The Alpha’s Ruin

CHAPTER ONE Lyssandra’s POV The air smelled like death. I tore through the forest, branches clawing at my skin as I ran. My lungs burned, every breath sharp and ragged, but I didn’t slow down. I couldn’t. The relentless footsteps behind me followed like a second heartbeat, getting louder with every step I took. I had made a lot of enemies. No — Ruin had made a lot of enemies. No one knew my true identity, so why was I being hunted down? Why now when I was so close to getting my revenge? My foot snagged at an underground root just for a second — but it was enough. I pitched forward violently, breath knocking out of me as I hit the ground. Before I could push myself up, a searing pain tore through my back. Shit. Pain bloomed between my shoulder blades, my hands shot back, fingers slightly brushing the shaft that was rooted there, confirming what I knew. Poison. I couldn’t pull it out, not yet. Pulling it out meant more damage, more blood loss. Faster death. My eyes scanned the dark trees, even in my human form, the sharp glint of arrows and blades winked at me. There were six of them. “Who sent you?” My voice echoed through the night . Though I knew it was an Assassin's code to never speak to their target, it irked me that I was met with nothing but cold, blank eyes staring down at me. Fucking great. I took a deep breath, forcing my scattered breaths into a controlled rhythm, so I wouldn’t lose it completely. The pain felt like fire and I knew it was only a matter of minutes till I fainted from blood loss. They were waiting for me to make a move before finishing me off. A scoff escaped my lips. Rookie mistake. I let go of my blade in mock surrender. Their eyes met for a moment ,as if communicating, but that was all I needed. My hands dipped to my sides and came up with steel, short knives placed expertly between fingers. My wrists snapped forward, quick and precise. Blades cut through the air with a sharp hiss, burying themselves in their waiting throats. One target dropped. Another staggered. Three. Four . Five. Silence. A long haunting howl filled the air. Shit. The sixth one escaped. My body protested as I pushed myself up, he must be signaling others. Every step hurt and burned, but I couldn’t slow. I picked my steps carefully, avoiding roots and fallen branches. Because if I fell, this time I was done. A branch grazed my back and I let out a hiss but kept moving. I could feel the warmth seeping beneath my clothes — blood. Damn wolves would scent me before I could get to the river nearby. Gold eyes blinked back between the trees. A low growl rolled from its chest, it wasn’t loud but deep enough to be heard. A warning. To stop running from death and surrender. I couldn’t outrun a wolf. Not in this pathetic state and I was confident there were five more surrounding me. Think Ruin. I refused to die in the most disgraceful way. My death must be as legendary as my name. I strained my ears catching the distant fall of rushing water. The waterfall. Except…. We were on the wrong side of it. The cliff side. My eyes caught the subtle formation of the wolves as they closed in. Sharp white fangs baring at me, pushing me upwards. Every movement was controlled, calculating. Like a predator stalking its prey. Except this time, the prey decided to die on her own terms. The roar of the waterfall crashing against rocks grew louder as my feet backed up. Mist of water slammed into me, stinging the wound, causing droplets of blood to roll down the sleeves of my arm. One of the wolves stalked forward, furs drenched with sprays from the fall. He seemed like the leader, though his size was not as impressive. Its eerie gaze focused on me and for a second, I felt a tingle at the back of my neck. The cruel stare was familiar, and familiar was never good. I curled my hands against the last blade hidden behind me. The urge to bury my blade deep into this wolf’s neck was strangely satisfying and I welcomed it. I would die today, but wouldn’t a souvenir be nice when I got to Hades fire? I highly doubted the Moon goddess would welcome me into her gracious arms. With a rabid snarl, the wolf lunged in midair, its position aimed to tear apart With a cruel smile of my own, I dug my blade straight into its eye. My hand made quick work as I pushed my blade deeper till its eye plopped right into my hand. A thunderous howl echoed, vibrating through the rocks as the wolf stumbled violently. Blood streamed down from the ruined side of its face as it fell with a thud, pushing me to the edge of the cliff. Silence reigned The other wolves watched their leader lay still on the ground. My hand came up, there was no mistaking the warm, wet organ between my fingers, strands of torn tissue still clung to it. With a pained howl, they lunged at me. I took one last step back, a satisfied smile on my lips, my laughter echoed through the rocks, haunting them even as I fell to my own death.