Chapter four

Elena's POV

Running through the woods, panting desperately for breath. I crawled over the broken pieces of glass on the floor, whimpering in pain.

My mind urged to rest, but my wolf knowing the danger we faced propelled me to keep going. But I was tired, so, so tired. The night sky winked above me, the full moon in full effect.

My feet thundered on the ground, sinking deep into the soft earth. 

My senses were heightened, I could hear the ants, the water running through the creeks, and the leaves rustling. 

It was a full moon. I climb a steep rock going up.

I had to keep moving. I'm sure Zayn and Ethan were looking for me, furious I'd stolen tonight's entertainment from them. Or they could even be excited I'd up the ante. 

I never knew with those demented assholes.

I could hear wolves howling into the night, the sound sending shivers down my spine.

A sharp wave of wind blew, making me shake more. 

My clothes my tattered, hanging in pieces after Zayn tore them off from me. I tried piecing them together to offer me some form of protection against the cold. My stomach growled reminding me I hadn't eaten for days.

 In my distracted state, I didn't see the boulder in front of me. Hearing a skittle behind me thinking it was Zayn or Ethan I rushed forward, hitting the boulder.

Groaning softly, I stumbled to my feet scared to death. Escaping from the prison took everything in me, I felt so weak, almost faint from exhaustion and starvation. 

Wrapping my hands around the cold chains circling my wrists, pushing my toes into the dirt struggling to my feet. Leaning against the tree, trying to propel myself up. 

I wondered how I got here. When I found my mates, I was so ecstatic thinking about the stories I heard while growing up.

 I had so many thoughts and dreams back then, I wasn't sure they'd ever come true but it was part of what motivated me every day. I was determined to find a place I can call home and a family that's mine. 

Now it seems I'd die before I can achieve that.

Deep in thought, waiting for the end to catch up to me drained of all hope.

"Hello," a voice said, the tone melodic and deep from a man.

My eyes shifted up and I tightened my fingers on the bark of the tree. The man in front of me was one I'd never seen before. 

About my age but he looked older with piercing green eyes, his hair so dark it looked tipped in blue.

 It wasn't his appearance that drew me in. It was the magical pull that seemed so familiar and drew me closer to him. It felt like I knew him.

He put up his hands in an age-old gesture of surrender. "There's no need to fear me, I'm not here to harm you".

I looked at him warily, shifting back before remembering that Zayn and Ethan were also looking for me. 

For all I knew, they sent him to me to play more mind tricks on him. To torture me further.

"W-who a-are you?" I whispered into the night air.

Lowering his hands slowly to his sides, he inched closer to me. His shoulders were broad and he was tall. He's probably a Shifter. 

He moved with grace and he was probably one of the most beautiful people I've ever seen.

 Only people with power carried themselves like that. I've seen enough of men like that in Zayn and Ethan s court. His voice was steady and calm as he spoke.

"My name is Valerian, Alpha-" his words were interrupted by a growl. Several growls.

I felt rather than saw Zayn and Ethan. I stiffened in fear whimpering as I stumbled away from them.

"Ellieeeee…." Zayn called out tauntingly.

"You can't hide Elena!" Ethan shouted.

"Pls-ss n-no" I cried out.

The man, Valerian, his name he said reached out to me imploring me over to his side.

"I can keep you safe, I promise". 

I looked at the hand he held out, something about him made me feel safe and secure.

 Like he could never hurt me. But I still felt skeptical, especially after Zayn's and Ethan's treatment.

"Ellie!" Zayn growled, jealousy flashing through his eyes seeing me with another man.

"Come here" he beckoned me over.

I shuffled over to Valerian's side hiding behind him even though I know I'll pay for that disobedience.

"It seems "Ellie" doesn't want to go anywhere with you". Valerian growled.

Zayn stepped forward, partially shifting into his wolf form but before I could blink Valerian lunged for him wrapping his hands around Zayn's neck and squeezing. Then suddenly he flung him away at another tree.

He began to move faster and faster with each step until his wolf was in full sprint.

Just as Valerian began to leap towards Ethan, he's eyes shifted to mine and he moved towards me. 

Valerian intercepted him before he could get to me. They both fell to the ground with a thud, Ethan whimpered, scooting back. 

His gaze flickered to me angrily promising vengeance when he gets a hold of me. He got back to his feet and charged Valerian again, this time determined to finish it. 

However, as he charged Valerian, Valerian's hands went up his head grabbing him violently and tossing him aside like a rag doll.

Zayn on the other hand stumbled to his feet, his teeth stained with his blood and he grinned manically at Valerian.

"Being it on pussy" he taunted.

"Bring it on pussy" he taunted.

Valerian stalked towards Zayn, then all of a sudden Zayn was on the floor.

The night was pitch black and even with my wolf senses with me being an Omega, being weak I still couldn't see clearly.

Valerian raced over to me and hugged me tightly muttering some words over and over again.

I stood still, my hands hanging limply at my sides. I was in shock, looking at Zayn and Ethan.

I was trying to wrap my mind around it.

He rubbed his hand over my hair in a soothing motion.

Part of me wanted to stand there in his arms all night, in his warm embrace.

The other part of me knew that until things were settled with Zayn or Ethan, we were just sitting ducks. So I jerked out of my numb state.

"Please w-we need to g-go" my teeth chattering from the cold.

He moved back dropping his arms from my body, and immediately I missed his warmth, I wanted to draw him back but I held myself...just barely.

He frowned, looking me over. I wish I knew what was running through his mind as he looked me over. I must look and smell like a mess.

"Yes, let's go home".

He carried me up bridal style and hoisted me into his arms.

"What...bout t-them?" I looked over his shoulder. Zayn and Ethan have sprawled on the floor meters apart.

"Do you care about those scumbags who would have killed you?" He growled at me, his eyes flashing and his canines growing in length.

I shivered and squirmed in his arms in both fear and arousal. I couldn't help it, my wolf wanted to bathe in his scent. I borrowed my nose into his neck, inhaling his scent.

He noticed me shivering and he quickly stopped walking to look at me. 

"Baby, I won't hurt you, I swear" he implored me pleadingly to believe him.

I said nothing, just basking in his scent.

 I looked again over at my demented mates still lying prone on the ground. Looking closely, I saw a form twitch and move.

My breath hitched.

Shit, we're gonna die.