[Arissa's POV]
I began to pull the quickly weakening man behind me as arrows continued to fly towards us. How hunters managed to get into these woods was beyond me, but from the strong attack, I knew there were many hiding in the shadows.
"Let me go." Gillian rasped, digging his feet into the ground. "I have to fight."
"Are you stupid?" With Gillian's current condition, he would most certainly die if he attempted to take the hunters on. "Stop being stubborn and come on!"
Giving a tug, I attempted to get Gillian to move, but he remained in place.
My heart was beginning to pound, and fear was clawing its way through me. The hunters were closing in, and this fool was trying to act tough!
"Dammit!" I growled, letting go and fixing myself in front of him.
What the hell was I even thinking? Was I truly that afraid of being banished that I would put myself in danger for an asshole like Gillian?
"Stay there," I commanded over my shoulder. "That arrow has silver on it, and one wrong move could end you."
I didn't quite know what I was planning, but I needed to keep Gillian alive.
Bracing myself, I looked around, trying to spot the well-hidden hunters. As I did so, I tried to think of a way to escape.
"Get out of the way!" Gillian growled, grabbing my shoulder.
My eyes grew wide as I flew to the side. An arrow shot straight at where I was standing and stabbed Gillian's chest.
Blood exploded from where the weapon connected with skin, and Gillian's body jerked.
"Gillian!" I screamed, jumping up and rushing forward as he fell to the ground. "No, hey, wake up!"
His eyes were shut and he wasn't moving. His skin had already begun to take on the hue of the dead.
He was gone. There was no mistaking that, and now I was really on my own with these hunters.
"Stay back." I growled, getting to my feet. "Come any closer and I will rip you to shreds."
I couldn't actually rip them apart since I didn't have a wolf, but I hoped they would buy my bluff.
As I waited for the hunters to show themselves, I continued to look around for an exit.
With the light breeze that was blowing, I could pick up on the scents of my opponents even if I couldn't see them. They were surrounding me, and it looked like my only way out was up.
Clenching my teeth, I whirled and dug my nails into the bark of the closest tree to me and began to climb.
I could hear the hunters bursting forward as they realized what I was up to, but I continued to climb.
Breathing quickly, I clambered onto the nearest branch to me and pressed my back against the tree trunk.
Looking around, I tried to figure out a path. I needed to make my way back to the packgrounds and not the mating house.
Closing my eyes, I reached out, searching for the familiar aura of my destination. When I managed to find it, I began to move.
The hunters gave chase below on the ground as I jumped from branch to branch, using the treeline as a means of movement and camouflage. Occasionally, arrows would whiz past, but they managed to miss me.
Through a break in the treeline, I could spot the packgrounds and gave a sigh of relief. Just a little bit further and I would be safe. At least, safe from the hunters.
Feeling a surge of newfound energy, I jumped forward and fell to the ground. Landing on my feet, I began to move, keeping my gaze fixed ahead.
Behind me, I could hear the hunters yelling, but I didn't dare look back.
There would be guards stationed where the woods ended and the packgrounds began. Once I was there, the hunters would stop.
I continued to move until finally, I burst out into the world that was covered in red light from the bloody moon.
Two men standing by rushed forward, stopping me with their weapons held towards my chest.
"What are you doing?" One growled, placing the blade of his spear against my skin. "Speak."
"I'm Arissa Armondi, stepdaughter of Alpha Isaac. I'm being chased by hunters! "
As I spoke, the guard dug his blade deeper, cutting into my flesh.
"Why would the stepdaughter of Alpha be dressed as a breeder?" The second guard growled.
"Because I have no wolf." I sighed, feeling a surge of pain and annoyance rush through me. "Please call him and have him confirm it."
Had I remained in the grace of my stepfather, the pack would be well aware of who I was, but that simply wasn't the case.
Ever since discovering I was wolfless when I turned 8 years old, I was demoted to an omega and kept hidden away from the pack to not cause my stepfather embarrassment.
"Please!" I begged, peeking over my shoulder towards the darkness where I was sure the hunters waited.
The guards remained quiet, examining me as if I was a parasite before finally nodding.
I waited as one seemed to disappear into his own head. The other, who kept his blade fixed against my chest, eyed the woods just behind me.
"He said to bring you to him." The guard announced, returning to the present. "Come on."
Nodding, I began to move forward, positioning myself between the two guards as they began to lead me forward. Neither spoke nor acknowledged me, and from their demeanor, you could tell that they were annoyed with having to escort me to the castle, where my stepfather waited.
