I had been in the forest for what felt like minutes, running in fear and heading in the direction my gut told me to. I could feel the agonising pain in my head returning, the aching in my torso beginning to burn. So, I knew then that I had run for an hour, going by what Raven told me.

I was hoping to stumble across a pack by now, but I have found nothing but overgrown clearings and forests. If I was not in a hurry for my life, I would've stopped to admire the beauty. Although I was slowing, my run turned into a weak stumble. My breathing was ragged and eventually, I came to a stop against a tree. I marked it with my initial once again and stayed still for a moment.

I winced at the burning in my chest, my body soaked from the torrential rain that seemed to follow behind me.

Mother Nature, can you please stop tormenting me?

As if by fate lightning struck the sky, followed by a deep grumble a few seconds later. Couldn't I be fearing for my life on a nice sunny evening?

Oh Cel, where are you?

I was shivering from the cold, my weak state proving hard to stay warm. With a ragged breath and a count of three, I pushed myself from the tree trunk and began to walk. The rain continued its persistence behind me, thankfully covering up my tracks and scent.

I concentrated my mind on moving my legs, counting each ache of my breathing so I didn't pass out. I was feeling dizzy, my muscles burning with the pain in my chest, but the controlled breaths were helping. I eventually stopped again to mark another tree and glanced around my surroundings. Something was telling me I was in the right direction, but another part of me told me to wait. I hesitated; my breaths hushed under the rain.

My attention turned left when the bushes began to move. It wasn't the wind this time, as they seemed to break apart in the middle rather than randomly. I tensed, hoping it wasn't a wolf that caught up to me.

To my surprise, it was a rabbit, who scurried out of the bush before running further away and into another. I was surprised to see a rabbit out in this weather and made my way over the direction it went in curiosity.

I watched as it slowly hopped out of the next bush, its black eyes turning to look up at me. We both froze, its nose twitching slowly. It took another hop as if to lead me on and I gently began to follow it.

I was so focused on the strange habit of the rabbit, and the downfall of rain that muted my senses. When a sudden growl had me jumping in surprise.

Bunnies don't growl like that...

Oh, Alice in wonderland how you led me astray...

I snapped my head to the left to see a brown wolf approaching me. I knew right away that it was a rogue, going by the matting and scarring in his fur. I froze, clutching my chest in hopes to steady my heart. I already felt light-headed and the fear of the wolf taking me out made it worse. Rogues always fought for blood.

I cast a glance towards the rabbit to see it dart away from us and the wolf's attention turned to watch it. Once it disappeared his head snapped back to me when I stepped away, resulting in a menacing growl.

"P-Please don't," I whispered, staggering backwards.

He bowed his head and began to slowly approach, taunting me. I walked as quickly as I could backwards, tripping a few times, but regained composure. I was in agony already, and just my luck, a rogue wolf was also after me. Fate you are a cruel one.

He suddenly stopped and raised his head. I almost sighed in relief, but it was short-lived when he morphed into a human male. He stood at about six feet, slim build with pale skin.

His brown eyes smirked down at me. "What are you doing all the way out here human?"

Of course, I smelt like a human. I could use that to my advantage. Play the stupid human role and hope to get out alive.

"Y-y-you were just a wolf." I stammered.

He chuckled. "I'm a werewolf, darling."

I cringed at the pet name and took another step backwards, my thighs burning with effort. His eyes suddenly roamed my figure, lingering on my exposed front. I tried to cover myself as much as I could, but I was drenched and barely dressed. The shirt I wore was like a jacket; only protecting my back.

"You're gonna catch a cold dressed like that. How about I make it better?" He cocked his head.

I shook my head. "N-no."

"That's not good... What are you doing out here, human?" He hummed, approaching me quicker.

I panicked and tried to back away but tripped in my haste and fell to the floor. I panted for breath, my body screaming with effort. My shoulder hurt to push my arm but I tried to put some distance between us and dragged myself backwards.

"No chance of escape, human." He grinned, grabbing my ankle. "You're hurt. Let me help you."

