Betrayed by Blood~
The first thing I noticed was the cold.
It wasn't like the normal cold of the night, nor was it like the cold you'd feel from a rainy day. No, this cold seeped into my bones, like the very breath of death itself. The sound of rushing water filled my ears, and when I opened my eyes, the blurry lines had me blinking.
For a long moment, I thought I was still falling. My body felt like it was suspended in the air. My body ached—every movement sending sharp pain through my abdomen and limbs, and I hadn't even moved yet. I forced myself to look around, only to find that I was by a river.
The river. I had fallen into a river.
I lifted my hand to my face, feeling the wetness of my skin. My hair clung to me, tangled and heavy with water. Every inch of my body felt bruised. I ground my teeth together, forcing my body to work with me.
I tried to push myself up. My stomach throbbed from where I'd been stabbed. It was only then that I noticed how still everything was. No guards chasing me. No Uncle Hugh's face hovering above me. Only the sound of the water rushing by, too fast for me to keep track of. The last thing I remembered was the cliff, the cold air, and my scream.
But now, I was… somewhere else. A different place entirely. For a moment, panic surged in my chest. Where am I? The thought echoed in my mind. I glanced down at the wound on my stomach, where the blood had begun to clot around the stab. It wasn't as deep as it felt at first. I pressed my hand against it, gritting my teeth against the sting. How could I have survived this?
I forced myself to my feet, stumbling at first but got my balance. I looked around, but I was still in the woods, only that it wasn't as crowded as the one back home. Home. I shuddered internally at the thought of my home. I had none now. Not after I was betrayed by the ones I considered family. Uncle Hugh's words rang in my ears again. He murdered my parents and will now inherit everything that belongs to me. How cruel can the goddess be to me?
I sighed out loud, wincing as the wound in my stomach stung. I looked around again, wondering where exactly I was. The air smelled different here, as if I was in a new land altogether. But where?
I walked through the forest for what felt like hours, maybe a day even. My stomach twisting and turning. I was getting weaker with each second that passed, and yet I hadn't gotten out of the woods. It was like there wasn't any road here. I'd sit by a tree for some minutes then continue my walk, chewing on random leaves I'd see, hoping it wasn't a poisonous one.
Finally, I stumbled upon a small stream of water. The sight of clear, running water felt like a miracle. I knelt down, cupping my hands to drink the cold water. I let out a shaky breath, my bones shaky with exhaustion. I barely had enough to drink when I heard it.
"Hey! You there!" A deep voice yelled at me, and I froze, my heart beating hard in my chest. I squeezed my eyes closed, hoping with everything in me that this isn't some pack's border.
I looked up to see figures moving through the trees. Their voices became clearer as they approached. "What are you doing here? Who are you? State your mission," the man growled out.
"I'm sorry... I was thirsty," I croaked out, my voice rusty.
One of the guards stepped closer, his eyebrows quirked up as he looked at me. "A rogue or a spy?" He shot at me.
A rogue? Have I really started to look like those savages?
"Look at her," another one muttered. "She's injured. How could she be a spy?"
"And spies can't be injured? Alpha Caine has way too many enemies. She might've been sent under disguise. I bet that injury is fake too," the third one said.
If I were in the right state of mind, I would be mocking these three in my mind.
"I'm not a spy. I was only thirsty and came for water. I'm sorry, but I'll be on my way now," I replied and stood up to leave, only to have one of them grab my arm tightly.
"Where do you think you're going? Do you realize where you are? You're in Vehiron pack," the guard spat out.
My eyes widened at his words. How is that possible? How could I have gotten over to the south from the east? That too in Vehiron pack?
"You're coming with us. No one comes into Vehiron and leaves without Alpha Cain's permission," the guard gritted out.
I swallowed, panic flaring up in my chest. Vehiron Pack. I had heard the name in whispers. The pack ruled by a ruthless alpha. The stories I've heard about him were chilling. A man who killed his enemies without mercy. A man who murdered his very own father.
"P-Please, I don't want any trouble," my voice trembled, trying to pull my arm free. "I just need to find my way back."
"You're not going anywhere," the guard growled, tightening his hold. "The alpha will decide what happens to you." He gritted out and pushed me to walk.
Finally, we arrived at the place, and there he was. The guards pushed me to the ground roughly.
My breath hitched the second I laid eyes on the man. Alpha Cain. He sat down on what seemed to be a wooden throne? The man's own eyes landed on me, and I saw something flash in his eyes.
My breath caught as I took him in. Alpha Cain was a tall man with broad shoulders. Dark hair fell loosely around his face, and a hint of stubble on his jaw, giving him a rugged look. His eyes, though, were a different thing. Piercing green eyes that captivated me.
"Alpha Cain," one of the guards said, gripping my arm a little harder as if to ensure I wouldn't run. "We found her at the edge of the border. She claims she's just passing through, but we thought it best to bring her to you." He said, puffing his chest with pride.
Alpha Cain's gaze was intense, almost like he was prying into my soul. I tried to look away, to avoid the pull of his gaze, but my eyes locked on his. His expression was unreadable, his face set like stone, but those eyes….
And then, he stood. He took a single step forward, his eyes never leaving mine. His lips parted, and a single word rumbled out, low and deep.
"Mate."