Surviving

            Eirene's pov. 

Death 

The word and the feeling is nothing new to me. And one can say that I am almost immune to the fear that comes with it.

Having escaped it so many times in this small lifetime till now, I was you can say even an acquaintance to it.

My lungs were protesting as I try to move my arms and legs underwater. To only see the water around me getting coloured in the colour of blood.

Holding onto the arrow rooted in my arm. I pull it out, to almost let out a painful scream, which got muffled by the water gushing in my mouth. Throwing aside the arrow,I swim to the surface. To gulp huge amounts of air and spit out the salty liquid.

Fuc*

That was close. I curse. Feeling a sharp pain in my chest. To only look around and find myself in the stream under the cliff.

Cliff of death huh?

Not for me I guess.Looking around I search for a piece of land to only hear the thudding of footsteps. And I just sigh.

Not this now .

Don't tell me they are here to search for my dead body now. Looking down at myself all wet with my shoulder and thigh bleeding like a damn river, I try to calm myself.

It's not this that worries me.

But the fact that the effect of the potion that hides my scent got warn away with this water and within few minutes if I try to run from here. They will get to know my scent.

It couldn't get worse from here, could it.

But I had no option left. This was my last resort now. Taking in a deep breath. I gather as much air I can get in my lungs. To submerge underwater.

.

.

.

2 hours later 

My body is fuc*ing freezing and trembling like a leak. And I am tired, trying to hide from these pack wolves. Just leave already!

"Man ,I think the body must have been carried away with the water.Why are we even searching?'

"Yaa could be. But Alpha's orders. We still need to search."

"We saw almost everywhere. There is no Viper here. No one ever survived falling from this cliff."

"Let's go now"

I hear their voices behind me. On the lands, while I hide in the tall grass grown in the sides of the water.

Yes, please

I almost plead in my mind. And I guess I was lucky because after 2 damn hours of this torture. I could finally come out of the water.

I hear their footsteps retreating and I lift up my body. Coming out of the water to lay on the ground.

I stay there for next few minutes. To only move and find each and every bone and muscle in my body aching.

Fuc*! This hurts so bad.

Dragging myself forward,I was able to reach a tree. And I lean my back on it. To look down at my injuries.

Sh**! This was bad. They are going to get infected if I don't do anything.

Breathing heavily, I decide to take my last resort.

Hey Ren. Can you do something about them?

I decide to ask my wolf. To hear nothing. Rolling my eyes,I ask again. Not in the mood to listen to her tantrums.

Ren. I know you can hear me. Stop pretending now.

And there she goes. Going all crazy on me.

Why shouldn't I pretend. When you keep blocking me everytime with that potion of yours! I hate it's smell and it blocks my breathing abilities. I feel suffocated.

I am sorry Ren but you already know. We can't let anyone know our scent and identify us.

She doesn't say anything for next few seconds. To finally hmm. 

Fine.

Can you try healing this wound atleast?

I am sorry Eirene. But you already know. After that incident. I can't use any of my abilities properly. I can't even sniff things properly, healing is next to impossible.

I just sigh. Not forcing her. It's not her fault. She can't do anything about it. We both have suffered so much in name of survival, and we are both living and breathing is enough for it.

Sorry Eirene. I wish I could.

I try getting up, dismissing her apology.

It's fine Ren. I understand. Don't go around feeling guilty now. We will escape this together.

Yah. But what about your identity?

I furrow my brows.

What about it?

Just look into the waters.

Fuc*! I curse. On looking myself in the reflection of the water. My mask was no where to be found, my wolf scent back and I do more potion with me to hide my scent.

I was back to being Eirene.

Removing the cloak covering me. I discard it into the water.Atleast no one will be able to know, I was the Vipe 

Looking around at the dense forest. I was determined to escape this before anyone catches my scent.

I can't stay here.

I can't let anyone find me, Eirene.

The girl who died , shouldn't return.

.

.

.

I was almost out of 'his territory' by now. And I lean against a tree breathing heavily. Settling down.