I gasped and kicked at him with my other foot. He cursed and growled, pinning them down with both his hands. He leaned all of his weight as he came to a kneel and I screeched when I felt the bones aching under the pressure. He was so close to breaking it. I reached out with my better arm and tried to push him away. My fist made contact with his shoulder and he growled, baring his teeth as his pupils dilated.

"Just relax. I can make all the pain go away." He hushed through clenched teeth. "I asked for a sign from above and they send me you. A weak, little bloodied human, barely dressed, all lost in the woods. A little cliché the big bad wolf gets her, isn't it?"

"Get off me." I groaned, my ankle beginning to creak.

Cel where are you?

Tears were streaming down my face and I did my best to punch and wriggle my way free. He grunted when I made contact with his chin and turned to glare down at me.

"You don't need to struggle, darling." He growled. "I'll make it worth your while."

Oh, Cel...

I can feel her presence deep inside me, she was there just so weak.

Suddenly, I felt my ankle give way and snap beneath him. I screamed in agony, but he held the same hand that broke it over my mouth to muffle it. The hot searing pain shot up my ankle and down to my toes as the tears streamed down my face.

I was sobbing now, terrified of being trapped. My ankle was broken which only meant a harder getaway and I wasn't sure if my body could take any more pain. My stomach churned with nausea.

"P-please," I begged once he removed his hand from my face.

I had enough of this, of the pain.

He sneered down at me. "Just stay still or I'll knock you out myself."

I continued to try and wriggle free now his grip was gone from my ankles. I pulled myself back into a sitting position only to have him force me back to the floor.

I was getting tired of being used.

I was getting tired of hurting emotionally and physically.

I was getting tired of always getting into trouble.

I was getting tired of everything.

'Nova...'

Cel? Are you there? Please Celimene.

'Nova?'

I can't do this without you. I'm not strong enough.

'You are Nova. You're the strongest human I know.'

I'm not. I'm not. I shook my head to diffuse the thoughts.

Meanwhile, the rogue had pinned my wrists above my head in one hand as his other explored the cuts on my torso.

"Who gave you these? Look like claw marks." He wondered, flexing his own claws above me to trace them.

I shrieked when his fingers tore the rest of my shirt away at my shoulders. I wriggled and thrust my hips up, trying to lift my knees to kick him off but I was getting hazy, and my foot was screaming with red hot pain. My body was getting weak and ready to give in.

'Don't give up Nova. I'm here.'

But Cel, you're so weak.

She sighed, her green eyes coming to the front of my mind. 'I can help, only a little. Together, okay?'

The man's hands were trailing along my neck and shoulders as he spoke useless words into my ears about my timely death.

'Now Nova.'

With her sudden burst of energy, I yanked my wrists from his grip. He was surprised at my strength and his brown eyes met my green. I could see my pupils narrowing into slits in his own brown eyes as Cel supported me. He sharply inhaled and I took the distraction to bring my leg around him and through him off. I rolled with him, straddling his waist on my knees before gripping his neck in my hands.

'Do it, Nova. You have to.'

I could feel the anxiety building up. I couldn't do it. I couldn't harm someone like this, I couldn't kill.

'He would do to you.' She growled.

She's right, of course, she's right. Through blurry tears, Cel helped me and together we snapped the rogue's neck in our palms. He fell limp beneath me, his arms falling to his side as a gasp of breath left his throat. I clutched my hand to my mouth and choked back a sob. I just killed a man. I just killed someone...

'Nova, I know it's hard. But you had no choice.'

There's always a different choice... not always death.

She sighed. 'You'll get over it the older you get. You're too soft... I can shift and carry you away from here. I can run maybe half a mile; I can try to get you help. I don't have my sense of smell or my healing back, or the links, but I know I can shift.'

I wiped away the tears and rain from my face and nodded, knowing she couldn't really see me. With a deep inhale, I climbed off the dead man and willed her forwards. I stumbled on all fours and breathed out in relief as the pain disappeared.

