Chapter two

Aria’s POV

 I was taken out of the small prison after what felt like eternity and led to the council room. Where I knew my case would be judged and then appropriate punishment issued. A punishment I knew I didn't deserve because I had just found my mate and I believed my reaction was normal.

The council room included a small group of pack members including Lucas and  my sister, who threw  me a look of disgust and it hurt me deeply because she was the reason I suffered and was exiled for five years. 

Now, All I wanted was to get the protection from my mate but I was arrested because of that.

I stood in the corner of the room while I waited for their verdict. 

“You have been brought here for laying your hands on the alpha’s son and making a false declaration.” The council judge read out. 

“It isn’t false. I felt the… connection” I said in a bid to defend myself and darted my eyes to Lucas for a few seconds. 

“You still have the audacity to speak” 

“Just keep shut and face your punishment!” 

Those words came from the other pack members who were present. The council judge picked up the booklet to continue reading. 

“Wait!” Lucas loud voice was heard, “I have a better suggestion” 

“You may speak, sir” the council judge granted him permission. 

“Since you strongly claim to be my master,” he said, fixing his eyes on me and taking a step forward, “I would present you with a challenge, which grants you two options. The challenge is called The Run” Lucas stated and these earned gasps from the pack members because they all knew how risky this challenge was. 

Lucas stared at them to silence them, “So,

If you can survive until dawn while my best warriors hunt you with wolfsbane-tipped arrows, you will earn the right to speak and stay in the pack. If you fail, your death will be considered justice.” He declared. 

I gasped because wolfsbane was a dangerous poison capable of killing werewolves in the blink of an eye. I had half the mind to reject the offer but it was overpowered by a stronger desire to get what she wanted. 

“I accept,” I said firmly. Lucas had an expression of shock on his face and I knew he didn’t expect me to agree.

“Alright. Tonight, your fate shall be determined”

The judge declared. 

****************

The sun set and darkness soon fell. I knew The pack members were looking forward to the outcome of the challenge. It had been a while since they had someone accept such a challenge. 

I was prepared and Led to the entrance of the forest. “I would be kind enough to give you a five seconds head start but after that, there would be no mercy” Lucas said, then ordered his guards to wait five seconds before proceeding with the attack. 

I felt a shiver of fear run down my spine but I knew I had a chance of surviving because of my knowledge of werewolf medicine and the skills I had developed in the years I was away. 

The trumpet sound signified the start of the challenge and I immediately darted into the forest, expertly weaving through the large forest trees. And in a short while I was suddenly aware of the warriors’ presence behind me. They started shooting the wolfsbane arrow as they got closer and I managed to dodge them by swerving and ducking when necessary. 

There was no wolfsbane arrow for a while and I couldn’t feel their presence behind me but I continued running through the deep forest. I was beginning to get out of breath so I slowed my pace but I still kept on running. 

At that moment I felt the tip of the wolfsbane arrow graze my shoulder and I was distracted by the piercing pain from the arrow and didn’t see the huge cliff in front of me, so I stumbled and fell. 

I remained on the ground, with blood seeping out of the cut on my shoulder. I groaned in pain but then I remembered I had to be quiet to give the impression that I was dead. 

So I laid there on the ground clutching my shoulders and praying they would leave as soon as possible so I could heal myself. 

“She fell off that cliff. There is no way she would survive that” I heard a voice say and there were other voices that agreed with the speaker. A few moments later, I heard footsteps as they made their way away from the cliff. Soon, everywhere was silent.

I shifted into my wolf form because that is the only way I would be able to heal myself and I was just about to begin when I caught sight of a silver dagger sticking out of somewhere. 

I moved closer and saw that it was on another wolf. And it appeared to be in pain. As I got closer, I perceived the unique scent that belonged to my mate and I felt a strong attraction towards this wolf. 

I realized he was going to die if I did not save him now, so I shifted back to my human form and picked up my shirt, which was the only garment I could find. I threw it on and walked towards him. I groaned as I felt the pain on my shoulder become even worse. 

I crouched in front of him and tugged on the dagger gently, trying to get it out of him. I tugged on it gently a few more times before I was successfully able to get it out. And he cried out in pain as he shifted back to his human form. 

My eyes fell on his handsome face and I couldn’t hide my surprise.