2. My Mate?!

Etizia's POV

It was the dead of night, with everyone in the Pack fast asleep, creating the perfect opportunity for me to escape.

Despite the locked windows and two guards stationed outside my room, I knew of a secret passage that only I was aware of.

With a small bag containing my essential belongings prepared, I braced myself for my daring getaway. Before opening the concealed door that led to the rear of our house, I took a final glance around my room.

The atmosphere was thick with silence as I cautiously navigated the narrow path, my heart pounding with tension.

I was acutely aware of the consequences that awaited me if I

were to be caught attempting to flee - a sentence of death by being forced into marriage with the Alpha King.

Moving as stealthily as a mouse, I managed to slip out of the house undetected, evading any unwanted attention. Beads of sweat trickled down my face, evidence of the adrenaline coursing through my veins.

Gasping for breath, I surveyed the imposing fence that encircled my father's grand mansion.

Once more, I surveyed my surroundings before stepping over the fence. Subsequently, I leaped down onto the solid ground and embarked on a sprint into the darkness of the night.

"Even if you manage to flee now, they will inevitably track you down, Etizia," my loyal wolf companion, Genivie, warned.

"Quiet! I must give it my all," I retorted as I continued my rapid pace.

"Are you planning to go into the human society? Do you honestly believe they won't apprehend you? The Alpha King will pursue you! You cannot elude the unbreakable bond forged by the Moon!"

"No. I will attempt it! I must try!" I declared.

Disregarding my wolf's cautionary words, I persisted in my aimless sprint.

I had been running for what felt like an eternity, causing the soles of my feet to become worn and my body yearning to collapse onto the grimy ground.

"It's because I failed to bring any water or sustenance with me," I muttered.

With only a small bag in my possession, I couldn't bring food or water with me.

This, despite the urgency to distance myself from my Pack, I recognized the need to take a moment to rest. This led me to choose a spot near a towering tree where I could sleep.

"Just a couple of minutes," I reassured myself as I settled down.

However, my body betrayed me. Unbeknownst to me, I slipped into a deep slumber, only to be awakened by the persistent calling of my wolf.

"Etizia! Etizia! Wake up!"

Startled, I jolted awake, perspiration coating my skin.

"What is it?" I inquired.

Before my wolf could provide an explanation, a delightful fragrance wafted through the air, causing my eyes to widen.

"Wait. Could this be...?" I murmured, my voice trailing off as my wolf confirmed my suspicions.

"Yes! You're correct, Etizia. This is the scent of your mate! He's on his way to find you!"

Summoning my strength, I rose to my feet.

My blood surged with heat, and my heart thumped forcefully within my chest. I knew I had to flee, yet my body seemed to contradict the thoughts racing through my mind.

On one side, I wanted to go and meet him.

On the other side, I must flee.

As I stood at the crossroads, torn between my desire to meet him and the necessity to escape, the latter won.

I propelled myself forward, distancing myself from the alluring fragrance that beckoned me.

'I shouldn't have sleep!' I blamed myself. I pushed my arms back and forth, jumping over the protruded roots of the trees and dodging the night's insects.

Using my keen sight as a wolf, I pumped my legs as fast as they could.

I zoomed under the shades of the trees; it felt as if I was soaring through the air like an eagle on a vital mission.

Yes, my mission was simple yet crucial - to survive until my hair turned gray.

Suddenly, the intoxicating scent vanished into thin air. Did I manage to find a way out? Catching my breath, I paused my frenzied pace and glanced back, hoping to find some reassurance.

The leaves created a space for the moonlight to shine through, casting an ethereal glow. At that moment, I felt completely alone, with no signs of life around me.

"Has he truly given up searching for me?" I pondered whether the Alpha King had finally realized that I had no desire to marry him and had accepted my decision.

But my wolf, always straightforward, interjected, "Are you out of your mind? Do you honestly believe that an arrogant and merciless King would respect your choice?" It was a harsh truth that I couldn't ignore.

Just as I was attempting to justify my actions, a sense of impending danger washed over me.

"Grrrrrrr..."

A menacing growl pierced the silence, causing me to freeze in fear.

I swallowed hard and slowly turned around, only to come face to face with a creature emerging from a dark cave. It had piercing eyes, a sleek black coat, and an imposing figure.

"It's a bear," I managed to say, trying to maintain a calm facade, though my trembling hands betrayed my true emotions.

Without a moment's hesitation, I sprinted in the opposite direction, the bear hot on my heels.

'I don't believe in fate, but am I really fated to die early!'

"Ugh! Stop chasing after me!" my desperate voice roared through the forest. Then, I called out a name without even realizing it, "Timothy! Please! Help me!"

Glancing over my shoulder, I observed the bear gaining momentum, closing in on me.

"Timothy! Timothy!" I continued to cry out repeatedly.

Yet, deep down, I knew there was no glimmer of hope that Timothy would arrive and rescue me. None at all.

I had only recently acquired my wolf companion, and I had yet to unleash its full potential and wolf out!

Is this how my story ends?

Abruptly, a sight caught my attention - a steep downhill slope.

Recalling Timothy's words about bears struggling to navigate downhill terrain, I made a daring decision to stake my life on this chance and stumbled down the slope.

My throat burned with each shallow breath, and my heart pounded relentlessly, threatening to burst from my chest. A stray twig grazed against my arm.

As I sprinted relentlessly, the bear appeared to be drawing nearer. Normally, it would have pursued me immediately, but it began to stumble and pause in its pursuit.

My vision was blurred, yet I continued to dash into the forest with the fervor of a madwoman.

Before I realized it, tears were streaming down my cheeks. I gathered up my cumbersome gown and pressed forward, but the bear persisted in its pursuit.

The chase persisted on the barren hill for an unknown duration until I finally stumbled over a tree root.

Oh dear.

I attempted to rise, but my weary muscles refused to cooperate. My trembling body collapsed onto the ground, and the enraged creature drew closer and closer.

Tears trickled down my grimy cheeks and fell onto the earth. Gasping for air as the bear charged towards me, I shut my eyes.

Timothy crossed my mind.

It was a fortunate coincidence that my final memories would be the pleasant ones I shared with him.

Just as I took one last breath, the bear suddenly let out a roar.

"Grrrr!"

I flinched, my body still devoid of feeling.

A resounding thud echoed through the air, followed by a fierce roar.

The sound of snapping branches reached my ears.

What was happening?

How was I still alive?

I attempted to pry open my eyes, huddling against the tree, trembling from the cold and unable to budge. With a deep breath, I managed to crack them open.

"…!"

Suppressing a groan, I swallowed hard.

Right before me, a colossal black wolf leaped onto the bear, pinning it down with its weight.

And then, the delightful scent returned.

My wolf urgently exclaimed in my mind, 'THAT'S YOUR MATE!'