Cel gasped with the new movement but immediately broke out into a gentle run, her four legs taking the weight of the broken limb easier. She followed the same direction I was going before, so I took a minute of peace to calm my erratic heart.

Twice now I had been almost advantage of, purely because I had no wolf. I was always beaten and taken for granted my whole damn life. I was getting fed up with even trying. My life was confusing me, wolves were planning on taking down packs and I wasn't sure if I would ever be with my mate.

I thought about what he said about Lyra. How they had been friends for years and the sympathy I feel for her mate being killed and her having to mate with the winner. The Alpha and King were sick, sick men to allow it. All for a 'stronger' future; it's barbaric.

I felt guilty for assuming they had relations, but it didn't help the rumours I was told. Sean told me they had an 'arrangement' from what he overheard but he obviously misheard them talking about her arrangement to her new mate. I felt guilty for misjudging her.

Then I felt guilty for the teasing I did in front of Phoenix, when the whole Lyra thing was nothing, especially with Sean. But I shouldn't feel guilty for all it since he was my best friend and you could hug best friends, right? I didn't think of Sean any more than that. But even he has taken advantage of me. I could see it in the way he defended me that he meant it more than friends. Molly finding a mate in my brother had made it fizzle out a little.

I finally found myself growing closer to Phoenix in the comfortable sunsets.

I knew that how I felt looking at him and Lyra must be just as bad for him to see me with anyone else. He was hard to read; it was so frustrating. I felt like he wanted me, I could see it in his eyes, so why did he not take me?

It was no wonder when Phoenix and Sean had an argument they threw punches, both fighting for what they believed was right. I didn't love Sean as anything more than my friend, but the guilt I felt for being a hypocrite was eating me alive. I didn't mean to do half of it, but now I've seen the other side I felt awful.

'He ignored us for weeks remember Nova.' Cel breathed, slowing her pace.

I sighed but agreed. He was so complicated. Told me how he had to keep away, and that it was hard to do so. How he couldn't tell me what was happening, and it wasn't fair. He was my mate, I deserved to know. I couldn't reject him. It would possibly kill me for going against the Moon Goddess, but a part of me could never do that. He had grown on me, I just wanted him to be open to me.

Not only that but the time we spent together the last few weeks has made me start to enjoy his company. How he slowly showed me another side of him... I knew I had to take my time in getting more from him, something within him must be holding him back and I was determined to find out what.

I was not going to be a pushover anymore.

I hoped he would claim me so I could have the life I hoped I deserved. But I was stuck in a complicated heart-aching life, and it was killing me inside. Being locked in that cage gave me plenty of time to think. I was treated like an animal there, and like a child at home. I wasn't going to let it go on anymore, I couldn't. I deserved better.

I deserved better, right?

Cel slowed to a stop and panted, her legs giving way beneath her. 'I can't go anymore, I'm sorry Nova.'

It's okay Cel. You need to rest.

She pushed back the shift and I fell back to my own form, super-duper naked. The rain never ceased and the moon began to disappear in the distance. I turned to see the sun beginning to rise, the sky dancing with yellow as it woke. I was facing southeast, going by the sun's cycle, and so was the storm behind me.

I pulled myself onto my good foot using a nearby tree to help. I breathed deeply to not hyperventilate and surveyed the rest of my surroundings. The rain ruined my distant vision but I swear a tree in the distance looked burnt.

I took in a deep breath before trying to walk. I found I could limp my way over; my injured ankle only took a second of pain and that was when I stood on my toes. I whimpered in agony as I made my way to the said tree, collapsing in exertion at the one beside it.

Sure enough, it was burnt to a crisp and I frowned when I noticed the surroundings ahead of me were burnt too. The ground was blackened with ash, a single tree had fallen over. My heart ached at the sight; the fire was so bad it destroyed their life in just a moment. I hoped the birds got away in time.

