CHAPTER 3: The Alpha's hunt
962 Words
Elira POV
I opened my eyes slowly and immediately regretted it,bright light stabbed into my vision.
I groaned softly. “She’s awake.”
The unfamiliar male voice made panic shoot through me instantly.
I jerked upright,pain ripped through my stomach.
“Easy.”
A large hand caught my arm before I fell off the bed.
My breathing quickened. I pushed myself backward immediately until my spine hit the wall behind the bed.
“Don’t touch me.” I said
The man stepped back instantly.
I looked around quickly,it was an unknown room.
Stone walls,small fireplace.
“You’re safe here,” the man said calmly.
I almost laughed. There was no such thing as safe,not for someone like me.
I pulled the blanket tighter around myself and stared at him cautiously.
He was tall,had broad shoulders and dark clothes.
His silver-black hair is slightly damp from rain and his golden eyes.
“Why are you afraid?” he asked.
The man studied me silently.
Most dominant wolves looked at omegas with arrogance or disgust.
But this one looked curious.
“How long was I unconscious?” I asked.
“One night.” he said
I immediately grabbed my stomach.
“You almost drowned.” the man said again, still looking at me with curiosity.
“I’m fine."I said and he smiled slightly.
“You don’t sound fine, neither do you look fine" he said
I looked away,no one had ever spoken to me gently before.
Not without wanting something afterward.
“I should leave.” I said.
“You can barely stand,” he said.
“I still need to leave.” I replied.
“From who,who are you running from?” The man asked.
I stayed silent because the answer was dangerous.
The man leaned on the wall calmly and folded his arms.
“Blackthorn Pack?” he questioned.
My head snapped toward him instantly.
His golden eyes darkened.
“So I’m right.” he said
Fear flooded my chest again, I pushed myself farther back.
“You shouldn’t say that name.” I said with a trembling voice.
“And why not?” he asked.
“Because if they find me here,”
“They won’t.” he interjected. The confidence in his voice startled me.
He walked towards the window.
“You drifted near Nightfall territory,” he said. “My patrol found you unconscious by the riverbank.”
I recognized the name immediately.
One of the oldest Lycan territories in the north.
“Who are you?” I asked
The man turned toward me fully.
“Adrian Nightfall.” My stomach dropped instantly.
The Lycan prince.
I’ve heard stories about him even in Blackthorn.
I looked down immediately.
“I apologize, Your Highness.”
Adrian frowned slightly.
“Why?”
“I spoke disrespectfully.” I said
“You were frightened,” he replied.
“That’s not an excuse.” I said
Something unreadable crossed his face.
Then he walked closer slowly.
“You expect punishment for speaking honestly?” he asked.
My throat tightened. “Yes.”
Adrian stared at me for several seconds.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“Elira.” I said
His gaze stayed on me.
“Elira what?” I hesitated. “Just Elira.”
He noticed the hesitation immediately but surprisingly didn’t push further. He nodded once.
“You need food.” Adrian said.
“I’m not hungry.” I replied.
“That wasn’t a question.” I stiffened instantly.
The words sounded too much like Kael but Adrian noticed my reaction too.
“I didn’t mean….” he paused
“It’s fine.” I said.
Suddenly I could hear Kael’s voice again.
‘You will obey my every command without question.’
The memory made my chest ache painfully. Adrian moved toward the door.
“I’ll have someone bring food.” Adrian said.
“I don’t want servants near me.” I said.
“Why?” Adrian asked with his face slightly confused.
“I just don’t.”
Adrian studied me again. “You think someone’s hunting you”
I looked down at my shaking hands.
“Please,” I whispered softly. “Don’t tell anyone I’m here.”
Adrian’s gaze lingered on me longer this time.
“You have my word.” he said
Emotion clogged my throat unexpectedly,a Lycan prince had just promised me protection.
The cursed omega nobody wanted.
Adrian walked toward the door again before stopping suddenly.
“There’s something else.” he said
“What?” I asked shakily.
His golden eyes lowered briefly toward my stomach.
“You should see a healer.”
I pulled the blanket tighter around myself instinctively.
“I’m fine.” I said
“You’re still bleeding. You almost lost consciousness from the pain.”
“It doesn’t matter.” I said.
Adrian’s expression hardened slightly.
“It matters if you’re carrying a child.” Adrian sighed.
“Listen,Elira,I’m not going to harm you.” Adrian said.
“Does the father know?” he asked.
Kael’s face flashed through my mind instantly.
I looked away quickly before the tears could fall.
“No.”
“And you don’t want him to.”he said
“No,I don't." I replied.
A sharp knock interrupted us.
Adrian moved closer to the door.
“Enter,” he said.
A warrior stepped inside quickly before lowering his head respectfully.
“My prince,” he said.
“What is it?” Adrian said
The warrior hesitated. “Speak.”
“The Blackthorn Alpha has sent wolves across the northern territories.”
My blood turned cold,the warrior continued.
“They’re searching for a missing female.”
Fear crashed into me so hard I nearly stopped breathing.
Adrian looked back at me slowly and his expression turned dangerous.
- Writer
