Chapter 2 : Saved?

Chapter 2: Saved?

*Claire*

Fear gripped me so hard that it was getting difficult to breathe. Instinct had my eyes snapped open when a rogue crashed through the trees and into the little clearing I had planned to camp out for the night.

“Shit!” Jumping to my feet, I cursed under my breath and started running for my life. He was large and covered in patched fur. His vicious eyes glinted in the dark, and he bared his teeth threateningly.

No way I could outrun a full-grown wolf, but over the past couple of years, I’d mastered the skill to avoid and evade.

This forest was nearing a pack. We, rogues, were well aware that if we dare set foot on pack territory, we would expect to be attacked, or worse, executed. I purposely set up my tent close enough to the pack border to reduce the likelihood of running into other rogues, but not enough to make my presence known to the pack and get myself killed.

I just didn’t expect some other rogue to have the same accommodation plan as me.

With harsh snarling coming from behind, I dove through the densest section of trees. The huge ugly wolf was behind me, so I pressed on, feeling the branches scrape against my arms and legs.

The snarling grew quieter, but I didn’t look back. No way I’d let those pointed teeth dig into the soft flesh at the back of my neck.

Fate didn’t kill me off in the past two years when I lost everything on my 18th birthday, therefore I wasn’t planning to give up my life so easily now. Uncle Ben’s last words haunted every second of my waking moment.

Stay alive and you must find him!

I didn’t know who I must find, but I had to try.

Well, first thing first, I needed to get rid of my persistent chaser.

I started to pant heavily as I ran, jumping over thick tree roots and pushing branches out of my path. I could barely see the forest floor as the last beams of the sunlight disappeared.

My lungs were burning as much as my legs but the rogue didn’t seem to want to give up. Racing toward a gap in the trees, I sucked in a breath when I slammed into a warm body.

“Ouch!”

My eyes adjusted just in time for me to watch the small woman I had bumped into fall to the cold ground.

I froze, staring down at her. She rolled and looked up at me with wide green eyes.

A vicious snarl echoed through the trees as the rogue lounged towards us, his stenchful saliva dripping from his hideous mouth. Bloodthirst and excitement glimmered in his eyes, which were now fixed on the young woman.

She shifted to her wolf immediately and got into a defensive stance, hissing back at the rogue.

Taking advantage of the distraction she brought, I picked up my pace and continued my escape.

Sure, her wolf was much smaller than his, but nonetheless, she actually had her wolf, and she was already ten times stronger than me. So she would be fine.

…Right?

Based on her attire, she wasn’t a rogue. Rogues normally couldn’t afford to wear something that clean and neat.

“Sorry,” I apologized silently to the innocent young woman who was pulled into a fight for no reason, but she’d be okay, and I needed to survive.

A pack was just around the corner and help would come for her soon enough. When they did, seeing her being attacked would be enough reason for them to kill the rogues in sight—me included.

A thud rang from behind me. I knew I should focus on running away, but stupid me, I couldn’t help but turn my head around to check on the young woman, just in time to see her small form hit the ground, already too weak to keep her wolf. The big ugly rogue was stalking towards her to give her a final blow.

Shit!

Instead of making the smart decision to continue running for my life, I picked up a fist-sized stone and charged back at the rogue.

“Hey, you uggo!” I taunted, successfully drawing his attention. His gaze shifted to me as my rock hit his head and disorientated him for a moment.

With a gasp, I dashed forward and pulled the young woman up, covering her with her cloak at the same time. Her eyes rounded as they registered it was me again.

“Run!” I shouted, still gripping her arm, but she didn’t move.

“The hell?” I snapped while the rogue let out an ear-splitting howl. He was furious now. She looked at me and the uggo one last time, her fear morphed into one of determination.

“This way!” She snatched my wrist and started to run. I choked on my gasp before barely ducking the branches she pulled me through.

I’d totally lost my direction now, but she seemed to know exactly where to go. After who knew how long of non-stop sprinting, my feet were heavy as lead.

“I-I can’t run any more!” I panted as I slowed down, waving my hands at her. “You go ahead and carry on!”

It was quiet and it appeared that we’d managed to lose our pursuer. Temporary crisis was resolved, and now it was time for us to part ways.

“It’s okay now,” she told me, gasping for breath as well, and she smiled slightly. “We’ve crossed the border into my pack’s territory. The rogue should move on if he doesn’t want to get killed.”

I froze. Damn it!

I was a rogue too. Not vicious or insane like the one chasing us, but a rogue all the same. And no, the last thing I wanted to happen this evening was getting killed due to trespassing.

“I’m Avery, by the way, Healer of Moonstone pack” she beamed, “Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Claire. Nice meeting you, too, Avery,” I said nervously, trying to step as far away from her as possible without raising suspicion. “But, um, I gotta go.”

Did she not realize I was a rogue too? I needed to get out of here before her pack would send guards after me.

“Wait a second!” She grabbed my wrist again. “The sun has set. These woods really aren’t safe in the dark. C’mon, why don’t you stay with me for the night?”

“Thank you, but I need to—”

Avery frowned. “Come with me. I’ll see about getting you refuge with my pack. You won’t last long in these woods on your own.”

I wouldn’t last long in your pack either.

However, she wasn’t wrong. It would be dangerous to get back to the woods now. Normally I would ensure my little campsite was safe during the daytime, but that wasn’t going to happen tonight.

