Vivian's POV
I continued to run farther into the woods. My breath came in gasps, and my legs burned, but I couldn't stop. Behind me, the sound of pursuing guards grew louder.
I had to survive, I can't let my parents death be in vain.
I stumbled on a root and fell hard onto the ground. I felt a sharp pain in my arm, but I quickly got back on my feet.
"Don't let her escape!" one of the guards yelled as they were closing in.
I hid behind a tree, trembling. The guards already surrounded me. My vision blurred with tears as I prepared to fight for my life.
But then, out of nowhere, a shadow moved swiftly through the trees. Instantly, a hooded stranger appeared, taking one of the guard down with just a single strike and knocking another to the ground. The stranger moved so skillfully that he didn't even need to change to a wolf, a hood covered his face. Making it impossible for me to tell who it was.
"Run!" the stranger ordered, his voice deep and commanding.
I hesitated, watching him as he fought off the guards. He wasn't like any wolf I'd ever seen. But why help me? I wanted to stay and ask him, but I knew I couldn't waste this chance.
With one last glance at the stranger, I turned and ran deeper into the woods, my heart pounding in my chest.
I didn't stop until I reached the border of the pack's territory. Exhausted and broken, I collapsed onto the ground. My parents were gone, Bryan and Rachel had betrayed me. No one in the pack believes me, worse still, I was framed for my parents' death.
"I'll survive," I whispered to myself. "I'll make them pay for what they've done."
THREE YEARS LATER
"Queen Vivian!" A young rogue approached me with a smile. "Thank you for saving my brother yesterday. He wouldn't have made it without you."
I placed a hand on his shoulder. "We look out for each other here. That's what makes us strong."
The rogues here called their queen, and though I never asked for the title, I had earned it.
Gone was the naive girl who once dreamed of being an Alpha like her father. I was no longer the broken bride who ran for her life. I had become something else entirely ever since that day.
FLASH BACK
"Let me go! You've killed my husband, isn't that enough."
" Come on, shut up, useless rogue. You should be glad we spared your lives until now. Where is the money?"
I was passing through the woods like every other day after returning from my usual trainings in the evening. Then my ears caught the sound of a loud cry few meters from where I stood.
The woman helpless cries caught my attention. Through the trees, I saw her — a rogue shielding a group of terrified women and children with a child clutched to her chest.
My wolf insisted we go check, and I didn't hesitate.
The woman raised her head and spat at the brown," You pathetic wolves, just because we don't have a pack to protect us you think you can molest us. We did nothing wrong and were just victims of an awful war."
"Shut up, rogue." One of the wolves sneered, raising his hand to strike her.
Before he could, I stepped in. My kick sent him flying to the ground,
"Who are you?" the rest said in fright.
I growled at them, shielding the rogues from the useless wolves. They laughed seeing it was a woman, but I was ready for anything.
"A woman kicked you that hard, Joe. I can't believe it." another black wolf said, and they all joined in laughter.
I dodged their blows with ease, landing precise punches and kicks.
One looked shocked wondering where I went, and I tapped him slowly on the back. He turned, and I punched him hard on the face as he let out a loud growl.
One by one they fell, groaning in pain.
I forced them to their knees making them apologize to the rogues. At first, they were hesitant and a glare from me quickly forced the words out of their mouth.
"Now when you get to your pathetic packs, you let everyone know this," I growled. "Vivian will not let you harm another rogue, I will protect those you've cast aside and if anyone of you dares to stand in my way," I folded my palm in a punch and squeezed it hard, "I'll crush you."
The wolves fled, running in every direction into the woods for their lives.
I turned to the rogues, their eyes wide with gratitude. "Thank you," the woman said, tears streaming down her face. "You saved us, we owe our lives to you."
"No, no, no. You don't have to, you are injured, ma'am. You don't need to this." I quickly rushed to help her up. Instead, she held my hand smiling at me, tears trickling down her face.
"We were both cast out of our packs. They made us rogues and killed my husband, he was the only one there to protect us all." she said between chocked sobs.
I looked at the other Rogues behind her, they looked young and pale. But despite knowing she was weak, she chose to protect them, putting her life on the line.
"I'm a rogue too," I said in a low tone. "I know what it means to be cast out." the memories of that night flooded through my mind, but I was not weak anymore, that night event had become my strength.
"Stay with us and become our queen, there are many others like us out there, innocent but helpless, and they suffer a great deal in the hands of this heartless wolves."
"We all plead with you, you give us hope that someone still cares and stands for us. Please, be our Queen?"