As I staggered forward, I could feel a familiar hum of energy. I had no strength but I know I needed to make it to the nearby territory border. So, with all of my will, I pushed off of the tree, and made it to the one on the floor and collapsed my weight onto it. I was on my knees, gasping in pain as my vision blurred. I had done too much, but I was here. I had made it.

Through the pain and the freezing of my limbs, I smiled. I had done it when I thought I couldn't.

Cel was deep within me, her life source faint. I tried to get up one more time but found I couldn't even lift my arm well to support me. All thanks to the rapist jerk back at the camp who pretty much dislocated it, oh and the ghoul attack for weakening it in the first place many moons ago.

As I sat there, my body seized in the cold, my fingers turning blue. I stay curled up in a ball next to the tree, a weak whimper leaving my throat.

I needed to go...

The burnt trees have no protection from the rain and I knew I had to move. I was so close. I just needed to get my vision straight. Then I'd try again.

When the rest of my hands began to turn blue I knew I had run out of time. I decided to crawl, dragging my naked body through the mud. I felt ashamed of it, but I knew I had no other choice since I couldn't shift, and I couldn't walk to find clothes. I hoped whoever found me took pity.

I crawled until I was right against the border, its energy pulling me in. I was still a pack member, so it didn't try to force me away. My hand reached inside and I pulled myself through, gasping in pain with every movement.

There had to be a patrol wolf soon, my presence wouldn't go unnoticed. They walked the length of their routine section often, which took them only a couple of minutes to do so. I found shelter under a nearby tree and curled into myself to try and stay small and warm.

I was shivering and shaking as the numbness took hold. I was so tired from running through the night... I don't know how long I ran.

The rain on the treetops proved to be a very soothing lullaby and I found myself starting to drift off. I kept shaking my head awake, wanting to stay conscious since I was so close to the border that anything could come up behind me. But I was exhausted, possibly concussed and in agony. I was cold and dizzy, and every breath was agonising. I wanted to cry again.

Just a small nap will be okay...

I sighed and closed my eyes, focusing on the sound of the rain through the leaves as a distraction. Soon a sound of footsteps came from nearby and I opened my eyes weakly to see what or who came near.

A large blond wolf staggered to a stop about six feet away, its brown eyes wide when it saw me. It warily approached, bending its snout down to sniff in my direction.

I weakly watched it, not having the strength to lift my head. I recognised this wolf's eyes, and from the description, I was given by the owner of them, I knew it had to be him. He had the black socks on his feet to prove it.

The wolf came closer and pressed its wet snout against my elbow. I whimpered in pain, my eyes closing involuntary. I couldn't reopen them easily, my eyelids feeling heavy on my face. The wolf whined and licked at my arm which made me finally look at him again. He shifted to his human form and I turned my gaze away when Alex stood nude before me.

He crouched down, his hand coming to cup my cheek. "Nova?"

I whispered a sound of breath in reply.

"Wh-what are you doing here? You were taken and... you're naked... and freezing. My gosh, Nova you're bleeding. I'm going to pick you up, okay?" He panicked.

I nodded weakly and he narrowed his eyes in concentration. His arms came around me and he picked me up like I was nothing. His focused eyes kept checking on me as he jogged towards pack land.

We stopped by a clothing spot, and he gently placed me down. He pulled a shirt from a box and a pair of loose cotton shorts. He slipped the shorts on and eyed me with the shirt in his hand. Deciding on something, he sighed and picked me back up, wrapping the shirt around the top of me instead.

I mumbled a sound that I hoped was appreciation. I was grateful for the warmth of his bare chest against my side as he began to run to the packhouse once again. I knew I was safe now, as Alex no doubt has informed somebody, that he found me. I closed my eyes with a sigh and finally allowed myself to relax.

"Nova... Stay awake Nova." Alex's voice was a hazy whisper.

But I was so tired...

******

BIIIG chapter this one

Wooooow 200K I'm just in shock I literally cried when I hit 10k, 100k was only JUST on Friday so I'm just mind blown. Thank u thank u thank u enjoy 2 chapters today love u (06/07/21)

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