3| Alpha Cyrus

LAURA

When I finally felt they were completely out of sight, I jumper down, tearing my down, just so I could run freely.

I ran for minutes, seeing it was getting dark. I couldn't afford to get caught, nor would I want to fall into the hands of rougues.

“I hear footsteps.”

The words floated through the trees like a death sentence.

My heart jumped violently as I tripped and landed hard on the forest floor, leaves biting into my palms. I didn’t look back. I couldn’t. My lungs burned, my legs screamed, but I kept running anyway.

Run.

That was all my body knew now.

Branches whipped my face. Thorns tore my arms, but I pushed through it, sobbing as I ran deeper into the woods. The night air was cold against my skin, yet sweat soaked my back.

“She’s bleeding,” a voice growled behind me.

“I can smell it.”

“Don’t let her escape!”

I stumbled.

Pain exploded through my ankle as my foot twisted the wrong way. I screamed and fell, rolling down a small slope before crashing into a tree trunk. White pain shot up my leg as Warm liquid trickled down my calf.

Blood.

I tried to stand.

I screamed again.

My ankle would not hold me.

“Moon Goddess…” I whispered, tears blinding me. “Please…”

But the Goddess had gone silent a long time ago... it felt like she abandoned me when I needed her the most.

I dragged myself forward, hands shaking, nails digging into the dirt. Every movement left more blood behind. My scent grew stronger. I knew it.

They would find me.

“She’s close!”

“Follow the blood!”

I forced myself up again, limping now, each step agony. The trees began to thin. The wind grew louder. My chest tightened as I realized where I was heading.

The cliff.

My breath came out in broken sobs as I reached the edge. Below me was darkness. Rocks and death itself.

I stepped closer.

“It’s over,” I whispered. “I’m coming, my son.”

I lifted my foot, but then a hand grabbed my wrist.

I screamed and turned violently, panic exploding through me.

My eyes met his.

Tall. Broad shoulders. Dark hair dusted with silver. Cold gray eyes... he looked familiar, and for some reason he was literally the last person I would want to see.

Alpha Cyrus.

My blood turned to ice.

“You,” I rasped. “You’re from Raven Claw.”

His grip tightened. “And you’re about to fall to your death.”

“Let me go!” I screamed, trying to pull free. “ I'm about to meet my son at least, don't be cruel enough to separate a mother and child right now."

“I didn’t come here to argue,” he said calmly.

“Then why are you touching me?” I cried. “Let me die!”

He looked at my injured leg, the blood soaking my body, the madness in my eyes.

“You’re not dying tonight,” he said.

I laughed hysterically. “You don’t get to decide that!”

I raised my hand to attack his face but Pain exploded at the back of my head.

Everything went black.

CYRUS

I knew I definitely heard the heavy breath of a lady, probably lost in the woods, I knocked her out knowing she wasn't ready to shut the fuck up. I carried her body, walking right out of the woods till I found my car right were I packed it.

i went into the woods to hunt animals with my gun, just to vent my anger, just before I saw Laura. I recognized her voice instantly, only to find the heiress of the grim wolf pack in such condition.

I dropped her at the back seat, driving straight to my pack house which was a bit far from the woods. my eyes kept drifting to the mirror, watching her almost lifeless body in my car.

"what the hell happened to her, and why exactly was she being chased by men."

After the long drive, I arrived at my pack. I carried her, her head upside down at my back as I walked into the packhouse.

No one dared talk, they simply bowed. I walked through the staircase of the packhouse, dropping her on my bed, tieing her up in chains as I knew how incredibly stubborn Laura was.

LAURA

I woke up slowly.

My head throbbed, My body felt heavy and my ankle still burned,but I found something on it... a scarf tied around my ankle to reduce the bleeding.

I tried to move, but instead chains rattled.

My eyes snapped open.

I was lying on a large bed, my wrists bound loosely with chains to the bed frame.

I struggled weakly, panic rising in my chest.

“ you'll hurt yourself Laura. I wouldn't want my captive getting hurt especially if I wasn't the one that caused it."

The voice came from the corner of the room.

Alpha Cyrus stepped into the light.

“Untie me!” I screamed. “You kidnapped me!”

“You were bleeding out,” he replied coldy “And you were seconds from jumping. I deserve a thank you at least."

“I should have jumped!” I sobbed.

He didn’t respond.

He definitely looked as cold as I could remember.

“Why am I here?” I whispered.

He walked closer, stopping a few steps away.

“My packhouse,” he said. “Raven Claw.”

He brought me to his pack??? the very pack I hate... the very pack that took my brother away from me.. the very pack that was the sole reason for all these because if my brother were alive, I wouldn't have been packed with responsibility and I wouldn't have ran into the woods and end up meeting Jaxon."

My stomach dropped.

“I will kill you,” I whispered weakly.

“If you could,” he said evenly, “you wouldn’t be chained.”

Tears streamed down my face.

“Sleep,” he said quietly. “You’ll need strength.”

“I don’t want your mercy,” I spat.

“This isn’t mercy,” he replied. “This is consequence.”

" Why are you being so calm on me all of the sudden alpha Cyrus ? last time I remember you were cruel enough to lead a war that took my brother, you were cruel to the grim wolf werewolves that ever entered your pack... I wouldn't want to believe you changed over the years."

" I'm not this calm with people Laura, appreciate it before I change my mind and end up treating you like others." he said, suddenly sounding more cold than before.

He turned and walked toward the door.

Outside the room, wolves bowed.

Not one spoke.

Not one questioned why a broken she-wolf was chained in their Alpha’s room.

The door closed behind him.

I lay there, staring at the ceiling, my heart pounding.

I had escaped one monster..

Only to fall into the hands of another.

And I didn’t know which fate was worse.