SCORNED LUNA

CHAPTER FOUR: ON THE RUN

Lookie boys! Isn't she a treat?"

"Are you lost baby girl? Ran too far from home?"

"She's dressed in a nightgown! What a w***e!"

"She's a looker though, I think I'll have my fun with her."

"Boys! How can you say such crass things?!"

Sasha sat up, staring at the figures looming over her. "P-please..." She choked out, her throat tight with unshed tears. "Don't hurt m-me"

"Oh look!" One of the boys taunted, clapping his hands loudly. "She can talk!"

"Of course she can, i***t!" The girl barked.

Sasha looked at the girl, hoping to garner some sympathy from her. But there was none in the girl's cold eyes.

"What's your name?" The girl asked Sasha.

"Sasha."

"Which pack are you from, Sasha?"

Sasha kept quiet, turning her head to the side.

"Why are you asking so much questions?! Let's take her already!"

"I think we'll take her back." The girl said. "She's got to be from around here and then we'll...."

"Too boring!" One of the boy yelled out and grabbed Sasha roughly by her arm pulling her to her feet. "I say we have our fun right now!"

Sasha grabbed the arm of her assailant, trying in vain to throw him off her. "Let.... let go of me!" She screamed, mustering all her strength and crying out.

The boy laughed haughtily, tightening his grip on her arm. His eyes were cold and full of lust, his grin terrifying. "I like my women fiesty!" He barked a laugh. "Go on, fight!"

Sasha pulled the knife and slashed it across his arm. He yelled and instantly let go of her, grabbing his injured arm as blood poured from it.

"You little b***h!" He screamed at her, a deep growl emanating from his chest. He reached out a clawed hand to grab her but his hand was instantly shot down by an arrow. His pained cry rang through the night, making Sasha wince and cover her ears.

"Get your disgusting maggot infested hands off of her!" A powerful female voice shouted. The aura that permeated the air was best described as sinister.

"What are you doing here?!" The woman who was with the boys shouted, fear in her voice.

A tall woman came and stood in front of Sasha. "Get lost, all of you. Unless of course you want to fight, then feel free to stay back." She hissed darkly.

"You'll regret this!"

"Yes! You think this is the last you'll see of us?"

"Of course not," The woman laughed heartily. "But I'll be waiting for the lot of you."

The boys and the girl ran away, leaving Sasha alone with the tall woman.

"Idiots." The tall woman hissed under her voice. "Not knowing when to pause."

Sasha clutched the bloodstained knife close to her chest, wondering if this woman had scared them off to pounce on her and tear her apart. But the woman turned to her and her aura changed into one of calmness.

"I hope I wasn't late," She said softly, extending a hand to Sasha.

Sasha stared at her hand and then her face. It was dark and she couldn't see her face clearly. But her smile felt warm. Sasha took her hand and let her drag her to her feet.

"Thank you." Sasha said softly.

The woman looked at her and said nothing about her appearance. "Are you lost?" She asked.

"Yes."

There was silence. Then the woman said, "it's cold. Come with me to my pack."

Sasha followed her wordlessly.

***

The woman introduced herself as Xenovia, the alpha of a small pack in the woods called Blue Hyacinth pack. She has become the alpha after her mate, the former alpha died from a strange sickness. The pack was small in size but surrounded by fertile lands and a flowing stream.

Sasha got to see Xenovia clearly when she took her to the pack house. Xenovia was tall, almost taller than Keith. Her eyes were a fiery amber colour and her hair was cut very short. Sasha felt a twinge in her heart, comparing her height to that of Keith. And once again she was reminded that she was far from Winter Stone, far from Keith.

"Are you listening to me?" Xenovia snapped her fingers in front of Sasha's face.

Sasha shuddered, her eyes coming to focus on Xenovia. "I'm sorry." She whispered.

Xenovia scoffed. "What are you sorry for kiddo?"

Sasha didn't have an answer to that. She pulled the blanket around her body and held it tightly. In her other hand was a hot brew of mint, hibiscus and lemon. It was supposed to calm her down.

Xenovia sat on the bed, her hot eyes focused on her. Sasha looked at the tea in her hands, not wanting to meet Xenovia's intense gaze. She could tell that Xenovia had so many questions to ask her.

