CHAPTER TWO
1410 Words
ALIA’S POV
I dashed into the forest, clutching my chest and holding the pendant my mom had given me, running as fast as my feet could carry me.
I could feel the burning sensation in my lungs, and my eyes couldn't see clearly from the smoke they had been exposed to. My heart kept pounding against my ribs like a war drum.
I didn't look back. Of course, I couldn't. No. I dared not. The lifeless body of my parents flashed in my mind's eye, and fear cribbed me.
I was running through the thick forest on bare feet. All I wanted was to survive. There are a thousand and one cruel ways to die.
But dying under the hands of Alpha Uxsar has to be the most brutal of them all.
I stumbled, twisting my ankle painfully as I fell against the rough bark of a huge tree. It was as though the forest was unwilling to give me shelter and wanted me far away from within her.
A moan escaped my lips, but I bit it back as hard as I could. I had to keep going. If I stop and hesitate even for a second, they will catch me.
My hands were trembling but still clinging to my chest, holding tight to the pendant.
I heard a distant howl piercing through the night, sending terror down my spine. They were still hunting me. Alpha Uxsar never left loose ends. It's only a matter of time before they catch up with me.
If they do, they wouldn't just kill me. They would find out I'm a girl and take turns on me before ending my miserable life. The thought of this sent shivers down my spine.
I have heard of the cruelty of Alpha Uxsar and his enforcers, stories of the destruction they leave in their wake. But I never thought it could get this close, never had I imagined I would experience it.
I jerked back to reality as the ground beneath me sloped downward, my feet slipping as I stumbled. I was caught unaware, and before I could regain my balance, I tumbled down.
My hands were too weak to help me before I descended. Rocks and thorns pierced into my flesh, pain rushing through me as I rolled over. Then, with a sudden thud, my body came to a stop.
A sharp Pain exploded across my lower back, knocking the air from my lungs.
For a moment, I lay there, gasping for breath, as my body screamed in agony. But I had no time for weakness. No… not now.
I forced myself onto my hands and knees, with every muscle in my body protesting against every step I took. I fought against the overwhelming pain and kept moving.
The forest had grown quiet. No footsteps, no voices, only distant rustle of leaves in the wind. There was no sign of the enforcers. I let out a sigh of relief. But suddenly a branch snapped.
A low whisper and growl from behind me made my heart pounded so loud that I could hear my own breathing.
The growl came again, making it so hard for me to ignore. It wasn't an animal. It was … something even worse.
I had stepped into rogue territory.
Turning around, I saw them. Figures emerging from the shadows, their eyes glowing like embers in the midnight sky.
My stomach knotted, and hot sweat broke out on my skin.
Unlike Uxsar's pack, these werewolves had no rules or boundaries. They just took what they wanted in peace or by force.
And now their eyes were on me.
A prey.
"Well, well, what's this we have here?" one sneered, moving closer.
"A lost pup," another snickered darkly. His voice was a whisper of threat, crawling down my spine. “Maybe she's trying to run home."
Panic shot through me. I stood up, forcing myself to my feet as my legs trembled.
"What do you want?" My voice wavered. "I'm not a threat to anyone."
They didn't answer. They just kept coming.
I wheeled, ready to run. I had barely taken a step before a strong hand gripped my arm and pulled me back. My body jerked, and I fell hard to the ground.
"Where do you think you're going?" the rogue snarled, looming over me.
I shook my head, as tears from nowhere started to pour down my eyes.
At this point, I wanted to die. Perhaps I will get that peace of mind instead of this torture and pain staring right into my face.
I tried to get up again.
He pushed me, sending me crashing to the ground.
"Ahh," I cried out in pain, rough hands grabbed me, forcing me onto my back.
I didn't bother to fight back, all I was thinking about was reuniting with my parents.
He leaned over to me, his stinking breath washing over me.
"Don't worry, sweetheart. Get on and corporate. We'll take good care of you."
His hands went towards my face as he tried to push behind a strand of hair hanging carelessly on my face.
I bit onto his hand….hard and sharp, causing him to scream out in pain as he jerked away.
"You crazy little b*tch?" He cursed amidst pain.
The moment his grip loosened on me, I shoved him off and scrambled backward.
However, it wasn't even the end of it, it had just started. Another rogue charged at me, but before he could grab me…
A deep, angry growl coursed in through the quiet night. Everything went still.
The rogues froze, and the air turned heavy as though they had all suddenly gone invisible.
From the shadows, a tall figure stepped forward and with the help of the moonlight, I was able to see his perfect jawline and curved cruel lips. He was wearing a dark coat that somehow made him look really powerful.
"Duncan," one of them muttered, his expression made it seem like he had just had an encounter with a ghost.
Duncan? My breath caught in my throat
I had heard of the name so many times. Whispers about him being a rogue Alpha and a dangerous one at that.
If the rogues were afraid of him…What did that mean for me? I knew I wanted to die but did the moon goddess have to make my death painful?
I felt shivers running down my spine, as his eyes swept over me, assessing.
Then, he turned his attention to the rogues.
"Touch her again," he said, his voice dangerously calm, "and I will rip your throats out."
I gulped in hard at his threats, retreating backwards. I watched the leader hesitate, his confident smile flattering. "We found her first…"
"Hahaha," He chuckled cruelly. "You dare to argue? I hope you have searched for your last wish." He sneered.
Duncan moved so fast that I barely saw what had happened. One second, he was standing still. The next, he had the skeletal man by the throat, lifting him off the ground like he weighed nothing whatsoever.
The rogue choked, pleading at Duncan's grip.
"She's mine," Duncan said, with no room for argument. "Do you understand? You don't mess with my property."
I couldn't believe I was now reduced to a property. F*ck!
The rogue made a painful growl of agreement, making Duncan drop him without care or remorse that he might actually break his neck.
The others quickly back away, their faces becoming pale. Without another word, they turned and ran into the woods.
It was just me and Duncan . My heart was pounding loud as I stared at him, my whole body trembling.
He looked down at me with an unreadable expression. "Get up," he said.
I hesitated, staring at his stretched out hand.
I didn't trust him. Not one bit.
But still, I didn't have a choice.
Slowly, I reached out for his hand.
His grip was firm and steady…not cruel like the others. He pulled me to my feet gently and effortlessly, and his touch made me warm for only a moment before he let go.
He turned, instructing me to follow.
But I stood still, fear hovering in my face. "Where are we going?"
He glanced over his shoulder.
"Do you want to live, or remain here and die?"
I stared at him confused, a part of me screaming I should run from him or I will regret it.
I followed.
- Writer
