Chapter 4 The Escape

(Hilda)

The cabin’s suffocating walls formed a prison that made me almost lose myself completely. So I was pleasantly surprised when two of Damon’s men grabbed me and threw me on the cold hard ground outside. I looked up and there were a dozen or more of them all standing around me with bow and arrows in hands.

Then the realization hit me. They wanted to hunt me for sport.

I thought Damon’s cruelty had reached its limit, apparently not.

“Go on, little wolf. I’ll give you a head start!” Damon said, smiling maliciously at me.

I know it’s not a smart move to comply, but every fiber of my being screamed for freedom.

The night was my ally. The moon hung high, casting a silver glow over the forest. I moved quickly, my footsteps silent against the forest floor. Each step took me further from the cabin, from Damon’s grip, and towards the unknown. But I knew this journey wouldn’t be easy. 

As I pushed through the underbrush, the sound of men shouting and the pounding of feet against the ground filled the air. They were right behind me. 

Panic surged through me, and I forced my legs to move faster. My heart pounded in my chest, matching the frantic rhythm of my thoughts. 

“Don’t let her escape!” A voice shouted from behind me. 

The urgency in their voices spurred me on. I dodged trees and leapt over fallen logs, the forest blurring around me. My muscles burned, and my lungs screamed for air, but I couldn’t stop. I wouldn’t stop. 

The twang of a bowstring cut through the night, followed by the whistling of arrows. Terror gripped me as I realized they started shooting at me. 

I zigzagged, hoping to throw off their aim. The first arrow grazed my shoulder, sending a searing pain through my body. I stumbled but kept running. 

A second arrow found its mark, embedding itself in my leg. Pain exploded, and my vision blurred. I cried out, my steps faltering. With a final, desperate effort, I rolled down a hill, tumbling through the undergrowth. The world spun around me, and I came to a stop at the bottom, gasping for breath. 

I used up my last strength to crawl into a thick bush, my body trembling with pain and exhaustion. The taste of blood filled my mouth, and I could feel the darkness closing in. As I lost consciousness, I prayed that they wouldn’t find me. 

In the darkness of my mind, I dreamed of a great wolf. Its fur was silver, shimmering like a moonlight. It stood before me, its massive head bumping against mine. A warmth spread through me, soothing my wounds and easing my pain. I felt a connection, a bond that went deeper than anything I had ever known. 

When I finally came to, the world was hazy and disorienting. My body ached, but the searing pain had dulled to a manageable throb. I tried to sit up, but a gentle hand held me down. 

“Easy now,” a soothing voice said. “You’re safe.” 

I blinked, trying to focus. A strange man was holding me, his eyes filled with concern. His touch was gentle, and I could feel a strange energy radiating from him. My wolf stirred within me, whispering a truth that I could hardly believe. 

It can’t be…

Even though I know logically, me and Soren are no longer mates. But a second chance mate this quickly?

Confusion and hope warred within me. I searched the man’s eyes, looking for answers. “Who are you?” I croaked, my voice weak. 

“I found you injured in the forest,” he said, his voice calm and reassuring. “I brought you here to heal.” 

I looked around, realizing we were in a small, cozy cabin. The scent of herbs and wood smoke filled the air, and a fire crackled warmly in the hearth. I could feel the power of the earth around us, a soothing presence that helped to ease my mind. 

The man’s touch was warm, and I felt a connection to him that I couldn’t explain. It was as if my soul recognized him, even though we had never met. My wolf’s certainty gave me comfort, but the reality of the situation weighed heavily on me. 

Can I trust him?

“Damon’s men… they were chasing me,” I said, my voice trembling. “I need to get away from here. They’ll find me.” 

The man’s expression hardened, and a fierce determination shone in his eyes. “You’re safe here. They won’t find you. I’ll make sure of it.” 

I wanted to believe him, but fear still gnawed at me. “Why are you helping me?” I asked, searching his face for any sign of deceit. 

He smiled softly, his eyes never leaving mine. “Because you’re my mate. And I protect what is mine.” 

The words sent a shiver through me. The bond between mates was sacred, a connection that couldn’t be easily broken. But the idea of a second chance mate was something I had never considered. The pain from Soren’s betrayal was still fresh, and the thought of opening my heart again was unthinkable. 

 I had already lost so much in such a short amount of time, I barely knew where to start. I needed to focus on survival, on finding a way out of this nightmare. 

The man seemed to understand my hesitation. “I know you’re been through a lot,” he said gently. “I won’t rush you. But know that I’m here for you, and I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.” 

My rescuer stood watching me, offering his silent support. His presence was a balm to my wounded soul. He looked up at me, his eyes filled with concern. 

Maybe it was the exhaustion, or the way he looked at me, but something about it felt right. It felt safe. 

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I nodded, too overwhelmed to speak. The relief of finding someone who cared, who wanted to protect me, was almost too much to bear. I wanted to dwell in this moment a little longer, even if all of this turned out to be another lie.