03.
1718 Words
My mind was filled with guilt as I journeyed home, everything felt empty and exhausting. Today felt like a nightmare. I found it hard to believe that Natalie was gone in just a blink. My best friend had been killed.
With my eyes sunken from my mourning all day, I arrived at the basement that contained my small crowded room. Flipping the switch to activate the light, I froze in shock when I found Derek seated on my bed, his cold gaze was on my packed luggage.
He got up and approached me, each step he made fueling up disgust within me. I felt a strong urge to charge at him and snuff life out of him, but it was impossible.
Derek would kill before I even made a threatening move at him.
He pointed at my luggage, "Why is that packed?"
I pursed my lips, glaring at him, "Let me guess, you plan to escape from here on your twentieth birthday tomorrow?"
Instantly, a cold shiver ran down my spine, and soon, my entire body started to quiver.
Derek smirked, noting my body's response.
"Did you think that a wolf like you can successfully leave the pack when you turn twenty?"
Before Derek got to me, I stepped away from him.
His face hardened, "you can't leave here, Ellen. I mean, you can, but I will never allow it. You will never be able to escape from here. From me."
"And who are you to decide that? I should be able to make that decision for myself once I turn twenty."
I tried to sound confident but I could already tell that I failed because Derek immediately burst into a peal of mockery laughter.
"You're different from other wolves, the law is different for a wolf like you. Also, in a few hours from now, I will be crowned Alpha. Do you think the law will remain the same? You think a wolf like you will be free?"
I blinked rapidly, fighting back my tears.
"If you hate me so much, why do you want me to stay?"
"Because I want to ensure that you suffer. I want to see you in pain, Ellen, it gladdens me. Also," he paused, reached, and easily pulled me closer to himself. He forced my palm open and placed it on his already stiff and hard c**k. "I need someone to f**k when I am bored and whenever I desire. You are my pleasure toy, Omega."
Derek forced his lips on mine and started to kiss me. I pursed my lips but one hard pinch to my side easily gave him the entrance he sought.
I detested the feel of his tongue in my mouth, the roaming and the mixture of our saliva. It ruined my emotions recalling Natalie's cry for help and my inability to help her. Yet, her murderer had his hands on my body, seeking satisfaction from me when I was mourning.
"You belong to me," he gruffed in pleasure, his caress on my womanhood growing into an intense rub, "all of you."
"Stop.." my breath hitched, tears strolling down my face as I clasped my thigh.
"Your struggles excite me," he bent and whispered into my ear, sucking on my earlobe for a few seconds. He withdrew his finger from under me and plunged it into his mouth. I twisted my face in disgust.
His other palm left me to get rid of his pants and I took the opportunity to pull away from him, reaching for the door.
A flash of anger crossed his eyes as he found me, his hard erection forcing its way out of his pants.
"How dare you," he grumbled.
"You took Natalie away from me, now you're not going to let me mourn her?" I screamed.
"You have a girlfriend, Derek! Go to her and leave me alone!"
Derek appeared stunned by my guts.
"Are you dictating to me whom to f**k and whom not to?"
"I just want to be left alone for one moment!"
In a fury, Derek started to approach me, but the emergency bell jingled, causing him to pause for just one moment. The instant he grabbed me, the bell jingled again. Louder this time.
He grumbled under his breath in annoyance.
"Expect me. You will pay for this stubbornness!"
And with that, he stomped out of my room.
Confirming that he was gone, I grabbed my luggage and dashed out of my room. I was going to leave this hellhole for good!
As I ran, I shifted to my wolf form and raced to the border.
All I had to do was get past the guards at the border and arrive at the countryside which was usually occupied with little to no wolves. If I could get there before the daytime, I would be free.
The exit from the pack house was easy to pass without being noticed, but the borders were tightly secured, yet, somehow, I wasn't shaken.
The leaves rustled under my feet, the cold air of the night hitting my skin. Amy growled as she tore down trees that obstructed our path, her determination overshadowing mine.
