CHAPTER 5

THE LONELINESS was the first thing that hit me after I had been running in the woods for almost a day. My feet hurt and I was sure blisters were forming already. As a human, I was not accustomed to being in the wild.

I was sure I was out of my father's pack territory, but I could not be sure because I didn’t have a wolf spirit that bound me to the lands. Thinking of the past 18 hours and the multiple betrayals I was served still made my heart thud painfully.

I swallowed in a pitiful attempt to dry my parched throat. It was a bad idea to leave without even carrying a water bottle. I sucked in this living in the wild thing, looking at the sky, I could tell that the sun was going down. Soon, it would be dark, and I was hungry, thirsty, and tired, and I still didn’t know where I was going.

I stopped walking to rest my legs and I heard the sound of a flowing river. Leaping in excitement, I immediately followed the sound until I came across a clear stream. I crouched in the shallow parts and scooped water up to my face and mouth. I had barely drank to my fill when I suddenly felt another presence behind me. I turned, looking around, wide-eyed, “Hello?” I called. “Is anyone there?”

If there’s anyone there, they won’t expose themselves like that, you stupid, I chastised myself as I silently waddled out of the water. My eyes were fixed on the shadows before me, then I heard the snap of a twig by my left. I turned sharply as a man walked out.

With the look on his face and the smile on his lips, I knew he was not up to any good.

“Hello, lady,” he grinned, showing yellow teeth.

“I-I am not alone,” I lied. “My partner is just -”

“There's no point lying,” he smirked, coming closer. “I can scent only you.”

He was a rogue werewolf.

I took a defensive stance, preparing myself to remember all the years of training that my father had taught me, but my hopes of winning were suddenly dashed when two other men came out, flanking me.

“It does not have to be like this,” one of the newcomers said, licking his lips as his eyes ran over my body. “We had all had a good time. There is no need for hostilities.”

I reached behind my back and pulled out the silver knife that was always strapped with me.

“She has a knife guys,” one of the men commented sarcastically. “Let’s turn and run away before she kills us with it.”

His companions chortled heartily.

The first man reached out to knock the knife from my hand but I dodged it easily, slashing and cutting him across his arm.

“Stupid bitch!” The laughter died from their eyes as he bled profusely. “When we are done with you, I will use that knife to slit your throat and toss you in the river.”

With the anger in his eyes, I knew he was serious but they were wary of me and my knife now. My eyes were so focused on the two in front that I did not notice when one of them crept behind and grabbed me from behind. He lifted me easily, keeping his grip tight around my arms so that I could not do anything but flail uselessly. He dumped me heavily on the floor and the knife was kicked out of my reach.

“Stupid bitch!” the bleeding man snarled again, kicking me hard on my chest. I groaned in pain and curled into a ball. “You will pay for cutting me.” He pulled me out and started to rip my clothes. I screamed and attacked him with my fingernails, scratching and biting.

“Hold her down,” he snarled to his friends. They immediately came forward, pressing my arms and legs to the floor as he opened his belt and pulled down his pants. His eyes shone and he licked his lips as he positioned himself between my legs. I bit my lower lip and shut my eyes.

Suddenly, he jerked and groaned before falling heavily on me. I felt a thick warm liquid pour from his chest. Blood.

Where he had stood a few seconds ago, a huge man now stood, towering over us and blocking out the moonlight beams. Like an angry shadow, he gripped the next man closest to him and there was a loud, resounding snap, the man went limp. Dead. He growled and spun, slamming into another of my assailants as the last one scrambled away frantically.

I grunted as I pushed the body away and stood up on shaky feet. Standing closer to this man made me feel even smaller. His posture was stoic and his gaze was cold and distant. He gave me a once-over look and turned away.

“Tie her up and bring her along,” his voice was deep as he spoke to the shadows.

Before I could turn around, I was grabbed again and a tight knot was tied around my wrist by people I had not noticed. I was pushed forward roughly after the large man. Almost a dozen people – skilled warriors had materialized from the hidden shadows.

Who were these people? I asked myself.

My eyes landed on the body of the last rapist who had run away. His internal organs were splayed on the floor. I gasped and covered my eyes with my tied-up hands.

Had I just gone from frying pan to fire with these ruthless, mysterious people?

What was going to happen to me now? I wondered as we marched along silently through the woods.