Chapter Twenty Two

Emily's POV 

I woke up hearing sounds from outside the cave that I was in. I jumped up in fear as I heard footsteps approaching. 

“Oh my God,” I gasped and stumbled back.

“Emily, it's me.” 

My heart raced but as I looked at who it was, my heart rate calmed. It was Penelope, the woman in the rogue pack Emilianna created.

“Penelope, what are you doing here?” I gasped, curious as to how she found me.

“We found the letter the Alpha dropped in her cave after she died. We found out Maron was the one who killed Emilianna's daughter but she didn't want to ruin Maron because of it so she withheld the truth from us. Anyway, we saw the dead body of Emilianna and Maron so we wanted to know what really happened so we came out here looking for you.”

“For me, really?”

Penelope nodded.

“Yes. In the letter we found, Emilianna said we should treat you as her daughter and her heir.”

“Why would she want to do that to me? I was nothing but a burden to her?” I broke into sobs. “If it wasn't for me, she'd still be alive.”

“You don't have to blame yourself for what happened, Emily. Just answer me this. Did our Alpha die well?”

I thought about it carefully, then I nodded. “Yes she did. She really did Penelope.”

Then I hugged her tightly as I seemed to relive the moment of watching Emily's death. “Oh my god, Penelope. I'm so glad you're here.”

After a moment, Penelope pulled away from the hug.

Putting two and two together, I asked her. “How did you find me?”

“The human King has paid a lot of money to anyone who can find you.”

“I'm a beserker.” I said. That was the only reason that I would get the King's attention. And it was best Penelope knew it now before I got her in trouble.

“Yes, Emily. We figured it out but we also know that it's Emilianna's death that triggered you to become… that.” Penelope said and it made me let out the breath that I didn't know I was holding.

“Oh goodness, you understand so much more than I would ever expect Penelope. I see you as a friend, Emily. Since you were first introduced by Emilianna to join the pack.”

I wanted to sob so bad but I withdrew myself from doing so.

Someone else entered the cave and I quickly recognized him as Adam, one of the rogue wolves.

The moment he saw me, he walked even faster towards me.

“Emily,”

He ran over to hug me and I let him revel in the hug before he pulled away.

“I'm sorry it's been long before we came to your rescue. You must have suffered a lot.”

“I mean I was helped by this man who I have no idea who he is but at least he helped me.”

“Oh no dear, you're absolutely wrong. You were abducted by a berserker hunter.”

“What?” 

My jaw dropped.

The man who I thought was safe… He was actually a berserker hunter?

“After Emilianna's death, I guess you became a berserker. The king has sent hunters to kill you but the guy who abducted you is supposed to hand you over to the king or kill you.”

I gasped. Even though I became a berserker I really didn't kill anyone. Except Maron.

“Believe me guys, I didn't harm anyone. But the guy who took me didn't mention any king, he did mention a leader though.”

“We asked the other rogues in the woods and they told us they didn't see you kill anyone. However, the only reason we came after you is so you can tell all of us the truth. How did Emilianna die? Maron is also dead, how did this happen?”

“I…”

A sound erupted outside which made me shiver.

Adam grabbed my hand. “We can talk about this later, but for now, we gotta leave.”

I watched Penelope and she nodded. I was dragged out the cave and I saw a bunch of other familiar faces, but there was no time for me to talk to them. Adam dragged me into the woods along with Penelope and we had to run.

As we ran, we heard voices behind us, slowing us down. It was someone that we knew.

“Adam, the guy who abducted Emily escaped!”

Adam clenched his fists angrily. “He did?!”

From the distance, wild arrows were shot at us. 

“Guys, watch out!” I exclaimed, but it wasn't enough. Adam got shot in the chest but he was quick to pull it out of his chest even though he let out a grunt afterwards.

In front of us were men of stature on horses holding their bows and arrows, waiting for orders to unleash their wrath.

The man on a stallion black horse held a sort of dignified expression that seemed effortless and beautiful. His gory white hair danced in the wind as he stared at me and the others with disgust.

“Rogue wolves,”

Adam gasped as blood gushed out of his already fresh wound.

Adam gasped painfully. “Its wolfsbane, my wound isn't healing!”

The white haired man gestured to his men. “Ready to fire.”

Upon seeing what was happening, I threw herself forward.

“Please, have mercy!”

The man's face remained stern.

“I am willing to sacrifice myself for these people to leave. Please.”

Adam looked at me painfully. By now, Penelope was by his side, holding him up so he didn't collapse due to the effects of the wolfsbane penetrating into his bloodstream.

“Who are you to make such an offer?”

The man's voice was sharp and lacked warmth and this made me realize that i could not easily fool this man. If i wanted to rescue the rogue wolves, i had to be convincing enough.

“I… am the princess of this kingdom… maid. If I die, the princess will take you with me. You'll die too.” I said confidently, unwavering even though I was shaky on the inside.

For the first time, I felt intimidated by a human male.