Chapter 3

The wind blew my hair as I ran. My legs burned with every step but I couldn't stop. I was almost free and close to getting away. The forest went on and on, and shadows came from everywhere. I couldn’t see them, but I could feel them. Were they rogues? Or had Damon sent someone to drag me back? Either way, I knew one thing. If they caught me, I wouldn’t survive the night

“Faster,” I muttered to myself, clutching my stomach. “You have to go faster.”

But my body was failing me. My wolf, weakened by the rejection whimpered softly in my mind. Shifting wasn’t an option, I knew that. Pregnant wolves couldn’t shift without risking their pups, and I was already too weak to fight the pull of exhaustion.

I pressed a trembling hand to my stomach and sobbed, but I swallowed it down. There was no time for tears, I had to protect the last piece of my shattered life.

Then I heard a growl behind me, they're here.

The growl was followed by the sound of footsteps and I panicked loudly. I broke into a faster sprint, branches met my face but I didn’t care.

Suddenly, pain exploded through my shoulder as something sharp grazed me. I cried out and stumbled back.

“No!” I gasped in tears. My legs gave out and I fell to the ground once more dirt filling my mouth and nose.

Rough hands grabbed my arms as it yanked me up. I struggled as I kicked, but it was useless. I was too weak.

“Let me go!” I screamed desperately.

They were strong, their grip like iron. I looked up, my vision blurring with tears and exhaustion, and saw them clearly for the first time. They weren’t from my pack. Their scent was foreign, harsh, unlike the familiar scents of home. Fear, cold and sharp, pierced through the haze of pain.

““Who are you?!” I choked out, my voice hoarse. “What do you want?”

They didn't answer, only tightened their grip on my arms, dragging me deeper into the woods.

“I’m not a rogue!” I cried, desperately . “I swear, I’m not! I’m from the Jared Pack!”

One of the warriors finally grunted, a sound laced with disdain. “Jared Pack? That fallen pack? What are you doing out here alone?”

“I… I left,” I stammered, my voice trembling. I couldn’t tell them the truth. I couldn’t tell them about Damon, about the rejection, about the baby.

They exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them. One of them stepped closer, sniffing the air around me.

“She doesn’t smell like a rogue,” he muttered, confusion evident in his voice. “But why run?”

“We need to take her in,” another warrior said, his voice firm. “We’ll figure it out later.”

They continued dragging me, their grip unforgiving. I was exhausted, my body screaming in protest, but I knew I couldn't give up. I had to protect my baby.

“Please,” I begged, my voice cracking. “I’m not dangerous. I won’t cause any trouble. Just let me go.”

They ignored me, their faces hard and unyielding. One of them scoffed.

“Look at her,” he said, his voice dripping with contempt. “She’s weak, just a female. She is of no use to anyone.”

“She’ll be sent to the pens,” another replied . “No use wasting time on her.”

Pens? What did they mean by pens? Fear coiled in my stomach, tighter and colder than before.

“Please, what are you going to do to me?” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

One of them finally looked at me, a cruel smile twisting his lips. “Tomorrow is the execution,” he said, his voice low and menacing. “All rogues will be dealt with.”

Execution? My blood ran cold. They thought I was a rogue.

“No! I’m not a rogue!” I screamed, pulling against their grip with renewed desperation. “You have to believe me!”llllllll

“Save your breath,” one of them said. “It won’t change anything.”

I struggled, kicking and biting, but it was useless. They were too strong. My vision started to blur, and a wave of dizziness washed over me. I was so weak.

Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced my neck, and the world went black.

************************

I woke up to screaming. "Execute her! Execute her!" The chants were deafening. A deep wail pierced through the noise and then everything went silent that scared me even more. My head was pounding as I tried to move but cold metal bit into my wrists,Chains. I was chained.

Looking around, I saw other wolves huddled in the darkness and Some were crying others just stared blankly ahead. My heart raced as panic set in.

“What's happening?" I whispered. "Where are we?"

No one answered at first then a female rogue with matted hair looked at me with empty eyes. "You must be new here," she whispered. Her voice was rough like she hadn't used it in days.

"Please, tell me what's going on," I begged.

"Today is the day they cleanse their lands."

"Cleanse? What do you mean?" My voice trembled.

"It's execution day little wolf. When they rid their territory of vermin like us." She laughed bitterly.

"But I'm not a rogue!" I protested my chains rattling as I moved. "This is all a mistake!"

"Mistake or not, we're all the same to them now" she said quietly. "Once you're here, there's no going back."

A booming voice cut through the air. "Next!"

Before I could react guards burst in and grabbed me roughly I struggled against their grip as they dragged me outside. The sudden brightness blinded me and angry shouts filled my ears.

They threw me into a metal cage and hoisted it high above the crowd. That's when I saw it, a severed wolf's head on a pike, blood still dripping. "No, no, no," I whimpered as I held my stomach protectively. My baby. We were going to die here.

A warrior stepped forward, his voice carrying across the clearing. "Another rogue, caught trying to infiltrate our lands!"

"Please!"I'm from the Jared Pack! I'm not a rogue please!" I cried to the crowd.

The shout only grew louder. A tall figure the Master raised his hand for silence.

"Why are you here, girl?" he demanded.

I opened my mouth but no words came. How could I explain? That I was running from rejection? From betrayal?

" Your silence condemns you the sentence is death” the master declared.

"Please," I am begging you I sobbed thinking of my unborn baby.

The warrior raised his sword and I closed my eyes. At least my baby and I would be together in death.

Suddenly, a powerful growl stopped everything. A new scent filled the air - strong, intoxicating, unlike anything I'd ever smelled before. The crowd parted, and a tall figure stepped forward. My wolf stirred for the first time since the rejection.

Our eyes met, and something powerful clicked into place.

"Mate," we both whispered at the same time.