Chapter 6

Elizabeth’s POV

Slowly and reluctantly, I opened my eyes. I blinked several times to clear the hazy vision as I scrutinized my surroundings in confusion.

Then, I found myself in an unfamiliar dim place.

The moonlight shone through the window, brightening the room. And when I looked in front of me, bells rang inside my head.

In front of me, I saw a tall man with black hair, tanned skin, and sharp eyes. He was so handsome that I caught myself in awe. Thanks to his strong aura, I snapped myself.

I crawled backward and protected my body with all my might.

 “W-Who are you? W-Where am I?”

He opened his lips and answered my question right away.

“My name is Hogan. You are in the Black Lake Pack.”

As soon as he said those, I remembered the last thing I heard from Elaina before I lost consciousness.

[“Hurry up, Max. The Blood Moon Pack people are here. We need to send this bitch as soon as possible.”]

If he is Hogan and I am in the Blood Moon Pack, then…

“B-Black Lake P-Pack? And you are… H-Hogan?! Then, you are the cursed wolf! Aren’t you?!” I shouted while pointing at him.

I was sent here as a sacrificial lamb.

I asked the question to know my situation. But I felt guilty as soon as I saw his reaction. His face was so dark, and he looked so hurt by my words.

‘It’s odd. Why would I feel guilty toward a monster who might kill me soon?’

Is it because I was attracted by his handsome face?

Still, I don’t want to live with him.

Once I have a chance, I need to run away as soon as possible.

“You are Elizabeth, right?”

His voice was deep and husky, as if there were sandpapers inside his throat. It was so attractive, just like his face. When I looked back at his face, I saw it distorted everywhere.

My apparitions crumbled.

Hogan was glaring at me. With just that, I already imagined dying at his hands. Fear pumped dark wine through my veins, and my shivering body was telling the whole story.

‘He was probably mad because I wasn’t listening well.’

“I am sorry,” I apologized. “Sorry for not listening. Please forgive me.”

Hogan smiled a little, which caught me off guard.

‘This is foul. I knew deep inside that I should be scared of him. But if he smiles like that, what should I do?’

No. Don’t be fooled. This man is a cursed wolf! He is my grim reaper!

“I heard rogues growl outside. I need to check it. It’s dangerous so stay in this room,” he said.

Since he was going out, I will have the chance to escape.

“O-Okay. I will stay here,” I promised.

Hogan turned around and left the room.

Finally, I could breathe.

I held my chest and looked outside the window.

My blood rushed into my ears and clogged my thoughts while I was finalizing my plan. I waited until I saw Hogan leave the house.

‘Please just go. Please just go away!’

When Hogan was completely out of my sight, I didn’t waste my time and escaped.

As I emerged from Hogan’s house, I found myself in the dark forest. Were it not for the bright moon in the night sky, I would have lost my way in the dusk.

As I ran, the tension lurked behind me as I tried not to be seen by Hogan.

If I was caught escaping, he might kill me, right?

“Haa…haa!”

I had been running for ages.

The soles of my feet had been worn out and I felt like lying down on the dirty ground.

Sweating, I sat near a huge tree.

Silence filled the air.

I felt thirsty after the long run. But more than that, I felt so empty.

Right now, I am sitting alone here in a strange place, thinking about where I should go.

I really really wanted to go back home and ask for my dad’s help. But if I go right away, Max and Elaina will catch me back.

“But I don’t want to be a rogue either.”

The life of the rogue is harsh. With my current state, I knew I cannot live and travel alone.

I cried so hard while my wolf whimpered.

I looked above and asked the goddess of the moon why I am experiencing all of this.

All paths were blocked.

Even if I stay with Hogan, it won’t do any good.

How pathetic of me. Getting rejected and being in this place after running away.

“Dad. I am so scared. I don’t want to live like this. Please, help me.”

“Grrr.”

“Ahh!” I gasped at the growling sounds.

Shhssshh…

The shadow of the bushes danced terrifyingly, and I heard footsteps coming.

I stood up and was about to move away from the sounds, but it was too late.

Several men appeared in front of me.

“Oh? A female?”

“Why is there a lost pup here in the middle of the night?”

Breathing heavily, I stepped back. However, another man appeared behind me. I was cornered in the center.

“So, this is where the sweet smell comes from. Grr.”

“She’s fucking pretty too.”

I hunched my shoulders, trying so hard to make any contact with them.

‘Rogues. They are rogues.’

It is rare for rogues to travel in groups. Often, they get together for a short amount of time to rebel against a certain pack and attack it.

Regrettably, I met a group of wild beasts.

“Hey.”

Someone touched my arm, and I squealed.

“No! Ugh!”

But another pulled me and locked me with his arms.

“Let me go!” I screamed.

“Where are you from, pretty lad?”

I looked at the man who asked me the question.

Even if Elaina and Max betrayed me, I couldn’t drop my pack’s name. It was the pack my father loves the most.

“Did you run away from your pack?” another asked and started sniffing my neck.

His breath tickled me, and at the same time, it brought spine-twisting terror to me.

“If you want, we can tag you in our group,” the third rogue suggested before I felt his hand gripping my legs.

“N-No, d-don’t touch me please!” I begged, crying.

“It’s hard to ignore your scent. Better give up and have fun with us,” the man, who was holding both of my hands whispered in my ear. He stuck out his tongue and licked my ear, causing a moan to slip out of my lips.

