Chapter 7: Forest Borderlands
“Run again and see if you survive the night…”
His hold on my wrist was strong, emanating pure power, yet not uncomfortable. His silver eyes shone in the faint moonlight, daring me to resist him. My heart thumped against my chest while my thoughts surged for an escape.
I couldn't remain here. I would not.
Gathering all my courage, I yanked my wrist, turning quickly as I planted my foot firmly into the ground for support. A tactic I had picked up from years of evading Jared’s fighters during practice.
Unexpectedly, the unknown person let me go.
I did not hesitate. I sprinted.
My bare feet struck the moist ground, with leaves crackling underfoot as I raced further into the forest. The wind screamed through the limbs, a chilling reminder that I was distant from security. However, I was left with no option—I needed to create as much space as I could between myself and that person.
His caution resonated in my mind, yet I remained indifferent. I had endured Jared’s harshness. I would get through this as well.
Yet then—a growl.
A fierce, throaty snarl shattered the quiet, and my stomach sank.
I spun around. He was trailing behind me.
He wasn't in a hurry—there was no reason to be. His lengthy strides and seemingly effortless gestures brought him closer to us in no time. His mere presence was overwhelming, and authoritative, like a relentless predator playing with its victim.
My legs ached, my breath coming in uneven pants, yet I pressed on. The trees faded into a haze as I ran quicker than I ever had, aware that if he were to catch me—
A root caught my foot.
I tripped.
The ground came up fast, but I twisted mid-fall, rolling over leaves and dirt before landing in a crouch. My palms stung. My knees throbbed. But I didn’t stop.
I clambered back up, my breath ragged as I urged myself ahead. Continue to move forward. Simply continue moving forward.
The trees were becoming sparser—was I approaching the forest's boundary?
I had no idea where I was going, but it was irrelevant. What was important was that I created sufficient space between me and—
A shadow appeared before me.
Too quick. Excessively near.
Before I had a chance to respond, a powerful impact hit me from the side, stealing the breath from my lungs. A barrier of warmth and strength pressed me down, keeping me immobilized.
My heart raced as I fought, flailing against my captor, but his hold was unwavering.
"Sufficient."
His voice was deep, hoarse—threatening.
I froze, my breaths irregular, my body shaking under his pressure.
"You’re quite a persistent little one, aren’t you?"
His silver eyes drilled into mine, a glimmer of amusement dancing behind the intensity. However, there was an additional factor—curiosity.
"You don't fit in here," he whispered, his tone gentler this time. "However, you’re fleeing from something, and I dislike it when people introduce difficulties into my territory."
I gulped deeply, my chest heaving up and down quickly. I was unable to reveal the truth to him. If he found out I belonged to the Midnight Moon Pack, he could hand me over to Jared, or even worse, take my life himself.
Therefore, I remained silent.
The quiet lingered between us, taut and weighty. Suddenly, he unexpectedly chuckled softly and rose, setting me free.
"Leave," he remarked, taking a step back.
I blinked, amazed. Just like this?
Was he allowing me to leave?
"However, if I find you once more," he continued, his demeanour becoming serious, "I won’t be as lenient."
I felt a tightness in my chest. I only needed to hear it once.
I ran away without a moment's hesitation.
The trees dispersed as I got to the Borderlands.
The trees grew less dense, the ground more rugged. The air had a distinct scent here—natural and untamed, free from the strict regulations of pack territories. This area was an unclaimed territory.
Outlaws resided in this area. Soldiers for hire. Wolves without a pack, lacking any loyalties. It was risky, yet it was preferable to returning.
I continued onward, disregarding the ache in my legs and the heat in my chest. I needed to continue advancing. I needed to endure.
Yet, just as the idea entered my head—
A Scent.
My body became rigid.
The scent of Jared.
Nope.
I spun around, heart pounding in my chest. They arrived here.
Lila's admirers. Jared's enforcers. They discovered my location.
Panic gripped me, yet I pushed it away. Reflect. Remain composed.
I noticed figures shifting within the trees. They were encircling me.
I was short on time.
A snarl reverberated in the shadows.
Suddenly—a quick motion.
A person rushed forward.
I narrowly avoided it, tumbling to the side as a giant form slammed into the spot where I had been. My fists tightened as I struggled to rise, yet I was outnumbered. Three. Perhaps four of those.
"Did you truly believe you could escape, Claire?"
Chills ran through my veins.
Jared.
He advanced, confident and strong, his golden eyes shining in the moonlight. The upcoming Alpha of Midnight Moon. My previous friend. The man who had discarded me like garbage.
And he was present to bring me home.
I stepped back, my heart racing.
"You ought to have known better," he whispered, his tone smooth yet venomous. "You belong to me, Claire." "You have always been."
No. I wasn't. No longer.
He extended his hand toward me, and I prepared myself—
Suddenly, from seemingly nowhere, a low, primal growl reverberated through the earth.
Jared froze.
The others were unsure.
Then—a set of silver eyes appeared from the shadows.
The unfamiliar person. The wolf that freed me.
His eyes darted to me, then returned to Jared.
His stance appeared at ease, yet the strength emanating from him was unmistakable. Authoritative. Lethal.
A deliberate, understanding grin formed on his lips.
"You're standing on my property," he remarked calmly.
Jared’s jaw clenched, his authority surging. "She is mine." "This is not related to you."
The unfamiliar man leaned his head a bit, his silver eyes shining with mirth.
"That's not correct," he stated.
And then, in an instant—
He moved.
A huge, dark-coated wolf with silver eyes remained in place, growling softly, instinctual, lethal.
Jared stiffened.
The atmosphere grew denser.
I scarcely had a moment to respond before all erupted into disorder.