CHAPTER 2

Madelyn’s POV

I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. Branches slapped my face. Tree spikes brushed my skin, the pain stinking me consistently like an ant. But I didn't dare stop. Looking back was the least thing on my mind. The people that we are at war with were trailing right behind me.

If only I had my wolf. I would’ve been faster. Stronger. I wouldn't be running but defending and attacking. Shame on me, I was living up to the name my father called me. A weakling. One whose bones were not even strong enough to help her when in danger.

I had just one simple job to run and protect the Amenadiel’s family heirloom. But what did I do instead? I led them straight to me.

“Faster she is getting away.” A thick voice cut through the eerie forest sending goosebumps on my skin. The sounds of rustling leaves followed. They were close. Very close.

These wolves were damn fast. Their resilience was second to none. Even the wolves in our pack didn't fly trees like these wolves did. They had hefty builds, anyone seeing them would think they were heavy. But no, they are sturdy and light as wind. The loud thuds the sole of their boots made when it met with the floor sent all the birds flying from the trees.

My lungs almost exploded with the amount of air that was entering into it. My heart beat quickening with every step they took.

I had never raced this far in the entire nineteen-years of my life.

Everything happened in a flash. The very moment I looked over my shoulder to try and determine the closeness of the men. Immediately I looked forward. My face met with a plank sending me flying into mid-air and my world turned dark.

A high pitched sound ringed in my head as I woke up on the floor. I tried to sit erect but that is when I realized my hands were tied behind my back and so were my legs. I thrashed against the ropes but all my efforts amounted to nothing. The more I struggled the more the pain at the base of my skull intensified.

I looked around as I took in my environment. I was still in the woods. But my captives were nowhere to be found. Now would be the perfect time to make a run for it. I struggled to get up and when I finally did. I leaped in a funny manner as though I could get far enough.

I was still leaping when laughter erupted from behind me.

“How far can you run, leaping like that?” One asked, still laughing uncontrollably stopping me in my tracks as I turned to face them.

In split seconds one of them was already beside me grabbing my arms roughly. “Come here you little b*tch.”

I fell flat on my a** when he pushed me.

“Now tell me where it is?”

“You’ll never find it” I said, spitting into his face. A mistake I never should have made.

I bit my lower lip and tasted blood in my mouth as his huge hands met my face.

These are lovely” he said, bringing his hands closer as he touched my beubs and immediately I sank my teeth into his hand.

“Ooh feisty.” One of them remarked clearly amused.

But he kept swinging his hands as he winced slightly. I must’ve bitten him too hard but not hard enough. He deserved it. Soon his expression tightened as he raised his hand and I closed my eyes , lowering my face to the ground accepting my fate. I expected a slap but it never came.

“That’s enough!” What do you think you are doing? Have you found the stone yet?”

“No, Beta Kendrick.We haven't.”

“She must have hidden it somewhere.” The wolf with the amused expression earlier added.

His eyes turned gold revealing the colour of his wolf eyes. My eyes were now fixated on the back of his skull as he had backed me. He stood for a while and when he turned back to face me his eyes returned back to normal again. Who was he communicating with?

“Cut her loose. The Alpha said you should bring her. She clearly needs motivation.” He finally said, his tone final and turned away.

Just then the other two wolves approached me in a rush. But I kept shifting back on my ass. As though I could even get away. I was too weak for my own good.

They tightened their grip on my arms and I kept thrashing against their hold from side to side. But it was useless.

“You are all wasting my time, can't you take care of a little girl?” The beta stopped in his tracks. Making me pause for a moment. It was clear he didn't want to leave without me.

One the hefty men, the stupid one that had touched me earlier. Carried me and flung me on his shoulders. Didn't I have any bones in me that he was able to just carry me in a trial?

“Let me go.” I screamed , kicking against the air as I threw punches into his back.

But he didn't even bulge. I bet my punches on his back made no difference from the wind that blew in the woods that we were in.

I continued for a while and then I gave up seeing that it wasn't getting me anywhere. As we walked there was no sound of any living things. Not the wolves, not the dogs, nothing. Everywhere was so quiet. Dead bodies littered everywhere. Even the most beautiful houses we once had in the pack had lost its elegance due to the dark ash that smeared all over it. It was almost like Armageddon had happened in the Crimson blood pack.

We came to an abrupt stop and he lowered me roughly to the ground.

I looked around and caught glimpses of some of our pack wolves on their knees. Some lay lifeless on the floor. I kept scanning the entire place looking for my mum or dad. But they were not there.

Could she have died from her many injuries? No it couldn't be. My heart started thumping against my ribcage in anticipation of what might have happened.

“Alpha Kieran, we found her.” One of the hefty men said.

He just called him by that name. No it can't be. It couldn't be them. No one said anything about them being the pack that had planned to attack us. Why didn't my father move everyone to a safer place? Why did they have to stay and fight? I should run as fast as possible. Right now.

My heart dropped to my feet and I staggered backwards as he raised his hand in a slow motion and pointed straight at me. My soul almost jumped out of my body,the hairs on my skin stood up. I almost tripped, something was laying behind me and I glanced at it to know what it was. I noticed it was a body.

I looked up again to where he was standing earlier beaming at me with a wicked smirk on his face. My eyes widened in my socket as he was nowhere to be found. He had disappeared. Where to? I thought quietly.

Could this be the moon goddess giving me a sign? I made a quick turn ready to make a run for it. But my movement was restricted as my head landed on something. It was his chest. It was him. The Alpha of the Raven Claw pack.

His jet black hair was permed to the back. His muscular frame towering over me. As beads of sweat trailed down on it. His abs were carefully crafted like rectangles that had lines in them.

There were whispers that the moon goddess had cursed them with rage and here I was today witnessing it first hand. I hope my parents are safe.

He grabbed me by the jaw, digging his nails into my skin. “Where is it?” He commanded angrily, with a hoarse tone.

I knew exactly what he meant but I decided to feign ignorance. “Where is what?” I finally brought myself to reply, through the pain that was clawing on my face.

“You don't know? That's fine.” He yanked my jaw, releasing his grip and backed me.

When he turned again he sent my auburn hair flying in the wind as he slapped me. The pain was nothing like I have experienced before it reached all parts of my body. I sank into the floor, tears rolling down my eyes.

Mum, where are you? Dad, where are you? Mason, my twin. Where are you? I cried silently.

“I will ask for the very last time, where is the Emerald stone.” His voice thundered, reverberating in my ear drums. But I didn't budge.

“Alright then, bring them out.”

What did he mean by that? I looked up following his gaze to the direction he was facing.

Just then I saw all the pups of our pack trooping out my father and his Luna trailing behind.

My mother's eyes widened in surprise as she exchanged stares with my father. He must be disappointed again so I lowered my gaze in shame. Run with the stone and don't look back. But what did I do? I ran to….

I didn't finish processing my thoughts. I felt a hand head buried deep inside my hair such that it threatened to uproot all the strands of my hair if it didn't get up. He pulled me to where my parents stood and threw me at their feet.

I grabbed the hem of my mother’s blood-stained dress and she lowered herself to hug me even though she was in pain while my dad just stood there, his eyes glinting with something I had never seen before. I couldn't quite tell but I couldn't help but notice his softened expression as he stared down on me for a while. I could see a glimpse of the father he used to be and then he looked away.

“What are you doing here? I thought I told you to run? Are you hurt anywhere.” She turned my face and glared at my body. “Thank the moon goddess.” She en

closed me in a Hug again.

“I’m so sorry Mom. I just couldn't leave you, I wanted to help.”

“It's okay baby I understand, is the stone safe? Where is it.?”