Zahria POV
The forest was eerily quiet save for the occasional rustle of leaves. The sun had long disappeared behind the horizon, leaving a dense blanket of darkness that even my heightened senses struggled to pierce. I moved cautiously, each step deliberate and soundless. Then it came-the scream.
At first, I thought it was my imagination, a trick of the night playing games with my mind. But then, another scream, more desperate. More heart-wrenching than the last, cut through the silence. A chill raced down my spine. Someone needed help.
Without hesitation, I shifted into Olori, my wolf form, masking my scent as I did so. Whoever was behind those screams wouldn't leave this forest alive. Not tonight.
I tracked the sound and scent to a cave, the foul stench of blood and fear hitting me like a wall. Peering inside, my blood boiled at the scene before me a rogue, filthy and snarling, towering over a terrified girl. His hand yanked her hair viciously, and with his other, he tore at her clothes. She was crying, trembling, and utterly helpless.
I lost it.
With a guttural growl, I lunged at him. He didn't even see me coming. My claws ripped through his flesh effortlessly, and his screams were short-lived. The girl screamed too. Pressing herself against the cave wall as blood splattered everywhere. I didn't care. My murderous gaze swept the cave, daring anyone else to come at me. And they did.
The rogue wasn't alone. More of them emerged from the shadows, snarling and ready to attack. But I was beyond reason. The rage I carried the rage of someone who had been in that girl's place before was too much to contain. One by one, I tore through them. Their claws and teeth were no match for my fury. Blood stained my fur, and their bodies littered the cave floor by the time I was done.
I barely had a moment to breathe before a coward struck me from behind. Pain exploded in my side as a silver-laced wolfsbane knife sank into my flesh. He thought he'd won, smirking arrogantly. But I wasn't normal. I turned, claws extending, and drove them into his chest. The satisfaction of ripping out his heart was short-lived as the wound he gave me burned fiercely. I staggered, blood dripping onto the cave floor, but I wouldn't fall. Not yet.
"Olori," I growled internally, "Dad's going to kill me for this. And Mum-she'll cry inconsolably." "They'll heal," Olori responded, her voice steady. "But we need to get the girl out of here." I turned to the girl. She was huddled in the corner, her wide eyes fixed on me in terror. I softened my voice, shifting slightly back into my human form but keeping Olori's strength. "I won't hurt you," I said gently. "I'm here to help. Can you stand?"
She nodded hesitantly, her legs shaky as she stood. I approached cautiously, keeping my movements slow and deliberate. "Are there others?" I asked. "Anyone else trapped here?". She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "They're all dead. I-I'm the last one. I don't know why they kept me alive…", I pulled her into my arms as she sobbed. "You'll be fine, I assured her. "You're safe now."
"But you're hurt," she whispered, looking at my bleeding side. "How can you help me like this?". I managed a small, reassuring smile. "Let's just say I'm not a normal wolf." I gave her an address, instructing her to go there for help. "Tell them I sent you. They'll take care of you." "What's your name?" she asked softly. "Zahria, I replied. "Now go."
Once she was gone, I sighed heavily, turning my attention to Olori. "I can't go home like this. Mum will cry for hours, and Dad… well. Let's just say I'll get another lecture about not taking backup. "I smell a pack nearby, Olori said. "Maybe they'll help." "Let's hope they're friendly." I muttered.
The walk to the pack's borders felt like an eternity. By the time I reached them, my legs were shaky, and the pain from the knife wound was unbearable. Almost instantly, I was surrounded by wolves, their stances aggressive. "I need help. I said, my voice hoarse. "Shift," one of them commanded. I laughed bitterly, the sound laced with pain. "If you're going to help me, then do it. If not, I'll leave."
"You think you have a choice, rogue?" another sneered. I opened my mouth to retort but didn't get the chance. Darkness claimed me. When I woke, the voices of the pack members reached my ears before I opened my eyes. "She healed so fast, one said, astonished.
"What are we supposed to do with her?" another asked. "The Alpha, Beta, Gamma aren't here to deal with her." I groaned inwardly. Great. Just what I need-an audience. "Olori," I called internally. "Are you okay?" "I'm fine," she replied, though I could sense her exhaustion.
"We need to leave," I said. "If the Alpha gets back, I'm not in any state to fight an army." "I agree." Olori said. "I'll check if the coast is clear." Moments later. Olori confirmed it was safe. I shifted swiftly and slipped out through the nearest window. The forest welcomed me as I ran, my injuries still aching but not enough to stop me. I had a feeling this wasn't the last time I'd cross paths with that pack, but for now, I needed to get home.
Home. It wasn't the sanctuary I'd hoped for. I barely made it through the door before the lights flicked on, and there they were-my parents and the girl I had saved. My mother's face crumpled as her eyes landed on my injuries, and she buried her face in my father's chest, sobbing. My father, on the other hand, looked furious.
"I can explain," I started, "We're listening." Dad said, his voice tight with anger. I told them everything, from the girl in the cave to the fight with the rogues. By the time I was done, my father's expression had softened, though his disappointment was evident. My mother, however, was inconsolable.
"Zahria, Dad said, his tone heavy with frustration, "how many times have I told you not to go on missions alone? We're a team. You can't keep doing this to us, to your mother." "I know." I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry. I just… I couldn't leave her there. Not after what she'd been through." Dad sighed, pulling me into a hug. "You need to rest," he said. "We'll talk about this later." I nodded, retreating to my room. As I lay in bed, Olori's voice filled my mind.
"We'll save as many as we can, Zahria," she said softly. "But you need to take care of yourself too." "I know," I whispered. "But sometimes, it's hard to stop."
Days later, life resumed its routine. Or so I thought. "Miss Zahria, you have a meeting with Black Stone Enterprises, my secretary Laura informed me. "Thanks, Laura. Tell the driver I'll be ready shortly, I said, trying to ignore the unease bubbling in my chest. As I entered the towering building, my heart raced, and Olori stirred uneasily.
The moment I stepped into the meeting room, the most intoxicating scent hit me. My eyes locked on the man at the head of the table. "MATE," Olori whispered, her voice trembling with excitement. I extended my hand, trying to keep my composure. The moment his hand touched mine, a shock of electricity coursed through me. My heart raced as realization hit me like a freight train-the Alpha King was my mate.