Chapter 4 Land of Hunters and Predators

Aria's POV

The truck stopped, and I glanced out at the vast expanse of the tundra, also known as the bone forest, since all that was there were the hollow, dead trees, weeds, and scattered remains of the dead cast out there.

Apprehension filled me as I was drop-kicked from the truck bed then ordered to enter the cursed lands empty-handed and barely clothed.

Glaring back at the guards I told them that I would return for my revenge making them both chuckle at me.

“If you cross back onto these pack lands you will have hunters sent after you, Aria. Don't be foolish,” the guard grunted as he went to the passenger seat.

I was surely a pathetic sight but rage was flowing within my veins over Ronan's treatment of me and the disregard for my mother's sacrifice.

Exhaling deeply I stepped over the threshold and entered the cursed land and looked back at the truck driving off.

Gauging the location of my shack I ran in that direction.

“I'll be damned if I leave my mother's blade,” I growled as I jumped over a fallen log.

Seeing movement on the Ironclaw lands I could see guards installing more trail cameras along the Ironclaw border as I neared the cleared field with my shack perched within it.

My eyes narrowed at a familiar face exiting my shack with a knapsack.

Nathan carried what I assumed were my meager items close to the border but propped them against a tree stump on the pack lands.

Pinching my lips I furrowed my brow at the trail camera pointing at it.

“What game is he playing?” I murmured then covered my gasp as he stuck my dagger into the stump beside the bag.

Raising his eyes he scanned the area before shaking his head then turning to leave.

I was downwind so my scent was not present, he had taught me well as I waited for the coast to clear.

The moment they cleared out, I stepped cautiously to retrieve my belongings, and just as I hoisted the bag strap over my shoulder, I pulled my knife, I heard the cocking of guns and a low warning growl.

“Freeze, trespasser!” A hunter shouted.

“Not today,” I responded, then rushed across the border.

Bullets whizzed past me as I hightailed it through the unfamiliar terrain.

Glancing over my shoulder I cursed at seeing them following after me.

The rifle continued being fired and I winced because a bullet hit me in my left shoulder.

It caused me to lose my footing and I stumbled into some thick brush right into a meeting of two individuals.

An old woman with a missing eye looked at me with intrigue and then a rough, handsome man with golden eyes grabbed me before I fell face-first into the fire they were gathered around.

“Let me weave a magic ward to block the bastards,” the old crone asserted and started chanting.

“Let me show myself and they will run away with their tales between their legs,” the man boasted and I cringed.

“Take care of her, she is injured,” the old woman huffed angrily and started chanting again.

“I've been shot and am losing blood,” I explained to the golden-eyed man who held me.

He examined my injury and appeared baffled.

“Your wound has been cauterized on the inside as well as out and isn't bleeding,” he asserted in bewilderment.

“Oh,” I mumbled before I fainted.

“I told you something special was on its way Alpha,” I overheard the old crone telling the golden-eyed man when I awoke.

They were both eyeing my sigil with interest.

Narrowing my eyes at the guy I muttered questionably, “You're an Alpha?”

Glancing around his side I noticed a hare roasting on a spit over the fire and pinched my mouth.

“You're men have been stealing from my snare traps,” I asserted, giving him pause.

“I am Darian and she is Hella, my advisor,” he said while I eyed him with indifference.

“Okay, but I didn't ask. Where are my things?”

I looked around for my knapsack and knife with concern since I couldn't see either.

“You speak to me, an Alpha so freely? I can see why you were discarded onto these cursed lands,” Darian growled and I stood to go search for my bag.

“If you will excuse me I want to get on something other than this,” I explained as I tugged on the man's shirt I wore.

“Come with us to my territory and you can find clothing there. It's not that far from here.”

Shaking my head I exhaled sharply.

“I need my mother's knife. It's all that I have left of her,” I stated honestly as I looked straight into his unusual eyes.

“I will find it for you, if you join us,” he asserted as he offered me his welcoming hand.

I didn't place my hand within his. I was overly cautious having heard rumors about the rogues that inhabited these lands.

“Do you know how your wound cauterized itself?” he asked bluntly.

“No sir, I don't. All I know for certain is that I am different from other wolves,” I mumbled and continued to search for my dagger.

“Stop pussy footing around and give it back to her, Alpha,” Hella hissed and my eyes widened at Darian reaching behind himself and pulling out my weapon, handing it over hilt first.

“Thank you,” I muttered as I held it close to my chest and added, “I will join you both, it's not like I have any other options.”

Hella reached her wrinkled hand out and patted my hand.

“You're a one in a thousand years kind of wolf and your presence has put a pep in my step,” she cackled.

“Great,” I muttered as I decided to follow after the odd pair.