Luna Thalassa's Awakening

Chapter 5

_Thalassa's POV_

As I sprinted deeper into the forest, my breaths came in ragged gasps. The adrenaline coursing through my veins pushed my body to its limits, and I couldn't afford to slow down. Every muscle in my body screamed with the effort, but the thought of being captured by the pack's guards gave me the strength to press on.

I glanced back, my heart pounding, and saw the guard had indeed stopped. He hesitated to cross over the south border, and I couldn't help but feel relieved. He was a coward, unwilling to venture into the territory rumored to be dangerous.

Still, I knew I couldn't take any chances. I had to put as much distance as possible between me and the pack's territory before they could organize a pursuit. The forest was dense, and the path ahead was shrouded in darkness. Every shadow seemed to hold a potential threat.

I continued to run, my footsteps barely making a sound as I navigated the forest floor. Branches and leaves brushed against my skin, but I dared not stop. The moonlight pierced through the canopy, casting eerie patterns on the forest floor.

I couldn't afford to look back again. Instead, I focused on finding a safe place to hide. The forest was said to be infested with rogues, and while I couldn't be sure if the rumors were true, I had to remain vigilant.

I wondered whether my parents would come looking for me. However, as I ran deeper into the unknown, I couldn't help but feel that they might not come searching. In fact, I had a sinking feeling that they would be relieved by my absence. For them, I had always been a source of embarrassment, an outcast within the pack. My rejection by Killian had only magnified that, and I could almost hear their collective sigh of relief now that I was gone. In their eyes, I was a burden, a living reminder of their shame.

As that realization settled in, I couldn't help but feel a deep sense of anger and betrayal. My own family had never shown me the love and support I needed, and now I had severed the last ties that bound me to them. It was a painful truth to accept, but it was also liberating.

I knew I had to keep moving, to find a safe place to rest. The forest was unforgiving, and the dangers it held were unknown to me. The night stretched on, and the moon continued to cast its cold light upon the path ahead. The thought of rogue werewolves lurking in the darkness added to my unease.

In the distance, I spotted a small cave. It seemed like a potential hiding spot. It was a narrow crevice in the rock, concealed by overhanging vegetation. I moved toward it cautiously, trying to make as little noise as possible. Once inside, I curled up, using my backpack as a makeshift pillow. The cave offered some shelter, even if it was not as comfortable as my room back at the packhouse.

My mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Relief mixed with the pain of rejection, freedom entwined with the fear of the unknown. I couldn't help but question my decision to escape. What would I do next? My food supplies were limited and wouldn't last for long. I was alone in an unfamiliar forest with no clear direction.

The realization hit me like a wave of despair. Other packs would likely consider me a rogue, a lone wolf without a pack to call home. I had no place to go, and I was left to fend for myself in a world that could be as cruel as the one I'd left behind.

I had indeed severed my ties with the pack, and there was no turning back. The life I had known, with all its pain and rejection, was behind me. While uncertainty loomed ahead, there was a sense of freedom in my solitude. The thought of returning to my old pack, of being subjected to their scorn and humiliation once more, was not an option. I had tasted a morsel of independence, and I was determined to make the most of it. The forest was my new home, and I was prepared to adapt.

Survival as a rogue in the wilderness would not be easy, but I was not without skills. I knew the basics of hunting and could rely on my instincts. In the wild, I would need to fend for myself, secure food, and find shelter. It was a challenge I was willing to face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

A sudden, sharp pain in my stomach jolted me awake. My eyes shot open, and panic surged through me as I quickly sat up, my heart pounding.

To my horror, I saw an intruder in the cave with me. A tall, burly figure stood just a few feet away, their eyes locking onto mine. They were not alone; several more figures lurked in the shadows behind them. The scent of their presence was overpowering, and I could tell that they were werewolves just like me.

The intruder who had woken me stared at me for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, a cruel smile crossed his face as he said, "Well, it seems that the little b***h has woken up."

Before I could react or respond, he delivered a swift and brutal kick to my stomach. Pain exploded within me, and I cried out in agony. It felt like my insides were on fire, and I curled up, gasping for breath.

The other figures in the cave, his companions, began to close in around me. They wore malicious grins, and there was a menacing glint in their eyes. The intruder's words sent shivers down my spine. "Let's play with her."

Fear and desperation washed over me as they advanced, closing off any escape route. I knew I was in a dire situation, surrounded by a group of rogue werewolves with unknown intentions.

In that moment, with the rogue werewolves closing in on me, I sent up a desperate plea to the moon goddess. I prayed with all the fervor I could muster, my thoughts and words a silent cry for help.

Moon goddess, if you can hear me, please, protect me. I'm alone and in danger. I don't know what to do and I'm terrified. I pray for the strength to endure this ordeal and for a chance to escape this dire situation. Please save me.

As the rogue werewolves drew nearer, I clung to that silent prayer, hoping that somewhere, the moon goddess might be watching over me.

Suddenly, in the midst of my fear and despair, a low growl rumbled through the cave. The rogue werewolves turned their attention towards the entrance, and I followed suit. There, bathed in the sunlight, stood a strikingly handsome man. His emerald green eyes blazed with anger, and his dark hair framed a face that seemed both fierce and protective.

In a blur of motion, the man rushed into the cave, and I watched as his powerful fist connected with the rogue who had hurt me. A loud crack echoed through the cave as the rogue was sent sprawling to the ground. The man's voice boomed with righteous fury as he yelled, "How dare you hurt my mate?"

Confusion swirled within me as I tried to process what was happening. Mate? I had never met this man before.