Chapter 4: The final escape and Encounter with the stranger

Olivia's POV.

I woke up to a loud bang on the door. I sat up with a start as I rubbed my eyes, trying to shake off the sleep in my eyes. My body was still aching, and the bruises still hurt me like a fresh wound. I had cried myself to sleep last night, exhausted from my failed escape attempt.

My heart was pounding as I heard Damien's voice on the other side. "Good morning, Olivia," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I hope you had a good night."

My eyes narrowed as I glared at the door. I knew he was just taunting me, enjoying my misery and pain.

"Get up," he ordered. "It's time to do what has to be done."

I threw off the covers and got out of the dark area, my eyes blazing with anger and hate. "You know exactly how my night was," I spat, my voice venomous and loud. "You think you can just use me and discard me like trash? You're heartless, Damien."

Damien's expression remained impassive, but I saw a flicker of something in his eyes. I didn't know what it was, but I knew it wasn't compassion.

"Enough," he said, his voice cold. "Johnson, Thomas, take her to the pack doctor."

The two men stepped forward, their faces expressionless as they grabbed my arms. The pain from the other day hurt me as I groaned. I struggled against them, but they were too strong for me.

 "Please, Damien, don't do this," I begged, my voice cracking with emotion. "I'll do anything, just don't make me do this."

But Damien just turned away, his back to me as he walked out of the room. The men dragged me behind him, through the pack's headquarters, as we passed people who were curious about what was happening. My feet stumbled as I tried to keep up.

At the pack hospital, I was taken to a small room where the pack doctor waited. He was an old man with kind eyes and a gentle face.

"Hello, Olivia," he said, his voice soft. "I'm afraid I'm here to perform a procedure."

I glared at him, my eyes filled with tears. "You're just going to do what Damien says, aren't you?" I accused.

The doctor's expression was sympathetic. "I'm sorry, Olivia. But I have no choice."

As he began to prepare the equipment, I felt a surge of desperation. But then, he whispered to me, "Listen, child, I know what's going on here. I'll pretend to do the procedure, but you need to leave. Now."

My eyes widened in surprise. "Why are you helping me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

The doctor's eyes met mine, and he whispered back, "My daughter died under similar circumstances. I couldn't save her, but I can save you. Damien doesn't know I have a conscience, but I'm not going to let him take your life."

I nodded, understanding. As the doctor distracted the guards, I slipped out of the room and made a run for the back door.

I moved as quickly as possible, knowing this was my only chance left to run away from Damien and his wicked plot. My heart pounded in my chest.

I could hear the guards shouting behind me, but I didn't look back. I kept running until I was out of the hospital and into the forest.

It wasn't until I was several hundred yards away that the guards realized what had happened. 

They alerted Damien as they couldn’t find Olivia in the hospital, who was furious.

"Find her," he growled, his face twisted with rage. "Bring her back to me." he ordered.

The guards took off after me, but I had a head start. I couldn't take any chances this time; I'd have to use this opportunity or I would be dead. 

Meanwhile, Damien stormed into the hospital,  his eyes blazing with fury. The pack doctor cowered before him, knowing he was in trouble.

"You disobeyed me," Damien spat, his voice ranging in anger. "You were supposed to perform the procedure, not help her escape."I said.”

The doctor tried to apologize, but Damien wasn't interested. He quickly ended the doctor's life, his body crumpling to the ground.

I was still on the run, but they were determined to catch me. Damien would show me no mercy, no quarter. I would pay for my disobedience this time, and he would make sure I never forgot the consequences of crossing him.

I ran as fast as I could until night began to fall, I suddenly lost my way.  My eyes darted to every corner. I froze immediately when a wolf stopped in front of me, his eyes howling brightly at the dark sky. 

My body stiffened, saliva choked my throat, unable to swallow down. I took a shaky step back. The wolf followed.I didn’t have a weapon. I didn’t have the strength to fight. Running was useless, it would catch me in seconds. I was going to die.

The wolf lunged at me, the movement shot past me, a sickening crunch echoed through my body. I gasped stumbling backward as a large figure crashed into the right, taking its disk with brutal force. The struggles were brief and deadly. Sharp claws tore through his flesh. Blood splattered against the ground. One  second, the rogue lay lifeless on the ground. And then the man turned to me.

My breath caught him immediately. He was tall, broad shouldered , chest rising and falling steadily, his golden eyes flicked to me, sharp and assessing. He looked like he belonged in the wild like the forest itself bowed  to his presence. 

“Stay back,” his lips curled slightly. But I didn’t move, I didn’t even flinch at his words. 

He stepped forward, wiping blood from his hand, his gaze never leaving mine. “You’re not from my pack.” 

I swallowed emptiness down my throat, my finger gripping my cloth. I wasn’t sure if I should come clean but with the situation, telling him the truth might as well help the situation. 

“I was banished,” I muttered my voice barely above a whisper. 

His expression darkened slightly. “For what?”

My throat tightened. The shame, the anger, it all came rushing back.“They said I committed treason,” I whispered.

A moment of silence stretched between us before he chuckled, shaking his head. “You don’t look like someone who’d committed treason.” He studied me carefully, as if piecing together my story. “You ran away, didn’t you?”

I stiffened. “I didn’t have a choice.”

Something flickered in his gaze. Understanding? Pity? I couldn’t tell.

“Then you need a new pack,” he said simply.

I frowned. “I don’t want to be a burden…”

“This is my pack.” His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. “It’s my duty to ensure the safety of anyone standing on my land.”

His eyes locked onto mine. “And I’m not asking, dear stranger. I’m commanding you.” He said.” A breathless chuckle escaped me.