Chapter 2:
1111 Words
The night was cold and cut through my skin.
I pulled my thin coat tightly around me, my feet sinking into the thick snow. The cold numbed my body and also numbed my heart.
I had no idea how long I had been walking, only that I was far from Nightshade. I could no longer see the flag that made me proud. I momentarily looked around in the darkness, not knowing which direction to go. I had no family, pack, or place to accept me.
Just when I was about to collapse, I suddenly remembered the child growing inside me. I trembled as I touched my stomach. This child had entered my life so suddenly, stripping me of everything. I should have hated it, but somehow I couldn't.
The corners of my eyes stung; I had nothing left; I only had this child. I had to protect it, at least while I was alive.
Suddenly, a howl sounded from behind, followed by messy, uneven footsteps.
I turned my head cautiously, my heart pounding as I saw several dark shadows looming behind the trees. I frowned, staring at the man walking towards me – Beta Max.
My hand unconsciously tightened, placing it on my stomach.
Noticing my confusion, Max laughed. "Daughter, surprised to see me?"
"You came here. Did my father change his mind?" I couldn't help but feel happy.
Max smiled pitifully and shook his head at me, his voice hoarse. "It's true that I came here under Alpha's orders. However, it wasn't to take you back but to kill you."
I was stunned. What? My father wanted to kill me? Impossible, he couldn't be so heartless.
"I don't believe it…" My voice sounded weak.
"Perhaps not before, but now you've disgraced Nightshade. We must eliminate you before the new Alpha takes over," Max said deliberately.
"The new Alpha? Who is the new Alpha?" I asked.
"The Alpha only has two daughters; if not you, then it is Miss Emily." Max looked impatient. "Freya, accept your fate; I will let you die peacefully."
Panic surged through me. I didn't say a word—I just turned and ran.
The footsteps behind me closed in, relentless. They were chasing me, herding me like helpless prey. I ran through the dry trees; the cold wind whipped my face, making my eyes sting. I couldn't transform. It wasn't that I didn't want to; I couldn't.
A werewolf would become weak when pregnant, needing the protection of a mate, but I didn't have that luck.
I could only rely on my strength, finding every way to survive.
I stopped, panting. My whole body trembled as I stared into the bottomless abyss before me. The footsteps behind me were getting closer and closer. I had no way to retreat.
"Freya, you have no way to escape. Just die." Max slowly walked over, holding a short knife in his hand.
My heart tightened, and I laughed bitterly, tears silently falling. Apart from my father, Max was the person I respected the most in the pack. He was Lucas's father and also the first teacher who taught me how to fight. He would be my father-in-law if this hadn't happened. But now, the one who wanted to push me into a corner was him.
Max approached, reaching out to grab me.
Reflexively, I retreated.
The rocks and soil beneath my feet shattered. My body lost weight, and I fell into the abyss, the wind whistling in my ears. My fall was so sudden that even Max stood frozen in shock.
I let out a faint laugh and closed my eyes; I could no longer hear anything except my panicked heartbeat. I thought I would be terrified, yet in that moment, I felt nothing—no pain, no fear, just emptiness.
Darkness swallowed me.
I had no idea how long I had been falling—only the wind howling in my ears, slicing through my flesh like icy blades. Then, all at once, everything stopped. Agony exploded through me, fierce and relentless.
I crashed into something, maybe a tree branch or a rock. That sharp pain ran through my body, signaling that I was still alive.
As soon as I regained consciousness, I immediately touched my stomach. The baby must be okay, I hoped.
In the distance, this time, I heard footsteps.
"Damn it!" I cursed silently; could it be that those bastards were chasing me all the way here?
There was no time to think much; I had to hide before they found me.
I forced myself to sit up, crawling forward. My whole body was sore, blood from the wound running down my skin that no longer had warmth. I panted, my breaths growing heavy. Pregnancy had severely weakened my healing ability.
As expected, they caught up with me very quickly.
As they approached, I was stunned. They were not Nightshade werewolves. Their scent was utterly different – strong, wild, and powerful.
Bloodmoon wolves.
Damn it!
I tried to back away, but my exhausted body betrayed me. A tall figure appeared before me, radiating a dangerous aura that sent shivers down my spine.
"A strange werewolf." His voice was low, carrying a sense of caution. "She's quite badly injured."
I raised my head, not rushing to speak but silently assessing the man before me.
He was very young, but his aura was powerful.
"Lion, kill her!"
That cold command sent a chill through my entire body.
A chill crawled down my spine. I knew that voice. The one who had just given the order was Lucian—the Alpha of Bloodmoon.
He was a cold-blooded, the most ruthless of the Alphas of Bloodmoon. He was not Luna's son but the illegitimate son of a former Alpha. To seize power, he killed his father and all four of his brothers.
After receiving the order, Lion looked at me and shrugged. "I don't want to kill you, but that's an order; consider yourself unlucky."
I clenched my jaw, trying to resist, but it was no different from a wounded animal struggling in the predator's claws.
Lucian's voice rang out again as the blade in Lion's hand gleamed.
"Wait—"
Everything stopped. Even the air itself seemed to be still.
Lucian looked at me in shock; his breathing suddenly became rapid. His sharp yellow eyes flashed with surprise.
"Why…?"
I didn't know what he was asking; I didn't care; I just wanted to run. But as soon as I stood up, dizziness came over me.
I fell to the cold ground, my consciousness gradually drifting into nothingness.
In a daze, I heard Lucian say. "Bring her back!"
- Writer