"I'll let you get some rest." Xenovia said at last. "Tomorrow morning, we'll get to know each other better."

Sasha nodded. "Thank you for letting me stay here."

"Don't thank me yet kiddo." Xenovia said and rose to leave. "Get some sleep. I'll see you later." She left the room and shut the door behind her.

Sasha heaved a sigh. She dropped the mug on the floor and laid on the bed, folding her body in on itself. She was tired, but not tired enough to sleep. The room she has been given was the attic room. It was way smaller than the one at Winter.....

She paused in her thoughts, tears gathering to her eyes. Once again an image of Keith filled her mind. And her thoughts wandered.

What was he doing now?

Was he still asleep? Had he noticed her disappearance?

If so, was he looking for her?

Had he....had he finally realized that she was his mate?

All the questions filled her mind with no answer and no reprieve. She felt tears breach her eyelashes. Before long she was wailing, hugging herself and trying not to make a noise.

"I'm so sorry.....I just.....I couldn't....."

She cried, stuffing her fist into her mouth. Her emotions felt like a cold hand squeezing her neck. She couldn't believe what she had just done, running away!

She has ran away from her mate!

She sat up in bed and threw the blankets off her. That was it, she had to go back. If she went back now, perhaps all would be forgiven.

She rushed to the door, knocking over the mug of tea in the process. The hot liquid scalded her bare foot but she hardly felt it. She rushed to the door and pulled it open.

It was bolted shut.

A sob escaped her lips. She tried the door again, pushing it and slamming her arm into it. It remained shut. She looked around the room, her eyes darting around frantically for a means of escape. She spotted a small window. Smiling in relief, she rushed to the window and pulled it open. It was small, it would be a tight fit for her. But that wasn't the real problem.

Her face paled with fear as she saw how much of a drop it would be if she fell from the window. This was impossible! It didn't look that tall from outside.

Sasha fell to the floor, crying quietly. It was hopeless. She was locked in this room.

She laid on the cold floors and hugged herself tightly. She couldn't go back, at least not until the morning.

She didn't know when she fell asleep there. The last thing on her mind was the hope that he would come for her.

****

"Hey!"

"Wake up kiddo!"

"Why Is she sleeping on the floor?"

"I have no idea. I gave her a bed and she chooses the floor!"

Sasha's eyes slowly opened. In a fit of panic she rose to her feet and knelt down, clasping her hands in a plea.

"I'm sorry!" She cried. "I'll get to it right away! I...."

"Keep it down kiddo!" Xenovia snapped. "What is wrong with you?!"

Sasha paused, blinked sleep from her eyes. She realized that she wasn't back at Blue Flame, and it wasn't Leon waking her up rudely. Her eyes focused on Xenovia, and the elderly woman standing beside her. The events of the past night started coming back to her. Keith, running, Xenovia....

"Are you okay Child?" The elderly woman asked, tilting her head in concern.

Sasha got to her feet, her face burning in embarrassment. "I'm fine, good morning."

Xenovia had her hands on her hips, staring at Sasha with a suspicious look. "Why were you sleeping on the floor? Wasn't the bed to your liking?"

Sasha shook her head. "It's not that! I...I just...." The floor felt more comforting to her. But she couldn't say that.

"Were you crying?" Xenovia asked.

Sasha shook her head then nodded. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

She chewed her bottom lip and lowered her gaze.

Xenovia sighed. "You're one handful. Anyway, this is our healer, Elena. She'll take care of you, in case you have severe injuries."

Sasha nodded.

The healer observed her body for injuries and declared that she was in perfect health. For the scrapes on her legs and arms she prescribed a soothing balm. Sasha thanked her profusely for the care. But she couldn't help but feel that the healer wasn't telling her everything.

Xenovia had someone being food for her. It was a simple dish of rice, vegetables and meat. But everything tasted so delicious. She was given another mug of the herbal tea. This time her appetite allowed her to drink it. After she'd are and drank, she felt her energy return to her.

Xenovia returned in the evening, her face grave.

"Kiddo, there's a lot you need to tell me." She said, her face unreadable.

"W-what?"

"Elena discovered something as she was examining your health."

"Am I in trouble?"

"No, it's not that."

"Then what is it?" Sasha asked, starting to feel scared.

Xenovia inhaled deeply. "You're pregnant."