Chapter 7

• ALIYAH
• The icy wind whipped at my face as I ran and stumbled along the muddy path. Tattered clothes covered my body, and my hair was dull and matted. Yet I had to keep going despite my appearance, thirst, and hunger.
• Even when I closed my eyes, I still could see my grandmother’s dead state, and it was killing me every passing moment. I couldn’t help but recall how she took care of me as I grew up. She was the one who stood as my mother. She was my best friend and the one who truly understood me. Now, I was struggling to comprehend that she was a werewolf, just like the others! Regardless, my love for her didn’t change. If she had told me about her actual nature in the first place, I would have accepted her with all of my heart. Now, all I could think of was thinking of the possible person that would harm her.
• As I came to a sudden stop, gasping for breath, my mind was flooded with unanswered questions; Who am I exactly? Who would assassinate my grandmother? Could it be Brayden? After all, he was a monster himself! How stupid of me for trusting him and his damn pack. They put me down and made fun of me. I will never forget the looks on their faces! If only we hadn’t moved into that cursed place!
• The forest was cold and dark, and the silence was too much to bear. There were shadows in front of me and the way they were shaped was messing with my eyes. Abruptly, a far-off howl reverberated across the woods and sent shivers down my back. I crouched and became as small as possible. Now that I was aware of what they could do, I had to stay hidden away from their sight.
• “Don’t be afraid, child. Look at me.”
• A soft voice called out from behind me. So, even though my body could hardly move as I trembled, I slowly stood and stared at the sound. Who could that be and how come an angelic voice lingered in the middle of this nightmare? Perhaps I was dead.
• As I scanned my surroundings, I stumbled on a log and fell backward. Looking up, a blinding light filled my vision, and a magnificent white wolf appeared before me when it faded away.
• The wolf stopped a few feet away and stared at me with fierce, golden eyes. It bared its teeth in a snarl, and I could feel its breath on my skin. I was frightened, but I refused to show it. I held my chin high and waited for the wolf to make a move. “Are you… are you going to kill me now? Did Brayden send you?”
• The white wolf stared at me with piercing blue eyes, and I felt a connection as if the wolf was trying to reach out to me.
• “Go back. Meet your mate.”
• I clutched my head as the voice penetrated through my skull. How could I understand her? “What do you mean? Why would I have a mate when I’m just a human?”
• “Because you are the chosen one.”
• Before I could comprehend her statement, the wolf stepped closer and tapped my forehead with a paw. The touch felt like electricity, and I felt a strange sense of peace. “I have chosen you to be the mate of the newly crowned Alpha. It is your destiny. You must go now to meet him.”
• “M-mate?” My heart raced just at the idea of me having a mate. “W-wait, is it possible? But I’m a human.”
• “Your purpose is important. Do not be afraid. Everything that has happened and everything that will happen serves a greater purpose. Your fate has already been written. Trust it.”
• As the wolf spoke, a strange calm settled over me. But still, I doubted whether to believe it or not. Was it even possible for me to have a good fate? My life has been nothing but a lie since I fell in love with Brayden. He had just proven that even those who claim to care had the tendency to betray. “Now I have nothing, so what kind of future can I expect?
• “You still have him, and he is enough.”
• “Him?”
• The wolf’s golden eyes narrowed. Before I could make sense of what happened, the next thing I knew, I was transported to another place where I could feel the sturdy ground in front of a three-story building. I gulped as I noted the brown sandstone exterior and the dark blue windows. The light of the sun highlighted the weathered brick and the towering oak tree in the front yard.
• If I hadn’t had a faulty memory of this place, the warm scent of the earth and the tangy sweetness of the nearby flowers could have been more anticipating. But that wasn’t the case!
• “I’m... I’m back in the Connors’ house?”
• I clenched my fists as I stepped back. How did I return to this place? I needed to get away as soon as possible!
• “A lost sheep has wandered into our territory!”
• My shoulders stiffened just at hearing that mocking voice… Brayden’s voice, to be exact! I once loved the sound of his voice, but now it only filled me with resentment. There was no way I would let him see how weak I was. He was the one who committed evil things to me! So I took a deep breath and mustered up all the courage I had left. It was time to confront him and finally find closure.
• Brayden stood in the doorway as he scanned me up and down with a sinister smile. As if on cue, his friends moved closer to him, forming a circle around us as if preparing for an entertainment show.
• “I thought you had left? What are you doing here? Missed me already?” he sneered, and the crowd erupted in laughter behind him, spitting out insults.
