Alpha's Embrace

Runaway

The following morning, Alysslin left her room with her bag and walked through the corridors. She was hoping she wouldn’t run into Brock or her father because that would ruin her plans. Thankfully, she didn’t see them. She saw Indigo standing at his post by the gates. “Indigo, please open the gates for me.”

He looked over when he heard her voice. “Your father gave strict orders. You are not to leave New Hope.”

She cursed. Her father is one step ahead of her. She wasn’t going to let that stop her. “I don’t need my father’s permission or approval to take a walk outside. I am a big girl.”

Indigo weighed his options then eventually sighed as he pressed the button and the gates opened. He knew he was going to regret this later. “Just be careful. A lot of Azmar is still uncharted by us. No telling what is out there.” Alysslin smiled. “I will be fine.” She said with annoyance. Then he sighed. “Don’t worry, I will be careful. I always am.” He nodded and watched her leave. He could feel doom encroaching on him. He pushed the button to have the gates closed. He knew he was going to be in deep s**t from Vularak but he just couldn’t say no to Alysslin. He could see how her father and Brock tried to keep her under lock and key.

Alysslin didn’t know how far she had walked. She had to get as much distance from New Hope as she can before they came to look for her. She wished she had Xabo to keep her company, but she knew it was much safer for him to stay at the compound. She looked up at the bluish green sky. No cloud in sight. Alysslin looked behind her and was relieved not to see anyone following her. She knew it was a matter of time before her father or Brock discovered her gone. She reached the forest that she recalls their scouts were saying was the Orrinshire Forest. She stopped just inside and looked around. She got a strange feeling and not sure if she should even enter them. As the wind seemed to whistle, making her skin crawl. She sighed there was no way around the forest. She had no choice but to go through them. She could always head back to New Hope, but that definitely was not an option. The forest was dreary and dark almost haunting. She mused as she walked further. She wished she knew where she was going. All she knew was that she wanted to get away from the compound. She refused to be shackled to someone for the rest of her life. Unless it was someone of her choosing. Perhaps she was old-fashioned. She has old stories of men and women finding love and not being forced into a marriage. She doesn’t want someone marrying her because she is the daughter of Vularak. All the so-called suitors see is the power it will give them. She refuses to be used as a pawn in someone’s power struggle. Brock was the most aggressive regarding his intentions. Alysslin looked around and it seemed the forest went on forever. She knows she is deep in the forest now because it as much darker. The massive trees were blocking the rays of the sun. As Alysslin was walking she heard twigs breaking. She halted and quickly looked in the direction the noise was coming from. She strained to listen to see if she could hear the noise again. She narrowed her eyes but still saw nothing. She slowly began walking again but keeping her senses open to any movement around her. She heard movement again and this time she could tell there was more than just one. It seemed as if the sounds were coming from all around her. What could it be? She asked herself. Her instincts were on high alert. Suddenly, massive figures came into view. Alysslin froze. The men were built like rocks. An uneasy feeling settled in the pit of her stomach.

“I thought I smelled something tantalizing.” One of them said. Alysslin slowly took a step but the men were advancing. Stalking her like a wounded prey. She could tell that the one that spoke was the leader. He just radiated power. She wasn’t scared. She knew how to handle herself, but there was no way she would be able to take them all on.

“What do you want?” She asked, her voice steady but firm.

The man’s brow arched. “Now, that is a loaded question beautiful.” Then he slowly smiled. “I am sure you can guess what I want.”

Alysslin’s back stiffened. That is the same look Brock gave her. “You will touch me over my dead body.” She answered with conviction.

He laughed as he began coming towards her. His men behind him followed suit. “Oh, either way, I get what I want.”

She was walking backwards before she turned on her heels and ran deeper into the forest. She heard laughter behind her as they chased after her. As she ran, she could tell they were just toying with her. She had a feeling they could have caught her at any time. She looked over her shoulder to see them gaining on her. All of a sudden, she bumped into something solid and would have fallen to the ground. If it wasn’t for the strong arm that encircled her slender waist. Alysslin looked up and met the most beautiful golden eyes she had ever seen. They were like two shinning orbs. She could feel immense power and strength radiating off of him. The stranger didn’t say anything. Instead, he looked over her head at the men that were chasing her. He set her to his side but didn’t release her waist. Just having his touch warmed her, like she had never been warmed before. Being in close proximity of his heat sent shivers of anticipation through her. She was confused by her reaction to the stranger. “Zirf, you do know how to impress women, don’t you?’ The stranger said mockingly.

“Ah, Tovias, what a surprise. Tell you what, hand over the woman and I will let you live.” Zirf said with a smirk.

Tovias looked at her, then back at Zirf. “No, sorry can’t do that. This one I am keeping.” Alysslin wasn’t sure if she liked that. She feels like she jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Zirf laughed. “Trying to be a hero, I see. Never thought I’d see the day.”

Tovias shrugged his big shoulders. “First time for everything, I suppose.”

Zirf sighed. “Enough of this damn chatter. I will have her one way or the other.” Alysslin watched as the men that were chasing her morphed into huge bears. Zirf’s bear was twice the size of the others and with silver fur. She had never seen such a thing. She heard about shifters but never thought she had seen any.

Tovias made a tsking sound. “Do you really think I would travel alone? That is when she heard movement behind them. She looked over her shoulder to see five men come into view. All big men, but she would have to say not as big as the guy standing next to her. Before her eyes, Tovias shifted into a huge magnificent black wolf with hints of gray around his face. She was mesmerized by his sheer size. The other shifted into wolf forms as well. She noticed that Tovias was the only black wolf among them.

Almost without warning, a battle ensued and Alysslin backed away to try to get out of the way. She was almost enthralled by what was happening in front of her. Suddenly she saw that Zirf had managed to get around Tovias and was charging her. “Damn.” She quickly turned and ran. She looked over her shoulder and saw him gaining on her rapidly. A scream lodged in her throat. She tripped and fell to the ground, hitting her head. She vaguely saw a Tovias jump between her and Zirf growling before falling unconscious. Tovias swiped his large paw at Zirf and connected it with the side of his head. Zirf shook his head as he backed away. Then he changed back to his human form. He touched his check. He looked at his fingertips and saw the blood.

Zirf looked back at Tovias, who had shifted back as well. “You won this time, Tovias, but be warned I will have her.” Zirf turned to walk away.

Tovias saw one of Zirf’s men chasing after him with clothes and Zirf shooed him away, not caring about his nakedness. Tovias turned in time to see one of his own men handing him some clothes. “Thank you, Kade.” Kade bowed his head in respect. They always brought an extra set of clothes when coming into the forest for their daily runs. Tovias quickly dressed before going to where the girl was lying. He kneeled beside her as his men gathered around. He wondered what she was doing here and all alone. He remembers her beautiful blue eyes. They were like sapphires when she looked up at him. He could definitely get lost in their depth. Not to mention the way she felt against his body. Okay, he had to get his rising libido under control…hell he didn’t even know who the hell she was. No reason to get all heated over her…yet anyway, he mused to himself. He moved strands of her gorgeous red hair off her forehead.

“Is she okay, Alpha?” Kade asked, breaking through his thoughts.

“Not sure, she is alive though.” He studied her briefly again before lifting her into his arms. “We should get her back to the pack doctor, so he can look her over.” They all nodded in agreement and followed him.