Camille's POV
I had no idea how long I had been running or how deep into the woods I had ventured, but the towering canopies overhead, the branches whipping against my arms, and the piercing sounds of crickets were beginning to grow.
I reveled in it. The hum of nature and the gentle reminder of the breathtaking beauty surrounding me.
But my lungs was starting to burn for air—a deep contrast to the adrenaline-fueled escape I would have if I had a wolf. I wanted to keep going, to flee further from that monstrous man; he was a poison that would consume me slowly until I faded into nothingness if I dared to linger. Yet, I couldn't push onward; my vision blurred, like the haze most humans would feel after an exhausting sprint.
I needed air badly—greedily.
I darted to a nearby tree, crouching low to steady my racing heart while my lungs struggled to suck in air, forgetting the simple mechanism of inhaling and exhaling. Pulling my silver Montblanc wristwatch into view, I realized it was past the safe hour.
I needed to hide! Some packs went hunting around this time. My eyes darted around the woods, taking rapid inventory of my surroundings.
A few flowers had just started to bloom, their striking red streaks catching my eye.
I was about to move toward them when that soul-wrenching, putrid stench invaded my nostrils. I thought I would choke, but I knew what it was before it fully registered.
R O G U E!
Pale yellow eyes blazed ominously through its dark fur. It unleashed a menacing growl as thick, viscous liquid dripped from its iron-sharp fangs.
I wasn't ready for this—but who was I kidding? What had I expected when I had no sense of where I was?
I took a step back and squared my feet, my fingers moving frantically for the dagger I had put in my bag. I was late.
It released another growl, took a step forward, and advanced toward me. My first instinct was to run, but to where?
Its claws slashed through my thighs, sending crimson liquid splattering on the floor and onto my shirt.
I struggled to find my balance, my hand still rummaging through my bag, unti I felt it-Yes. I wanted to pump my fist into the air. The gratitude in this moments are epic-soulfully divine. Better late than never!
"A little play, huh?" I spat through gritted teeth as pain permeated through my body.
Pulling my body to ignore the pain, I stood prepared to fight, the silver dagger in my hand. It was part of Grandma Noa's gift to me on my sixteenth birthday. I could imagine her gloating over me finally having a need for it. "You'll need it"- Grandma Noe.
That was the only message on the note with the dagger. Mother had gotten me a catalogue of makeup and stress-domineering sitting in the Palace shoes. She had always wanted the soft life for me. The easy one that had nothing to do with the woods. With swords. With too much energy. Atleast that's what I had thought.
The rogue was still. It didn't move. It just locked its gaze onto me, as if detecting something anomalous on my face or in front of me that I couldn't perceive.
"What are you waiting for, bring it on," I snarled defiantly.
If this were a movie, I would suspect it was hypnotized, but no, this wasn't a film. It bowed, displaying an unsettling subservience.
I yearned to twist and see what it was gazing at, but I had learned better. I needed to remain vigilant; if anything threatened from behind, I had to be ready.
Its eyes, now shifting to a faint green, were the last thing I glimpsed before it collapsed with a bone-jarring thud to the ground.
Its neck snapped violently from its place.
Shit! I pivoted swiftly when I noticed a pair of ominous black eyes advancing toward the fallen rogue, sniffing as if tracking the very air it had breathed.
It was the casualness of the black wolf, and the seemingly uncertainness of the scene that had just played out that left me dazed.
My heart was racing one mile per second, pounding heavily against my ribs, loud in my ears like a war drum. If I could hear it, then surely it could too.
Its eyes locked onto me, and I staggered backward, nearly tripping over a jagged rock.
"Hey, you have to calm down." I said trying to squirm out from its reach, my dagger firmly pointed at it.
It didn't steer. It's attention diverted from me to the headless rogue on the floor, as if it were trying to process something, sense something, before moving closer to sniff again.
I moved a step backward. A small sweat broke out on my forehead, trickled down my face.
"Hey, i don't want to hurt you" my voice held a tightness
I moved my body swiftly following its gaze as it landed on my seared skin, still bleeding.
Its eyes shimmered—translucent, void of any emotion. Empty. They held nothing, wanting nothing, fixed on me as it turned to leave in the very direction it had come.
I had no idea if it was trying to signal for backup or just leaving, i maintained my stance incase the former would become the case.
No back up appeared. Just the sound of paws and the faint smell of wild carnelian invaded the air
Too many questions were propping into my head. Question i couldn't analyse in this moment or provide answers to. Why had the rogue suddenly halted its attack? Who was the black wolf?
It was moving further into the woods. "Hey!" I shouted, desperate for it to stop, to lend me some sign of reassurance.
Why had it saved me?
"What do you want? Huh?" I yelled, urgency and desperation dripping from my voice.
It took a few more confident strides, pivoted into the shadows, and morphed into its human form. Sleek hair tumbled casually over its strong brows, and its sculpted features emanated an innocent yet wild allure.
Muscles rippled beneath his skin—perfect biceps, chiseled abs, and… f***! I instantly shut my eyes, heat rising in my cheeks.
His bare torso stood exposed before me. He didn't bother to hide himself, only turning reluctantly to dress when I clamped my eyes shut.
I wanted to apologize, but I wasn't even sorry, so I fell silent.
"Had enough of the show for one night?" he quipped, a mix of disgust and mockery lacing his tone.
I muttered curses under my breath.
What the flaming f*** was he saying? I had never even checked out a man before in my entire life, and yet... yes, I was actually assessing him.
My cheeks were beet red with embarrassment.
"Mmmmh," I attempted to clear my throat. "That wasn't what it looked like," I said, half defensive, half irritated. If he could talk, then why hadn't he responded when I called out?
He stayed silent, walking away as if I were meaningless.
"Hey! You can't just leave like that!" I shot back, my voice rising in frustration.
"Well, I'm doing just that!" he retorted, annoyance pouring from him.
I followed closely, desperation fueling my words. "I just want to know you. You saved me!"
"That's the least I can do, right? To know you"
He didn't reply, his gaze focused ahead as if I didn't exist.
A wave of nostalgia crashed over me.
Everyone back home had always treated me like that. Ignored me. Like I meant nothing.
I rushed past him, grabbing his shoulders tightly. "Who the shooting stars do you think…"
My words hung in the air as I felt a sharp sting on my neck, instantly causing my legs to buckle, sending me crashing to the ground.
It was a trap, and I had stumbled straight into it. I fought to raise my hand to my neck, but it fell limp. My bones felt like they were liquefying beneath my skin.
I fought against the darkness, pushing my mind desperately to remain awake—for us, for myself. But whatever had been injected into my neck was potent, shutting my system down with a fierce grip.
Sudden movements from behind the trees snagged my attention, and I sensed their stares, but I couldn't summon the strength to turn and see their faces.
"Alpha, should we take her in?" someone said, their tone indifferent.
I wanted to scream no. To flee from the darkness I felt looming ever closer, but my body lay still, my mind slipping into oblivion.
The clouds overhead thickened menacingly.
Death was out there, stalking, and I could sense who its next victim was—ME.