#Chapter 2 Murderer

Arthur's POV

Murderer! They called me. Lunatic!

I agreed.

Since Alma, my little sister, was killed ten years ago, Lucas, my wolf, broke through some wall in my mind and blinded me. It was my fault. We had just been on a picnic. I should have been able to protect her, but I failed. Had I not left her alone for just those few minutes, she would still be alive.

She had been brutally murdered, I knew, but the world had turned dark as the fury had taken over.

When the darkness cleared, I was dizzy with the scent of blood. I had lost control and attacked anyone who had come near me. They ran and I chased them until I couldn't any longer. They screamed as my claws and teeth tore into them.

I was a madman, long forsaken by the moon goddess.

The alpha and luna, my parents, caged me. Every drop of blood inside that cage was from my struggle with my madness. Every blow from either of them had been like corporal punishment: well-deserved.

They kicked me out of the house when they could no longer cage or restrain me.

I didn't know who killed Alma until two days ago during the annual mating ceremony of Brown Valley Pack.

I had not been invited, nor was I interested in going even if I could find a mate. I just wanted to sneak back into the alpha's house to find some wine to go with my dinner. Yet Alpha Haley, Luna Irene, and Adam, their son, had been there. I waited outside but overheard them arguing.

“Don’t be a child, Adam!” Irene shrieked. “That maniac is only getting stronger. It's just a matter of time before he kills everyone and takes over the pack!”

Adam huffed, “Should have thought of that before agreeing to take them in.”

My heart clenched. What had Adam just said? I was adopted? What about Alma?

“Why didn’t you just get rid of him?”

“We tried,” Haley sighed.

“The rogues that killed Alma screwed up.” Irene huffed. “Now he’s lost his mind and has become even more powerful. You have to choose a mate quickly. You have to be the next alpha!”

It was them! They killed Alma! In a flash, rage blinded me. When I could see and hear again, Irene was on the ground, the scent of her blood filled the air. I leaped on her. Irene shrieked as I felt her arm snap in my hand. Haley gave out a shrill cry of terror, pressed against the far wall.

The patrol came, and I escaped the house then the village. The patrol tracked me and used my instability to lead me into a trap that night, but I killed most of them and broke free.

They had been chasing me for two days now. I was hungry, tired, and nearly fatally wounded.

Survive, Lucas urged, giving me his strength to keep going. Survive and come back for their heads.

I shook the dizziness from my mind and focused on the road ahead. Where it led, I didn’t know. I had never been so far from Brown Valley and had no way of knowing how far I'd gotten.

My heart lurched as a figure appeared in a blur in front of me. I snarled and pounced, aiming for the figure’s neck with my claws.

A scream rang in my ears as I landed on top of the body. It was a woman.

Mate! Lucas cackled, high and insane in my mind. Our mate!

What could Lucas be talking about? I was a cursed man. I deserved no mate.

***

I shot up quickly from the ground, frowning at the cloth that pooled over my lap, and brought it to my nose to take a deep breath.

Had it all been a dream? Where was I? It was late. The forest was dark. I looked around and found the dying embers of a fire nearby.

At the least, I wasn’t dead.

Lucas huffed, She was born for us just as we were born for her. We have to find her.

His words were strange, but it brought back just enough of my senses to remember that the woman I’d leaped on hadn’t been a part of the patrol.

I wouldn’t say that I was convinced, but at the very least I had to thank her.  I didn’t remember ever being treated so kindly, let alone by a stranger.

I should probably also apologize for scaring her half to death in my hazy state. I got to my feet and stomped out the fire, feeling refreshed. The cloth that bound my wounds was streaked red, but I felt no pain. Drawing my hand over the cloth, I could barely feel where the horrible gash had been.

I was healed. But how could it be possible?  Who was she?

I folded the cloak up neatly, cradling it in my arms as I walked. I lifted my nose to find the path she’d taken and followed it with sure, silent feet through the forest until I reached a small cabin. It looked old and weathered, and if I hadn’t been following her scent, I may have thought it was abandoned.

I approached the door and found a lock on the door. I lifted it to take a look and winced as it cracked in my hand. I hadn’t meant to break it.

Cautiously, I opened the door and peered into the cabin, only to find the woman lying in bed, seemingly asleep. My heart skipped a beat at the sight of her lying in a pool of moonlight. Her glossy black hair looked like a tranquil lake under the full moon and her expression was tranquil, unbothered, unafraid in her sleep.

She looked too beautiful, too ethereal, to be real as if she had descended from the moon goddess’ domain for a time.

I couldn’t breathe. I didn’t want to breathe with fear I might disturb her and the goddess would call her home.

She twitched in her sleep and her eyes opened, looking toward me through the darkness. Her amber eyes seemed to glow in the moonlight.

“Who’s there?” She startled me, but her voice was angelic.