Amber's POV
"Get your filthy hands off me!" I screamed as I wrenched myself free from his strong grip.
Fear ripped through my heart as I ran for my dear life along the dark path that led into the thick forest ignoring the searing pain in my legs and the dizziness that overtook me now and then.
The air was chilly and it bit into my skin with its icy teeth, making it difficult to keep my balance. It took everything within my power not to stumble. I couldn't afford to fall right now.
My feet pounded against the ground and adrenaline pumped through my veins making it feel like each step I took was my last chance before the man behind me in a dark mask abducted me.
The cold harsh wind tore at me, trying to pull me down. My entire body ached with pain, but I pushed it aside, ignoring the feeling for now. My heart pounded hard against my ribcage as I tried to escape.
Hot tears pricked my eyes, trickling down my cheeks. I wiped them away immediately. This wasn't how I had anticipated my night. If Sandra, my stepsister, didn't choose this particular night to send me on an errand, I would be asleep by now.
Different terrible images conjured up in my brain as I wondered what he would do to me if he caught me. My head felt heavy with exhaustion and my limbs threatened to give in.
"Somebody help!" I screamed for help but my voice reverberated through the forest reminding me that I was all alone in this.
"Somebody help! Somebody help!" I screamed again at the top of my voice and flailed my arms in midair.
"You must be a fool to think anyone can save you from me!" A harsh sinister laugh emanated from him causing goosebumps to arise on my skin.
My footsteps rang loud on the lone path. Not a soul was in sight to help me out of this danger and he was closer than I thought.
If I dared stop I would be in trouble. I willed myself to run faster through the thick fog of darkness before me. At this point, I didn't care for direction because I knew I was a long way from home. Cold sweat covered the back of my neck, and my body itched all over.
The smell of pinewood and moss filled the thick air. Tall thick trees heralded me side by side on the lone path and the woods were bathed in pitch darkness. Eerie voices from the deep resounded in the distance but I wasn't scared. I was more scared of the man behind me and what he would do to me.
The cold night wind whipped my hair around my face, it made it even harder for her to see.
My lungs burned with each breath I inhaled as adrenaline surged to my limbs and pumped throughout my bloodstream. Every part of me was on fire, but I had no time to be weak.
Another wave of panic rushed through me as I realized how far off I was from the safety of home. I had to keep running with full speed. I needed to make it out of the forest. Alive.
'Help me Moon Goddess.' I muttered under her breath.
With every step forward my lungs burned for air As he ran to catch up with me my pace grew slower until it finally came to a full stop when I realized that there was nowhere to run to anymore. Tall dense trees with an endless canopy of leaves blocked my path forward.
My eyes darted wildly around me as I frantically looked in all directions trying to escape.
I turned around to see how close he had gotten when a thorn pricked my left toe. I let out a loud gasp and fell face down. A sharp pain pierced through my body when I felt a strong arm pull me from the floor.
He gripped my other arm tightly, shoving me to the rough ground. My back hit hard and I saw stars. I cried out in pain as I felt a stinging sensation all over my body.
"Pl-pl-please." I choked on the word.
He ignored my plea and punched my chest hard enough that I saw black spots dance across my vision. I winced as pain ricocheted through me.
Grabbing my throat with his large hand, he squeezed my neck, choking me until my voice died in my throat. I struggled to unloosen his hand but his grip was so strong. Tears rolled down my eyes and at that moment I knew I would die.
Maybe death would alleviate my suffering. After all, my father and my stepmother wouldn't miss me. It would be a gain for us all because then I would get to see my mother again. He released me and I fell forward onto my knees, coughing violently.
He smacked me and I sputtered blood. I was sapped of strength and my body was so heavy I couldn't even move again. I watched him retrieve a sharp knife from his pocket as I stared into his ruthless eyeballs and I knew fate had mapped out a harsh end for me.
My prayer was different this time.
'Dear Moon Goddess, please make it fast.'
As soon as I realized that this was a dead end I shut my eyelids tight anticipating the pain but none came.
"Get off her!"
My brows creased in disbelief when I heard the strange voice. Had someone come to save me or was I hearing things? Slowly, I flicked my eyes open to see a tall imposing figure ram blows on my attacker before pushing him down the steep path.
The world spun before I and black visions danced before my eyes as the last vestiges of consciousness slipped away from my grip. I found myself sinking into the darkness of unconsciousness that finally engulfed me.
My head felt fuzzy and my limbs were numb from the pain. He picked me up and wrapped his arms around me, shielding me from the cold.
"Mate." My wolf acknowledged. That was the last thing I felt before I fainted in my saviour's arms.