Chapter 4: Into the Rogue Territories

If you want to live, keep on moving.

Dax's words sounded like a deep growl, his eyes flying across the black woodland. Every muscle in his body was tight, coiled like a spring, ready for assault or protection.

My legs blazing from his pace, I staggered after him. Every stride caused the agony in my side to pulse, yet I dared not slow down. Closer now, behind us distant howling rang across the woods.

"What is it?."I pained, my voice quivering.

"Not what—who." His voice was sharp, his attention relentless. Territory of rogues. They neither abandon survivors nor hunt in packs.

A shiver ran down my spine, and my wolf moved slowly, eager to fight yet tired from the previous encounter.

"Why are they seeking after us?Pressing, I asked.

"Because you went across their boundaries. And therefore they will view you as weak, he said without turning around. "Which qualifies you as a target?"

As we descended into the renegade territory, the ground become more hostile. Dax walked precisely, negotiating the trees as if it were second nature, thick roots hooked at my ankles and branches tore at my arms.

"Stay close," he said, looking across his shoulder.

I staggered over a root and said, "I am close." His hold strong and consistent, he caught my arm before I dropped.

His voice calm but pointed, "You're slowing us down."

Remember? I did not ask for this.I shot back, whirling my arm free.

Dax's eyelids closed, a flickering of something—concern? Frustrated?Then crossing his face. Still here, then is the case. So keep on moving and stop moaning.

Bit back a response, my pride aching. But the cries were nearer now, and debating would not help us.

The exhilaration started to evaporate as we pushed on, replaced by tiredness and discomfort. My steps stammered and my vision grew fuzzy. Dax saw right away, his hand reaching out to balance me.

"Zaia." His voice now sharpened and carried anxiety. " You are bleeding once more."

I pushed by him, lying, saying, "I'm fine."

"Great?He forced me to halt by stepping in front of me. You barely stand.

I shot him, my chest constricting with a mix of guilt and resentment. "I need your pity not here."

"It's not pity," he said, his voice softer but no less forceful. "Survival here is what it is. And if you keep acting as though you are unbeatable right now, you will not make it.

His focused attentiveness caused my breath to stop. The hostility between us appeared to vanish for a time, then something heavier replaced it—something I wasn't ready to call.

He pulling off his jacket and putting it over my shoulders said, "Here." At least try to live as you want to.

I hesitated, taken aback by the unannounced gesture. I said, "Thanks," tightening the jacket about me.

"Don't thank me yet," he added, slightly smiling. When this ends, you will owe me.

Assuming we survive, I shot back, unable to resist.

His smile grew wider, and for the first time his eyes showed a flutter of affection. "Good to see you still fighting."

The release was fleeting. The underbrush rustled, and the air grew weighty with the danger fragrance. Dax froze; his head swung toward the sound.

His voice low but firm, he said, "Stay behind me."

Three rogues surfaced from the shadows before I could reply, their eyes shining with hunger and hate.

One of them drawled, "Well, well,," his smile fierce and predatory. "What do we have right now? A tiny Alpha dismisses her caregiver?”

Dax was not flinching. "Walk away," he commanded with a hard, relentless tone.

The renegade laughed, a gruff, nasty sound. "You outnumber me. Actually, do you believe you could guard her?""

Dax's eyes hardened, his wolf coming to the surface. Test me.

The conflict erupted like a snapping branch. Dax rushed fast and mercilessly at the closest renegade. Turning automatically, my wolf came alive as I confronted the second assailant.

The fighting was relentless and fierce. With his claws cutting through flesh with trained ease, Dax battled with a terrible yet hypnotic accuracy.

Rising against the second rogue, I avoided his strikes and landed a strong bite on his shoulder. But the third wolf was fast, his claws raking across my back sending me flying.

I staggered to get up, my vision whirling as pain burst through me.

Zenia!Dax's voice sliced through the fog, before I could register what was happening he was there, pushing the renegade off me with a wild snarl.

The rogues withdrew, their cries muffled far away. Dax bent next to me, his hands hovering over my cut.

"You're hurt," he replied, his voice tense with hardly subdued rage.

I answered automatically, "I'm fine," but my body betrayed me with a painful shudder.

"No, you're not," he said sharply. And you are done posing like.

Though his annoyance was evident, underneath it was fear. Not for me but for you.

"Why are you so very concerned?My voice just above a whisper, I asked.

He went silent for a long time. Then, gently, he continued, "Because you're not as weak as you believe. And I won allow them to pull you down.

Dax's words hung in the air, loaded with unsaid meaning. But before I could reply, a fresh sound emerged from the silence—this time, a faraway voice rather than a howl.

"Zaia...".

My blood cooled. I was aware of voice.

Sebastian..