Chapter Four

"Joan.” I groaned out in pain, my shaking hand lifting up to hold her's over the silver that was sticking out of my stomach.

“Will my death finally give you peace?” I croaked out, coughing up blood in between.

Joan did not need to say a word, the determined look in her eyes was answer enough.

I owed my entire existence to Joan's parents, she might have not been the best sister to me but they were the best parents to me. They saved me and they loved me unconditionally.

I pushed both of our hands and the knife sank deeper into me, more blood pulled at my lips, Joan's widened eyes looked up at me in shock.

My lips trembled, I wanted my hate for her to consume me so badly too, I needed someone to blame too but I was so tired of fighting, I couldn't go on like this. I wanted it all to just be over now.

Joan was suddenly ripped off of me, she landed against a tree before falling unconscious onto the grass.

The smell of citrus and sandalwood occupied my senses. His ferocious growl made the trees tremble. The King was shaking with unrestrained anger.

“No.” I weakly whispered, his warrior was walking towards Joan's unconscious form. “No, please.” Was all I could whisper before my eyes dulled shut and blended with the dark.

~~~~~~~

“I Love you my child. You must live no matter what, promise me.” 

“I promise Mama.” 

Tears filled my eyes, I gave up Mama.

I jolted awake breathing hard from the same dream I've had every night since I was old enough to dream.

My frantic eyes moved over the room I was in, my fingers fly towards my stomach and to my shock, there was no injury on it.

I gasped in disbelieve. I was stabbed with silver, I should be dead.

I stumbled out of the bed, the room yet again smelt like the king but the atmosphere was different, this felt nothing like my pack and it made my heart race with questions.

“Child, you're awake.” The interruption of my thoughts by a stranger had me jumping.

An old woman clutching a long stick and carrying a small bowl strolled into the room, her eyes trained on me.

I took a step back, women as old as she was in our world were referred to as elders. One didn't just randomly come across an elder, unless—unless I was in the royal pack.

A loud gasp fell through my lips and my enlarged eyes gaped at her.

“You're one unusual being to still be alive.” She remarked, placing her bowl onto a table.

“It's alright child, do not fret. The King will be here in a moment.” Her words did nothing to calm me and make trust her.

“You have to drink this.” She pointed towards the bowl on the table while I still watched her like she was an alien.

I cleared my throat before speaking. “Where am I?” My voice came out rough.

“You are in the Royal pack child.” I felt my breathe hitch. “The King rushed you in himself, the entire pack is in an uproar.” The elder woman chuckled. “It's been a while since they've gossipped this much.”

I shook my head. That was the last thing I needed, an uproar because of me. I refuse to subject myself to another life of physical and emotional abuse. 

I didn't care what happened, I'd rather die or be banished to be rogue than to willingly live like that a second time.

“Where's the door?” I whispered and the elder’s face creased in thought but she pointed to a direction anyway.

“Child—wait, you can't-”

I didn't wait to listen to the rest of her words as I hurried in the opposite direction and out the entrance.

My feet stepped into an even stranger surroundings outside the room and my mind began to reel at the odd feeling in my fingertips.

My senses were heightened and charged, my sense of smell was sensitive and sharp, my red eyes sparkled dangerously beneath my green lenses and my skin hummed, I could hear the chatter of a hundreds of werewolves not too far from me.

What happened while I was asleep?

I had so many questions to ask but I had no time to waste, I dashed past the hallway until the sun shined bright against my skin. 

A group of uniformed female wolves turned to my direction in surprise, we all assessed each other for a few seconds until I dashed the opposite direction again.

I let out a sigh of relieve when I sighted the woods, I ran until my feet began to burn, ignoring the apprehensive eyes of werewolves behind me.

I'd be damned if I remained one more day in this place.

I was barefooted, my foot was being pricked by thorns, my bones and muscles were beyond exhausted but I was too determined to leave.

A voice in my head kept fighting against me to return but I refused to pay attention to it. I was almost there, I'd be at the borders soon enough.

A sharp and intimidating growl boomed through the woods and my heart almost fell through my chest.

The King or rather his wolf, Eris.

I pumped my feet to move even faster now, too afraid to picture what would happen if his wolf Orin got to me first.

The King might have been lenient enough but I was certain his wolf didn't share the same sentiment, not with the tales I've heard.

I came to a screeching halt, my heavy panting and my hammering heart filled my ears at the sight in front of me.

The most majestic and largest wolf I've ever seen stood in front of me and I could only stand frozen. 

The King's wolf stood, terrifyingly barring his teeth in front of me, I had no idea how he got there.

I stumbled backwards at the intrusion in my head, I whimpered in pain, my hands flying towards my head, someone was trying to force their way in and it was causing me immense pain.

The pain did not subside, instead it only grew and I was beyond terrified at the strange feeling in my system.

A scream rippled from between my lips, I momentarily forgot about the majestic wolf in front of me.

I heard my bones crack and my skin burned hot until it began to feel like I was being sunk into fire.

I crumbled to my knees, my hands clawing at my chest and dress, desperate to rip off my dress, I needed relieve of some kind as another incoming pain tore through me.

I was a screaming mess. What was happening to me?

The feels of frantic hands against me gave me relieve for only a short moment before another ear shattering scream tore from within my chest, my eyes shining with unbearable pain.

“She's turning.” I barely heard the worried voice above me ring through my ears.

“Make it stop.” I begged desperate to end my misery as another bolt of pain flowed through me.

Multiple crackling of bones filled my ears again. The loud protective growl resonated through the woods and a face was thrusted between my head and shoulders, a cold shiver ran down my spine.

Lips suckled onto my neck, I panted in relief from the warmth that flowed through me at the action. My weak fingers gripped the face in my neck, afraid he would let go of me.

“Why do you help me?” I whispered weakly.

“Te Regalia. My mate.” the strong hands held me tighter and closer to himself and for the first time in my life, I felt completely safe.