Looking back into the lands, where I grew up as a kid.

Life can really be an irony sometimes.

The place we called as home once, becomes a battlefield later. The people we call family, become our enemies. And those who we love with our everything becomes a subject of hatred.

Mateo King 

I saw him today after so many ears and I won't lie. That my heart yet again beated faster in his presence. Those chubby cheeks are replaced with a hard jawline and stubble beard. Those beautiful eyes , look more mesmerizing and enthralling. And that heavy voice? It involuntarily sent shiver down my spine.

Eirene. Don't think about any other male like that other than our mate.

Ren says agitated and I smile. Leaning back my head to look at the stars.

Come on Ren. You seriously think we still have a mate out there? It's all bullsh**. There is no one. Plus I don't think I can trust any man after' him'

Ren sighs.

Eirene. Mateo didn't trust you doesn't mean no man will. You were very young when you were banished, just 17. You haven't even found me by then.

It happens.

No Ren it doesn't. Love is all bullsh**. I don't want a man in my life. And anyways, I am Viper now. I have the responsibility of all those who can't protect themselves.

She doesn't say anything after it. And I roll my eyes.

And even if we have our mate in front of us. I don't think Ren, you will be able to identify him.

Oh stop it. I am not that useless. It's just that potion you use leaves me a bit hazy. But without it. I can sense things. I am sure I will be able to identify our destined one.

You can? Well then why don't you tell me how far we are from a human town.

She goes silent after that. And I knew she is trying. She is not as useless as she pretends.

Found it!

Found what?

I ask and she casually answers. 

A group of around 4 wolves are coming our way. Why are they in a hurry? Are we having a treat here 

What?

I scream in horror getting up. To only shout at her.

Are they from our clan? Are they here for Viper?

Na. I haven't senses them before. Just some hungry bitch**

Sh**! I curse. Trying to run faster. Looking back over my shoulder.

What's the issue. Why are you so tensed?

She asks and I scream, while holding my injured thigh.

Because the feast they are after is us Ren! Remember we are just a wounded she wolf in the rogue lands now, plus they are not from our rogue clan!

Realisation hits her hard as she starts screaming at me to run fast. But I guess it was too late.

Turning around I found them running after me and I curse my fate.

Getting acquainted with death, once again.

                    .....

        Mateo's pov 

1004-1005-1006...

I was doing push ups while looking at myself in the mirror. My cold grey orbs looking back at me.

To suddenly see her brown ones in front of me and I close my eyes.

Cursing.

Dammit!

Why do I keep seeing her again and again. I got distracted today again, before attacking that Viper. And because of my reluctance. That bastar* escaped.

If only I would have gotten hold on this so called Viper.

No one could have stopped me from becoming the next Alpha King 

No one!

Not that anyone stands in my competition anyways. But it would have secured my seat.

Dissapointed in myself. I pick up my hand towel and clean my face and neck with it.

To see a cold, emotionless man looking at me 

Back in the mirror.

Why can't I just move on. Why her? Picking up a paper on my table which talked about the next mating ball to be held in my honor.

I just stare at it.

Considering it. Even surprising myself.

I guess this is the only way to move on. By choosing amongst those princesses and having one of them as my Queen.

I was not getting young anyways and my mate was out of picture.

So this was it.

Picking up the quill , I was going to sign it. To suddenly hear a loud bang on my door as it is slammed open.

Arthur rushes inside breathing heavily and I just give him a questioning look.

"Brother....the borders...the petrol...."

"The Petrol what Arthur. First calm your breath and then speak"

Waiting for him to calm down. I just turn around to complete the work in hand. 

"A rogue is found near the borders Alpha! And one is barely breathing."

I give him a bored look to just sigh.

"So what Arthur. It's not our business. Let them kill each other for all I care."

"Just see that they don't intrude."

"But-"

Dismissing him I turn my back on him.To sign the papers when his next words made my hands to go still.

"But it's a girl bro! "

.

.

"The rogue found near the border is a female!"