Chapter 3

C3:Dark Figure..

Raine ducked instantly as the arrows brushed past her hair inches apart.

She hugged herself tightly as she opened her eyes slowly, wondering who shot those arrows.

“Are you alright?” She heard a man's voice speak before her, she slowly looked up from the large calloused palm outstretched before her to his face and she froze.

“Mr Grip?” She gasped, her eyes widened as they stared at those grey ones.

“It's you” the male spoke softly and helped her up.

“You are quite swift…, what are you doing here?” he asked as they walked to a bench at the other end of the training ground.

“I came with my parents, and you?, are you a warrior?” she asked as she sat down.

“I am a warrior, my name is Raphael and you?” He said as he turned to her, a strand of his blonde hair falling over his face.

Raine took in a sharp breath as her heart raced, then she looked away before she would embarrass herself.

“Raine, my name is Raine” she whispered as she played with her fingers.

“Raine, it's a beautiful name” he said softly as he repeated her name.

“I didn't know I would come across the Alpha's daughter. Thank you for saving me and I apologize for choking you” he said as he turned to her fully.

“You’re welcome even though I nearly died, you gripped my neck so hard,” she said, rubbing her neck subconsciously.

Raphael looked down for a few seconds, guilty.

“I'm sorry about that, I had to stay alert.” He had fought with rogues alone, the rogues seemed trained and were many in numbers.

“Is that why you called me Mr Grip?” He asked, chuckling, his dimples showing.

Raine stared at him dazed, before slowly nodding and eventually started laughing as well, “Yes, I didn't know your name then” she replied, tucking a strand of her red hair backwards.

They chatted for a while before Rapheal offered to escort her back to the general training ground since it was getting late.

“it would be nice to have you around, would you mind being friends with me?” Raphael asked, extending his palm to her.

Raine stared at him like he had two horns, well it was because she had no friends and no one would like to have her as one.

But the young man before her not only thanked her for her help, he chatted with her freely and wanted them to be friends.

She hesitated for a while before slipping her hand into his, the size difference evident.

“Thank you Raine, for letting me see you again” He spoke softly as his eyes bore into hers, mesmerized.

The moon goddess knew how much he had searched for her, the Alpha's beta would not tell him who she was.

“Raine…Raine, where are you?” Alice called out, her voice ringing from a distance.

Raine quickly retracted her hand, “we will see another time, when I'm free I can visit the training ground” she said with a smile and turned to leave, strides long and swift.

Raphael watched her retreating figure, the way her red hair swayed as she ran away, he wanted to call out to her but he stopped himself.

Meanwhile Alice glared at Raine, she had seen them together but didn't get a clearer view of the man she was with.

“Mother would certainly punish you for that you know, we came here to arrange my training tutor while you are here flirting with a man” Alice chided.

“He is someone I know, and I wasn't flirting with anyone” Raine corrected her with a frown.

Alice chuckled, folding her hands beneath her chest, “really dear sister, he must be the one you were with last time that made you get home late right?” she mused.

“I only saved him nothing more,” Raine retorted frustratedly as she walked away.

“You slept with him to save him right? Because we all know how useless you are without your wolf” Alice mocked but Raine didn't reply.

“How dare you walk out on me”

Alice asked, dragging her arm forcing her to go back, Raine tried to yank her hand off but she held onto her tightly.

Seeing their parents coming in their direction Alice let go of her instantly and staggered backwards with a yelp.

Her mother sped to her, face marred with concern “are you alright dear?” She asked Alice who shook her head softly.

Raine stared at them in awe, the next thing she heard was a smack, “how dare you try to hurt her” her mother yelled, while alpha Elmore simply glared at her.

Raine didn't speak, she was tired of explaining herself whenever Alice pulled her stunts, it only earned more punishment and harsh words.

She simply walked away, some of the warriors whose attention was now on them, stared at her with disgust as she left the training ground.

That evening her mother instructed the maids not to give her food, she slept on an empty stomach.

Raine woke up but she was no longer in her room, she was now in a smoky space, there were no houses, nor anyone.

“R..ai..ne” she heard a distant broken voice call her, but she couldn't find who it was, then she started running.

No matter how far she ran it was as if she was stuck in a place and finally she saw a figure as dark as darkness stood before her. It's back on her,

“R..ai..ne” it called out again, its voice hoarse and broken but louder now.

She ran backwards, her eyes never leaving the dark figure which had turned slowly, she caught a glimpse of one of his black eyes which was very dark, it glowed radiantly.

Each glance pulled her soul, desperate to escape she turned away and kept running till she woke up with a gasp.

She rubbed her temples, her night dress damped with sweat, her stomach growled loudly reminding her of how hungry she was before sleeping off.