Chapter 2 Awakening Flames
906 Words
Elara ran through the dark forest as fast as her tired legs could carry her. Branches scratched her arms and face, but she did not stop. The rejection pain still burned inside her chest like someone had poured hot oil on her heart. Every breath hurt. Tears kept falling down her cheeks as she remembered Damien's cold words and the laughter of the pack.
She had nothing left. No home. No one to help her. The night air felt freezing against her skin, and her thin white dress offered no protection. She wrapped her arms around herself and kept moving deeper into the unknown woods that bordered the pack lands. If the guards caught her after sunrise, they would kill her without mercy.
The strange warm spark in her belly grew stronger with every step. It felt like a tiny flame that refused to go out, no matter how cold and broken she felt. Elara slowed down near a small stream and dropped to her knees. She cupped her hands and drank some water, then pressed both palms gently on her stomach.
What is happening to me she thought. This feeling is not normal.
A sharp cramp suddenly hit her lower belly. She gasped and bent forward. The pain was different from the mate bond rejection. It felt deeper and more personal. Memories flashed through her mind of the one secret night two weeks ago, when Damien had taken her in his private chambers after finding her cleaning there. He had been rough and cold, but she had been too scared to refuse the Alpha King. That night, he had left without a word and never looked at her again.
Now her body was telling her the truth.
No, it cannot be she whispered in fear.
Another wave of warmth spread through her. This time it was stronger. The spark flared up, and Elara cried out as her bones began to shift and c***k. For the first time in her life, her wolf was waking up. Fur started to appear on her arms. Her senses became sharper. She could smell every flower and hear every small animal moving in the bushes.
She was shifting.
The pain was terrible, but mixed with the power she had never known. Her wolf voice spoke inside her head for the first time. Mate rejected us, but we are not weak. We have a pup to protect.
Elara's eyes widened in shock. A pup. She was really pregnant with the Alpha King's child.
Before she could fully process the words, a loud howl echoed through the forest. It was close. Too close. Heavy footsteps crashed through the trees. She caught the scent of several male wolves. They were not from her pack. These smells were darker and more dangerous.
Elara tried to stand, but her body was still changing. Half wolf, half human, she stumbled against a tree.
Three large wolves stepped out from the shadows. Their eyes glowed with menace. The biggest one shifted into a tall man with scars on his face and a cruel smile. He looked at her like she was prey.
Well, well, what do we have here? He said in a deep voice. A runaway from the Crescent Empire. And she smells like the Alpha King's mate. Or should I say rejected mate?
The other two laughed. One of them sniffed the air. She carries his scent and something more. She is with child.
The scarred man's eyes lit up with evil excitement. Perfect. We will take her to our Alpha. He will love using Damien Blackthorn's rejected mate and unborn pup as leverage. Or maybe we kill her right here and send her head back as a gift.
Elara backed away in terror. Her new wolf strength surged through her, but she was still too weak from the rejection and shift. She turned to run, but the scarred man moved faster than lightning and grabbed her by the hair.
He yanked her head back and pressed a silver knife against her throat. The blade burned her skin.
Do not struggle, little omega he growled. Tonight, your luck has run out.
Just as the knife pressed deeper, a powerful roar shook the entire forest. Trees seemed to tremble. The three wolves froze in fear.
A huge black wolf burst from the darkness. It was bigger than any wolf Elara had ever seen. Its eyes burned with pure rage. In one powerful leap, it attacked the scarred man and tore into him with deadly force.
Blood sprayed across the leaves. The other two wolves tried to fight, but the giant black wolf destroyed them in seconds with terrifying strength.
Elara fell to the ground, shaking as the beast turned toward her. It stepped closer, blood dripping from its jaws. Then it shifted into a tall, muscular man with silver-streaked hair and piercing grey eyes.
He stared at her with a mixture of surprise and dark hunger.
You he said in a low, dangerous voice. The rejected mate of my enemy. And you are carrying his child.
Elara's heart pounded wildly. She recognised him now. This was Kael Vos,s the ruthless Alpha of the rival Shadowfang Pack. The most feared enemy of Damien Blackthorn.
Kael's eyes moved to her belly, and a cold smile formed on his lips.
This changes everything.
Before Elara could speak or run,n everything went black as powerful arms caught her falling body.
- Writer