• “Never will I ever have affection for a monster who killed my grandmother!” I spat it out, pushing him away with both hands. “Don’t think that you are above the law for being a savage beast, Brayden. You will pay!”
• “You mean the rogues?” He clamped his large hand around my jaw. I reached out, but he was quick to grab both of my wrists. I couldn’t believe how strong he was. No wonder he was being followed, even if he was still not in the alpha position. “Oh, please do not insult me. It would be a waste of effort to dispatch one insignificant slave of ours. I would much rather savor using my killing skills while hunting.”
• “L-let me go, you beast! Am I your only match?”
• The entire ground heaved with anticipation as he pulled away from me. All eyes were on us as he spitefully turned away from me and said, “Go directly to the kitchen and make yourself useful. I have an important visitor, and I want grilled lamb on the table when we return.”
• “W-what?” My mouth went dry as I swallowed down my frustration. How could he just walk away while I confront him about my grandmother? I stood there, stunned. The arrogance of his dismissive response only fueled my rage to uncover the truth about my grandmother’s death. But before I could make another move to rush after him, someone from the crowd pushed me aside, causing me to stumble. I quickly regained my balance and glanced around, and my heart dropped to see it was Brenda.
• “You shouldn’t have returned,” she said, baring her teeth. “This is not a place for you. Believe me, Aliyah. You don’t want to get involved in this. It’s dangerous, and you won’t find the closure you’re seeking.”
• “What do you mean?”
• I could see the worry etched on her face as she hesitated before speaking. “There are secrets here, Aliyah—dark secrets. The more you dig, the more danger you put yourself in. Trust me, it’s better to let go and move on.”
• Brenda was not like her jerk brother. She might be silent sometimes, but she was one of the few people who cared for me in this pack. I was actually treating her as my best friend, but I couldn’t ignore the warning in her eyes. “Please tell me what it was, Brenda.” I took a step toward her, ignoring the criticism from the pack. “My grandmother has been murdered by your brother; you know that? Why don’t you just help me report him to Alpha Theon? I know your kind don’t just kill someone because they are slaves. I need justice!”
• Before I could make another step, some of the pack members grasped at both of my arms.
• “Let go of me!” I shoot them a defiant glare, struggling against their grip. “I won’t rest until my grandmother’s killer is held accountable. If you won’t help me, then I’ll find justice on my own.”
• “Beta Brenda has already declared your banishment. So there’s no other choice but to leave!” one tall man said, dragging me out of the gate. “Your pursuit of justice for your grandmother’s death goes against our pack’s principles. We cannot condone vigilante actions, especially when they involve our own kind. It is time for you to go and find your own path.”
• “Then curse your principles, monster—ah!”
• The next thing I knew, I was being thrown out of the pack territory, landing hard on the ground. The pain seared through my body, but I tried to stand up. My sobs shook my body as I leaned against the massive gate. Recalling what the white wolf had said, I couldn’t help but question her words. Why had she dumped me back into this place? Why did I still believe her to begin with?
• As I mulled over my thoughts, I heard twigs snapping and quiet puffs of breath. It sounded different than a human panting and more like the heavy exhales of a predator. Fear gripped me as I realized I was not alone.
• I whirled around and saw a colossal figure. His jacket was an unassuming olive green that clung to his muscles like a second skin. My eyes widened as he advanced; his movements were as agile as those of a wolf.
• “What are you doing here in the woods?”
• I had to arch my neck to get a glimpse of his face. His sharp features were etched with intensity, and his piercing hazel gaze seemed to penetrate deep into my soul, making me feel vulnerable and exposed.
• “I, uh...” My words died on my lips as I took a step back. My body craved to run away, but something in me held me rooted to the spot, unable to break away from his tug.
• His eyes narrowed as he smiled. “It’s not safe for a girl to roam these woods alone. Come with me, and I’ll guarantee your safety.”
• I gulped, looking at his hands that he extended towards me. “No!”
• “Why?” He tilted his head, and his broad brows contracted. “Do I look like a bad guy to you?”
• “I don’t know you,” I snapped, stepping away as I curled my arms around my chest. “I’m done trusting people I don’t even know. You are all the same!”
• “Ashton!” Brayden burst onto the scene, a bright grin splitting his face as he hurried towards us. He then turned to the other man. “So, more interested in hunting slaves than deer this time, huh?”
• "It seems so." The man he called Ashton studied me with inspecting eyes before letting out a cold chuckle. “May I keep this one?”