Chapter- [ 3 ]

( Gemma’s pov )

“I can’t believe she is still alive. She is a stubborn one. I haven’t seen any wolf with in such critical condition with broken bones and flesh battered, not even the Alpha bloods.”

I heard someone saying. I tried to move but my body was numb. I tried to open my eyes, my breathing became ragged and as soon as I open my eyes, bright sunrays and my burning eyes forced me to shut them again. A low whimper escaped from my mouth.

“She’s awake! Oh My God!”

A man exclaimed and I heard more whispers.

I was alive?

Or it was a place for afterlife?

“Sadie, can you hear me?” I tried to feel my wolf. If I was alive means Sadie was there because there was no way I had survived the severe beating.

“Dear, can you open your eyes?” A soft and warm hand touched my forehead, the voice was gentle.

I slowly opened my eyelids and a beautiful face came into my blurry vision. I was indeed alive.

“Wat..water.” I asked for some water as my throat was dry. I had no idea how long I had passed out.

“Yes, dear.” The middle-aged woman helped me to sip water from a straw. I looked around, I was in a room, soft mattress was beneath me.

I could see everything clearly. There was still pain in my body but I guess the medicines had numbed it.

“How are you feeling now?” She asked me.

“Alive.” I answered briefly but it was true. I couldn’t believe that I actually ditched death.

“It’s a miracle that you survived, dear. When we found you, your condition wasn’t good. You miscarried before we brought you here. We could hardly feel your heartbeats but I think the Almighty has some other plans for you or no one survives in your condition. You were in coma for two weeks. We tried all medicines and healing spells on you and it worked.” She said with a radiant smile.

Her words stunned me and I looked down at my body. It’d would be an understatement if I say that I was shocked. My brain stopped functioning because my body was completely healed, there were barely visible scars. My body recovered from the most gruesome torture but my heart still bled for the tragic loss of my baby. Adonis was responsible for everything.

“Don’t be surprised. It’s your luck that you were found near the lake where we live. They’d be a fool to leave you in our area.” She said as if she could read my mind.

“Who are you and where am I?” I asked her.

“I am Uma, the elder healer in the clan of witches and warlocks, the Raven Coven. We saved your life, dear. Don’t be afraid.” She said but my body shook with fear.

What was more worse? Adrian’s betrayal or saved by the coven of witches?

“What is your name, dear? I want to know whom we have brought back to life.” Uma asked me.

I thought for a moment. Should I trust her?

“Gemma, don’t reveal your identity. Run from here. They’ll ask you to sell your soul to them. They don’t do charity.” I heard Sadie warning me and I felt relieved.

She was still there.

“What is your name, stranger? I am waiting for your answer.” She looked deep into my eyes and my heart shook.

I ran deeper and faster into the dense woods. I had no idea where I was heading.  I somehow escaped from the coven of the witches. My body wasn’t healed completely. I felt dizzy, my paws giving up but I had to run far from my past.

Adrian, his betrayal, my mother’s false confession, the witches. Although, they saved my life but I trust Sadie more than anyone. She warned me about Adrian but I ignored her because I was too elated to find our mate and I regret with every single breath I took. I couldn’t repeat it again.

“Gemma, I can’t run any further. I had hibernate myself because I had to save ourselves from Adrian. But, now, I am giving up. Save us, Gemma.” Sadie, who had taken our control when we ran away from the coven, said.

We had run for hours, crossing different packs’ borders. I couldn’t exhaust her more. I am alive for a reason so it’s my responsibility to save us.

I stopped under a huge tree and drank some water in a running water stream. It was a pack’s outskirts. I could feel patrolling teams’ scent and I am aware of the packs’ geography. I had come to the north but I had no idea what pack it was and I couldn’t stay there for long. Practically, I was a rogue and if someone catches me, I’ll be dead for sure.

I was resting under the tree to regain my energy when my ears perked up. I heard footsteps approaching towards me. They were very close. I stood up and started running but my weak body wasn’t cooperating. I didn’t think I’d go very far.

After a few minutes, a dozen wolves jumped in front of me, their golden eyes glaring at me. Their sharp canines looked ready to shred me into pieces.

One of them, the biggest one, a grey wolf shifted into his human form and stood naked and tall in front of me.

Two other men also shifted. I knew if I try to resist, they’d kill me in an instant.

“She’s a female rogue, Beta.” One of the men said.

Rogue

This word made me cringe.

Their beta threw a shirt near me.

“Shift! Or my wolves will rip you off.” He threatened me.

Under the moonlight, I could see his well-sculptured physique. He was very tall, his skin was tanned, short hairs, sharp facial features and golden eyes. His face was contoured with blank and hard expression.

I looked at his men. There’s no way I’d shift in front of their eyes. He seemed to understand my hesitation because he gestured his men to turn around. He also turned back. I shifted into my human form and wore the shirt. It smelled like him. It was a mixture of cedar and cinnamon.

I quickly wore it and then he faced me. His eyes raked on my body and I felt self-conscious under his intense gaze.

“Who are you and do you have any idea whose territory is this?” He asked me in his cold tone. It was enough to sink my confidence in the bottom of my stomach.

Like Sadie said, I couldn’t trust them.

“Forgive me, I can’t tell you my name.” I said with lowered head and shaky voice.

A warning growl escaped his throat and his wolves again showed me their canines.

“I am asking you for the last time. Are you a rogue or you have lost your way?” He asked me again patiently.

“I haven’t lost my way. I have nowhere to go.” I confessed.

“It means you are a rogue.” He said.

I remained silent. If I tell them about my recent past, it’d be worse than being treated as a rogue.

“Rogue, you are at the Spring Fall Pack and now, you are under our captivity until our Alpha decide your fate.” He said.

My blood ran cold in my veins. I had to land on the infamous Spring Fall Pack of all the places. How could Goddess find fun in playing with my fate like this? It was more like living a nightmare. No one escapes alive from here.

My father also died during a war with Spring Fall Pack. They won and plundered the Yellow Mist Pack.

“Please, let me go. I swear I will never step my foot