Alpha Axton drew the cloak over himself, covering up his failing side and his face. The heart continued to thump hard, propelling him further.
The pack had looked different, well, of course he had been shut out for ten whole years. But he didn't expect the change to be this drastic. The pack, one that used to be dark and full of dread and gloom, was now colorful. Flowers were planted around the pack now, with a lot of new architectures and buildings filling up. The wolves were in harmony as they chattered and went about their daily work together, in peace.
He hated the sight, and he hated the flowers especially.
"Who are you?"
He stopped midstep as he heard the voice. He was at a disadvantage, and everyone around would be on his trail. They wanted to get rid of him so they could make his pack into some stupid fairytale destination. He hated it all, and he just had to go find that heart and rip it off it's owner, restore himself and come back to his pack, as strong and agile as he used to be.
He turned around, clutching the cloak tighter around him and the knife under it even tighter.
"I am just a passerby."
"A passerby? I feel like I know you from somewhere."
The Alpha took a step forward, closing himself. It was a tactic to get close enough to the unsuspecting person and if need be, shut him up.
"No, you do not. I have never.."
"You are that alpha. You are not dead."
"How.."
"You killed my father that night."
The wolf was seething with rage, his eyes thin as he watched Alpha Axton's steps.
"Your father?"
"Of course," he said, a humorless smile spreading his thin, pale lips. "You do not even remember. To you, he was just another one of your many kills, right? How can I forget that devilish voice?"
Alpha Axton knew things would escalate, and not necessarily in his favor. Before the Omega could think about it, he pushed him away, his cloak falling with the omega and the knife slicing through the omega's wrist.
"It is the bloody alpha!"
A crowd started to gather as the alpha broke into a limped run, his body feeling like a burden as he tried to run faster.
He didn't let the heat of the moment make him derail from the beating of the heart however, and ran towards the direction of the heart.
The crowd, armed with arrows, knives and everything they could find followed, each rushing to be the one to have his head. All of them had one grudge or the other against him, and it didn't look too good.
He cut though small shrubs and ran towards the outskirts, towards the cities and villages that backed their pack. The heartbeat came stronger as he moved towards a clearing, and he continued to run to it, positive he had gotten to his target.
He surely intended on getting that heart and making everybody who had caused him this hassle today pay for it, dearly.
Suddenly, he heard a sharp sound.
"There he is!"
He didn't have enough time to move before the arrow his upper arm, lounging itself deep in his flesh.
He cussed, but didn't stop running, till he got to s little shade, and he couldn't anymore. His body was weak, his blood all over him, and he felt weaker than anything he had ever felt before.
He lay down, removing the arrow from his back. It hurt like hell, but he wasn't just terror himself, he was a warrior, and he took the pain like one.
If only he wasn’t functioning with only half of himself, he probably would have stayed awake through it. But he soon drifted off to sub consciousness, the last thing he saw a pair of big blue eyes.
"Are you hurt?"
Natalia said, coming down to her knees close to the wounded man. His body was covered completely, and she couldn't see his face.
But even though half of his face was covered, she could see the other half and thought she had never seen someone quite like him.
"I'll get my father to help." She stood up and ran to the small cottage her father and her lived in.
"Father."
"Natalia, it is good you are here. I.."
"Father. There is a wounded man outside."
He pulled her towards him, as if the danger was right behind her.
"Who is he?"
She shook her head, trying to release herself from her father's tight grip. "I don't know him, father. But I have never seen anyone quite like him before. Father, please come let's check on him."
She broke free and ran out before he could stop her, leaving him with no other option than to follow closely behind.
When they went back, Alpha Axton was half conscious, mumbling things that didn't make sense.
"Father, his blood is everywhere."
He recognized him already. He could never forget the face.
"Get away from him. He is bad omen."
"No! We can't leave him here to die!" She sat next to him, holding his hand tight.
"Natalia!"
"Father. I am not leaving here without him."
From the distance, the voices of the mob could be heard, clamoring for him.
Natalia's father pieced the puzzle together. In as much as he wanted the Alpha to just die, his daughter's life could be at risk too if he didn't do anything.
They were coming closer, with Alpha Axton completely out now, his almost lifeless body leaning on Natalia who was adamantly sitting on the floor.
"Natalia. I am your father."
"What kind of father won't want to help a wounded man?"
"A father who cares for your well being, Natalia. Don't you dare talk back to me. I am only trying to protect you."
"Protecting me is protecting this man right now, father. I can't watch him just die like that."
"You know nothing."
"Probably, but I do know that I will not leave here without him."