WHO IS HE?

CHAPTER 2: WHO IS HE?

RAYA'S POV.

The cover of the night, and the merriment that had caused the borders to be left unguarded was the perfect opportunity for me to escape unnoticed. I wasn't going to live under the indefinite torment of Victoria, and an even more awful treatment from the rest of the pack. 

Yes, I was terrified of walking into the unknown, especially since I barely knew the outside world. I had never ventured outside Ravenhill. But bracing myself, I took that daring step. 

No one would've thought I had it in me to leave, going beyond the borders of Ravenhill.

I looked at her mother's grave one last time as tears ran down my left cheek. 

"Goodbye, mother," I bade sorrowfully, then I began walking into the dark forest.

I was quite deep into the forest and could no longer hear the jubilation from the pack. It was now replaced with a frightening silence, mixed with the chirping of crickets and hooting of owls. 

Gulping as I walked, even the snapping of a twig under my foot scared me. It got even worse when I heard the rustling sound of grass. Turning in the direction of the sound and squinting my eyes, I saw the reflection of a pair of bloodshot eyes flashing due to moonlight. 

Gripped with fear, I froze. 

Growling mildly, the creature emerged - It was a Silverback rogue. Goo dripped from the side of its mouth as it inched its way toward me.

More rogues emerged from the dark, their eyes glowing at me with murderous intent. I was surrounded. Taking a few steps back, I found herself leaning against a tree. My nails clawed into the back of the tree as my heart raced. 

Standing face to face with death, for a fleeting moment, I wondered if escaping was the right course I should have taken. But there was nothing I could do at this point.

In this dire moment, I wished my wolf would awaken. At least, I would have a fighting chance. 

A rogue snarled and sprang at me. I docked and fell to the ground, but was grazed close to my left shoulder by its razor-sharp claws. I crawled backward frightfully, my eyes darting around as the other rogues prepared to attack me.

Suddenly, I saw that they all cowered, their heads bent and ears folded in, whimpering. Someone emerged from the dark. 

His eyes flashed gold. His long dark hair cascaded over his shoulders, sitting on his huge body frame. He only had on a furry winter coat, but was shirtless, revealing his well-built upper body, adorned with two gold necklaces.

He walked right through the midst of the rogues as they made way for him. 

My vision began getting hazy as I got drowsy.

'Poison. I've been poisoned by its claws,' I said to herself. 

But then, with my eyes fixed on him, I wondered who this was that terrified the rogues, even though they outnumbered him. I didn't know if he was a friend, or foe. 

He walked calmly toward me, paying the rogues no attention whatsoever. It was as though his presence caused time to slow down - His aura was on a whole other level than what I had ever seen or felt.

Squatting, he looked right into my eyes. I felt a calm I had never felt in the presence of anyone, making me forget I was at the verge of death. 

"You poor thing. Out here all alone," the stranger said in deep but soft calming tone.

Slowly, I lost consciousness, collapsing at his feet. But one question ran through her mind. 

'Who is he?'

_________________

Gasping, I jerked up. I looked around frantically and saw that the rogues were all on the floor, dead. My heart thumped and I gasped in fear. 

Then I saw the same stranger sitting by a fire. The reflection of the fire in his eyes made the perfect blend.

'So it wasn't a dream.' 

"No, it wasn't a dream," the stranger replied. My eyes widened in shock as I looked at him. 

"How- How-" I blurted, unable to make the words.

"You're surprised I read your thoughts?" he asked. I just looked at him, unable to speak. The cackling sound of the burning wood was audible in the awkward silence between us. 

"What were you doing out here all by yourself, away from Ravenhill, and away from your pack? Are you not aware of the dangers that lie without, especially at night?" he further asked. 

I found it hard to answer. I wondered how he knew what pack I was a part of. But I also wondered what pack he was from. I had never seen him before. He was dressed differently as though it was winter, but it was summer, hence my confusion because the weather was hot. 

He got up and began walking away from the fire. I sat there, wondering why he was leaving all of a sudden without saying a word. I quickly got up and followed him, passing through the dead and bloodied bodies of the rogues. 

I thought he'd send me away, but he didn't. I should have been scared of following a stranger strong enough to take on that number of rogues alone. But strangely, I wasn't.

Up ahead, I saw torches lit, and there was a company of carriages. As we got closer, I saw that they were royal carriages, and there were flags that bore the sigil of the royal house - House Gavanar. 

'What are the King's delegates doing here?' I asked within me. I quickly remembered that the stranger could hear my thoughts, so I quieted her thoughts. 

When we got to the temporal camp, the soldiers got up and bowed to the person I followed. Furrowing my brow, I wondered what was going on. 

A well-dressed man, having similar hair to the man I followed approached him and bowed. "My Lord." 

'My Lord?' I was confused at this point. 

"Take our guest to my tent and have her fed with the finest delicacies, and give her a change of raiment," he instructed. 

"Yes, my Lord," the man bowed, but looked a bit perplexed. As he led me away, I turned and looked at the stranger, wondering who he truly was. 

As I got into the tent, everything I saw spelled royalty - true royalty. There was a table that was already set like a banquet, with all varieties of delicacies. 

The man briefly left and returned with a servant holding a raiment. It was made of the same furry material as everyone in the camp.

"Please, enjoy what the White Wolf has so generously offered you," the man said.

"What?" my eyes widened in utter shock. "Sorry, my lord, but is he- Is he King Barakar, the Alpha King?"

"Who else would he be?" he replied nonchalantly, and walked out.

I had her hand over her mouth. 

"Oh, spirits! I am done for!"