Chapter 2 Two
Elara’s POV
The forest blurred around me as I continued, my feet pounding against the earth. Branches scratched at my skin but I could barely feel anything. Luca’s rejection continued to echo in my mind, each time slicing deeper into my soul.
“I, Luca Blackstone, reject you, Elara Winters, as my mate and Luna.”
I finally stopped running, my chest heaving as I tried to catch my breath. I was far beyond the pack’s territory now. It looked to be somewhere around the edge of Nightshade City.
The air here smelled different here. Grittier and sharper. This was the border between safety and danger. Beyond this point, the rogue territories stretched for miles It was basically a wasteland of outcasts, criminals, and predators.
I had no plan neither did I have a destination. But one thing I knew was that I couldn’t go back. Not after what had just happened. Not after the public humiliation, the sneers and whispers from the pack.
As I stood there, staring into the distance, I could feel my anger burning hotter. How could he? How could Luca just cast me aside like I was nothing? He didn’t even give me a chance. All because I was born an omega. A mistake of nature in his eyes.
I clenched my fists, the muscles in my jaw tightening as I made a silent vow to myself. I would never be weak again. I would never let anyone look at me like I was less. Not Luca. Not the people of Blackstone Pack. No one.
If they saw me as nothing but a broken omega, I would show them just how wrong they were.
I took in a deep breath and stepped into the rogue territory, burning the boats behind me. There would be no going back from now.
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The outskirts of Nightshade City were a world apart from the orderly streets and towering buildings of the inner city. This was the land of rogues. Wolves who had been cast out of their packs or who had chosen to live outside the rules of pack life.
I wasn’t afraid. The pain of Luca’s rejection had ignited something inside me. A determination to prove that I was more than the weak omega they saw me as.
In the distance, I could hear the distant howls of rogue wolves. My heart was pounding in my chest but I continued to move forward.
I didn’t know where I was going. All I knew was that I couldn’t stop.
Suddenly, a low growl rumbled behind me. My heart jumped into my throat as I turned slowly, coming face to face with a group of rogue wolves. They emerged from the shadows, their eyes glowing in the dim light of the moon.
There were four of them, each one looking more dangerous than the last. Their leader, a tall wolf with a scar running down his cheek, slowly stepped forward. His lips were curled into a predatory smile.
“Well, well, what do we have here?” He sneered, his eyes raking over me with disdain.
“A lost little omega, wandering where she doesn’t belong?”
I stood my ground, even though my heart was pounding hard with fear. I couldn’t let them see me as weak. Not now. Not ever again.
“I’m not lost,” I said, my voice steady despite the terror tearing at my insides.
The leader’s smile widened. I stood my ground as he took a step closer.
“Brave little thing, aren’t you?” His eyes glinted. “But bravery won’t save you here.”
The other wolves chuckled darkly, circling me like predators toying with their prey. My heart pounded loudly in my chest but I refused to show any fear.
“I’m not looking for trouble,” I said carefully, my eyes darting between them, trying to assess my chances of escape. They were faster, stronger, and more experienced. I was outmatched in every way but I wasn’t going to give up without a fight.
The leader tilted his head. “Not looking for trouble, huh? You stepped into the wrong place, little omega. Out here, trouble finds you.”
In a flash, he lunged toward me, his claws extended. I barely had time to react, dodging to the side as his claws slashed through the air where I had just stood. If I hadn’t moved quickly, he would have gotten me.
One of the other wolves tried to grab me from behind but I twisted my body, kicking my leg out with all the strength I had. My foot connected with his leg, and he let out a snarl of pain. The leader was on me again, much faster than before. I couldn’t possibly hold them back for long.
Out of nowhere, a sharp whistle cut through the air.
The wolves stopped, their heads snapping toward the sound. From the shadows, a figure emerged. He was tall, imposing, and radiated a dangerous aura. The leader of the rogues took a step back, his eyes narrowing as the figure approached.
“Enough,” The man’s voice low but filled with authority.
The rogue wolves hesitated for a moment before backing away. The leader growled but didn’t challenge him, his eyes darting between me and the new arrival.
The figure stepped into the light, and I finally saw him clearly. He was taller than Luca. He had dark, unruly hair with piercing green eyes. He had an overwhelming presence, commanding respect even from the rogues who had just tried to tear me apart.
The man stared at me, his gaze lingering for a moment before he turned to the leader.
“She’s under my protection now. If you have a problem with that, take it up with me.”
The leader hesitated for a moment, his lips curling in frustration. But after a moment, he stepped back and nodded.
“Fine. She’s yours.”
Without another word, the rogue wolves disappeared back into the shadows, leaving me alone with the strange man. My legs were trembling, but I forced myself to stand tall. I tried to meet his gaze with as much defiance as I could muster.
“Who are you?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
The stranger’s lips quirked into a small smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
“Someone who’s seen potential in you. You want to survive out here? Then you need to be more than what you are.”
I swallowed hard, my heart still racing. “And what’s that?”
“Strong,” His gaze never wavered. “You need to be strong.”