CHAPTER 7

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The wolf was lying lifeless by the time I got there, a pool of blood by his side. I noticed a sharp cut on his stomach, a gash that revealed thick lumps of his flesh, and a slight view of his bone. His chest slowly rising and falling was the only physical evidence of life in him.

He was losing so much blood and looked so pale. Immediately, I knelt beside him and brought down my bag, I zipped it open and pulled out some of my clothes from it as fast as I could, and held it over the wolf's wound. It got soaked with his blood in no time so I grabbed more clothes and applied pressure again, my heart racing as I feared for the wolf's life.

"He's losing life," Amy spoke for the first time since we arrived here, her voice was fidgety.

"He won't die. I can't let him die."

"Ellen--"

"No, Amy. I'm going to save him. I will save this wolf!" My emotions clouded me.

Tears blinded my eyes as I took out another cloth from my bag, adding it to the already bloodied ones. In a flash, I was determined. Determined to save this wolf that I knew nothing about.

I had watched Natalie being dragged to her death and did nothing about it. I heard her horrifying screams in my ears as she was struck to death. Still, I did nothing. I could have done everything, I could have fought with my last breath for her, she deserves that much and more from me, but I didn't. I couldn't.

At this point, all I could think of was my best friend and I saw this as a second chance to save her. To do what I couldn't do for her, for someone else.

I wouldn't sit back and watch another life go by in a day without trying my best. I was going to do my all to save this wolf. I have to save this wolf.

"Ellen--," Amy called again.

"I'm going to save him," I repeated defiantly, sniffing and wiping my tears with my blood-coated hand.

The clothes were soaked once again and I took them off, I placed my palm on top of the gash to hold the bleeding, while I fished out more clothes from my bag. But just as my skin contacted him, I felt a spark run through my system. It was more like an electric current that reverberated through me.

I ignored it and continued pulling out as many clothes as I could when Amy called out to me again.

"You're distracting me, Amy."

"No, look!"

I turned to the wolf and noticed my hands starting to glow, the blinding light radiated through the wolf and brightened the atmosphere around us.

Out of shock, I remained fixated on my spot. Unable to move or speak for a moment.

The wolf started to howl weakly, another evidence of life.

"What is this?" I asked Amy.

"I'm not sure. It looks very familiar but I doubt it's what I think it is."

"What is it?"

"The healing light. Only the moon goddess possesses the power to summon it. The last wolf who was gifted the ability died a hundred years ago."

"Yes, I read about her. But how am I able to.." my words slowly fade when I noticed the wolf's wound drying up, his torn skin neatly coming together.

"Let's not conclude yet. There's probably another explanation for this." Amy said and I nodded.

Soon, the wolf's skin was back to normal, save for the blood on the floor, he completely looked like he wasn't just bleeding to death a while ago.

His howling ceased and his breathing regained normalcy as he drifted to sleep, the light dying. I took some clean clothes and covered his body with them, adding some dried leaves to prevent his body from being seen by rogues or flesh-hunting wolves.

"You saved him," Amy's voice was filled with relief but I knew I did nothing. The moon goddess probably intervened. Funny, how she was quick to save other wolves but not me.

"Let's get out of here--

My words hooked in my throat when I perceived a presence and thick boots stepped towards me.

"Take a step and I'll end your life, Omega!" The voice bore no recognition but it sure did sound like a powerful wolf, probably a guard that knew me.

I froze in my spot when I noticed he had a gun and targeted it at my forehead. A cold chill ran down my spine and my breathing took over the atmosphere, fear enveloping me.

Getting to me, I recognized the warrior seal on his outfit and before I could talk, he pulled me roughly towards him and handcuffed me.

"Take her away," he said to the two other warriors that had joined him and I was grabbed, weakened, and pulled on the ground towards the Shadow Pack.

I could have begged but I decided to save my strength knowing I was already at a loose end. These wolves were warriors of my father, he trained every one of them and they all bore the same feeling of hate toward me.

By the time we reached the shadow pack, my dress was torn in several places and I had scratches on my legs.

I was shoved into the dungeon, falling directly at my father's feet.

I managed to look at him and the brunt of fury burning from his eyes, almost peeled off my skin. The heat from his breathing evaporated past the roof, making my fear triple.

Wickedly, he yanked me up by my hair and landed a hard slap across my cheek, dragging me by my cloth before I could hit the floor.

"You cursed Demon!" He fumed at me, "where the hell were you off to?"

Tears stung the corner of my eyes, rendering me speechless.

"Father, I--

"Don't you dare refer to me as your father, you murderer. Do you think you can ever be saved?"

Tears fell from my eyes, "I just wanted to leave.." another slap on my cheek caused a tear in my mouth, and I tasted blood. Unable to hold my weight anymore, I crashed on my knees to the floor.

"Leave?" He scoffed, "who gave you that permission?"

I sniffed, rubbing my burning cheek with my palm.

"You never loved me. No one here does. Why do I need anyone's permission to leave?" My voice came out messy as more tears fell from my eyes.

"Derek wants you to stay. Until he permits it, you cannot leave the pack, not even when you're of age. Do you understand that?"

"Derek doesn't even love me. Everyone here hates me, even you. So, why can't I leave? Why on Earth am I being locked in this godforsaken hellhole?"

"Watch your tongue, you piece of crap."

"No! I never met my mother but I know she is nothing like you! No parent would sit back and enjoy watching their child suffer. I have already given up on your love, you are worse than the devil. All of you--

He grabbed me by my throat, choking me and lifting me from the ground viciously.

"D-d-dad.." I choked, my face turning red as I swung my legs.

"Don't you dare talk about your mother like you know anything about her! Like it wasn't your fault she died. Like it wasn't you who ended her life! Just looking at you reminds me of how unlucky I am..."

"I'm... Dying.." I tried to loosen his grip while gasping for breath.

"Say one more word about her and I will damn every promise I made to her and kill you without any regret. You are of no use to me anyways!" And with that, he threw me across the room.

I immediately scrambled for air, gathering as much as I could.

"You do not leave the pack until the Alpha approves it. Do you understand?" He grumbled coldly.

I nodded hurriedly, my voice completely gone. He walked out, locking the door after him and I immediately crawled to get myself some water, reviving my itching dry throat.

Slowly, I regained my senses. Looking beside me, I found my luggage and I got reminded of my failure all over.

..