The Alpha King

11. Escape

As soon as we got outside, I had a few of the healthier men go scout out the area before we ran across the field to the forest. As soon as we got the all clear, everyone dashed to the forest, praying to the moon goddess that we weren't caught. My adrenaline has never pumped so much! As soon as we got to the safety the woods offered, we all stopped and took a breather. We had to run all night to make sure they couldn't catch up to us, once they noticed we escaped.

"This is where I stop. Take care, be safe." Cassie whispered before disappearing back into the house.

As soon as everyone was ready, without words, everyone took off running full speed to our freedom.

We've been running for about three hours. Some felt we were far enough to rest. But I had this weird gut feeling that if we stopped even for a second, we'd be caught and never escape again. So, against everyone's better judgment, I forced them to continue running. No matter what happens, the pack cannot be caught again. The Golden Moon Pack has to survive.

As we were running, One of the younger girls tripped over something, causing her to tumble to the ground rather roughly. Everyone instantaneously stopped to check out the ruckus.

"Oh gosh! Are you okay?" I hurried.

"Yeah, I'm just so exhausted.. I know we can't be caught, but we've been running for seven hours. Can we please stop for a few minutes? We've been locked up and deprived of nutritious food. This is the most exercise I've gotten; it's stressing my body out." She whined.

I hated having to stop. But, knowing she was right, I had no choice.

"Alright then, we can rest for the night. But we have to continue as soon as dawn breaks. We can't let them get too close." I stated.

Everyone found a spot to rest for the night. Some went out to get firewood, and others went out to hunt for food to cook. I stayed back to get stuff ready to make dinner for us. Goddess knows we all need it. It wasn't much, but we had roasted deer meat, with some veggies someone found growing a little ways from here, with a deer gravy I made out of the remaining meat. All that mattered was that we were full and ready to continue our run to our new haven. Of course, my gut kept screaming at me not to do this. To start moving. But I couldn't force them to run on exhaust. So, against my better judgment, I allowed a few hours of rest. Mimosa chose to take first watch as we slept. I gratefully accepted and fell into a deep sleep.

I was having the most amazing dream of being with my family again when this piercing scream reached my ears, ripping me out of my little heaven. I jumped up searching for the source. I never imagined what my eyes found. My pack was being ripped apart by a bunch of rogues! I jumped into action, giving my wolf full control. I can't lose them. The first rogue I came across, I ripped his throat out without a second thought. I heard another horrid scream. I turned to find Lana barely protecting herself from a rogue about to rip her stomach apart with his claws. I dashed to them. As soon as I reached them, I tackled him off her. He went rolling before he caught his balance, running to attack me. When he got close enough, he tried to grab my throat with his jaws. I immediately slashed his face with my paw, hoping to keep him from getting too close to my throat.

Before I could run and deal a killing blow, someone from my blind spot tackled me to the ground. It was so sudden, I was caught off guard, not able to protect myself. I was completely vulnerable as I watched them reach for a killing blow. I lost. I couldn't even save myself, let alone my pack. I'm a failure, I was never meant to be an alpha. I closed my eyes, waiting for that piercing pain, followed by darkness.

But it never came. This earth-shattering growl filled the whole area. The weight of the rogue vanished from my body. I was too terrified to see what else had appeared to be a part of this fight. I took control and shifted back. Horrified, I hesitantly opened my eyes to see Killian shredding apart the wolf that was just about to take my life. The only thing on my mind in that second was that my pack was going to be taken prisoner again.

I couldn't let that happen. While he was busy destroying the rest of those rogues, I grabbed my members and rushed them to the river, hoping crossing it would be enough to cover our scents. I found Mimosa helping Lana. But she had a gash on her leg that was making it more difficult than it should've been. I ran to her to help move them.

Everyone was quietly making their way to the river. Everything seemed okay as I helped them to cross it without making too much noise. The river was calm, making it easier. Most of the pack had gotten through to the other side, seeking shelter until the rest safely made it. I had Lana carry the food items we had left, while I helped Mimosa across. Right before we started to cross the hairs on the back of my neck stood, as goosebumps spread all over. No, it can't be! Not yet.

"Mimosa, we have to run!" crying out, as I tried to tug her along faster. We didn't make it far into the river before we were ripped backwards.

I hit a solid chest. As soon as we made contact, he wrapped his arms around me to secure me in place. I went into fight or flight, trying to save myself. I kicked and punched any body part I could reach, hoping to hit the jackpot.

"Let us go!!" I screamed as I tried to claw his eyes out.

He forcefully turned me around as he clamped my hands to my side with one arm, and grabbed my face with the other, forcing me to make eye contact. As soon as I was staring into his eyes, I never thought I'd see what I did. His eyes were filled with anger, and... fear? Was he actually scared for me? Without any words, he aggressively wrapped his arms around me in an extremely uncomfortable tight hug.

"I don't care if you hate me, I don't care if you take it out on me every single day. But DO NOT ever run away from me again. Don't put your life in danger just because you hate me." He whispered in my neck as his grip on me tightened.

"That's a funny request from someone who put my life in danger first." His body went rigid at my claim, then a dark, deep laugh fell from his sinful lips.

"You truly don't know how much danger you were in, staying at that pack. I saved your life."

"Yeah, right. The person who evaded my home, killed my pack, saved me." Manical laughter forced its way out as I realized I had been mated to a psychopath. I'm going to die here.

Knowing full well I wasn't going to get away again. But my pack still had a chance at freedom, so I gave in and accepted my fate.

"I'll stop fighting as long as you let Mimosa go."

As soon as he heard my response, he pulled away from me to look in my eyes. Probably, looking for a hint of deception. After feeling satisfied, he kissed me. It was such a soft, sweet kiss. If only I were actually able to enjoy the mate that was supposed to be for me. But, fate obviously had other plans. Within seconds, the kiss ended, and I was hoisted over his shoulders.

"Beta Brax, bring Ms. Mimosa with us."

"What? I thought–"

"She will be put in a guest room. If she holds no knowledge that I need, I will let her go. If you had been a bit more patient, you soon would've seen me start letting them go one by one. If they were to choose to stay in my pack, I would've let them."

"I don't believe you, and I don't regret my actions. The remaining members of my fallen pack are finally free."

"Love, I wouldn't call being on the other side of that river free. It's still my land." He stopped, turning back around towards the trees where my members hid. "You can live as rogues if you wish. If another pack will take you, so be it. But, for those who want to stay and be a part of my pack. You can come back at anytime, I only demand loyalty." He turned, continuing his trek to the awaiting truck.

"Are you insane? Why would they swear their loyalty to the man who killed their alpha? They never will." grumbling as the top half of my body swung side to side.

"Did you never go to school? Wolves swear their loyalty to the man who kills their alpha all the time. Just watch, some will come back."

Annoyed with his smart-ass answers. "You killed fathers, mothers, daughters, sons, sisters, brothers. That's not so easily forgettable.

"It is when the need to survive is stronger than the grief they hold."