Despite Xender's best efforts, the werewolf proved too strong. Her skin was deeply gashed as its claws tore through her clothing.
She knew she couldn't last much longer since she could feel her power ebbing. When it appeared that there was no hope left, two figures emerged from the trees and chased the assailant away.
Xender fell to the floor, scared and tired. She glanced up to see Peter and Rufus standing above her, their worried gaze. "
Xender, are you okay?" Rufus inquired in a soft, low voice. Still struggling to gather her breath, Xender nodded. Stuttering, "Y-yes, I think so," she said. Peter crouched next to her, looking over her body for wounds. His words were, "We need to get you out of here," "You're not safe."
Xender nodded, appreciative of Peter's assistance. She couldn't help but notice how his eyes wrinkled at the corners when he grinned while he assisted her in standing up. Rufus, however, had a severe and solemn expression.
"We need to get her back to the pack's headquarters," he stated. "Now." Xender was positioned between Peter and Rufus as they strolled. She was so near to them that she couldn't help but feel excited.
It appeared that Peter in particular was trying to keep near her. As they walked, he held her tightly by keeping his arm around her shoulders.
The thought that Peter might be interested in her had Xender's heart skip a beat.
She wondered whether Rufus thought the same thing. Xender had a wave of relief as they got closer to the pack's headquarters.
For now, at least, she was safe. However, Xender was met with a surprise when they entered the building.
People were everywhere in the pack's headquarters, and they all appeared to be staring at her. With authoritative flashes in his eyes, Rufus took a step forward.
Saying, "This is Xender," "She's under our protection now." The audience appeared to agree with Rufus's remarks as they nodded.
However, Xender couldn't get rid of the uneasy feeling. She was scanning the room when she spotted a figure standing in the rear.
The woman had piercing emerald eyes and beautiful, flowing hair. The woman's eyes met Xender's, and she felt a chill go through her. Xender couldn't quite place her, but there was something familiar about her.
Xender was apprehensive as the woman started to approach her. What did this woman want, and who was she?
However, the woman spoke before she could ask any questions. "Welcome, Xender," she murmured, animosity evident in her tone. "I've been waiting for you."
The woman's words lingered in the air, and Xender's eyes widened in surprise. Then everything went black as abruptly as it had started. Xender sensed that she was slipping through time and space.
Breathless, she landed with a bang. She became aware that she was in a totally different location as she looked around. She stood amid rusty old pipes and stone walls in a damp, gloomy cellar.
But Xender's blood ran cold because of what was on the walls. She, her family, and the pack were all included in the photos. And in the middle of it all, a message was written in red ink on the wall: "Xender, you're mine now."
As Xender gazed at the message on the wall, her heart was pounding. Who was the author? What were they hoping to get out of her? She whirled around, attempting to observe the cellar from every angle.
However, nothing else was visible. Just damp, chilly stone with no doors or windows. A wave of terror swept over Xender. She was stuck. Xender was about to give up when she heard a sound coming from the cellar's corner. It had the sound of footsteps. Her heart thumping in her chest, she turned to face the sound.
Then someone stepped out of the darkness. Peter was the one. "Peter!" With a wave of relief, Xender exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
Peter grinned, enjoyment shining in his eyes. "I've been sent to rescue you," he mentioned. Xender's gaze grew strained. She said, "Who sent you?" For a second, Peter's smile wavered. "Rufus," he said.
A beat skipped in Xender's heart. Rufus? Rufus sent Peter to save her, but why? However, Peter took hold of her arm and dragged her to the cellar's corner before she could ask any inquiries.
He declared, "We have to get out of here," "Now." With a lot of questions running through her head, Xender staggered after him. When they arrived at the cellar's corner, Peter moved a fake wall aside to uncover a secret entrance. Xender's eyes became wide with shock. She questioned, "Where does this lead?" Peter grinned. "To freedom," he called it. For a moment, Xender was uncertain about what to do.
Then, however, she heard a sound behind them. Heavy, purposeful footsteps. Xender felt a sinking heart. They weren't by themselves. "Come on," Peter replied, taking hold of her arm once more. "We have to go." Xender gave a nod, and they both ran down the hallway. Xender could hear the footsteps becoming closer as they raced. She was aware that time was running out.
Then, as they were about to exit the hallway, Xender was spun around by a hand grabbing her shoulder. Rufus was standing in front of her. She didn't recognize Rufus, though. His smile was twisted and vicious, and his eyes were hard and frigid. His voice was full of hate. "
Welcome, Xender," he said. "I've been waiting for you." Xender felt a sinking heart. She was stuck. Everything turned black after that. Xender was lying in a damp, dark jail when she regained consciousness. She didn't know where she was or how she got there, and she was alone herself.
However, as she sat up, she became aware of an oddity. A message was written in red ink on the wall across from her: "You're mine now, Xender. Forever. Xender felt a sinking heart. She didn't know who was responsible, and she was stuck.
She noticed something more, though, as she read the message more closely. A tiny sign is sketched in the wall's corner. Xender was all too familiar with the emblem. It represented the ancient foe of her family. Xender's eyes became wide with surprise. It isn't possible.
The enemy of her family was thought to be long dead. But Xender realized the truth as she gazed at the symbol. The enemy of her family was still alive and had her exactly where they wanted her. Her legs felt like jelly when she struggled to get to her feet. She didn't know who was responsible, and she was stuck. Xender detected something odd when she scanned the cell. In the corner of the room was a tiny camera that appeared to be aimed straight at her.
Xender noticed a face appear on the screen as the camera abruptly sprang to life. She recognized the face and had trusted it. "Xender," the face murmured, grinning mischievously. "I've been waiting for you.
" When Xender understood who was behind the camera, her eyes widened in surprise. Peter was the one.
However, a fresh face appeared and the screen flickered once more before Xender could comprehend this realization. Although Xender had never seen this face before, there was a familiar quality about it. The visage murmured, "Xender," in a tone that was icy and cunning. "You're mine now." When Xender learned the truth, her heart fell.
She didn't know who was responsible, and she was stuck. However, Xender noticed something that chilled her as she examined the face on the screen more closely. It was her face.