Demon From Heaven

Chapter 6

MERIDA POV

I ran as fast as my legs could take me while everything continued to stand still but as I got closer to Cecilia I felt a jolt within me making me stop almost immediately.

I stared at Cecilia, who was mysteriously drawing me towards her. But just as I left her presence I felt a voice talking to me from within.

Cecilia had a hand in the Alpha's death.

Were the words whispered to me, like my inner wolf was talking to me.

But this wasn't the time for me to delay around waiting for an answer. Whoever saved me won't give me all the time in the world to think about Cecilia's hands in the Alpha's death.

I stumbled back, my eyes widening in shock as I processed the words that echoed in my mind. Cecilia, involved in Eric's death? It seemed impossible, but deep down, a part of me knew that there was some truth to this revelation. The inexplicable pull I had felt towards Cecilia was now tainted with suspicion and uncertainty.

Without a second thought, I tore my gaze away from Cecilia and turned to run. The need to escape and find answers overwhelmed me, fueling the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I sprinted as fast as my legs could carry me, my heart pounding in my chest.

As I reached the edge of the woods, the sound of my rapid footsteps muffled by the forest floor, I didn't look back. I knew I had to put as much distance between myself and the castle as possible. The dense foliage of the woods swallowed me whole, cocooning me in a world of shadows and whispers.

Every step I took, my mind raced with questions and suspicion. Why would Cecilia be involved in Eric's death? What motive could she possibly have? And who was the voice that spoke to me, revealing this unsettling truth?

I pushed through the undergrowth, branches and leaves scratching against my skin. The wilderness seemed to mirror the chaos within me, the uncertainty of my situation. The further I ran, the easier it became to let go of the constraints that had bound me for so long.

I found a clearing, bathed in dappled sunlight, and collapsed to my knees, gasping for breath. My body trembled with a mixture of fear, confusion, and anticipation. Alone in the woods, without anyone to support me or be by my side. This wasn't what I wanted at all but I don't have a choice.

I continued my walk in forest after I was sure no one could trace me and got to a different province but the closer I got the more I felt I wasn't welcomed there either. It had been more than a day since I escaped my untimely death but I still couldn't find a good place to hide and start a new life like I wanted to.

My eyes quickly caught glimpse of a wanted picture on the wall, I rushed towards it and it really was a wanted picture of me, with a huge ransom written below. That explains why the air here really felt more different than I thought.

Some of the hunters sitting idle in groups noticed my helpless glares and quickly stared at the paper pasted on the wall.

"You are here!!! The Luna who murdered her mate due to greed?" One of the hunters pointed out making the others look at me with great anticipation.

The hunters' accusations pierced through me like a thousand arrows, each word igniting a painful realization. The image of the wanted poster reflected back at me, a reminder of the twisted fate that awaited me. My heart sank as I realized that even in this unfamiliar place, I couldn't escape the weight of my past.

Fear clenched its icy grip around my throat, suffocating any glimmer of hope that remained. I had thought that by fleeing to a different province, I would find a fresh start, a chance to leave behind the demonized version of myself that everyone believed. But it seemed that my past had caught up to me faster than I had anticipated, and now I had become a hunted beast.

With my heart pounding in my chest, I turned and sprinted back into the safety of the forest. The trees seemed to welcome me with open arms, their branches reaching out to shield me from the harsh reality of the world beyond. My wolf instincts kicked in, guiding me through the labyrinth of foliage as I searched for a sanctuary where I could finally find solace.

As I ran deeper into the forest, the sounds of civilization faded away, replaced by the rhythmic chorus of nature. The scent of damp earth and decaying leaves filled my nostrils, grounding me in the present moment. I allowed myself a momentary pause, planting my trembling hands on my knees as I caught my breath.

In this quiet refuge, surrounded by ancient trees, I made a silent promise to myself. I would no longer be a victim of circumstance. I would forge my own path, reclaim my identity, and prove to the world that I was not the monster they believed me to be.

With determination fueling my every step, I ventured further into the wilderness. This was the only way I could stay alive and mostly no one would be able to pursue me around as a criminal for a crime I didn't even commit and for a weird reason my instincts pointed Cecilia to be the killer.

It was now four more days since my escape and I soul haven't came through this forest meaning I had to survive on what the nature provided for me which I was very glad of.

Although few werewolves always came this way to relief their anger and desperation and mostly ease their pain or just for fun turn into their main forms, but I always made sure not to dwell in their business.

After few more days I decided to head to another province to see if things about me had cooled down, but the fear of getting caught still made me nervous.

As I cautiously made my way back to the province I had fled from, my heart raced with anticipation and fear. I knew that returning meant risking capture, but I couldn't stay hidden in the forest forever. I needed to find a way to clear my name and prove my innocence.

The province looked just as I remembered it, but there was an underlying tension in the air. I could feel the gazes of suspicion and fear directed towards me as I walked the streets, my head held low and hood pulled up, trying to hide my identity.

I quickly realized that finding a safe haven here would be nearly impossible. The wanted posters with my face plastered across them seemed to be on every corner, making it clear that I was still a hunted fugitive.

Desperation set in as I realized that I needed to find a way to survive. I sought refuge in dilapidated buildings and hidden alcoves, always on the move, afraid to stay in one place for too long. I scavenged for food in the dead of night, relying on my instincts to keep me one step ahead.

After hiding in the village for few more days and getting fed up from having to hide myself, I decided to leave and return to the forest where I belonged.

The night of my return, I decided to stroll around the forest for anything fun when I senses someone was with me in the woods and also the footsteps were very weak, but unlike in the province in the woods I had more authority and was able to fight for myself, so I decided to patiently wait for who ever it was and to my surprise the person was really stumbling towards my direction with one hand on its belly. As the figure got closer to me I was surprised to see a bleeding male figure walking up to me. I can't just hide here and watch him suffer but at the same time I was frightened it might be a trap to lure me out and catch me so I continued to watch him stagger with every bit of strength in him while whipping like he was in very critical pains.

I couldn't bear seeing him in pain despite not knowing him or even able to see his face but I still had to wait to be sure it wasn't a trap like I suspected. He suddenly stops and breathes out heavily while he whispered to himself.

" Help….." were the words he whispered to himself as I stop behind the tree in guilt…this can't possibly be a trap he is truly bleeding and can't even breathe well, who would want to trap me by placing another person's life at risk.

After much contemplation I decided to help him and as I came out of hiding, it seemed like I was already late as he had already stumbled to the floor.