Chapter 5
1167 Words
_Katherine’s POV_
I ran deeper into the forest. The trees stretched high above me like silent watchers. The darkness wrapped around me. It was thick and endless. Shadows moved with every step I took, and the sounds of the night surrounded me—crickets chirping, owls hooting, and something else. Something deeper in the woods, rustling through the undergrowth.
My heart pounded.
I had escaped the Bloodmoon Pack, but I wasn’t safe yet. I had nowhere to go, no food, no water. My foot throbbed with every step, the rat bite sending sharp pains up my leg. But I didn’t stop. I couldn’t.
I walked for what felt like hours. My limbs grew heavy, my vision blurred with exhaustion. The night air was cold, biting through the thin fabric of my clothes. The cloak which Thomas had given me did little to keep me warm. My body ached all over, and my stomach growled, reminding me how long it had been since I had eaten a real meal.
I needed to rest. Just for a little while.
I spotted a large tree with thick roots curling out from the ground. Slowly, I lowered myself onto one, leaning my back against the rough bark. I sighed and closed my eyes for just a moment. The forest was terrifying, but at least it was quiet. At least I was alone. Or so I thought.
A faint rustling reached my ears. I stiffened.
Footsteps.
Low voices.
I turned my head slowly, peering through the darkness. My heart dropped.
Rogues.
There were three of them, all dressed in ragged clothes. They looked wild—unkempt beards, matted hair, and hollow eyes that darted around as if searching for something. Their scent hit me before anything else—a mix of dirt, sweat, and blood.
I crouched lower, holding my breath.
“I’m starving,” one of them muttered, his voice rough and tired.
“We all are,” another growled. “Food is getting harder to find.”
The third rogue, the largest of the three, let out a bitter laugh. “If we don’t find something soon, we’ll be the ones being hunted.”
A shiver ran down my spine.
They were desperate. Starving.
And I was right here.
I prayed they would keep walking. That they wouldn’t notice me. But then—
“What’s that smell?”
I froze.
One of them sniffed the air, his head tilting. “Smells… different. Not animal. Not one of us.”
The second rogue narrowed his eyes. “It’s fresh.” My stomach twisted. I pressed a hand over my mouth, trying to silence even my breath.
Too late.
They turned toward me.
My heart slammed against my ribs as they stepped closer. The largest one smirked. “Well, well, what do we have here?”
I swallowed hard, my body stiff. I forced myself to stand, backing against the tree. “Stay away from me.”
The second rogue chuckled darkly. “Feisty.”
The third one sneered. “Looks like we found ourselves a little lost pup.”
I clenched my fists. “I’m not afraid of you.”
“Liar,” the leader said, his grin widening. “I can hear your heart racing.”
I took a shaky breath. “Just let me go.”
He laughed. “Why would we do that? You smell too good to let go.”
Panic shot through me. I turned to run. But they were faster.
The leader grabbed my arm, yanking me back. I gasped, struggling, but he was too strong. He shoved me against the tree, pinning me in place.
The second rogue reached for my cloak, tearing it away. The cold night air hit my skin, sending a fresh wave of fear through me.
“Let me go!” I screamed, thrashing against them.
The third rogue grabbed the hem of my shirt, pulling at it. “She’s a fighter.”
Terror swallowed me whole. I kicked wildly, trying to break free. One of them grabbed my wrist and twisted it. Pain shot through me.
“Stop!” I sobbed.
They laughed.
The leader grabbed my chin, forcing me to look up at him. His grip was rough, his nails digging into my skin. “No one is coming to save you, little wolf.”
I felt my strength fading. My body ached from their blows, my head spinning from fear and exhaustion. Was this how it was going to end?
Then—
“Stop this.”
A new voice. It was strong and commanding.
The rogues froze.
I gasped for breath, my vision blurry with tears. Slowly, I turned my head.
A man stood at the edge of the trees. He had blonde hair and blue eyes.
He was… beautiful.
Not just handsome—breathtaking. His presence filled the space, dominating it without effort. His muscles were tense, his jaw clenched. But his eyes… his eyes were cold as ice.
He wasn’t afraid.
The leader of the rogues snarled. “Who the hell are you?”
The blonde man stepped forward. His movements were slow, controlled, dangerous. “Let. Her. Go.”
The second rogue scoffed. “Or what?”
The man’s lips curled into a smirk. “You don’t want to find out.”
The leader hesitated. I saw it—the brief flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.
The blonde man stepped closer, and for the first time, I saw the mark on his neck. An Alpha’s mark.
He wasn’t just some stranger. He was an Alpha.
And he was furious.
The rogues sensed it too.
The leader scowled, but he let go of my wrist. “Tch. Not worth it.”
The second rogue spat on the ground. “We’ll remember this, Alpha.”
The third one shot me a final, hungry look before they turned and disappeared into the trees. I collapsed to my knees, gasping. My whole body was trembling.
The man knelt beside me. His scent wrapped around me—warm, strong, safe.
“Are you hurt?” His voice was softer now, but still filled with authority.
I couldn’t speak. My throat was too tight. He reached out, his fingers brushing my torn sleeve. His jaw tightened. “They hurt you.”
I nodded slowly.
His eyes darkened, and for a moment, I saw the storm brewing inside him. Then, he exhaled, controlling it.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
I swallowed hard. “K-Katherine.”
His blue eyes locked onto mine.
“I’m Lucian.”
Lucian.
His name sent a strange warmth through me.
He studied me for a moment, then stood. “Come on. You’re coming with me.”
I hesitated. “Why?”
His gaze softened, just slightly. “Because you have nowhere else to go.”
He was right.
I had no home. No pack. No family.
And despite everything, despite the fear still clinging to my skin…
I trusted him.
I took his hand.
- Writer
