Chapter 6

Raziela

Grom stepped forward towards me and I took a step backwards. But he cornered me until my back was pressed against the tree.

“You worthless bitch! You really thought you could escape?” His sadistic laughter rang out, bouncing off the trees around us. “I’ll kill you myself. After all, I’ll be doing everyone a favor. But first, a taste of the popular pack whore…” he chuckled darkly as he reached out for me.

I shut my eyes tight, waiting for the inevitable, but a loud thump sounded just above my head and I felt Grom’s weight collapse into me.

My eyes flew open and I was met with Grom’s dead eyes. There was an arrow sticking out of his chest and a pool of blood was leaking from it. I let out a small scream pushing him off me, and coming face to face with Zane who had an arrow in his hands.

He quickly dropped the arrow. Pulling Enid into his arms before moving towards me.

“Z-Zane…” my voice cracked as I looked at Grom’s dead body laying on the floor.

“It’s okay.” He whispered to me, pulling me in for a hug. The smell of smoke clung to him, but I couldn’t even focus on that.

Zane pulled out of the hug almost immediately, and he pushed Enid into my hands, before quickly pulling off his shirt and handing it to me.

“Take the tunnel until the very end. Then run Raziela. Do not stop until you’re far away from here. I put some money into Enid’s coat. I didn’t bring much because I don’t want the load to weigh you both. Make sure you get to the next town over, and hide as best as you can.” He paused, stroking Enid’s cheek softly.

“Once things settle, I’ll come find you.”

My daughter was pressed to my chest and from her little sniffs I could tell she had been crying. The thought caused the tears that had been stinging my eyes to fall.

“Leave now Raziela. And don’t ever return here.” Zane said, looking back before turning his attention back to me.

I nodded quickly and put Enid to the ground. “Thank you so much Zane. I’ll never forget this. Thank you.” I whispered, wrapping my arms around him fiercely.

His warm arms wrapped around me in a firm hug, but it wasn’t for long. He pressed a soft kiss to my head, before pulling away. Bending down, he ruffled Enid’s hair and pressed a kiss to her temple.

“Be safe Raz. Go!” Zane urged, and I turned around getting on all fours, so Enid could climb onto my back.

Once she was secured, I crawled into the large tunnel and began finding my way to the other side.

I crawled for what felt like hours, but finally I could see the light start to form at the end of the tunnel and I forced my tired and burning hand and knees to crawl even faster.

The tunnel felt endless.

The moment I reached the end of the tunnel, I felt my link to the pack cut off and a sharp, burning pain seared through my body. Settling in my chest and neck.

The rogue severing hit like lightning.

It felt like there was a snap in my bones and a tear in my mind.

Blood poured from my nose. My wolf whimpered in agony. Enid screamed as the bond between her and the pack was severed.

We collapsed together by the riverbank, gasping, clawing at the dirt.I held her tight through the convulsions.

“It’s okay,” I whispered. “We’re free now. We’re free.”

Even if we were alone.

Even if the world wanted us dead.

We were finally free.

***

The forest had no mercy. Branches whipped at my face. The cold gnawed at Enid’s small body, wrapped against my chest in Zane’s jacket. My feet bled from thorns, my lungs burned with every breath. But I didn’t stop.

Rogues didn’t get second chances. The protection of the pack was no longer mine and my wolf was quiet now, curled in pain inside me. Every snap of a twig made me flinch. Every shadow felt like a predator.

We’d been running for three days, although I couldn’t be sure anymore. Time melted when you were hunted.

Enid was feverish.

Her skin burned against mine as I pressed a damp cloth to her brow. Her tiny arms clung to my neck as she whimpered in her sleep.

I need to find help. That single thought beat through my mind like a drum.

We stumbled upon a campfire just before dusk. It was in a clearing near the river, glowing warm and inviting. Two men sat by the flames, roasting meat, their laughter low and calm.

I crouched in the brush, going over my options until Enid sneezed in my arms. Announcing our presence, causing them to look in our direction.

“Hey!” One of them called. “You alright?” I hesitated.

His expression softened when they fell on Enid. “She looks sick. We’ve got water. Blankets.”

“Who are you?” I asked hoarsely, stepping out with Enid cradled tight.

“Travelers,” the other man said. “We trade between packs. Come sit. Let the little one rest.”

My eyes flicked between them. They weren’t dressed like warriors. No scents of a pack. No weapons in sight. I moved forward cautiously.

They gave us a blanket and handed me a bowl full of food. Enid sipped weakly from the water bottle. The fire was the first warmth I had felt in days.

“You on the run?” one man asked casually and I stiffened.

He held up his hands. “Not judging. We’ve helped rogues before. Not all packs are kind.”

I nodded slowly. “We’re just passing through.”

They exchanged a glance. The first guy said, pointing towards my neck. “You’ve got the rogue burn. Tough to hide from patrols.”

I tucked Enid closer. “I can handle it.”

The man smiled. “Sure. Just one more night in the cold, right?”

Something in his voice chilled me. It didn’t sound like the warm invitation he had extended just minutes before.

I stood, gathering Enid in my arms. “We should keep moving—”

But the other man was already behind me.

Before I could scream, a cloth covered my mouth and Enid was snatched away from my arms.

I struggled against the man behind me, but he was so strong and he pressed the cloth even harder, forcing me to inhale even more.

Soon, blackness swallowed me whole.