Chapter 1

Bella's POV

"Ahhhh," I hissed as a sharp tree branch cut through my skin and clothes. I stopped running, examining my bleeding arm.

"There she is, catch her!" One of the men snarled and the whole rogue pack charged toward me.

Fear gripped me, and I gritted my teeth, pushing forward, ignoring the sting of my injuries. In search of safety, I darted between the trees, their branches whipping past my face and it felt like even the whole forest was against me.

The relentless pursuit of the rogue pack echoed behind me, their growls and snarls filling the air, the gap between us reducing with each passing second.

"Please, help me," I begged weakly but there was no reply whatsoever.

"I know you can hear me. Why aren't you helping me? Is it until I die? Until David, the rogue leader kills me? Is that what you're waiting for?" I shouted in my subconscious but she still didn't say anything.

I glanced over my shoulder and caught a glimpse of David, a monstrous werewolf with fiery eyes and bared fangs. His gaze was locked on me, and I could imagine the smirk on his face.

Despite his numerous advances, I always turned him down. Today, he got enough, and together with his pack, they decided to chase me after I got off work. Why won't he let me be?

Sweat formed on my face, and I wiped it away with the back of my hand. This pursuit had taken its toll on my fragile body, and exhaustion threatened to overtake me. "Please," I begged my wolf again, hoping she'd respond. "You don't want to talk to me right? That's fine by me. Help me out of this mess. For the past twenty years, you haven't said a word or lent me any of your abilities. Today, please help me, I'm running out of time and strength. I need to find a safe place to hide and I need your help, please."

In my bid to beg and access my wolf, I failed to notice the ground beneath my feet. 

As I took another step forward, the earth gave way beneath me, and I found myself falling into a concealed ditch. 

"Arghhhhh," a startled cry escaped my lips as I tumbled into the darkness, the world spinning around me.

I landed with a thud at the bottom of the ditch, my body and head aching from the impact.

Disoriented and disheveled, I struggled to stand but a sharp pain radiated across my body, sending me back to the ground.

Tears threatened to fall, as I realized I dislocated my ankle due to the fall. 

"Where is she? Find her!” I heard David's command and his men dispersed, flying over the ditch one after the other.

I looked around and noticed the ditch was deep, and its sides were steep and unforgiving. A normal wolf my age would be able to jump out within minutes but for someone like me, who has been blessed or rather cursed with a dormant and heartless wolf, the chances of getting out of this ditch with a broken bone was zero. 

"What am I going to do?” I said in my subconscious as I couldn't cry, yell for help, or leave the ditch. The forest was often deserted at night time and if I should yell, the only people who would come to me are David and his men.

"Please help me get out of here. I won't bother you ever again, please," I begged but my wolf still didn't respond. It felt like she derived joy in seeing me in pain. 

Feeling my surroundings, I noticed a clutch of oblong-shaped eggs and I gasped realizing that the clutch belonged to an animal that dominated this forest- snakes.

"I need to get out of here!" I mumbled to myself, but how?

As I tried to think of an escape plan, my gaze fell upon a large bone protruding from the ground, and a desperate idea formed in my mind. If I could use that bone as a lever, perhaps I could push myself up and out of this wretched pit.

Summoning every ounce of strength, I crawled toward the bone, wincing with each movement as pain shot through my injured arm. I grasped it firmly, using it as a makeshift tool, and positioned it against the opposite side of the ditch. With all the strength I could muster, I pushed against the bone, using it as a lever to push my body upward.

The bone groaned under the pressure, the dirt crumbling beneath it. My heart raced as I felt the ground shift beneath me. Inch by a painstaking inch, I continued to push, straining against the weight of my own body. 

Sweat dripped down my forehead, mixing with the dirt and grime that clung to my skin but I didn't care. All I wanted was to get to safety.

Time seemed to blur as I focused solely on the task at hand. The sounds of the forest faded into the background, replaced only by the sound of my labored breathing. 

My muscles trembled with exhaustion, threatening to give out at any moment. But I refused to give up. Not now, not ever!

"If you still do not come out and I die today, I hope you're happy because you would never have a chance to come out," I told my wolf and with one final push, the bone shifted, dislodging a mound of dirt. I seized the opportunity, using the space to claw my way up the side of the ditch. 

Bit by bit, I ascended, my body straining, and after what felt like an eternity, I pulled myself over the edge of the ditch and collapsed onto the ground above, gasping for air.

I lay there for a moment, staring at the moon up above, my body heaving with exertion.

"If I, Bella Stone, can leave this place alive, I would NEVER beg you, my wolf again!” I promised my wolf, the moon being our witness. 

Hearing David's order from behind me, I stood up knowing I was far from safe.

Ignoring the pain that radiated through my body, I forced myself to stand, my injured arm hanging limply by my side. 

Despite my exhaustion and the searing pain in my arm, I forced myself to move. Limping through the dense forest, I got to a junction and decided to go to the secluded and deserted part, maybe I could find temporary refuge and gather strength. 

As I pushed forward, the sound of rustling leaves reached my ears, growing louder with each step. I knew the rogues caught my scent and were drawing closer.

And then, as if fate knew what I needed, I stumbled upon a villa standing in stark contrast to the surrounding forest. Its walls were weathered, and its windows were boarded up. 

I stared at the building, a mix of hope and fear building inside me. Is it safe?

Still unsure of what to do, I made my way toward the villa. With every step, pain from my hand and leg sent jolts of agony through my body, gradually weakening me.

As I approached the ancient structure, I gulped in fear as shadows danced across the broken windows, giving an eerie vibe. Approaching snarls filled the air and I decided to go in, after all, all I sought was refuge.

Summoning every ounce of strength, I pushed open the creaking door and stepped into the darkness within. The musty scent of neglect filled the air, and dust particles floating lazily in the moonlight that pierced through the cracks.

I took a peek through the window and saw the rogue wolves standing at the gate, not daring to enter. Although I was relieved at the sight, I couldn't help but wonder if there was something more to this villa. 

Still watching the wolves, my eyes locked with one of them, and I bent, praying he didn't see me. 

Not wanting to risk being caught I decided to go further into the house. Limping through the decaying halls, a sweet, intoxicating scent wafted through the air, enveloping and guiding me. It was a scent that made my heart race and my instincts stir. For the first time since I was born, I felt my wolf tingle. It made me happy to finally see her move, and maybe gradually she'd come out to talk to me.

Full of hope, I followed the alluring trail, the sweet scent guiding me deeper into the house and my connection to my wolf grew stronger with each step.

I found a small, secluded room towards the back of the villa. It had a cracked window, but the tattered curtains provided a minimal amount of cover. 

I stretched my other hand trying to find a place to sit and suddenly, my hand touched something, something hot.

"Mmmmm," a moan escaped a man's voice and I limped back, startled, realizing the thing I touched was a man. 

I wanted to apologize but I couldn't as I lost control over my lips. I wanted to turn around to leave but I couldn't either as my entire body was out of control while my wolf kept tingling. 

"What are you doing?" I asked her angrily. "You didn't speak to me when I needed you for the past twenty years. Why on earth are you forcing me to stay here? Do you want him to kill me?” I yelled at her.

Waiting for an answer from the tingling being inside me, my heart dropped when I heard two voices, one in my head and the other from the man, saying the same word at the same time. "MATE!”

Mate? The word echoed in my mind, as I stared at the man not knowing what to do. "Am I truly your mate?” I stammered, waiting for a reply.