Chapter 3

Lexi.

I wake up with a start as I wonder where the hell I am. Every side I turn is covered with a great cover of trees. I scramble to my feet but fall down disoriented.

That is when everything comes flooding back. The Alpha title going to Penelope. My parents–the only one I’ve ever known–called me a dirty-blooded orphan. Conri rejecting me for Penelope, saying he never loved me. And Penelope exiling me from my own pack.

After I left Conri’s house last night, I immediately dashed into the forest. My parents had made it clear that they wanted nothing to do with me and I’m sure they would not take a step to defend me if Penelope came after me. They might even conclude that I am a threat that needs to be taken care of.

I left my pack, my home that I’ve known since birth, and ran into the forest surrounding the pack naked. The ball gown I was wearing had been shredded by my wolf when she came out, and I could not go and pick up my things because I feared for my safety.

I must have lost consciousness last night after dashing into the woods. Thank God it was close to the pack border so no animal attacked me while I slept, but for now, I need to keep moving.

I hear voices coming from behind me, and I crouch down and run behind a fallen tree covered by thick bushes. It provides good cover and I wait for the people coming to pass. I don’t know if they are friends or foes but I’m not willing to find out by risking my life.

A few minutes later, they come walking along sniffing the air. “I smell her around but it seems she ran when she heard our voices. We need to start moving quickly if we are going to kill her. I don’t want the new Alpha to have my head instead.” The others with him grunt in approval as they fan out.

I wait for a while longer before stepping out. It seems Penelope has no intention of letting me live seeing that she sent some of our pack warriors to hunt me down and kill me.

My breath comes out shakily as I try to wrap my head around everything. I still remember memories of Penelope and I as kids: how we would braid each other’s hair, playing around. I wish we could go back to that time when there were no worries about Alpha duties.

It was pure luck that saved me from the hunters’ sharp noses. The bushes that I hid under had a strong scent that can alter a wolf’s natural scent and that's why they couldn’t find me earlier.

But I have to be more careful from now on. My stomach rumbles after a few minutes of walking and I remember in embarrassment that I have not eaten since the afternoon of the previous day.

I had been so excited for the ceremony that I had gotten to the grounds in the morning, helping the people set up the hall. When it was time to take a break and eat the food provided for the volunteers, my nerves were acting up, excited by the prospect of becoming Alpha that I couldn’t keep anything inside.

I ignore my rumbling stomach as I press on, listening for any movement or scent that will indicate that the warriors are coming my way. Trudging on slowly, night falls once again and I see a cave I can sleep in for the night.

After inspecting it to make sure it is empty and not occupied by any beast, I change into my wolf to go hunt. It’s easier to hunt in my animal form since I didn’t bring anything to cook or make a fire.

Getting back to the cage, I tear into the small rabbit I had killed during my hunt. I lap up water from a stream near the cave and sleep in wolf form so my fur can keep me warm.

The next morning, I’m up early and I continue my journey, running in my wolf form. Everything is going smoothly; I am gaining distance from my former pack and by doing so, I distance myself from the pack warriors hunting me. It must be the happiness that clouds my senses because I don’t realize I’m not alone until a heavy animal rams into me.

I fly in the air before slamming my side against a tree. I whimper as I lay on the ground, pain overcoming my whole body. I try to stand but my legs give way.

From the corner of my eyes, I see the lion that stands before me. How did my bad luck attract the king of the jungle, out of all the animals? The lion roars as he prepares to attack again.

I roll out of the way instantly and force myself to stand on my shaky limbs. I have avoided death from Penelope, from my pack warriors and I won’t just lay here in defeat while an animal who has no idea what I’ve been through in the last few hours uses me for food.

My wolf is weak and I need to switch to my human side to reserve my energy but I force myself to maintain the wolf form. I would be easier to kill in my human form than in wolf form.

My training kicks in as the lion leaps at me. I wait until it is in the air, calculating my moves like my life depended on it–because it does–and as soon as it is high in the air, I make my move.

I dive to meet it but instead of facing it head-on, I switch my aim last minute as my canine teeth bury in its throat. It gives a dying roar as it collapses on me.

I try to breathe and buckle the big animal that covers my lower half but my strength fails me. My body is already too weak to move, but I struggle as I try to make my way out.

I can see black spots starting to crowd my vision as I can’t breathe due to the large body on me, but I refuse to die soon after I regain my victory. I painfully change back to my human form and slowly start to pull myself out from under the heavy weight.

My back scrapes the forest floor but I bite my lower pain to keep from crying out. I don’t know if there are other animals waiting for prey and I don’t have an ounce of strength to fight anymore.

Struggling, I push myself up and run. I don’t even know which direction I’m heading to, but I know I can’t spend another night in this forest, especially with my injuries.

Unfortunately for me, my body refuses to cooperate with me as I grow weaker and weaker to the point where I collapse. I still try to drag myself along the ground, desperate to find help.

I see human shapes beginning to form in front of me. At this point, I don’t even know if I’m hallucinating or if it’s real, but I slowly stretch my arm out, pleading for help–not even sure if it’s friend or foe.

As I begin to lose consciousness, I vaguely remember whispering, “Help… please help me.” Who knows? Maybe they might be willing to help and not kill me after all.