Chapter 2 CHAPTER TWO

EMILY’S POV

Pounding hoofs echo throughout the dead silence of the thick forest. I urged myself to run faster, any moment now, the wolves chasing me were going to catch up with me.

As if bringing my thoughts to life, suddenly a black wolf, with sharp ugly canines marred with thick blood, tackles me from my side. Making the both of us roll down the sloppy curve of the forest. With lightning speed, I stand up, blaring my canine at my opponent.

We circle ourselves, trying to gauge our best course of attack. I could see that this wolf was way larger than me, but I was faster, and I used that to my advantage as I lunged at the wolf, sinking my teeth into its leg. My goal was to weaken the wolf, giving me enough time to run.

Thick blood drips from my mouth, as the wolf howls in pain, swiping at the side of my head with its claws, narrowing, missing my eyes. I jumped back, shaking my head as blood ran from the side of my head, slowly trickling into my eyes. I was growing tired, I needed to find a way to escape or it was my life.

I lunged again, this time throwing my body on it, as I tried to rip its throat open. Unfortunately, I underestimated the wolf, as I was flung back. I howled as my back hit the tree behind me, pain running through my battered body. struggling to stand up, as the wolf pressed down on me. Suddenly, Stefan was on me, blood all over his body, his claws drawn back, ready to slash at my throat.

Stefan no!!!!!! I screamed, waking up in the process. Roman was by my side immediately, holding me as I cried. Why!!, why me? Now that I have finally gotten my perfect happiness, why did it have to be snatched away so cruelly?

I pushed Roman away from me, running out before kneeling on the floor, throwing up whatever was still left in my stomach. Roman came close, rubbing my back, worrying clouding his face.

After throwing up everything I could, Roman handed me a bottle filled with water. I used a little to rinse my mouth, before drinking the rest, finishing the whole bottle. I didn’t realize how thirsty I was, till that water touched my throat.

I sat on my buttocks, breathing in deeply, before slowly exhaling out. The pain was still there, but now it was like a dull daunting ache that would follow me for the rest of my life. I thought about Stefan, wondering how he was feeling. I knew he would be feeling the pain the same way I am, I wondered if he regretted severing our sacred bond so carelessly.

I didn’t reject him back, I don’t think I could. This was a misunderstanding, Roman, me and Stefan were too close, we grew up together. They shielded me from bullies, we ran together, even though I couldn’t shift, they would take turns carrying me as we ran through the pack's forest.

I just don’t understand how Stefan could banish us so easily, without giving us time to get to the roots of this. I am very sure nothing happened between me and Roman, Though a part of my mind wondered how sure I was since I couldn’t remember anything.

“Emily, are you okay?” Roman asked. His voice brings me out of my thinking.

I stared at the expanse of forest below me, pondering on his question. Of course I was not okay, I just lost my home, my mate, everything I know. But then again, Roman also lost a lot. His best friend, his position, his family and I was sure he was just as confused as I was though he held himself better.

I take in my surroundings. We were atop a small mountain, inside a small cave. Roman had taken his time to make the place a bit comfortable. Stacks of woods were lit on fire, encloving the once cold cave with warmth.

““How long have I been out I asked him?””

““Four days, " he responded,””coming to sit close to me.

I glanced at him, "What do we do now?”

He looked at me, before looking out at the trees below us. “We survive, he said.””

““Are you hungry?" he asked me, standing up as he walked further into the cave.

He came back with meat, placed neatly on leaves used as a makeshift plate. Apparently, he had gone hunting and killed a big antelope. roasted it, so the meat doesn’t spoil. He said he also found a small river not too far from where we were, and I could go for a swim if I wanted.

I munched on the meat, he was right. I really needed to wash off and then recollect myself, I was not giving up. I had not rejected Stefan, so our bond was not completely severed. I needed, to get to the bottom of this.

““Finish up, so I can show you the place. Roman said, We need to go and come back before dark. I don’t want us to alert rogues to where we are, as I had spotted a few when hunting.

I glanced up at him at the mention of Rogues. They were packless wolves, some were ruthless, choosing to live in their wolf selves for long periods, hunting and living as wide animals. And now, we didn’t have the protection of a pack. In a sense, we were also rogue wolves as we had been banished from ours.

“ Roman, we need to find a pack fast. Right now we were not really safe, and frankly speaking, I was not in the right frame of mind to fight a rogue. Sure I knew how to fight, as Roman and Stefan had made sure I could protect myself. I didn’t have any connection with my wolf, and if not for the fact that I had changed a few unpredictable times, I would not have believed myself to be a werewolf.

““I will make sure we are safe Emily, "Roman said, trying to calm me down a little. I will always protect you, no matter what he says,”” taking my hands in his as he gave it a reassuring squeeze.

I swallow down the sob threatening to spill. Now was not the time to be weak, I needed to be strong.

“Thank you Roman," I said. As much as we both could not remember what happened, Roman was my childhood friend. He has always been there for me, and I know with time everything will be sorted out.

He showed me the river, giving me enough privacy to wash myself. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find any new clothes, so I had to wear the previous one, but at least I felt a little better now.

We ran back to the cave, Roman in his wolf form while I clung to his back, the wind blowing on my hair and face, gave me a nostalgic feeling of when everything was still alright.

By the time we reached the cave, it was night time already. I could hear distant howls, echoing throughout the forest. Quickly, Roman quenched the fire. We didn't want the smoke to alert rogues to where we were.

He changed back to his wolf form, laying very close to me, so the heat from his furs would keep me warm. I ran my hands through his furs, as I softly hummed one of our favorite songs.

A song we all sang, as we laid close to the stream within the pack, after finishing our run through the forest. We would gaze at the stars, laughing in between, once Stefan messes up the lyrics. I smiled, closing my eyes as I drifted off to sleep.

I jerked awake, my eyes adjusting to the darkness, as I wondered what it was that had woken me up. Then I heard it, a low menacing growl. The sound of it made my heart pound, hastily I stood up, looking around for Roman.

Where was he? Had the rogues gotten to him. I backed away, as the wolf advanced to where I was. This was one of the moments where I wished I could transform at will. I grabbed one of the logs of wood nearby, using it as a shield, as I waited for the wolf to make the first move.

I was at a disadvantage since I couldn’t see that well. But I honed in on all my senses, using it to gauge the wolf direction. With a loud howl, the wolf advanced on me with lightning speed, tearing into my leg.

I screamed, as searing pain flooded my leg, swinging the wood widely in all directions. The sound of wood hitting bone, and the loud howl that came from the wolf, assured me that I had gotten my aim right.

I used the opportunity to dash out of the cave, running down the slope. I could feel the blood running down my leg, the pain slowing me down a little.

I ran faster, my heart beating wide. Roman!!!!!!!! I screamed, tears pouring down my face. As I missed my steps, screaming, as I fell down the forest.