We were soon in the depths of the jungle when Amy suddenly crashed to a stop without any warning.
"Why did you stop?" I questioned.
"Did you hear that?" she asked.
"What?"
"Listen!" She urged and I did just that.
I heard it. It was a low howl of anguish. A cry for help. Slowly, it grew weaker and forced. Whatever was crying out was giving up.
"It could die any minute if it doesn't get help," Amy added.
"What if we can't help it?" I asked Amy.
"Should we leave it to die then?" Amy sought my permission but I could tell she didn't want to leave the wolf to die.
I tried to but I couldn't ignore it. Sacrificing a small time to save a dying wolf wouldn't sabotage our plans, right?
"We save it and continue our journey at once. That's it."
"That's it." Amy agreed readily. She immediately took off toward the direction of the sound.
I thought of Natalie as the howling got closer and closer... If only I was able to save her again.
The wolf was lying lifeless by the time I got there, a pool of blood by his side. I noticed a sharp cut on his stomach, a gash that revealed thick lumps of his flesh, and a slight view of his bone. His chest slowly rising and falling was the only physical evidence of life in him.
Immediately, I gathered some of my clothes and applied pressure on the wound, my heart racing as I feared for the wolf's life.
"He's losing his life," Amy's voice was fidgety.
"He won't die. I can't let him die."
"Ellen--"
"No, Amy. I'm going to save him. I will save this wolf!" My emotions clouded me.
I had watched Natalie being dragged to her death and did nothing about it. I heard her horrifying screams in my ears as she was struck to death. Still, I did nothing. I could have done everything! I could have fought with my last breath for her; she deserved that much and more from me, but I didn't. I couldn't.
At this point, all I could think of was my best friend and I saw this as a second chance to save her. To do what I couldn't do for her, for someone else.
"Ellen--" Amy called again.
"I'm going to save him," I repeated defiantly, sniffing and wiping my tears with my blood-coated hand.
The clothes were soaked once again, and I took them off; I placed my palm on top of the gash to hold the bleeding while I fished out more clothes from my bag. But just as my skin contacted him again, I felt a spark run through my system.
I ignored it and continued pulling out as many clothes as I could when Amy called out to me again.
"You're distracting me, Amy."
"No, look!"
She sounded shocked so I looked in the direction she pointed and noticed my hands starting to glow. The blinding light radiated through the wolf and it started to howl weakly. Another evidence of life.
"What is this?" I asked Amy.
"I'm not sure. It looks very familiar but I doubt it's what I think it is."
"What is it?"
"The healing light. Only the moon goddess possesses the power to summon it. The last wolf who was gifted the ability died a hundred years ago."
"I read about her, but how am I able to.." my words slowly faded when I noticed the wolf's wound drying up, his torn skin neatly coming together.
"Let's not conclude yet. There is probably another explanation for this," Amy said and I nodded.
Soon, the wolf's skin was back to normal, save for the blood on the floor, he completely looked like he wasn't bleeding to death a while ago.
His howling ceased, and his breathing regained normalcy as he drifted to sleep, the light dying.
"You saved him," Amy's voice was filled with relief but I knew I did nothing. The moon goddess probably intervened. Funny, how she was quick to save other wolves but not me.
"Let's get out of here--
"Take a step and I'll end your life, Omega!" The voice bore no recognition but it sure did sound like a powerful wolf.
I froze in my spot when I noticed he had a gun and targeted it at my forehead.
Drawing closer to me, I recognized the warrior seal on his outfit, but before I could say a word, he grabbed me roughly and clasped my wrists with handcuffs.
"Take her away," he said to the warriors behind him and I was grabbed, weakened, and taken away to the Crimson pack.
I could have begged, but I decided to save my strength, knowing I was already at a loose end. These wolves were warriors of my father, he trained every one of them and they all bore the same feeling of hate toward me.
I was shoved into a dungeon and the door was shut behind me. Looking beside me, I found my luggage, and I was reminded of my failure all over.
- Writer
