Chapter 2

~ RORY ~

I dash after Layla who'd also turned into her wolf form in a hurry, my mouth slightly parted as I breathe in through it. Layla was right behind father and I know I can't catch up, not without my wolf. The only reason I can still run this fast is because of the intense training we were made to go through in preparation for our wolf.

As soon as we stepped under the canopy of trees, the temperature dropped but we didn't stop. Father spares a glance at his back before letting out a loud growl. Layla stops until I catch up to her and she motions at me to climb her angrily.

I did, grateful to father.

Then, we were running again. There were loud thuds of paws hitting earth but it wasn't coming from us. Instead, it was coming from the loud growls behind us.

The aggrieved pack members.

Me being on Layla's back finally gave me some time to think and I couldn't deny the fact that I can guess what's happening.

Father had turned a human and… it was against the Pack's rule. He also killed a wolf without a reason. The punishment is death. Not just the normal one, but wiping away the person's family.

We are going to get killed.

“Father…” i whisper.

Mother spares me a glare from behind him. “Just shut up!”

I gulp, holding on to Layla's fur tightly. Soon enough, mother hops off his back and turns into her golden brown wolf. She sprints beside father.

“We should stop.” She says, her eyes fixed on the forest which was becoming darker. “We are approaching the death zone.” she growls.

The sound of paws hitting earth never stopped. The aggrieved pack hunters continues to chase after us. Tears stream down my face. I'm really going to die. I didn't even bid Alex a good farewell. I should have agreed to the quickie and tell him how much I love him.

Suddenly, father stops. Mother stops too causing Layla to stop. Father spits a small knife out of his mouth and transforms into human form. Shakily, I get down from Layla's back. She also transforms back into her human form, her face dawned with understanding.

Then, he rushes towards me and engulfs me in a hug. The dam bursts free as I sob into his chest, not only afraid for me but for him.

He pats my hair.

“I love you, Aurora.” He whispers into my hair before stepping back. He grabs my hand just as my sobs turn more louder and desperate.

I love my father. I love my daddy. He's the only one who'd ever treated me right at home.

He smiles and parts my fingers before placing the little dagger between my fingers.

“Protect yourself with this.”

Then, he turns and walks hurriedly to Layla who was in mother's arms. He hugs her too.

“Look after your sister.” He says to her.

Mother shoots him a glare before turning to Layla. “Don't die.” She says to her and turns to me. “Don't be a burden.”

I gulp, my grip on the knife tightening but I said nothing because she's right. I've always been a burden.

The sound of howls turns louder before father and mother turn back to their wolf form just as the pack hunters break through the forest, flying over fallen trees towards us.

“Run Rory! Run!” Father howls.

“Don't die!” Mother howls and charges forward.

Layla growls before kicking me. Then, she turns into her wolf form and starts sprinting towards the forbidden death zone.

I can't even see clearly. My head was pounding as tears continues to stream down my face but I try to tune out the sound of fighting behind me as I sprint after Layla.

We could have entered the death zone together. We could have escaped. But father… father and mother… They tried to buy us time.

Even though a part of me knows our death is inevitable. No one enters the death zone and lives to tell the tale. But the only thing we can do is to stall our death for as long as possible.

Layla didn't stop and I watch helplessly as the distance between us continued to grow.

“You are so weak.” She growls, glancing at me over her shoulders.

“I'm sorry.” I pant, running after her while I pull branches out of my way at regular intervals.

“You know what?” She growls again. “I'm going to leave you here. Mommy said to do that if you ever slow me down.”

Then, her speed increases.

“Layla!” I scream but I can't even hear my voice. I fall to the forest's floor in defeat.

I'm a burden. Again.

She can run faster than that but I'd slow her down. I deserve it. I deserve everything.

I think I know why mother never loved me all these years. I was a burden to her. I've always been. My existence meant that Layla has to share her dolls and she has to share her attention. I took father's attention away from Layla.

I wasn't only a burden. I was a thief.

Maybe that's why the moon goddess didn't give me my wolf.

I deserve it.

But Layla… she left…

And father…

My eyes widened, remembering he'd sacrificed his life for me… for us… so we could run.

No, I can't give up now. Not now, not ever. Father won't…

I spring to my feet and run. I run like my life depends on it.

Deeper.

Colder.

Harsher.

Harder.

The temperature drops continuously and the entire forest turns colder. The ground turns harder and harsher and the tree branches claws at my dress, as if wanting to rip it off. And then, the sky is starting to slowly get covered by a cloak of darkness. I lean against a robust tree, huffing and panting.

I can't stop or can I?

Running in the forest at night is not me asking to be preyed upon and killed, it's me begging for it.

After catching my breath, my hand on the hilt of the dagger tightens as I bring it to my gown and tear it from my knee.

My eyes dart to the tall tree I'm resting on.

Up. I need to go up.

And up I go.

I dig the dagger into the tree and start climbing. My muscles scream in protest and my stomach growls in hunger but I can't stop. This is the only way I can pay him back. By staying alive.

At least, if I die, I will die trying and he will know I tried.

I settle on a sturdy tree branch and lean against it, too worn out to keep my eyes open.

_ _ _

The feeling of water trickling down my face and hunger jolts me awake. The sky looks a little pale and I don't know how much time has passed but I can see a bit clearly now.

But I'm happy. A little.

The sky is crying.

It's sharing in my miserability.

And I know, because I've read it, that predators don't come out when it's raining. So, I climb higher and steady myself on a branch to get an overview of the forest.

It's either I die from hunger or find a source of water.

The goal is to survive for as long as possible so I won’t be ridden with guilt and self blame, not live.

I try my best to keep Layla out of my thoughts as I slowly descend the tree with the help of my dagger. She's faring well. I know. Layla has always been exceptional with martial and wilderness lessons.

As soon as my shoe hit the soil, I ran south, towards the direction of the stream I'd seen.

After running for what feels like eternity, the sound of flowing water fills my ears and I couldn't hold back the desperate smile that clings to my face as I dash into the clearing near the river, my heart thudding in my chest.

However, I come to an abrupt stop just few meters away from the flowing stream.

Seems like I'm not alone here.