When we arrived, two more guards were waiting. Spotting us, they surged forward, grabbing me and placing silver cuffs around my wrists.
Hissing, I tried to jerk away, but the painful metal continued to rest against my skin.
"What is this?" I demanded, shooting a glare towards the guards that had cuffed me.
"You're under arrest for running away from the mating house."
"What?"
I wasn't quite sure if I was hearing things correctly. My stepfather was actually arresting me?
"Are you serious?" I asked, unable to process how quickly things turned.
"Please cooperate with us."
Knowing nothing I said would work, I simply nodded and allowed the guards to lead me towards where my stepfather waited to condemn me.
[Arissa's POV]I sat on my knees in the middle of the large throne room, staring up into the cold, black eyes of my stepfather. His face held no signs of emotion, and his lips were pressed tightly together.Somehow, he already knew of Gillian's fate and had been ready to throw me to the dungeon the minute I returned."I'm sorry," I whimpered, unable to stay quiet. "I tried to save him."I knew that nothing I said would save me, but I had to try.
[Ivan's POV] I didn't quite know what to think about what I was seeing. From what I could remember, Arissa was a meek and demure girl. How was it possible she was now this cold and malnourished creature I was seeing? "I thought she was put to death for Gillian's death." I murmured, keeping my gaze fixed on Arissa. She seemed oblivious to the crowd that was screaming and cheering for her. Her blank gaze never wavered from where the beast she would be fighting would come from.
[Arissa's POV] "Me?" I repeated, feeling amusement flare. "Do I owe you money?" "No." No? Then could it be… "That bear was your pet!" "No." Hm… if the bear wasn't his pet and I didn't owe him money then... "You're here to finally kill me!" I yelped in excitement. "To be so young, you seem ready to end your life." The man chuckled, lifting his brow. Laughing, I let his words wash over me. Of course, I was ready to die! After two months of pure hell, who wouldn't be? "If you're just going to not tell me why you're here, then I'm going to sleep." Turning, I made my way to the small cot I was given to rest on and plopped down. "I've got a proposition for you." The man announced once I got comfortable. "Go on." If he thought I was going to get back up, he was wrong. "I'm listening." Closing my eyes, I waited for him to speak. "I'm here to make you a mother." He began. Eyes widening, I turned over and fixed my gaze on him. What the hell did he just say? "Mother?" I repea
[Ivan's POV]I quickly made my way through the halls of Isaac's castle, earning myself strange looks from the workers.The woman in my arms remained unmoving as I continued to carry her.I knew that she was malnourished from how thin she was, but just how light she was surprised me."Ivan?" Turning, I found Isaac heading towards me with a look of alarm on his face. "What happened?"He eyed Arissa with disgust and curiosity as he asked the question.
[Arissa’s POV] I stared at the woman staring back at me in the mirror. Who the fuck was she and how did she get there? Also, why did she have my face? "Could you please sit down so I can finish brushing your hair?" The sullen woman sighed, bringing me back to attention. "Only if you answer my questions," I hissed. My mind was whirling, and I was trying to figure out if this was real or a dream. Dreams faded so much into reality for me these past two months that I’ve been imprisoned to the point I didn’t quite trust myself.
[Ivan's POV]I did my best to keep my gaze fixed on Arissa's face, but the overly revealed cleavage was making it hard.Her chest was rising and falling seductively with every breath she took, and I wasn't sure if she was aware that the top of her dress was wide open.Even if I only intended on creating an heir with her, I was still a man, and it was difficult to not get aroused. Despite her tiny build and the bones that stuck out from malnutrition, her breasts were huge and perky. If I was being honest, so was her ass, and it was fucking alluring."Why do you keep mention
[Ivan’s POV] I wasn’t sure exactly what to say to her words. She seemed amused at what she was seeing, and it was really pissing me off. "Are you into voyeurism?" I asked, twisting around so she could get a look at Carina’s bare chest and pleasure-filled expression. "Should I make it easier for you to watch?" "W-what?" Carina yelped, tensing up. "Ivan, make her leave!" "Instead of watching, should I join?" Arissa asked, beginning to move forward. "You look like you’re having so much fun."
[Arissa's POV] I woke with a start to find myself in an all-too familiar bed and room. It was my childhood room, and again I was reliving the day that my life went to hell. Standing, I watched the door, waiting for Annemarie, my nanny, to come bursting in to wake me. Just like clockwork, she showed, her face in a fluster. "Arissa," she beamed realizing I was awake. "Today is the day!" I felt my heart tug at her excitement because I already knew what was to come. We would head to the ceremony for coming of age wolves only t