~ CHAPTER FOUR~

~Chapter Four~

Elara’s Pov

I ran deep into the woods hoping for a familiar trace of home.

My lungs burned, my chest pounded fast like it would burst.

My eyes were fuzzy as I continued to lose blood. I didn't know how long I had been walking but I had to keep moving.

I kept running yet no familiar path I could recall walking with Sarai.

I closed my eyes, trying to picture the way I came. Maybe I could remember the path. But nothing came. Every turn looked the same.

The forest was silent except for the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant call of some animal I couldn’t identify.

Was this a trap? My eyes scanned the corners of the forest when I heard a footstep. But it was just the wind. Or was it? I didn’t know. Fear made my mind play tricks on me.

My mind kept drifting to the Alpha.

I couldn’t stop thinking of his golden eyes. When he looked into my eyes and said I was his mate.

My stomach twisted.

I didn’t understand any of what was happening.

How was he a werewolf? And how did I get suddenly tied to all this mess?

And Sarai? My chest tightened.

Why would she do that to me?

Everything felt unreal. Like none of this ever happened.

And after his final Judgement, the guards had dragged me to a vanity room where a maid handed a white floral dress to wear for a mating union I never settled in for.

Thankfully I was able to find my way out.

*************************

“You have ten minutes, Ma’am.”

My hands trembled as I held the dress.

“I need water,” I muttered, forcing my voice to shake more. “Please, I feel dizzy.”

The maid hesitated.

“Please,” I whispered, holding the table for support.

She sighed. “Stay here. I’ll be back.”

The moment she stepped out, my eyes roamed around the room.

That was when I saw a small opening near the wall behind that seemed like a sealed entrance to outside.

Slightly open to pass through for someone who had no choice.

This was my only chance. My chest pounded.

I rushed, forcing my body through, my dress caught on the rough edges.

And then, something sharp tore into my leg. I gasped, biting down hard on my lip to prevent myself from screaming.

Yet I didn’t stop. I was halfway through the wall already.

I dragged myself over, dropped down and found myself in a forest with blood gushing from my legs. I was injured so badly.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••

Now I was unsure if I was headed towards freedom or danger because every shadow looked like a person and the trees all looked the same.

No memory of which way I had come.

As I kept running, not minding the pain I tripped over a root almost face planting in the dirt. with mud stuck to my shoes and a sharp pain on my ankle that made me wince.

I fell to the ground, groaning deeply.

“Why me?” I whispered. The pain became way worse and my skin around it turned purple.

“Why did I have to come here?”

I wanted to give up, and let the forest take me. But I remembered I had survived while I was in the den of werewolves.

So I forced myself up, limping, blood seeping through my turned clothes.

I didn’t know where I was, yet I kept pushing my legs through praying for a pathway to escape from this God forsaken place.

My ankle gave a sharp twist, almost making me fall completely.

I gritted my teeth, refusing to let the pain stop me.

I whispered over and over, “Just keep going. I’m almost there”

Before I could realize, I was on the floor fighting to stand.

My body started to feel too heavy to lift. Almost everything turned white.

Who was going to save me now? I struggled to stand.

My heart nearly stopped when a shadow moved between the trees.

I couldn’t see his face clearly but I could tell someone was watching me.

“What are you doing here.” He asked.

I turned to the stranger.

“Stay back!” I said, dragging myself backwards. “Don’t come any closer!”

He scoffed. “Relax. If I wanted to hurt you, I would’ve done that already.”

That didn’t make me feel any better.

“Who are you?” I said quickly. “Did they send you?”

He tilted his head.

I checked his eyes with the strength left in me and they had no signs of glow in them.

“Are you always this defensive?”

“Answer me!” I snapped.

He scoffed. “I’m Lucian. I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’m concerned about a bleeding lady who can barely stand.” He said tucking in his long blonde hair.

I tried to get up, ignoring the sharp pain in my leg.

I don’t need your help!” My heart was beating faster.

“Yeah,” he muttered, moving closer. “I can see that.”

I flinched immediately as his hands hovered close to me. “Don’t touch me!”

“Really?” He asked with a smirk. Cause I see you need help.”

My vision blurred. I lost stance but he held me from falling.

“Look,” he said, with a grin. “Would you let me help before you pass out?”

I was barely holding on. I only felt worse every passing minute. I hated to admit I needed his help.

Before I could let him, he reached for my ankle.

His touch was soft, carefully inspecting the injury.

“You’re badly injured and the poison ivy in it is making it worse,” He said looking concerned.

I stiffened my sobs. What more do I have to face now?

“By the way, what’s a young lady like you doing out here in the woods?” He asked.

Right there I realized how completely helpless I was. I couldn’t bring myself to say the least on how I got here.

“I Just want to get out of here,” I whispered.

He didn’t say anything. He just stared at me for a moment before his fingers pressed gently around my legs like he knew exactly what he was doing.

I hissed. Not painful like I thought it would be.

“The poison is gone, you’ll feel less pain now,” he said. But if you keep running like that, you won’t last long.”

ThankGodness, his words made me feel relieved.

He reached into his pocket and brought out a strip of cloth.

“How did you know how to do this?” My mouth widened.

He chuckled. “Ohh, that's one of the wound dressing techniques I learnt.”

Learnt? I had seen and heard enough so fine.

“Why are you helping me?” I asked, curiously.

“I can’t leave you to die helpless,” he replied with a smirk.

I frowned. I didn’t trust that smirk.

Something about him didn’t sit right. He seemed like he belonged here.

He stood up after dressing my wound perfectly. Brushing his hands together.

I felt so much better than when I was laying helpless.

“Try standing.” He said, holding my hand.

I hissed while my legs hurt.

I pushed myself up slowly before he carried me up in his arms.

“Why are you carrying me? I asked. “I can walk by myself.”

“Are you sure you can walk?”

“Yes. Drop me down.” I commanded.

My vision was starting to get clear. I was almost sure I wouldn’t stumble.

Good,” he said, putting me back on the ground. “We need to move now. I’d show you the way out of here ”

My chest tightened. Was he really going to do that? A flick of hope sparked. “ you know the way out?”

He chuckled. “Of course, I do.”

I stopped for a while rethinking my decision of trusting a stranger.

“Come on” he called out.

I had no choice but to give him the benefit of doubt. It was better than being stuck. What worse could probably happen?

He held me as I limped forward with Lucian guiding me. My vision was already clear now. I didn’t feel pain anymore.

“It seems to be healing fast.” I said as I turned to him waiting for his reply but heard the rumbles of trees.

“No, no” I shook my head slowly. It can’t be them.

Heat spread through me.

I turned to run but he grabbed my arm quickly. “Wait.”

My breath hitched.

“Too late. We’ve been sorrounded” He whispered.

Heavy footsteps filled the forest now.

My stomach twisted so bad.

“They found me,” I whispered. “Please don’t let them take me.”

My hands shook. I took cover behind him.

They began to emerge from the shadows.

And then I saw him.

Alpha Kai.

His golden eyes locked onto mine instantly.

My stomach dropped. I couldn’t move, breathe or think.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he said with a calm voice I least expected.

I didn’t answer. I wouldn’t dare.

Then his gaze shifted to Lucian.

“And why are you with her, brother?”

My heart stopped. Brother?

Slowly I turned to look at lucian who now stood beside me with a grin on his face.

“What the?”