CHAPTER 6: Mommy couldn't protect you.

MABEL'S POV 

I kept running, legs quaking, as I kept turning back. My legs caught onto a stake. It slashed me. 

“Argh,” I groaned, secured Kyra safely, stood up, and continued again. 

Kyra groaned in my embrace, awoken by how fast I have been running and the sound of my ragged breathing. I slowed down, trying to stabilize my pounding heart. 

I turned, no glowing eyes. It was like they had vanished into thin air, or perhaps they were never there, and it was all in my head.

But the growing unease inside me, the way the wind ceased as if something heavy was blocking it. 

The chill of the night. I could tell I was being watched; it was no illusion, I was being toyed with. 

“Mama …are we going home?” I heard my daughter's croaked voice, and my chest tightened. 

I kissed her nervously, “Yes…yes, we are going home,” I answered, still straining my eyes. I was closer to a dense forest than I was closer to the capital now. Ahead were trees, packed together. 

The sight in the dark was enough to send chills throughout my entire body. 

It was the boundary between our pack and the next. I had heard it was thick, and weak wolves never made it past it. 

Would I make it past it? Would I outrun the rogues? 

I should have remained at the capital. 

I should have waited until dawn, though I would be mocked and eaten. It was better than rogues. 

I heard a growl erupt, and I gasped and sprinted forward. If I have to die in the forest, it would be better to try my luck than wait to be ripped limb from limb by these rogues. 

I ran directly into the forest, slowed down as the leaves slapped me, and branches snapped under my legs. 

Then suddenly I heard more branches snapping. My stomach knotted as dread settled in my chest. 

They were close. They were already watching me. 

I took another step, one snap, and I heard multiple all around me. Tears clouded my eyes as I hugged Kyra tighter. 

I walked into a clearing. It was like a path in the forest, but I was surrounded by glowing eyes. 

“Had enough fun running, little Luna?” A voice taunted. 

They already knew who I used to be. 

“Don't come any closer,” I threatened, picked up a fallen branch and pointed it at them, one after the other. 

“Oh, Luna, don't be pathetic, we both know that wouldn't do you any good,” he said, his voice getting low and menacing with each sentence. 

He came closer, and I backed away, but the one behind me also took a step forward. 

I was trapped. They seemed to have had their fun watching me run. 

“Didn't you hear what I said? I said don't come any closer!” I barked, hands tightening on the branch. 

He didn't listen; instead, he reached to grab Kyra. I immediately lunged forward, wanting to slash the branch on his face, but the next second, a sharp punch landed on my nose, making me fall backwards. 

My ankles twisted. I yelled and fell to the floor, using my body to cover Kyra. 

Her breathing had changed now. She was coughing vigorously. 

“Shush now….mama … is here, we would be fine, I promise,” I whispered when I felt warm liquid slide out of my nostrils, and my ankles were aching. 

“Tell me, Luna, why did you leave your home for ours?” 

“I. Am. Not. Your. Luna. Shut up!” I barked, tears streaming down my cheeks. 

The next second, he grabbed me. I thrashed hard, in a desperate attempt to keep Kyra safe. 

“Ma…ma,” she cried, and I thrashed harder. 

“Shut up?” He questioned, coldness in his voice. He sounded like he had lost it. 

Up close, he was half transformed, his ears elongated. He looked dangerous and reeked of blood.

“Kill the child,” he dropped, then twisted my face to watch as one of the other rogues stepped forward. 

“No, no!! Let go of her! Don't you dare touch her!” I thrashed hard, throwing my fists and kicking hard, but he only slapped me hard across the face until my cheeks burned red, then he flung me away. 

I tried to hold myself steady, but I could only grip the air and nothing else, as my back hit a tree. 

Pain exploded throughout my body, and in that instant, I felt weakness through my bones, my back aching, as my eyes slowly lidded. I watched as they grabbed my daughter, ready to kill her. 

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I watched. 

“Please …” I muttered, but none of them heard it. They didn't care. 

I tried to crawl, reaching for whatever strength I had in me. To the weak wolf in me that has refused to answer since then.

“Please …” 

In that instant, an arrow sliced through the air and pierced the rogue holding my child. 

Kyra slid from his arms as he fell to the ground with a thud. 

“Ambush!” I heard a growl. 

More arrows rained from the darkness, and then growls erupted. 

Bones snapped. Chaos descended.  

I had fast-paced footsteps towards me. 

“Young mistress …young mistress..” 

The words were sounding distant, but I tried hard not to lose consciousness. My daughter was still there.

“My child …” I croaked. “Save .. Kyra …my daughter …please,” I begged again, as I lifted my gaze to look at the one who came to me. 

I couldn't make out his facial features, no matter how hard I strained to look. 

Instead, my head throbbed harder, my lids grew heavier as I felt strength slowly leave me.

“Over here! Get the healer!” I heard again. The sound overlapped with the voice of my daughter crying and the growls and slapping of skin. 

Kyra …. I'm sorry. Mommy couldn't protect you. 

“Young mistress….young mistress. Stay with me. Please, you can't die. I have been looking for you.”