Chapter 5

Elaina

The gate was slammed shut in my face before I could even utter a word. I turn around, trembling from the sudden escalation of my situation. The sun didn’t feel warm anymore, now it is harsh and unforgiving just like the judgement I have just received. Despite this, the wind was still cold and it pierced my skin like shards of ice.

I guess that’s what happens when you’re left with nothing but a single fabric to protect you.

The warriors slammed the border gate with a final thud. The sound tore through my chest, leaving a stinging ache that felt far worse than death. I stumbled closer to the gate, slapping my hands against the cold metal, desperate for a second chance.

“No, please,” my voice cracked as I let out a painful sob. “Father, please…”

There was no answer to my plea, only the sounds of retreating footsteps greeted me. They left me alone with the silence of the forest and the weight of my banishment.

“Please, don’t leave me here,” I banged the gate again, and again, harder until my fist started to hurt.

But the metal didn’t yield to my struggle. It’s as unmovable as the hearts of those behind it. Tears came freely, blurring everything in sight. My chest heaved as broken sobs escaped me. I cried my eyes out to the extent where I couldn’t take it anymore.

My knees buckled and my strength gave way. I sank to the ground with my back pressed against the very gate that now separated me from everything I’d ever known.

I don’t know how long I sat there—in the dirt—until my cries turned into silence. My voice was gone, and my body trembled from exhaustion. The blanket that shielding me from the harsh weather felt nothing more than an actual reminder of my shame.

I sat there until sleep finally claimed me, and what I saw in my dream was more terrifying than whatever was out in those woods. The faces of those that once smiled at me had now twisted into anger and disgust.

It was either that or the icy gust that pierced my skin that jolted me awake. And when I finally did, I realized that darkness has covered everything and everything. The moon hung above, casting a dim glow to show its presence.

My eyes flickered to the tree lines, and for a moment I’d thought the shadows I saw moving around were my eyes playing tricks. Well, not until I heard them.

Low growls, snarls, and rustling leaves. The shadowy figures inched closer with their yellow glowing eyes piercing mine. When they finally stepped under the moonlight, my heart leapt into my throat. I rose instantly with my back still pressed against the gate.

Rogues.

“Well, well,” one of them drawled. “I only have two questions.”

The rest of them broke out in laughter. Low, mocking, and cruel. As if they already knew what question I was going to be asked.

“Why are you reeking of royalty, and at the same time, why are you here alone when there’s Alpha blood coursing your vein?”

“This one is a princess, no doubt.” One hissed.

“A princess?” Another one scoffed. “But I don’t see any guards. No crown. No wolf. All I see is just a frightened little girl clutching a blanket.”

My breath hitched and I wished the gate would just give me a chance to back away. My feet sank into the cold dirt as I clutched the blanket tighter, though it did nothing to stop the fear crawling up my spine.

“Do not worry, I will protect you, but only if you grant me the chance to take control.” The voice in my head that I’ve figured to be my wolf whispered, and the song tasted bitter to my ears.

I couldn’t explain why, I suddenly felt a surge of boldness to ignore my wolf. After all, she had refused to show up during the times I needed her mostly.

I could use her help at this moment, but if I did, I’d feel indebted to her just as my father has made me feel indebted to him all these years.

With a clenched jaw, I stood right, glaring back at the rogues who seemed to be caught off guard by my sudden change in mood.

“Well, bad news, this girl isn’t frightened,” I shook my head as my words unexpectedly came out calmly. “She’s going to destroy anything that might stop her from moving forward, and that includes you filthy rogues!”

I let out my first growl, and surprisingly, it shook the earth under their paws. They flinched but stood their ground, and before any of them could give the next reaction, something whistled through the air and landed between us.

A flaming arrow had been shot from Creekwood's security tower. It served as some kind of warning for the rogues to keep off from the border. But when none of us moved in the next few seconds, a swarm of flaming arrows began to rain down.

In the next second, we were all tumbling towards the tree lines—rogues and forsaken princess—-depesrate for safety. The arrows shot down some rogues, but none of us dared to glance at the fallen.

The furious race continued even after the shooting had stopped and we were under the tree line. The rogues blamed me for the death of their comrades, so they were hell-bent on taking my life as well.

Tree branches belt my arms and face as I shuffled fast through the woods.

“Go on! Kill me if you must, but I won’t give you an easy win!” I screamed, sensing the thundering paws of the rogues gaining in on me. I ran as fast as I could, navigating through the complex forest I burst out into an open field.

I took the view in. The moonlight shone gracefully on the soft grasses on the leveled field. It felt like a perfect last view. If these rogues are going to kill me, then at least they’d be tired doing it. That illusion of triumph kept me running faster each second.

The wind blew my hair in a frenzy. I dare to take a look back at the rogues to see if they’ve caught up to me, but I felt shocked and confused to see them halting. Not until I turned my attention back to the front.

In a second, I was suspended midair as I’ve just tumbled off a cliff. I have always thought I knew fear up until this moment. My heart practically stopped working, and so did time. Darkness swallowed me, and the last thing I heard was the sound of crashing waters.

I could have sworn I heard one of those rogues gasp.

************

My eyelids flutter open, and a faint groan escapes me. I tried to move, but my body felt heavy and foreign as if they weren’t even mine. The air also smells thick with herbs and smoke.

Wood creaked softly, and from the corner of my eyes, I saw a man—very old—shuffle forward, his white beards swaying with each movement.

“Well, well….” His voice came out low, his wrinkled face carrying a calm smile. “I have two pieces of good news, miss.”

“You have just survived a very devastating fall after two weeks of a close clutch with death,” the man said with a hint of pride. Then his smile deepened, and his eyes twinkled with something I couldn’t quite place.

Finally, after taking a long sip of his tea, he speaks. “You’re pregnant.”