Chapter Three

Daciana's pov

I braced myself for what was coming and the door flung open. Hunter walked in, his hands at his back and a sly smirk on his face.

“Oh, look at how weak the Alpha's little daughter is,” he teased.

I wished I could kill him right here and become the murderer they had painted me but I had no strength, no power.

“You didn't think they would listen to you, did you? Hunter laughed. “The pack trust me so much that they'll believe anything I say”

My fists clenched, anger burning inside of me as tears slipped down my eyes again.

“In three days, we will pronounce your sentence. Stay alive until then” he ordered. “You should have known better than to defy me”

With that, he walked away. Locked up for three days with no food and water, it felt like hell. The only hope I held onto was the dagger I found in Dad's room. With that, I'll end Hunter.

The morning of the third day came and I was dragged out of the room. The air hung heavy with hatred. The trial was to be held with every pack member present as that was customary to the law.

Hunter sat on the Alpha's chair and glanced towards me with a murderous glare. The ghost of his smirk was enough to send me into turmoil. A chair was brought beside him and Wuana sat on it.

I didn't want to think that things might have been different if I just accepted Hunter in the first place.

Wulf didn't look at me throughout when I was dragged into the hall. Not once and his ignorance hurt more than anything.

“Bring the criminal forward,” Hunter called out.

I bit my lips as everyone turned and stared at me. I was forced to stand at the center of the moon paint and took a deep breath in a bid to keep calm.

“We all know that Daciana has been found to be a murderer and a traitor.” There was a commotion and Hunter cleared his throat to continue. “Hence, she would be punished justly.”

There was nothing just about what they were about to do.

My jaw clenched, I got up, moving towards him in an attempt to stab him with the dagger which I hid carefully under my gown.

Hunter's eyes narrowed at me. “Search her!” He ordered.

All hope was being ripped off as the guards put their hands into the gown, immediately finding the dagger. I didn't even know what I was supposed to be angry about. The fact that I was being touched like I didn't matter, or that these people were about to do what they wanted to me.

“I, Alpha Hunter of the Shadow Fang pack, hereby exile you from the Shadow Fang pack with immediate effect. You are to be gone before sunrise and never to be seen in and around the pack boundary” I gasped as I felt all the ties with the pack cut off. I fell to the floor.

Cheers erupted around the pack.

Exiled? The word landed heavier than it sounded. Where would I go? All my life I've been in the pack. My father never let me out, because he thought he was going to take care of me.

I glanced at each and every one of them, taking in each face. The ones who cheered more than the others. Nobody went unnoticed. My eyes fell on Wulf again.

A blonde lady was in his arms. He must’ve found his mate. His lips were curled in disgust as he looked at me. Wulf must think I did those things. He knew me more than anyone but still believed them.

“Isn’t this what you all wanted?” I asked, swiping my hand across my cheek to stop the tears that were about to fall. “I will never forget any of this” Yells came from the crowd, every voice speaking against me.

Slowly, the pack members dispersed and I was left alone, left kneeling. I got back to my room and reached for the bag dad had gifted me once when he came back from a trip, packing the little I could.

The pressure of what was happening was suffocating. Memories ran through my mind. Memories of how I'd giggle and run into his arms whenever he came back from a hunt and how he'd pick me up and throw me into the air as I giggled.

How he'd tell me I was beautiful and perfect even when no one would take me to the pack dance. Sulking I had run into the woods, that was where I met Wulf. He was staring at the fireflies. He brought me back home and we've been inseparable. Well, until yesterday.

I zipped the bag and swung it over my shoulder, turning to leave when the door opened and closed behind me. Hunter had a smirk on his face, glancing at the guards beside him.

Him, again! Like the devil sent to end me!

“You didn't think I would let you leave that way, did you?”

Before I could even react, I felt something sharp hit my head, and I collapsed on the floor, groaning as my world went black.

***

The aching I felt in my head was enough to force me to open my eyes. I felt sore all over, like I had been run over by a truck.

I was in an unfamiliar warehouse, sprawled on the floor like someone life had rejected and even death had refused to accept.

My thoughts came to a halt when I heard footsteps. The clatter of keys followed, and then the twist in the lock. The door was pushed open and someone stepped in. Too tired to turn, I stayed on the floor.

“You've refused to die, I see.” he chuckled and kicked my stomach with his boot. I wheezed in pain as blood gushed out from my mouth.

“If you're still alive when I come again, I'll let you go.”

“You think I'll beg you for my life? Never!” I scoffed.

He cocked an eyebrow. “You still have that sharp tongue, don't you?” he asked. “I honestly thought you would have known that this would get you nowhere by now.” He clicked his tongue as he turned on his heels.

He walked out and I was left alone again. Cold bit into my skin and my body curled into a feral position instinctively. An attempt to keep warm. Even my clothes were starting to feel like strings.

How long have I been here?

A day? Or two? I didn't know anymore, I already lost count of the days.

It was hard to even turn because of all the bruises on my skin. For days, no one came. Every part of my body kept hurting, refusing to heal.

The next time Hunter came, he wasn't alone.

“I should kill you but I shall spare you” Hunter said. “Leave and never return!”

The guards dragged me out and left me at the border with a three days ultimatum to leave.

“Kill me. Please.” I begged but they spat on me and turned away.

I could hardly move, my limbs were stiff and shriveled. The second day, I knew I had to leave. With a resolve so small, my lips trembled. I forced myself up as my legs shook violently, I thought I would pass out. I dragged myself forward, my breath coming out in laboured gasps.

One step after the other. That was all I needed.

I had to leave this forest and go to another, anywhere I could find shelter. Even if it was human land.

The Shadow forest belongs to my pack, I would die a horrible death if they caught me lurking around. I walked for a long time and stopped when I came across a trap. I had been so occupied with surviving that I had forgotten I hadn't eaten in over a week. I felt lifeless and empty.

I walked to the trap when I caught a whiff of rogues, they must be around. I needed to hide.

“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” I turned and there were two of them, smirking right at me. It was too late.

“Who said you could wander out here alone?” The other one questioned.

“She's a pretty one, ain't she?”

“Ignore my presence and just go your way.” I said carefully.

“Fiesty. I like that. She's curvy as well. Are you lost, pretty?”

I stepped back from them looking around the area for a way out, in case I needed to run when I found one. I took off running as fast as I could away from them.

I could hear them right at my heels. They were wolves. I couldn't outrun them. This time, I don't think I'll survive.