Hunted and Saved

Chapter 4

Sharon's POV

I turned around and saw four hefty men walking close to me. Their pace was faster than before.

My heart started racing. I tried to walk faster, but they did too. I glanced behind me. They were closer now , their eyes locked on me. I began panicking.

“Help!” I shouted , with my voice trembling. “Somebody help me!”

But the streets were empty. No one was around. No one could hear me..

I broke into a run.. My legs moved as fast as they could, but I could hear their footsteps getting closer.. I kept running , hoping someone would come to my aid , hoping someone would hear my cry..

“Help! Please!”

But no one came.. My breath was faster than ever, my heart pounding in my chest.. I ran until the trees of the forest surrounded me , branches scratching my arms as I ran deeper in..

Then , they caught me.

Rough hands grabbed my arms , yanking me back. I screamed at the top of my voice.

“Let me go! Please!!”

“Shut up ,” one of them growled, clamping a hand over my mouth.

I struggled, trying to break free , but they were stronger. I tried to call out to my wolf.

"Come on, help me!" But she didn’t respond. She was silent.. I was alone.

“You’re not going anywhere ,” another man said, his breath hot against my neck.

“Why are you doing this??” I gasped , trying to break free. “What do you want?”

“You,” the man in front said , a sick smile spreading across his face. “Just you.”

“Please,” I begged.. “Let me go. I didn’t do anything to you!”

“Oh, you’re special, aren’t you?” He leaned in closer, his eyes dark with amusement.. “We know who you are.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, with my voice shaking. “You don’t know me.”

“Oh, we know enough ,” he said , while grabbing my face roughly. “You’re part of the pack, aren’t you? But you ran. That was a mistake.”

“I’m not a threat ,” I whimpered, trying to pull away. “Just let me go.”

“Not a threat?” He laughed.. “You think we’re scared of you?”

I was trembling now , my body was now weak from fear and exhaustion. They pushed me to the ground , and I hit the dirt hard.

“No!” I cried , trying to get up. “Please!”

“Shut her up,” one of them ordered, and a hand slapped over my mouth again , silencing me..

“You should have waited for your punishment,” the first man said , with his voice low and dangerous. “Running will not help you.”

Tears filled my eyes.. I kept fighting, twisting and kicking , but they pinned me down. Their hands roamed , tugging at my clothes.

“No, stop!” I screamed through the hand over my mouth, but it was muffled..

“Quiet down ,” another one snarled. “No one’s coming for you.”

I struggled harder , panic making my movements frantic , but they only laughed.

“This is going to be fun,” one of them sneered.

I kicked out wildly, my foot connecting with one of them.. He grunted, while stumbling back.

“Feisty, huh?” he growled , as he grabbed my ankle and dragging me closer. “We like that.”

I was losing hope. I couldn’t break free. My wolf wasn’t responding. I was alone and helpless..

Then, out of nowhere , a voice boomed.

“Get your hands off her!”

I froze. The men turned around, startled.

It was Jake..

He stormed into the scene , with his eyes blazing with fury. “I said , get away from her!”

“Who the hell are you?” one of the men spat , stepping toward Jake.

“You don’t want to find out ,” Rico snarled, his fists clenching.

The man charged at him , but Jake was faster. He punched the man square in the face, sending him crashing to the ground. The other men let go of me and rushed at Jake , but he fought them off one by one, his strength and speed unmatched.

I sat there, stunned, watching as Jake took down all four of them. They groaned in pain, barely able to stand

“Get out of here ,” Jake growled, with his voice deadly calm. “Before I finish you off.”

The men scrambled to their feet and ran off , disappearing into the forest.

Jake turned to me , with his face softening. “Are you okay?” he asked, walking over to where I was still sitting on the ground..

I could barely speak. “I.. I think so.”

He knelt down , untying the ropes they had wrapped around my wrists. “You’re safe now..”

I looked at him , still in shock. “Why did you come?” I asked quietly. “You didn’t want me to run.”

“I know,” he said , his voice low. “But I couldn’t let them hurt you.”

“I don’t understand ,” I whispered. “How did you know?”

Jake sighed and pulled me to my feet , wrapping his jacket around me. “It’s more complicated than you think.”

I stared at him , confused. “How do you mean??”

He looked me in the eyes, and for a moment , I saw something different in his expression. Something softer..

“I have to tell you something,” Jake said, his voice serious..

“What is it?” I asked , still trying to process everything that had just happened.

“You are my fated mate..”

I blinked, unsure if I had heard him right. “What??”

“You heard me,” he said, his eyes locked on mine. “You’re my fated mate.”

I was speechless. My mind raced, still trying to make sense of what he had just said.

“This can’t be true ,” I whispered, shaking my head. “We.. we don’t even.. ”

“It’s true ,” Jake interrupted, his tone firm but gentle. “I’ve known for a while. I just didn’t know how to tell you.”

"But.. "

"I'm sorry you had to go through this," His jaw clenched as he tightened his hands in a fist, "I'll make Killian pay for what he did to you. I'm back now, and I'm here to take back what's mine.. "

"What.. What are you saying Jake?" I stuttered , extremely confused.

"I'm Jake. The Alpha's first son , and the rightful next in line Alpha."

I couldn’t breathe. My heart pounded in my chest. His words changed everything..

But how? I was Killian's mate a few days ago, how did it all happen?