ran.

The forest seemed darker than before, my breaths came in short, panicked bursts, and my legs ached, but I couldn’t stop.

The people after me were close. I could feel it. I didn't even know how far I had run up until I stumbled into a small clearing, my foot catching on a root. I fell hard, my head hitting the ground, my palms scraping against the ground. Pain shot through me, but I scrambled to my feet, ignoring the sting.

That was when I saw the hut. Why was there a hut in the middle of nowhere? It was small and old, almost blending into the forest if not for the faint glow of light coming from the window. I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I should approach. What if whoever lived there wasn’t friendly? What if they turned me over to the assassins?

But I didn’t have a choice. I couldn't keep running. 

My pursuers were closing in, their scents faint but still very noticeable. Desperation drove me forward. I pushed open the door and slipped inside, my breath hitching as I closed it quietly behind me. I didn’t see anyone, but the scent of freshly brewed tea told me someone was here.

Before I could make sense of my surroundings, I heard voices outside.

“Her footprints lead here.”

“She must be inside.”

My heart leapt into my throat. They had found me.

I crouched low behind a stack of boxes, my body trembling as the door rattled. The sound of heavy footsteps on the porch made my blood run cold.

But then, before the assassins could enter, a voice rang out.

“Who dares trespass on my land?” The voice was deep and commanding, filled with an authority that made even the air seem to hold its breath.

I peeked through a crack in the wall, my breath hitching at what I saw.

A tall man with broad shoulders and piercing eyes stood outside the hut. His presence was magnetic, almost otherworldly, and the assassins, six of them, visibly faltered at the sight of him. Did they know him? Why did they look so scared?

“We’re looking for someone, my lord.” One of the assassins said, his voice shaky despite his attempt to sound firm.

“And who gave you permission to trespass here?” The man demanded, his tone colder than ice.

The assassins exchanged nervous glances. One of them stepped forward, clearly the leader of the group, “This has nothing to do with you. Hand her over, and we’ll be on our way.”

“Hm.” He hummed coldly, flexing his fingers. And like his actions were a timer, the assassins rushed towards him, their weapons outstretched. However, within the blink of an eye, all six men were on the ground, their bodies twitching. Within seconds, they were dead. 

I could feel the bloodlust exuding from his body as he chuckled darkly. I let out a shaky breath, my body falling with fear. Panic surged through me. What if he killed me like he killed them? Who was he? 

I was beginning to get lost in my thoughts when his voice echoed in the room, “Come out. Now.” 

“Or else I'll kill you as well.” Another voice entirely said, and then I realised. There were two people. Brothers. And for some reason, she felt pulled to them.