THE RESCUE

CHAPTER 4: THE RESCUE.

KAELAN:

My warriors and I were on a regular duty of patrolling our borders every evening when I caught the scent of blood. The rogues’ foul stench was strong and unmistakable, but there was something else. Something faint yet familiar.

“Stay focused and alert,” I ordered my warriors as we followed the trail.

As soon as we turned the corner into the alley, the sight before me made my blood boil. There were three rogues attacking a lone wolf—a woman.

“Enough!” I growled, my Alpha aura washing over them like a wave.

The rogues froze, and their eyes widened as they turned to face me. My warriors flanked me, with low menacing growls.

“Alpha,” one of the rogues stammered, as he started to back away.

“Get out of my territory,” I commanded, with a cold and threatening voice. “Now.”

They didn’t need to be told twice. The rogues took to their heels, their tails between their legs. My warriors wanted to teach the cowards a little lesson but I held them back. Engaging in a combat in front of the girl might frighten her further. Besides, she needed to be taken to the clinic immediately.

I turned my attention to the woman. She was curled on the ground, her breathing shallow. Her scent hit me again, wild flowers and rain soaked earth. The scent was stronger this time, and my wolf surged forward.

Mate.

I crouched beside her and took a thorough look at her. “Are you alright?”

She nodded weakly, looking into my eyes. She probably was a strong woman to be able to withstand the attack of the Wolves but at this point, she looked so vulnerable and I felt something tug at my heart as I carefully brushed the hair from her face. She was injured, her clothes tattered, but as she looked up at me, I could see defiance in her eyes.

“Who are you?” she whispered, with a hoarse voice.

—

EVERLY:

I looked at the man before me and wondered where he appeared from. He probably was a messenger of the Moon Goddess, as he seemed to radiate power, his amber eyes piercing as he studied me. He was unlike anyone I’d ever seen—tall, broad, with an aura that commanded respect..

“I’m Kaelan,” he said, his tone gentler than before. “Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack. And you?”

“I’m Everly,” I said softly, wincing as I tried to sit up.

“Don’t move yet,” he said, his voice firm but not unkind. “You’re hurt.”

I shook my head. “I’ll be fine.”

His brow furrowed, and for a moment, he looked worried about me.. “Those rogues attacked you and you almost got yourself killed. Why are you out here alone?”

The question stung more than I expected. “I... I don’t belong to any pack anymore.”

I watched as his expression darkened, and something like anger flashed in his eyes. “What happened?”

I opened my mouth as if to narrate my life’s story but no word came out. I lowered my lashes, fighting back a flood of tears that threatened to spill out.

He watched me for a moment. “They abandoned you?” he asked when he received no response from me.

“I left,” I corrected, my voice barely above a whisper. “It’s... a long story.”

He seemed to imagine my situation, as his gaze softened. “Well, you’re not staying here a minute longer. Come with me.”

I blinked, taken aback. “What?”

“You can’t stay in this alley,” he said simply. “It’s dangerous for you. Come on, my pack will take you in.”

I hesitated for a moment. I found it difficult to trust people these days , especially after what I’d been through. “Why would you do that? You don’t even know me.”

He leaned closer, his eyes locking onto mine. “Well, no one deserves to live like this. And I think the Moon Goddess sent me here for a reason.”

His soothing words stirred something deep in my heart and I felt a flicker of hope I hadn’t felt in months. But I reminded myself that hope was dangerous. It made you vulnerable.

“I don’t need your pity,” I said, my voice firmer than I felt.

He smiled, a small, almost sad smile. “Good. Because I don't feel pity for you, Everly. I’m offering you a chance to rebuild whatever it is your former pack took from you.”

Well a chance was what I needed right now. But the problem was if I was willing to trust him. But with the look of things right now, do I even have a choice? If not for his timely intervention, I would probably be dead by now.

I nodded slowly, my voice soft. “Okay. I'll go with you.”

—

KAELAN:

I felt relieved when she agreed to come with me. There was a fire in her, even in her broken state, that called to my wolf.

I took her hand and helped her to her feet, supporting her weight as we walked back to the patrol team. She leaned against me, her steps wobbly but determined.

When we reached the others, my Beta, Duncan, raised an eyebrow. “Who’s this?”

“Her name is Everly,” I said in a simple tone, my tone leaving no room for questions. “She’s coming with us.”

Duncan nodded, but I could still see the curiosity in his eyes.

As we made our way back to the Crescent Moon territory, I couldn’t help but glance at Everly every now and then. She was quiet, her gaze focused ahead, but she had a strength that I couldn’t ignore.

Whatever situation that had brought her to that alley, whatever it was that had left her scarred and alone, I would make sure she never felt that way again.

The Moon Goddess doesn’t make mistakes. And I had a feeling She had finally remembered me.