Heading through the woods wasn't exactly my best idea. It wouldn't be long before my father and Marcus noticed I was gone and would come looking for me. I just hoped the suppressants worked well enough to keep me from being tracked.
I ran as far as my legs could carry me and slumped against what looked like some old stone ruins in a small clearing. There were crumbling stone pillars covered in moss, and a large stone slab that looked like it could have been an alter. I did not know where I was but figured I was still well within pack territory. Because I couldn't shift I didn't spend much time in the wooded area around the village, which made this decision even worse than I had originally thought.
The sun was starting to set as I sat there in the forest shivering as the temperature started to dop, and attempted to come up with a better plan than freezing to death in the middle of nowhere. I could attempt to retrace my steps and head back to the pack house, back to Marcus and accept my fate. That would be better than dying in the wilderness wouldn't it?
I had just made my decision to head back and face the music when I heard heavy footsteps in the shadows of the forest beyond the clearing. My heart jumped as low growls accompanied the sounds of movement. Pack security had found me already.
I was however surprised when I saw Cynthia emerge from the trees. She was still wearing the simple white and red gown she had worn for the bonding ceremony, the edges of the dress coated in dirt where it dragged along the forest floor.
"Poor little Riley." She said softly as she approached the stone slab I was sitting on. "Rejected by our goddess, fated to walk the earth without a wolf must be so painful for you." I knew this was all an act. I slid back as she continued to walk towards me. That seemingly gentle smile never leaving her lips. "Then let me go." I stammered. "Let me go back to the human city, to live my life there. You will never see me again."
She laughed at my words. It sounded like poison coated in honey. "You know as well as I do that as long as you are alive your father will do everything he can to keep his contract with Marcus." I flinched as her tone changed from that warm motherly tone to something as cold as ice. "Which is why it's so fortunate that you decided to run. This close to the Dark wood no one will come looking for you." Cynthia continued as the escort of large wolves padded up behind her, their amber eyes glowing in the fading light.
"You see the Dark wood is a forbidden place. Full of old magic and creatures that are bound to that cursed place." She smiled wickedly. "And with you out of the way the contract with Marcus and the Silver Moon pack will be broken. Which will allow me to take control of both the Dark Pine and the Blood Dawn packs. With that much power it will be easy to overtake Marcus and claim his territory as well."
"You will never get away with this. My father is not dumb enough to hand his pack over to you." I replied with more conviction than I felt. She just laughed at me as she continued. "He won't even know I have taken what is his until it is too late. What with the death of his dear wife and then his only son weighing heavily on his mind he will be too busy mourning to notice." She crouched down in front of me her cold eyes memorizing the fear that clung to me and nodded in satisfaction. She then rose and turned her back as she started to walk back out of the clearing. "Goodbye Prince." She waved as the wolves circled me.
I quickly got to my feet before they could pin me down. I knew I didn't have any chance of beating them but I hoped that if I could at least hang on long enough Beta Alex or Peter would be able to find me.
The first wolf lunged as it snapped it's razor sharp teeth at my legs. They missed by a hair as I felt the hot breath soak through my pants to the skin beneath. I staggered back away from the wolf in front of me and into the waiting jaws of the grey wolf that had positioned itself behind me. I felt it's jaw clamp around my arm and cried out in pain as I punched its muzzle in an attempt to free myself. The wolf loosened its grip in surprise but did not let go.
I kicked, punched, thrashed, and did everything I could to keep them off of me, but I hadn't eaten anything that day and my strength and stamina were fading fast.
Once the wolves had pulled me to the ground I knew that was the end. I could not heal quickly like the others could, I was not strong, or fast, nor did I have any combat training so there was no escape. I squeezed my eyes closed as I felt hot tears fall down my face. The wolves were not gentle. They left me broken and bleeding in the ruins of the forest and only fled when they heard the howl of Beta Alex and his search team enter the forest.
I knew he would not get to me in time. I could feel my body going cold from blood loss, my limbs were useless and broken so I couldn't even try to stop the bleeding or run for help.
I lay there in the growing pool of my own blood for what felt like hours. The forest was dark silent as the moon was starting to rise. I felt the pull of exhaustion cloud my mind and my limbs grow heavy and numb.
I was barely conscious when I felt cool hands touch my face. My eyes were too heavy to open as I forced a whisper from my lips. "I'm sorry." I breathed.
The hand paused on my forehead for a moment as I heard a soft chuckle above me. I finally surrendered to the darkness as the scent of chocolate and cool night air surrounded me.