Five: In hiding

Aria’s POV

I peeped from the back of the tree where I’d been hiding but I couldn’t see anyone. I didn’t hear any sounds except that of birds chirping and the current of the lake ahead. I released a deep breath as I limped from my hiding spot towards the lake. 

As soon as I was a few feet from the lake, I fell on my knees and winced as pain coursed through my entire body but gently, I lowered myself to a sitting position. I glanced around my environment, with my heart still beating wildly from how fast I’d limped just to get away from the alpha.

It was the first time I’d come in contact with him and the first time he’d noticed me. The moment my eyes landed on his forest green orbs, my dad’s warning drummed in my head.

“You must stay far away from the alpha and make sure he doesn't notice you,”

My dad had constantly sung these words in my ears from the moment we moved into BlackMane. His reasons for wanting me to keep a low profile, especially from the alpha, was because we were immigrants and couldn’t be discovered. Even the house address I’d given at the school and my name were all false. It was to hide our identity just in case the alpha of our original pack, the DarkSouls pack, came in search of us after finding out about my father’s crime. But apart from that, I had been threatened by my father to stay away from all men because I was an abomination, the last of an extinct werewolf breed.

I was a sigma wolf and as a result, I sent off intense sexual energy to wolves of the opposite gender that came in contact with me. It was the same way I’d affected my dad and he’s been trying to keep me from all other men, or else I’d face more assault from strangers. And it was the same reason why I had to mask my scent with heavy perfume whenever I left the house.

I glanced back in the direction of the school again, engaging my wolf’s sensitive ears to listen for any sounds of approaching footsteps but I heard nothing.

As soon as I’d seen the alpha, I’d quickly escaped out of the school premises through the broken fence at the back, into the nearby woods, and found my way to the lake. It was a route I knew very well because my home was at the other end of the lake.

I knew I should probably return to school before it was discovered that I was gone as it could get me in trouble and I’d have to face the principal. But what if the alpha was still there, waiting for me to return from hiding?

“Maybe he isn’t so bad…” Hailey suggested but I rolled my eyes.

I couldn't trust her words. She’d always see the good in everyone and have a positive mindset in every situation.

“And you know that because?”

“He gave off a genuine energy and I felt his wolf. He seemed caring and affectionate and he wanted…”

“Oh please…” I quickly shut her off because, for some unknown reason, I could already feel the warmth she was radiating as she was talking about the alpha. It felt as if she was purring and even glowing. “Don’t let it get into your head. I’m sure our dirty energy drew him in. I need to mask our scent with more perfume next time,”

“But what if…”

At this point, I’d had enough of her. Maybe she needed a reminder of what we were.

“I don’t want to hear it, Hailey. We’re an abomination, remember? And you also remember that we’re low-life immigrants on the run for committing murder? If you still value our miserable life, get your head straight and allow me to find a solution to our current situation,”

She whimpered in protest but remained calm as I struggled to rise to my feet. But the pain that shot through me was so terrible that I fell on my knees, a sob breaking out of my lips, as a lone tear slid down my cheek.

I was in severe pain from the beating I’d gotten that morning when my alarm clock had blared too loudly and had woken my dad from his liquor-induced sleep. He had pounced on me intending to send me to hell and he almost succeeded, except he somehow returned to his senses, knowing I had to be at school.

“You should go to the school clinic. You can’t go home like this.” 

For the first time, I agreed to Hailey’s suggestion as I tried my best to rise to my feet. My legs were swollen from the number of times I’ve had to walk despite being in pain from my ankle sprain.

It had almost taken forever for me to successfully limp from the lake to the school clinic where I was immediately attended to by a nurse as soon as she saw my condition. She’d administered some drugs to me and told me to rest for a while until school closed. I must have slept off because when I woke up, I heard the faint words of the nurse coming from the office outside the room.

“She’s suffering from an ankle sprain and other injuries in different parts of her body. She also has lots of other bruises, both old and new ones, and is heavily malnourished,”

“Have you administered some drugs to her?”

The unfamiliar voice of a man sailed into my ears and I gulped, my heart dropping.

Calm down, Aria. It can’t be you. I told myself but Hailey whimpered, feeling sick. It seemed the nap had only fueled the pains.

“I only gave her some pain relievers but they wouldn't do much work because she hasn’t eaten any food all day,”

“Were you able to get her to talk about her injuries and how she incurred them?”

“No. She’s tight-lipped,”

At that moment, I knew it was me they were referring to. The nurse had tried conversing with me but I’d politely shut her off.

“Maybe it's the concerned alpha…” Hailey suggested but I shut her off, my heart now slamming hard against my chest as fear overcame me.

“Please, keep her here. I’ll get her some food and make sure she takes it and some drugs before you let her go,”

“I will, Beta Chase,”

Shit! It was the alpha’s second in command. It meant the alpha was still nearby. I needed to get away as quickly as I could.

With my heart racing, I glanced around to see if there was another door but there was none. How was I going to make my escape?

Suddenly, I heard approaching footsteps and I quickly laid back down. The nurse walked in with a sweet caring smile etched on her face.

“Hi dear, how are you?”

I gulped.

“I… I want to use the restroom,” 

My throat was as dry as the hot desert sand and it made me cough. She quickly handed me a bottle of water from the table nearby and I gulped down half of the content.

“Come on, let me take you to the restroom,”

I shook my head in refusal. This was my only means to escape.

“I can take care of myself,”

Her smile slipped off.

“Are you sure?”

I nodded.

“Please, let me go alone,”

“Alright, dear,”

Gently, I rose to a sitting position, slowly placing my feet on the ground. Pain coursed through me but I bit down on my lips to stop the wince from escaping. I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath, mustering the strength to rise to my feet and I did, ignoring the pain as I gnashed my teeth in agony.

I grabbed my bag that was beside the bed.

“Why do you need your bag?” the nurse frowned, placing a palm on my shoulder to steady me.

“I…I need to change my tampon,”

“Are you sure you don’t need help?” Her brows furrowed in concern but I shook my head.

Slowly, I limped out of the room with the nurse beside me.

“The restroom’s right around the corner,”

I nodded my thanks before limping out of her office but as soon as I was outside, I reached into my bag and took out the spare hoodie I always carried around. I pulled it on and wore the hood over my head. My eyes darted around the small empty hallway before I made my escape through the door, limping as fast as I could to the broken fence at the back of the school. 

I didn't know what the alpha wanted from me or why he was suddenly so interested in me, but I’d better heed my father’s words and save my head.