“A-Ahhh…” a quivering voice growled in my throat.

“Her body is thin. But her face would do the job.”

“Take off her clothes.”

As they laid me down on the grass, there was a furious and incessant booming swelled against my rib cage. My wolf warned me of the danger. But my strength wasn’t enough to push them away.

“Don’t touch me! Ugh! Ahhh! Please! Someone help me!”

One ripped my clothes. The other kissed my lips. I pursed my lips closed while crying.

“Hmmp!”

“Don’t resist anymore. You’ll only get hurt.”

“Ahh!”

I wriggled my legs, but someone pinned them down. The next thing, I felt a thick and wet lump licking my legs.

“So sweet.”

“N-No!”

I swung my hands and threw punches. But one caught my wrist and pinned both of my hands overhead.

“Shit. She’s so stubborn.”

“Let me go!” I cried out loud.

One of my legs escaped from the man’s grip. As soon as it did, I kicked him away.

“Argh!”

I sat up and bit the arm of the man who was holding my hands.

“Fuck!”

I quickly stood up and ran.

“Where are you going, bitch?!”

But the third rogue caught me from behind. He hugged me tightly, and he fondled my br*ast with his right hand.

“Ackkkk!” I winced in pain because he was squeezing my chest so hard.

“STOP RESISTING, BITCH!” he shouted before his other hand groped the center of my thighs.

“Uck! No!”

He roughly rubbed me there, and my knees wobbled in pain.

As I did my best to escape from his grip, I lost my balance and soon fell flat on the ground.

I twisted my foot and hurt my leg in the process.

“Ahhhh…”

Crying and wincing, I looked up at the three men surrounding me.

Their grins told me what I am about to experience under their hands.

They will do everything they want in my body and … they will kill me afterward.

I crawled backward, dragging my injured leg. But the rogue held my ankle and pulled me back to my place.

“Ahh!”

My back was scratched by the thorny plants beneath. Laying on the grass, I looked up and saw the silhouette of the evil rogues. Beside them, the moon was shining brightly.

‘So, this is how I die. Getting raped and dying alone in the forest.’

“It’s not fun anymore. Let’s make it quick.”

Their dirty hands began to grope my body as I helplessly shouted for help.

Even though I knew nothing would change.

“What are you doing?”

A voice stopped the world’s axis.

Almost naked, I looked at the man who came. My eyes widened when I saw Hogan!

“H-Hogan,” I called.

Hogan’s red eyes glanced at me for a few seconds, and then he looked at the three rogues who almost stole my chastity.

“Isn’t it obvious?”

“We are enjoying a feast.”

“We found her first, so go away.”

“No!” I shouted. “Please he…”

I hadn’t finished my words when I saw a head flying right into my eyes.

Blood spurted on my face.

In slow motion, Hogan beheaded a man. The lifeless head flew, crossing the moon. I followed it with my widened eyes.

When the head hit the ground, the bubble of time popped.

Sounds came back.

The two rogues swiftly left me and wolfed out.

They encircled Hogan, glaring at him with their fierce eyes, and growling ferociously.

The sound rattled my bones as I sat up and watched the barbaric scene that would unfold in front of me.

“You dared kill Luka!” one launched at Hogan, claws spread and ready to kill.

He and Hogan collided, tearing each other.  Hogan swiped at him, cutting a gash in his ear. The rogue bit Hogan’s unguarded shoulder. But soon, his teeth lost their grip and Hogan threw him away.

He flew back, knocking on the tree behind him. He fumbled to his paws, his ears flat on his head, smearing blood.

As he died, the last rogue trembled in sight. He tried to escape but Hogan yanked him backward and threw him into the thick tree, cracking his ribs.

The rogue fell onto the ground with a thud, breathing heavily and wincing from the effort.

He looked at Hogan and mumbled, “A-Are you the guard of the Blood Moon Pack? T-The cursed Rogue?”

Hogan didn’t reply. Instead, he sauntered towards him and towered at the last rogue.

“No! Please don’t kill me! I will never touch that woman! I will go as far as I can!”

Hogan paid no attention to his pleas. He raised his paws and finished him by cutting his head with his sharp claws.

Thud.

Within a short period, the rogues were flat dead on the ground.

Breathing heavily, I looked up at Hogan.

He was standing in front of me with blood all over his face.

My heart was frozen with fear, yet I was unable to run away with my paralyzed legs.

‘This is the cursed man who killed ruthlessly. And Elaina wanted me to stay with him in her stead?’

He walked towards me and raised his hand. “Are you…”

Thinking that he might kill me the way he did to the other rogues, I instinctively but his arm fiercely.

“Grr!”

I thought he would throw me away, but Hogan kept me close while watching me bite him.

“Stop it. Let go of my arm.”

I was shaken up for a moment, but when I saw the blood, my teeth buried deeply in his arms.

Yet, Hogan didn’t flinch. He looked so unbothered, and rather, he seemed too tired to deal with me.

“Is that how you show gratitude to someone who saved you?”

Something hit my head and I felt dizzy.

My teeth and fangs let go of his arm as the world swirled. I felt warm arms hugging me and pulling me closer. 

Hogan's scent surrounded me immediately, which reassured and confused me.

‘It is good to be hugged like that.’

‘But why would he do all of these?’

“Did he really save me or just like those bastards, he wanted my body?” This is my last thought before I lost consciousness.