Chapter 4

Elena's POV

I woke up to the sound of rustling leaves and the faint chirping of birds. For a moment, I was confused, my mind foggy. Then it all came rushing back—the escape, the woods, the pain in my arm, the hollow tree trunk I had crawled into for shelter. I was so weak and tired from running that I had to stop to rest for a while.

I wished it was all just a terrible dream, that I would open my eyes and find myself safe at home with my family. But it wasn't a dream. I was still here, alone in the forest. A single tear slipped down my cheek, but I quickly wiped it away. I couldn't afford to break down again.

I knew I couldn't stay in the tree. I had to keep moving, had to find a way out. Dragging myself forward, I placed a hand against the rough bark and pushed up to my feet. Pain shot through my sprained ankle and injured arm, but I gritted my teeth and forced myself to stand.

I looked around, unsure of where to go. My stomach growled, my body ached, and exhaustion weighed me down. Then I heard it, the sound of water flowing. A river. My heart leapt with joy.

I limped toward the sound, following the faint path through the trees. After what felt like forever, I finally found it. Relief washed over me as I crouched by the riverbank. I dipped my hands into the cool water, rinsed them, then scooped handfuls to drink. The water was refreshing, soothing, giving me strength I desperately needed.

When I'd had enough, I sighed in contentment. Then I looked down at myself, mud clung to my clothes and skin. Disgusted, I stepped into the river. The cold water stung my injured arm, but I didn't care. I needed to feel clean. Slowly, I began washing the mud away, scrubbing until my skin felt lighter.

Just as I was busy cleaning myself, I froze. Voices.

Panic gripped my chest. My eyes darted around the trees. Kael’s people. They’ve found me. Terror surged through me. I couldn’t go back. I would never go back.

I moved deeper into the river, trying to hide. My heart pounded as two figures came into view. Two men. But they didn’t look like Kael’s people, their clothes were different, their faces unfamiliar.

Still, fear consumed me. If they saw me, they might take me back. I had to act fast.

I sucked in a deep breath, then slipped beneath the water, holding it in as tightly as I could. My chest burned, my body trembled, but I prayed. ''Please, let them leave before I run out of breath.''

The men laughed loudly, their voices echoing across the river, but I couldn’t make out their words. My chest burned as I forced myself to stay under, lungs screaming for air. I had thought they would only drink and leave, but they didn’t look like they were going anywhere.

Fear of Kael’s people gave me strength to hold on. If I got caught, there was no way I could defend myself against two men twice my size. With my injured leg, escape would be impossible.

I held on as long as I could, but eventually my body betrayed me. My lungs felt like they were on fire. I burst out of the water, gasping and coughing violently.

The men froze, startled. For a moment, the three of us just stared at each other, my heart pounding so hard I thought it might break through my chest.

One of them, a man with a jagged scar across his face, sniffed the air. His lip curled. "A human.'' He spat, his voice dripping with disgust.

The other frowned. ''How did a human get here?”

Scarface sneered. “Who cares? At least she’ll make a good meal.” His eyes darkened as he licked his lips, staring at me like I was nothing more than food.

Terror surged through me. I had to get out now or risk being eaten alive. I sucked in a breath and plunged back under the water.

But the men jumped in after me.

For a moment, everything was silent beneath the surface, the river swallowing us whole. Then I broke through at the far end, dragging myself out of the water. My body screamed in pain, but I forced myself to limp as fast as I could.

By the time the men surfaced, I was already far ahead.

They growled in fury, rushing out of the river and charging after me.

I had no idea how the men caught up with me, they were suddenly there, shadows moving faster than I could comprehend. One of them gripped my shoulder, pinning me in place. His fingers dug into my skin, sharp and unnatural, nothing like human hands.

A scream tore from my throat as pain shot through me. Then, without warning, I was hurled into the air.

The world spun before my body crashed hard against another tree. The impact knocked the breath out of me, and I collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony. Every nerve in my body screamed, and for a moment, I couldn't even move.

The men laughed cruelly as they stared at my weakened body on the floor. Scarface spat, his voice dripping with mockery. "Only a foolish human would dare to come to this land. You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into, girl. But don't worry, your foolishness also brought us food." He rubbed his stomach and laughed loudly, the sound echoing through the trees.

The pain in my body was so overwhelming I barely registered his words. Before I could gather myself, I felt rough hands dragging me across the ground. Then sharp teeth sank into my leg, tearing through flesh. Agony exploded through me, worse than anything I had ever felt.

A scream ripped from my throat, so loud it echoed through the entire forest. Desperate, I lashed out with my other leg, kicking the man hard across the face. He snarled and released me. I scrambled backward on my hands, dragging myself away, my body trembling.

The man shut his eyes briefly, nostrils flaring in rage. When he opened them again, his eyes glowed a sickly yellow.

My own eyes widened in horror. I froze, my voice shaking. "W...what are you? Get away from me."

He only growled, crouching low, ready to launch at me again—when suddenly, a roar thundered through the forest. It was so loud, so primal, that the earth itself seemed to tremble beneath me.

Both men whimpered, their confidence vanishing in an instant. They sounded like frightened puppies.

And then I saw it.

A massive beast emerged from the shadows of the forest. Its towering frame was covered in thick, dark fur, muscles ripping beneath every movement. Its claws were long and curved, glinting like blades. Its muzzle was wolf like, but larger, more monstrous, with sharp long fangs bared in a snarl. The creature's presence radiated raw power, ancient and terrifying.

But what froze me completely were its eyes—glowing red, burning like embers in the night.

The beast's gaze swept over the men, and the air grew heavy with dominance. The two who had moments ago laughed at me now cowered, their bodies trembling under the beast's stare.

I couldn't move. My heart pounded wildly, torn between terror and awe.

The man trembled, their voices breaking as they cried out. "It's the beast! It's the beast!"

They tried to run, but the creature was faster. In a blur of movement, it launched at one of them, ripping him apart with terrifying ease. Blood splattered across the ground and onto my face.

Fear gripped my soul. A scream tore from my throat, hot tears streaming down my cheeks. I tried to get up, but my injured leg gave way, sending me collapsing back to the ground.

I could only watch in horror as the beast seized Scarface next. With monstrous strength, it tore him apart as well, then raised the mangled body in each hand and let out another roar so powerful it shook the earth beneath me.

My heart pounded wildly. I couldn't believe I was about to meet the same end. I wanted to move, to crawl away, but my body betrayed me.

Then the beast turned its glowing red eyes on me.

The sheer weight of its gaze crushed me with terror. The thought of being ripped apart like the others made me scream louder than I ever had before. My vision blurred, darkness closing in.

And then, everything went black.