Chapter 4

ELARA'S POV 

I ran with everything I had, lungs burning, legs screamed in protest but I didn't stop, I couldn't. The forest blurred around me, shadows stretching and twisting as I pushed past roots and fallen branches. 

My heart hammered in my chest, a deafening drumbeat echoing my desperation.

Pain shot through my side, but I ignored it. The only thing that mattered right now was running as far as I could from Kael.

My breaths came ragged, sweets dripped into my eyes, blurring my vision. My muscles were screaming.

Why? The thought echoed in my mind. Why did I think I had a chance? Why did I believe in love? Believe in Kael? That stupid, useless, foolish hope had been my anchor, now it was just ashes in my mouth.

His betrayal... It cut deeper than any claw.

My chest clenched- my trust, my heart, only to find out that he had been toying with me all along. A pawn, a sick game. A freaking lie!

*Crack*

Suddenly, the peaceful darkness of the woods shattered, I stopped running, turning around to scan my surroundings.

"What was that?" I murmured, heart pounding fast against my ribs. Just then- my eyes caught the glimpse of Crimson orbs staring right back at me- no three! I stumbled back,  the eyes gleamed at me with savage hunger, emerging snarling from all sides of the forest.

Rogues.

I ran.. This time faster than before, but my speed was nothing compared to theirs. Their shadows closed in and so did their snarls. 

"Ah!" I yelled as one jumped over my head, landing in front of me- no this isn't good.

I was cornered.

The three of them circled around me, eyes fixed on me like I was desert. Suddenly, the world burst into chaos, one swung its claws at me, luckily I dodged but landed butt flat on the wet grass.

"Get away from me!" I shouted, voice cracking as I screamed. Before I could even process what had happened. One bit into my arm, pulling me back. It's teeth sinking deep into my body, I felt blood pouring down, hot and sticky.

I was screaming, but my voice was inaudible, I was drowning in fear, in pain. My body needed time to recover, it could regenerate blood so suddenly.

Please, let me go. I begged silently, fighting to breathe, but rather, the wolf tightened its grip on me pulling me even further. My limbs felt too weak to move.

Just as I thought all hope was lost. The wolves suddenly stopped- halting in their tracks. I could sense a new presence through the chaos.

Another pack of wolves, larger and stronger. Right before my very own eyes, they tore into the rogue wolves with ferocity. It was a clash of claws, snarls and horror.

I tried to crawl away from the scene, hoping to escape whatever cruel fate I would end up in if I was captured. My wound wasn't closing up as it normally did.

Not after kael almost ended my life. I still needed time.

My eyes widened in shock when I felt a hot breath behind me.

He's not going to eat me right?

From the corner of my eyes. Three men emerged. One walked towards me, using her leg to flip me over. "Get her."

I froze. They were here to save me, right? Strong hands lifted me up, only to bind my hands with rope.

Wait- what?

He tugged on the rope, pulling me roughly, blood dripped from my battered limbs as I followed. I could barely even speak, my voice was gone due to the loss of energy and blood.

My hope died instantly. I wasn't being rescued, I was being captured.

***

I sat on the cold, damp ground hugging my knees. Rough stone walls surrounded me, cracked and chipped, creating the feeling of a trap.

I felt trapped, like a mouse in a rattrap.

My fingers were covered in frost, my tongue stuck to the roof of my tongue from thirst. Hunger tormented me - from time to time, I was barely fed or given water. I tried swallowing my saliva just to quench my thirst, but it was futile.

I can't take this anymore.

Just then, a guard walked passed. Immediately I jolted up, grabbing the iron bars. "Please! Help me!" I shouted amidst my cracked voice.

Instead of replying, he simply huffed and continued walking away.

I was captured for trespassing, unfortunately how would I know that? I was fleeing for my life, then I got attacked by rogues and now... I'm left here to die.

Wonderful.

I looked through the bar, where I could see their faces. Stern and merciless. Their eyes were cold and indifferent, as if I was nothing.

I was no longer in the Lycan realm. But the werewolf realm, and this was the Mountain Dew Pack. However, It still felt the same.

I felt discarded and useless, no one was willing to listen to my pleas.

I looked down at my hand, the injury had closed up, however the healing process was slower than usual. Hopefully, none of the guards had noticed my gift yet.

Deep inside, I knew my power, this gift I had. Was both my shield and a curse. The more I tried to conceal it, the more I felt it was destroying me, but no matter what, I won't let anyone else use me again.

I wouldn't be used as a tool again. Never will I let anyone use me again, therefore I'll keep my powers hidden.

Weeks passed slowly, blurring into an endless routine. Feeding, guarding, loneliness and darkness. Time drilled away, and I felt my will slowly dissolve.

Every morning I woke up with the feeling that it was harder and harder to keep my inner strength.

I looked up as I approached my cell, his face was hard- harder than a rock. His glare could kill instantly.

I gulped, prepared for the worse.

However, the words that came out of his mouth gave me hope.

"Convicted for trial. Prepare yourself."