“Avery,” a stoic male voice rose from the dark, interrupting my decision-making process. “Why have you brought a stranger back with you?”

Avery stepped in front of me and put her arms up toward a young man in a placating way. “This girl is not our enemy, Rob,” she said soothingly, putting an arm around my shoulders and pulling me against her side. “She’s in need of help. She has nowhere to go and needs shelter.”

Then she turned to tell me, “Rob is one of the patrol guards.”

Rob straightened out of his fighting stance, but his face remained hard. “Very well, but it isn’t up to you whether we help her or not, Avery. Only the Alpha can make that call.”

“Then lead the way please.” Avery requested.

Rob clearly wasn’t convinced that I wasn’t a threat, but he escorted us to the audience chamber regardless. I had a feeling that he wasn’t allowed to refuse, though it was clear he wanted to.

Avery took my hand as if I was her long lost friend and I saw sincerity in her eyes. Perhaps, if I could convince them while I was a lone wolf, I posted no danger to anyone, it wasn’t a bad idea to stay within the safe border for one night.

It didn’t take long to get to the pack center, and Avery managed to fish out and put on a set of new outfits from one of the tree holes along the way.

Most homes scattered the outer ring of packland were two-story dwellings, made of bricks or dark wood with stylized facades decorated with wolf motifs and carvings.

Then the buildings grew taller as we approached what looked like downtown. I could tell immediately which building was the audience chamber before Avery or Rob said anything.

It was the largest in the community. Dozens of stone steps leading up to the large arch doorway with intricate patterned double doors. As we ascended the stairs, I made out more wolf patterns in the reddish wood thanks to the bronze outdoor sconces on either side of the door.

Compared to its surroundings, this building was a lot more old-fashioned, even though it was perfectly maintained.

As if on their own, the large doors opened with a small creak that echoed through the obviously enormous room. Rob gestured for us to enter ahead of him.

The chamber was dimly lit and it was completely empty, except for the very end of the room. There was a throne that was even grander than the gorgeous doors we had just entered through, with gold, velvet cushions on it.

Rob led us to stand directly in front of the throne before he nodded curtly.

“Wait here,” he ordered, turning on his heel. “The Alpha will decide what becomes of you.”

All of a sudden, I felt unsettled. Had it been a mistake to come here?

As if she could sense my tenseness, Avery whipped her head around to look at me. “Don’t worry. Our alpha can come off as a little, um, intimidating, but he is a good man and a just leader.”

Well, Avery, you weren’t a very good liar.

Her standing there fidgeting nervously just made me more nervous. With the overbearing throne in front of me, I couldn’t help but feel I was about to face judgment, rather than ask for charity.

However, I tried to look convinced and offered Avery a small smile.

It only took a short moment before heavy, dominating footsteps echoed toward us, causing Avery to drop my hand so suddenly that I nearly stumbled back. She pulled off her hood, causing her dark hair to tumble down her back before ducking her head in a submissive manner.

Here we go. The Alpha was here!

I quickly did the same, biting my lower lip as I lowered my eyes to the floor.

He had entered the room. I didn’t even need to look to know that.

Dreadful silence filled the space. It was quiet to begin with, but now, it was eerily soundless. I wondered if everyone was holding their breathing, because I was. Even the air seemed to stop flowing.

Was he watching me?

I didn’t know. My gaze was glued on the floor, just like Avery, but my heartbeat was getting louder and faster every second that went by.

Finally, I wasn’t able to bear the overwhelming oppressing atmosphere any more, so I lifted my head slightly to take a peek.

My breath caught in my throat as I caught a glance of the Alpha.

He stood straight at the entrance, his massive size blocked most of the doorway. Yet, he didn't look bulky. His broad shoulders, trim waist, and long legs even made him look slender. He wore a black shirt and a pair of suit pants, yet they seemed a bit tight wrapping around his muscular limbs. Every inch of him screamed strength and power.

I looked up, and there was his face. It was the most gorgeous face I’d ever seen before.

His well-defined jawline was cleanly shaved and his full lips pressed tight. His straight nose made him look aristocratic, but the scar across his left cheek warned me that this man was dangerous. However, the scar didn’t reduce his beauty, if anything, it heightened his angular, sharp facial features.

And then, I saw his eyes. They were light brown, almost like amber, a mysterious and warm color. However, now that they were locked on me, all I could feel was chilled-to-the-bone coldness.

I almost gasped and his eyes narrowed. I dared not to breathe. My heart was thumping so fast that all I could hear was blooding rushing to my ears.

Thank the Goddess, he removed his gaze from me. However, there was no mistaking what I saw in his brown orbs.

Loathing.

But why?

He didn’t spare another look at me and stroked towards the throne. The chamber was large, but it did little to diminish this man’s massive size. As soon as he took his seat, dozens of other men and women began to file in.

My eyes grew round as they quickly surrounded me. A few others, most likely those of the inner circle, stood on either side of the alpha’s throne. The large throne room was now completely full but was still so quiet that I could hear a pin drop.

I tried to lower my eyes, but it was as if some invisible force was forcing me to look into his light brown eyes, despite the fact that they were narrowed dangerously at me. There was unnamed tension between us…a pull or a tether maybe, but I couldn’t even begin to explain.

Something flashed in his eyes, almost as if he felt the strange connection as well. He opened his mouth, and his deep voice wasn’t loud, but it seemed to contain the power to shake the entire room.

“Kill her.”