Lycan's POV
"Sorry, Lycan. I couldn't locate the girl you mentioned in any of the Pack territories."
I clenched my fists tightly, absorbing the news. Since the mysterious girl disappeared from my chamber, I had instructed all my subordinates to find her. The last I heard, an Omega from Moon Glazed Pack lost his daughter that night. Perhaps, the girl was his daughter.
However, some reports from my subordinates suggested that the Omega in question wasn't married to a werewolf but to a Fae. Moon Glazed Pack might be searching for her because they wanted to exploit her, as Fae blood was highly valuable to any shifter. The girl would be a secret weapon.
"Lycan, we'll try searching in other forests and—"
"Stop the search in the forest. Look for her in the human world," I interrupted, slamming my hand on the table.
"All right, Lycan." They bowed simultaneously.
"Chase, prepare everything. We're going there to check on our businesses." I dismissed them.
I had organized a few competitions this month to provide assistance to some struggling packs and shelters for orphaned werewolves. When I arrived at my first company, I could catch a familiar scent. A natural aroma of citrus and fresh berries. The scent of the girl.
However, I found no trace of her in the company.
In the evening, as I planned to head home, I saw her walking unsteadily, as if severely injured. I ran to stop her, but it seemed like she could catch my scent, and she fled.
"Hey!" I called out, my voice cutting through the ambient noise. The scent of citrus and berries lingered in the air, guiding me through the maze.
She quickened her pace, glancing over her shoulder, eyes wide with a mixture of fear and desperation. The chase intensified, the rhythmic click of heels on the tiled floor echoing the urgency of the moment.
As we burst into the open air, the city's chaos swallowed us whole. People hurried past, oblivious to the clandestine pursuit unfolding in their midst. She stumbled, her steps faltering, but determination burned in her eyes.
I closed the gap, my hand reaching out to grab hers, but she eluded me with a swift sidestep. A tantalizing fragrance of wildflowers and something untamed filled the air as she darted away.
In pursuit, the city transformed into a relentless backdrop, buildings blurring into streaks of color. Her figure danced ahead, a mirage in the twilight.
"Wait!" I called again, the word lost in the cacophony of the city. A fleeting glance revealed a glimmer of recognition in her eyes, as if a distant memory stirred.
I lost track of the mysterious girl in an instant. She was indeed a Fae, she ran like she was flying.
"D*mn! Hurry up here and split up!" I ordered all my subordinates to split up to look for her.
——
Barbara's POV
Not wanting to waste too much time at the hospital, I decided on outpatient care. However, as I walked towards the bus stop, waiting for Marley who intended to pick me up, a strong scent of sandalwood jolted me awake—there was a werewolf around.
I realized that a werewolf was targeting me, and I ran as hard as I could, even though running felt incredibly difficult. My feet stumbled, and then I was sent sprawling by a mound of rocks I hadn't seen.
"You..."
I looked up and realized it was Taylor. He gripped my hand tightly.
"Come with me to Moon Glazed Pack, you rebellious wolf!" He snarled.
Despite the pain from the fall and the tight grip on my hand, adrenaline surged through me. The urgency of the situation propelled me into survival mode.
"I'm not going anywhere with you!" I retorted, wrenching my hand free.
"You have to go back to Moon Glazed Pack! Or I will tell everyone that you became a Rogue!" he threatened.
I shot him a defiant look, my resolve unwavering despite the threat hanging in the air. "I'm not going back, Taylor. I won't be a pawn in your pack's games."
His eyes flashed with frustration, the intensity of the situation escalating. "You think you can just run away? Do you know what they'll do to you if you defy the Alpha? You'll be an outcast, hunted down by every werewolf in the region!"
I squared my shoulders, meeting his gaze with determination. "I'd rather be an outcast than submit to their control. I won't let Moon Glazed Pack dictate my life."
Taylor's jaw clenched, his grip tightening as if he could force compliance through sheer strength. "You're making a big mistake, Barby. You have no idea—"
Swiftly, I step on his foot and pushed him. I maneuvered away from Taylor, utilizing every ounce of strength to distance myself.
His eyes narrowed, and he lunged for me again. The chase unfolded through the bustling streets, the city becoming a blur as I sprinted, fueled by a mix of fear and determination.
People around us noticed the commotion, but the urgency of my escape took precedence. Dodging obstacles, weaving through the crowd, I pushed my body to its limits.
Taylor's growls echoed behind me, and his pursuit intensified. I could feel his presence, the pressure of the situation urging me to run faster.
"Comeback or I'll kill you right at your place!" Taylor growled.
I emerged from the alley onto a more open street. Spotting a cab, I flagged it down with desperate urgency.
"Drive! Just go!" I shouted at the cab driver as I jumped in, leaving Taylor behind in the chaotic cityscape.
"But where we going, ma'am?" he asked.
"Just go somewhere, anywhere, but get away from here! They're chasing me and they might kill us!" I replied quickly.
The mere thought of returning to the Moon Glazed Pack filled me with dread. The judgmental stares, the whispered accusations—being labeled a traitor. Taylor's arbitrary judgments and inevitable comparisons to Ennik, his favored one, loomed like a dark cloud over my escape.
Taylor didn't stop there. He wanted to stop the taxi. Taylor transformed into his wolf form and crashed into the taxi. My body was thrown around repeatedly, blood gushing from my nose after shards of glass tore my skin. Everything became blurry, but I could see a fleeting shadow lifting me up before everything went dark.