Rejected By The Alpha, Chosen By The Lycan King

CHAPTER 4: HUNTED

For several seconds, I stood frozen, staring at the place where the mysterious stranger had disappeared. It was as though he had melted into the darkness itself. Even his scent was beginning to fade, leaving only the cold breeze brushing against my face.

"Who are you?" I whispered into the empty forest, but there was no reply. I looked down at the silver flask, still resting in my hand. It felt strangely warm despite the freezing night air. Whoever that man was, he had saved my life twice—first from the rogues and then from the unbearable pain of the broken mate bond. My fingers tightened around the flask as I slipped it into the hidden pocket beneath my torn dress. "I'll return this someday," I murmured.

A distant howl suddenly echoed through the forest, followed by another and then another. My wolf instantly became alert. Those aren't rogues, she warned. My heart began to pound. "They're searching for someone." She fell silent for a moment before answering in a frightened voice. No... they're searching for us.

Fear took over. I turned and ran, ignoring the sharp branches, cutting my arms and the stones digging into my bare feet. My lungs burned with every breath, but stopping wasn't an option. The forest stretched endlessly before me, darker and thicker with every step. I no longer cared where I was going. I only cared about surviving.

The howls grew louder behind me. They were spreading out, surrounding the area. Whoever was tracking me knew exactly what they were doing. I forced myself to stay calm and remembered something Kael had once taught me during training. If someone is following your scent, find water. The memory twisted like a knife in my chest. Even now, after everything he'd done, I was relying on lessons he had taught me.

The sound of rushing water reached my ears. Hope flickered inside me as I pushed through a wall of bushes and found a narrow river cutting across the forest. Without hesitation, I stepped into the freezing water. A gasp escaped my lips as the cold rushed through my body, but I kept moving until I reached the opposite bank. My soaked dress clung heavily to my skin as I climbed onto the rocks.

For a moment, everything became quiet. The howls stopped. I crouched behind a fallen tree, holding my breath. Maybe it had worked. Maybe the river had hidden my scent. I pressed a trembling hand against my chest, trying to slow my heartbeat.

A voice drifted through the trees.

"Spread out! She can't be far."

Another answered, "The Alpha said she's to be found before sunset."

My stomach dropped.

Kael had sent warriors after me.

I slowly peered through the branches. Four warriors wearing the black armour of the Crescent Moon Pack searched the riverbank I had just crossed. They examined footprints, broken branches, and disturbed leaves with practised eyes.

One of them pointed toward the water. "She crossed here."

Another shook his head. "The scent ends."

"Then search both sides."

I quickly lowered my head before they could spot me. My wolf whimpered nervously. They're getting closer.

"I know," I whispered.

Carefully, I backed away from the fallen tree, placing each foot as quietly as possible. Every dry leaf sounded deafening beneath my feet. I had almost reached the safety of the thicker forest when my heel landed on a loose branch.

Crack.

The sound echoed through the trees.

Every warrior froze.

"There!" one of them shouted.

My heart lurched.

I ran.

"After her!"

Heavy footsteps thundered behind me as the warriors chased through the forest. Their orders echoed from every direction.

"Don't let her escape!"

"Cut her off!"

I pushed my exhausted body harder than I ever thought possible. Branches whipped across my face, drawing fresh blood, while my breathing became ragged with every passing second. My vision blurred, yet I refused to stop. If they caught me, they would drag me back to the pack... back to Kael.

"I'd rather die," I whispered through clenched teeth.

The forest suddenly opened into a steep slope covered with loose rocks. I tried to stop, but my feet slipped beneath me. I tumbled down the hillside, rolling over sharp stones before crashing hard against the base of an enormous oak tree.

Pain exploded through my shoulder.

For several seconds, I couldn't breathe.

The warriors were still coming.

I struggled to my feet, ignoring the pain shooting through my body. My ankle throbbed with every step, but I forced myself forward.

Then... everything became silent.

No footsteps.

No voices.

No howls.

Only the sound of the wind moving through the trees.

A strange feeling settled over me.

They hadn't stopped chasing me.

They had disappeared.

My wolf suddenly growled.

Someone else is here.

The same ancient scent drifted through the air once again.

Warm.

Powerful.

Dangerously familiar.

I slowly turned toward the shadows between the trees, my heart pounding against my ribs.

"You came back..." I whispered.

A deep voice answered from the darkness.

"I told you to run."

I couldn't see his face.

Only those golden eyes watching me from beneath the trees.

Then his gaze lifted past me, toward the warriors racing down the hill.

"They've found you."

A faint smile crossed his lips.

"But now..."

"They'll have to deal with me."