Chapter 52 Twenty Steps Two Far
Kira’s POV
I stood there, staring at that stupid fence like it was mocking me.
God, I need to start working out more!
Twenty steps?
That’s all I’d managed before my lungs gave up and my legs turned to jelly. My chest heaved, sweat already sticking to my back. I’m human after all. Fully, pathetically human. No super stamina, no endless energy like the others.
Just me, Kira…or Arabella, whatever…gasping like I’d run a marathon when it was barely a sprint.
But I wasn’t turning back.
I straightened up, wiped my forehead with the back of my hand like a warrior putting mud on her forehead to go into battle, and started walking. Fast. Determined. The trees closed in quickly…the normal forest edge giving way to thicker brush, darker shadows.
The air started feeling cooler, heavier, like Victoria had said. I pushed branches aside, ignoring how they scratched my arms. This was for my wolf. I could handle a few scratches. As soon as I connect with my wolf, I’ll be able to heal too.
Minutes turned into what felt like hours. My calves burned, my feet ached in these dumb academy shoes…not exactly hiking boots. Sweat dripped down my neck. I kept going, deeper, telling myself every step brought me closer.
Then I heard it.
A low grunt. Snuffling. Heavy footsteps crashing through the undergrowth.
I froze.
Out of the bushes charged a massive wild boar…bigger than any pig I’d ever seen, with tusks like knives and red-rimmed eyes locked on me. It snorted, pawed the ground, and lowered its head.
My brain screamed one thing: RUN.
I screamed it out loud too…a high, terrified shriek that echoed through the trees…and bolted.
The boar charged right after me.
I ran like my life depended on it…because it did. Branches slapped my face, twigs snapped under my feet, thorns and sharp leaves tore at my legs and arms. Blood trickled down my shins, warm and sticky, but I didn’t stop. Couldn’t stop. The thing was gaining, grunting and crashing louder behind me.
My lungs were on fire as I continued running. My heart slammed against my ribs. I dodged trees, jumped roots, but the boar was relentless.
Ahead, I spotted a steep slope…a drop-off with a hollowed-out space under a rocky overhang, big enough to crawl into.
I dove for it, scrambling on my hands and knees, dirt and rocks scraping my skin as I shoved myself inside.
I curled up tight, held my breath, and prayed.
The boar thundered past furiously…hooves pounding, snorts shaking the ground…just inches from my hiding spot. It kept going, crashing up the slope and into the distance until the sounds faded.
I stayed there, shaking, counting to a hundred before I dared move. My arms and legs were shredded…cuts everywhere, stinging like hell. Blood smeared my clothes. But I was alive.
I crawled out slowly, legs wobbly, and looked around. The boar was truly gone.
Thank God I didn’t die. Because if I did, I might not get another chance at life again!
I checked my wristwatch. It's almost noon. Lunchtime back at the academy. By now, the guards would’ve noticed I was missing. They’d freak out, report it straight to Adrian. He’d be furious…probably sending search parties already.
If they figured out I’d gone into the Dark Zone, they’d drag me back kicking and screaming. And then? No wolf. No power. Just more of this weak, human bullshit in a world with extraordinary beings.
I couldn’t let that happen.
I started running again…faster this time, ignoring the pain shooting up my legs. I had to put more distance between me and the edge.
As I ran, my mind raced ahead to what came next. When I got my wolf…God, I couldn’t wait. I’d cut myself on purpose…just a little slice on my arm…to watch it heal right in front of my eyes. The skin knitting back together, like magic. But then I shook my head. Wait, what if it leaves a scar? Permanent ones might stick. Ugh, no thanks. I didn’t want reminders of being weak.
Then I grinned despite everything. I’d shift back and forth…wolf to human, human to wolf…every second if I wanted. Just to feel it. The power surging through me. Running without getting tired. Hearing things miles away. Being strong and fighting Adrian off.
Finally doing all the cool stuff everyone else takes for granted…jumping higher, fighting the bullies, healing from anything.
In fact, when I fly to L.A, I’ll crush those vipers with my wolf strength and bite their heads off. Maybe not literally bite their heads off…but close. They’d regret everything. I couldn’t wait. I’d be unstoppable.
My pace slowed as exhaustion hit harder. There it was…the massive oak tree Victoria described, split right down the middle like it had been struck by lightning ages ago. Okay. Maybe she didn’t lie for once.
I turned right, just like she said, and kept going straight. But running? Forget it. I was too wiped. Walking was all I had left…slow, dragging steps.
It was way past lunch now. Closing in on afternoon. My stomach growled loud, twisting with hunger. My throat was dry as sandpaper…parched, raw. Why the hell didn’t I pack food? Water? Anything? I’d been so focused on sneaking out, I didn’t think. Stupid. Rookie mistake.
I could eat anything right now. Dirt, leaves, whatever. Hell, if that boar showed up again, I’d be the one chasing it. Roast pork sounded amazing.
I stopped under a tree, slumped against the trunk to rest. Just for a bit. My legs throbbed, cuts burning. I closed my eyes, breathing hard.
Ten minutes. That’s all I gave myself.
Then Victoria’s words echoed in my head: Only the strong and courageous make it.
No way was I chickening out. Not now. Not after all this.
I staggered up, legs shaking, and kept walking. All of a sudden, the forest changed.
The air got tense…heavy, like a storm was coming but there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Chills ran down my spine, goosebumps popping up all over my arms and neck. The birds stopped singing. Even the wind died.
“What the hell is this place?” I whispered out loud, looking around. The trees seemed closer, shadows deeper.
Then they came out.
Wolves. Big ones. Rough, scarred, fur matted and wild. They emerged from the bushes all around me, silent at first, then forming a perfect circle. Trapping me.
My heart dropped. Is this a trap? Did Victoria set me up? Some sick prank to scare me?
I stood tall…or tried to, anyway. “You don’t scare me,” I began. But I was scared out of my pants.
“Move out of my way,” I continued, voice shaking but loud. “I need to find my wolf. If you hurt me or try to stop me, my fiancé will kill you all. He’s the king. Adrian Draven.”
The second I said his name, the circle erupted…angry howls, furious growls, teeth bared. The sound hit me like a wave, making my knees weak as I staggered back.
A man stepped forward from the circle. Naked. Tall, muscled, covered in dirt and scars. Human one second, but I knew he could shift in a blink.
“Repeat that,” he said, voice rough and cold.
I puffed out my chest, trying to look brave. “You heard me. I’m the soon-to-be queen of the central kingdom. Kira Summers… I mean, Arabella Ravaryn. I know Victoria put you up for this, so drop it!”
They snapped their teeth louder, growling deeper, like my threats meant nothing.
The man threw his head back and howled…long, victorious. The others joined in, the sound shaking the trees.
“Luck’s on our side today, brothers,” he shouted over the noise. “Finally, the kingdom pays for what they owe us rogues.”
Rogues? Oh God. Like rebels? Outcasts? The dangerous ones everyone whispers about. Is this like their territory?
Am I in serious trouble? Real, life-ending trouble?
I opened my mouth to talk…to beg, bargain, anything…but before a word came out, he moved fast. His hand struck the side of my neck…hard, sharp pain exploding.
Everything went black.
The last thing I heard was them shouting, cheering: “Revenge! We’ll send her head to Adrian Draven as a message!”
My head?
Like… I’m gonna die?
Again?