Chapter 2 (escaped)

CHAPTER 2

…

I watched him walk away with a smirk tucked by the side of his lips. Would he really frame me for the death of his mother? How desperately did he want to get rid of me? Nothing makes sense. No desperation should lead to the death of a loved one, I refuse to believe it..

"An adopted daughter, who knows what blood runs through your veins could be that of a rogue," His words resounded again and again in my mind. 

A mind-boggling revelation, Or a lie aimed to add to my pain and frustration. Was I really adopted? For some reason, it wasn't a tragic discovery. 

It has been a constant rumor surrounding my existence. One that my father and brother strongly denied but something within me wants to believe he is not lying. Maybe the part of me that trusted him in the past. I look nothing like my father or brother. I was told I looked like my late mother now there is a possibility that it's a lie. 

From the tiny window by the high ceiling, the moonlight seeped through. It was midnight already, oh how I wish time could stop. Tomorrow judgment awaits me in the middle of town and by the glint in his eyes there is no chance of him sparing me.

"Usually it's death," her voice said as I looked up to see her sitting on her bunk bed.

"What?" I inquired, taken aback and confused.

"From what he said you killed his mother, you won't be judged, don't get your hopes high there is no hope nor judgment. You will be killed in the middle of town, burnt or stoned like a witch. The only mercy you might get is being hanged. That way it's not too much pain." She rose from her position with her hands behind her. 

I blinked in horror drying off the last trail of tears in my eyes.

"And how did you know these things?" I asked her with fear evident in my voice.

"Because I am a rogue," she said, pointing to her upper shoulder. 

"I suppose you are too weak and depressed to take notice of my mark. The death penalty is something every rogue is familiar with." she continued to speak while I just listened.

"In order to break the rules and law you have to know the rules and law," she spoke with eagerness for some reason. It was my first time seeing a Rogue. Not a single fear behind her eyes.

According to what we were told, Rogues are evil wolves without packs, banished wolves, and tyrant wolves. It is said to never trust a rogue. They are our territory's biggest enemies. Although I wonder how she was captured I don't really want to dive in. I am in no position right now to be asking about anybody.

"You believe he framed you right?" she asked while I shook my head in disapproval.

"You saw him laugh at my face," I answered half-heartedly.

"Is that not an answer? You are too weak to kill, let alone the Alpha's mother it's obvious you have no balls," not even caring that my feelings might be hurt she continued to say whatever.

"What is it that you are called? Aisling right? I do not wish to engage in any conversation knowing I might be dead tomorrow."

"Not might, you will be killed," She corrected her eyes, shimmering as she spoke. Almost as if fascinated with the thought of my death approaching.

"Can you spare me a bit of positivity please?" I blurted out offended while she approached with a smile.

"I can save you," she said leaning in, with the closeness finally I could see the mark she spoke about on the top of her shoulders. Bold Foreign words carved into her skin.

"You can sa…save me?" Suddenly I couldn't speak straight. My heart skips repeatedly.

"But that will make you the thing you fear the most, A Rogue," she said, nodding her head. In disbelief, I chuckled looking away from her eyes. 

She walked away towards her bed and picked up an old sack which I believe were her things, quickly she threw it at her back, securing it. "I plan to escape tonight," she casually said while I watched Immediately overpowered by adrenaline.

"Give me your hand," she stretched her hand towards me.

"Why?" I asked 

"I don't trust you. If I were to leave you might raise an alarm to reserve lesser punishment," she said, dragging me up to stand on my feet.

"What about my family?" I blurted out my heart beating loudly against my chest.

"Someone has to survive, if you stay you all die, if you survive there is a chance you can avenge their death." Her words made no sense to me. If someone was to survive it shouldn't be me. I am the one who brought this mess upon us all.

"You have to survive to know why your mate had to frame your family, "She continued, panicking as I stood watching her. She hissed before opening the cell with a key. I suppose she has been planning her escape for a while to already have a key.

"For the last time come with me Freyja," confused I stared, I never told her my name, and neither did Lucius call upon my name.

"How did you…." she dragged me by my arm causing my feet to roughly drag on the floor. The sound was enough to wake the prisoner in the opposite cell. Alert we both paused my heart leaping out in fear.

"What are you both doing?" The older woman opposite us asked, causing another to wake up.

"Nothing…" I answered immediately.

"Bad omen," she spoke in a different language, and surprisingly I could understand it.

"Let's go," she dragged my hands along with her as she ran. Behind her, I followed suit as I could hear behind me a commotion.

"This is bad," I cursed, the heaviness of my gown made it almost impossible to meet up with her. She easily navigated the route leading us straight to the woods at this point it was obvious we were being chased.

Heart pounding, I plunged into the dense woods still behind her. each step muffled by a carpet of fallen leaves. Branches snagged at my Gown as I darted through the shadows, the ominous echo of pursuit urging us deeper into the maze of trees. 

The distant snap of twigs behind us intensified my fear, and I pushed on, driven by the desperate and sudden need to escape the unknown menace closing in. The forest, once a sanctuary, now concealed both my panic and the relentless pursuit, as we navigated the winding trails, I prayed for sanctuary amid the looming trees.

She suddenly paused, taking my hand once again. "Your scent is strong and they will continue to chase us at this point, you go I will take care of them," flabbergasted I let out a chuckle.

"Good to see you have positive energy now go," she shoved me, tearing a chunk of her dress and revealing part of her body as she began to position herself in a weird position. Like a hunter waiting on its prey.

"I know nowhere I can't continue to run without you, Let's continue to run,” I said, shaking my head as she paused to face me.

"Within you is a strong wolf who you have made weak because of your constant fear. You do not need me anymore," for the first time I could see the panic in her eyes. The guards were nearing us. I could hear their sounds and see their touch lights from a distance.

"Please let's run, "I begged, I can't leave her behind just like I left my family behind. 

"I won't die, trust me, continue to run towards the south. My brother is waiting for me at the river border, tell him I sent you. He will help you till I return." She shoved me ahead with panic in her eyes, for the first time I began to regret not joining my brother in the field to train. I was pampered and never had to learn how to fight.

"You will be marked a Rogue remember" She shoved me for the last time into the nearest Bush. I could hear the roar of the guards approaching followed by hers. She was transforming.

Again like a coward, I took off toward the South not looking back, her voice hunted me as I ran. By the it wasd of it, it's not a small scare, it was a full-blown fight.

My tears accompanied me as I ran, only stopping to tear part of my gown just like I saw Aisling do. I can't transform, the scent will linger and even if I wanted to transform my wolf still is curled in pain.

From a distance, I could see a large river, and my knees began to go numb. I have no idea how long I have been running but I know for a fact that I haven't stopped. At the far end of the river bank is a White horse drinking from the river.

"Has the goddess sent a helper my way," I pushed through, forcing myself to keep standing. Finally, I dragged my feet to the river bending towards it just like the horse to take a sip while Gasping for air.

My trembling hands reached for the cool water, and as I bent down to sip, a dizzying wave of exhaustion washed over me. The world spun, and the river's reflection blurred into a hazy mosaic. 

“A Runaway with no eyes at her back,” I heard a male voice.

In that fleeting moment, the rush of water became a distant hum as consciousness slipped away, and I crumpled beside the river, the world around me fading into a shadowy abyss…