Chapter 2:

POV: Lena

My father took the bunch of keys and inserted them one by one into the small slot in the door.

His hands were shaking, causing the keys to fall several times and forcing him to start again.

'Dad, tell me what's going on. Is Ryner okay?'

I asked, still thinking about the moment I accepted his rejection, which seemed to be killing him.

'He's alive, that's all I know, but his father has ordered a scenario to be prepared for you. You will be executed for attempting to end the Alpha's life.'

At that moment, the lock echoed through the cold space and the gate opened with a squeak. My father began to drag me towards the exit.

'Dad, wait...'

'Listen carefully, Lena. I'll help you get to the waterfall. Once you reach it, run... run as fast as you can until you reach the stone crossroads.”

'But what about you?'

‘Don't come back for me. Forget everything about this pack. If you come back, they'll sentence you to death and I can't bear to watch that happen. I promised your mother I'd take care of you.'

He stopped and turned to look at me. The great Beta was now standing in front of me, tears rolling down his cheeks.

I reached out to wipe them away. I had never seen my father like this before.

I threw myself at him, crying and scared of what my life would be like now.

He didn't hesitate to catch me in his arms as he used to when I was a child. Whenever something happened to me, he was the one who comforted me.

"Come on, Lena. I have to get you out of here."

We went outside, where we saw four guards lying on the ground with their throats slit.

'Don't worry, I have someone who will take care of this.'

In the distance, I could hear the commotion: women laughing and men clinking their glasses in a toast. The huge bonfire lit up the thick forest around us with its orange glow.

My father dragged me along a small path to the waterfall where I had been the night before.

We reached the water's edge, where the current was gentle and calm.

'Lena, from here on, you must go alone.'

“Dad...” I didn't want to leave him — I was terrified they would hurt him. I clung to him tightly and let my tears flow.

"My daughter," he said, taking my face in his hands and looking at me with all the love he has always had for me.

“Live, be happy. I'll be fine knowing that you are. Now, pay attention. You must get to the stone crossroads. My brother will be waiting for you there. He will take you to his herd and welcome you.

I began to shake my head, reluctant to leave him.

'You must take care on the way. You will be entering neutral territory,' he said, handing me a silver dagger. Then I saw him take off the necklace that belonged to my mother and put it around my neck.

I wanted to protest, but the howling of the pack silenced me.

'They've noticed. Run, Lena! Run and don't look back!'

I hugged my father one last time and turned to flee.

Gripping the dagger sheath tightly, I plunged into the water, which barely reached my knees.

When I reached the other side, I looked back at the empty shore.

'Goddess, please protect my father.'

I started running through the trees; the howls in the distance made my skin crawl. It would only be a matter of time before they found me.

I could see the edge of the pack in the distance, but I didn't want to stop. Out there, I was in danger. Without a wolf, I was no match for them.

Turning around to check if they were close was a bad decision; I tripped over the roots and tumbled down a steep slope.

I rolled down without stopping, feeling small stones scrape my skin and tiny splinters dig into it.

When I reached the bottom, bright spots appeared in front of my eyes, everything doubled, and the pain in my body was overwhelming.

"Get up! You must get up!"

I looked around, but I couldn't see the person who had spoken to me.

With a groan, I got up and leaned on a tree for support.

The howls echoed closer again. I couldn't believe they had left the boundaries of the pack.

I moved away from the spot, trying to figure out where I was.

My senses were on alert, adrenaline rushing through my body and my heart pounding in my chest.

"Go to the right. We must reach the river."

I listened to the voice, but not before looking around again.

I forced my legs to run once more.

“AHHH!” I screamed and fell to the ground, narrowly escaping some enormous claws.

I quickly got up and looked at the huge black wolf with orange eyes.

Those were the eyes of a rogue, and I was facing an Alpha.

I knew I had no chance of winning, especially against a rogue Alpha.

I tried to get away until I could find something to defend myself with. My hands came across a rock.

The wolf bared its fangs, ready to pounce.

This was my chance.

I grabbed the rock tightly and threw it, hitting the wolf on the head.

I took advantage of his momentary distraction to get up and run as fast as I could.

I heard other howls nearby. More renegade wolves were approaching.

I won't make it out of this; they'll catch me, and then...

'We'll get out of this. Trust me. Trust yourself. Get to the river.'

I stopped dead in my tracks, almost falling into the void as the earth crumbled beneath my feet and disappeared into the rushing water below.

Several growls caught my attention and I turned to find myself surrounded by at least eight renegades.

They began to advance towards me.

This is the end.

‘Ahhgr,’ I screamed, clenching my teeth. I fell to my knees, unable to comprehend what was happening. The pain in my body was horrible and overwhelming.

When I looked at my hands, I was surprised to see huge claws with grey fur, and I felt something burning and stinging.

I touched the sharp fangs that had grown in my mouth with my tongue.

This can't be happening. I... I... I'm a wolf.