CHAPTER 8

Kiara's POV

The moon was still high when I slipped out of bed. My heart hammered in my chest, and I tried everything in my power to control it. It wasn't working, so I simply decided I was going to let it be. No one had died from a thumping heart as far as I knew.

Not yet.

A cold gust of wind filtered in through the open window. It sent chills down my spine, and also stood as a reminder, that the world outside Darius’ pack was colder, and more dangerous too. The only pro the outside world had over my current location, was freedom. Outside, I didn't have to be be bound by anybody's rules, I wouldn't be forced to be put through trials and tribulations, just to show my worth.

The floor was cold against my bare feet as I crept towards the door. I'd ditched my shoes because I didn't want to risk being heard or followed. My hand grazed the door knob, and automatically, my brain took that as an invitation to go back in time a bit.

He said she'll have to prove herself, or she won't make it to the next moonrise. Hazel's words echoed in my ears. They ignored fear in me, and the note I tried to push it out, the faster it came crashing down on me.

Do you think she'll survive it?

If she wants to live, then she has to.

I shook my head, willing the thoughts to disappear. I was already feeling nervous, and a part of me was starting to second guess all of this, so the last thing I needed was anything weakening my resolve.

I didn't like admitting it, but their conversation had sent a shiver down my spine. If I wanted to live, then I had to. I didn't want to figure out what they'd meant by that, I didn't even want to think about it, not witness it. I couldn't stay here and gamble with my life, not when I didn't know the rules of the game. I didn't even need the rules to know that it would be rigged against me.

I cracked the door open, and the loud squeak that came with it, almost sent me to the land of the dead. Goosebumps made its way to my skin as I snuck a peek at the hallway. It was still and dimly lit by a torch flickering in the far end of the wall. I waited a bit, and when I heard no footsteps, I let out a breath I had no idea I was holding.

Every step I took echoed louder in my head than it did in the hallway. I didn't exactly know where I was going, since I had no memory or clue whatsoever as to how I'd ended up in here in the first place,but I just knew I would know if I found it. Before long, I burst in front of another corridor. It curved outwards, and I felt it deep in my bones that I was on the right track. Just at the end of the corridor, I could faintly make out some steps that led to what I was going to tag the east wing of the pack house. If I could make it past that and the guards that stood guard at the outer pack wall, I was going to find the forest, and I'd be free.

Free.

I allowed my feet carry me down the hall and down the stairs as well. I took them one at a time, and just when I thought everything was going smoothly, a floorboard creaked underneath my feet.

Shit.

I felt the hairs at the back of my neck stand on end. Anxiety gnawed at the pit of my stomach at the prospect of being caught.

Had somebody heard that? What if I hadn't been as sleek as I thought and someone had seen me, or worse, was following me ?

I forced myself to turn slowly, not fully, but just enough to get a glimpse of the space behind me. There was no one there, but somehow I just didn't want to believe it. If I was being followed, then there was every tendency that whoever it was had hidden somewhere and was waiting for me to keep going again, or waiting for me to make a move.

My heart sunk towards my feet, but I sucked it up and continued my journey. Iade extra sure that I didn't make another sound, and before long i reached the final hallway. It led to the back exit, and from my spot here, I could easily make out the slightly open door. My legs ached from the wounds that hadn't already healed, but adrenaline numbed it all up in a second.

I knew for a fact that the pain was going to come back and I double fold, but I was going to deal with it later. All I needed to do was get past this door first.

I inched closer, and just when I thought I was thos close to escaping, it hit me.

Like a punch to the chest, a burning heat spread through my body. It flared through my ribs and wrapped around my lungs. My breaths ceased, and I gasped. My vision blurred too, and I staggered, just to barely catch myself on the wall. A dull aches spread through my head and my vision darkened at the edges.

What the hell was going on?

Pressure, yanked at my core, like I was bonded to something. I couldn't move, couldn't breathe properly, couldn't think either.

I wanted to tell myself that I was imagining it, that none of this was happening and I was only hallucinating, or worse, I was crashing out, but deep down, I knew it was a lie. I'd felt something akin to this, and the moment I realized when, I froze.

I'd felt like this when my wolf whispered the word mate to me

No no no. There was no way this could be happening.

I doubled over, clenching my stomach as the pain intensified. My legs gave out beneath me, and just before my knees hit the floor, I heard it.

The sound of boots approaching behind me. It was slow and deliberate, and for some strange reason, I already knew who it was.

I turned my head around just enough to see him, and even though I had an inkling it was him, I was still shocked. Darius stood behind me, tall and immovable, like he could bend the shadows into his will if he wanted to, like he could bend me if he wanted to, too.

His shirt clung to the hard lines of his body, his black sleeves rolled up to his elbows. The moonlight radiated in his eyes, and even though he exuded pose, danger, and something else, he looked excruciatingly beautiful.

“You really thought you could leave?” He didn't sound surprised to see me. If I didn't know better, I would say he sounded bored. “That it would be easy?”

I didn't answer. I couldn't. My throat felt dry and my body trembled against the wall in shame and a little bit of fear.

“You think running was brave?” He stepped closer, only crouching so he could reach my height. “You made a mistake, rogue.”

“You're not just here to fill space in this pack, rogue.” Something in the way he said it made me shiver. “The test is in three days.”

“What?” I muttered. “What test?”

“Every rogue I've ever soared will be there.” He stared deep into my eyes. “Those who think they deserve a spot in this pack, and you'll fight them all. Physically, mentally. We'll break you open and see what's left.”

“And if there's nothing worth keeping?” I whispered, despite the anxiety nipping at me.

“I think you already know the answer, rogue.” I shuddered. “Get some rest. You'll need it.”

Without so much as another word in my direction, he stalked off. His footsteps echoed as he made his way down the hall, leaving me with one chilling realization.

I was doomed.