Chapter 48: Chapter 48

CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT

ROXANNE

The cuffs were released and I crawled to my feet, crying from the pain that consumed my existence. I slipped on my blood as they counted, “two.”

In the darkness, I couldn't make it to the door of the halls, so I dragged myself to the window and stared at it for a while.

“Three, run rabbit,” they jeered and I could hear their steps approach me.

You can't let them win. They're close.

I closed my eyes and with determination, I summoned every ounce of strength and smashed the window with a punch. I picked up my skirts and jumped out, tumbling in the process.

I ran into the heart of the woods, ignoring the person who called my name. It wasn't Ryker. It was a woman and it wasn't one that I recognised. Fear gripped me and held me steady in its cold embrace.

Her voice was full of mockery and bitterness. “If you had a wolf, you would have probably shifted by now, you know?”

How did they know? I never told anyone I didn't have a wolf. Ryker figured it out by himself and he was never one to talk too much.

“You know, regardless of where you hide, I can always fish you out. My glasses have a sensor that detects…” she trailed off and cackled. “Isn't our scaredy cat just the bravest?”

She sounded so distant but her laughter was close. I pressed myself against the tree and held my breath. I tried to position my legs properly so I wouldn't step on twigs as that would alert my attacker.

I heard the sound of their boots crushing the twigs and fallen leaves and the image of Ryker crushing his guard's head with his boots, suddenly came to my mind. “Roxy… come out,” they said in a sickening voice. “If I get you myself, I won't be naughty and nice like santa. I will take you down like the grim reaper.”

I had been in too many dangers to be dumb. The worst thing to ask someone after you is what do you want? Or who are you?

Because it was clear what they wanted— you. And what they wanted? Still you— but dead.

I wanted to scream but I couldn't. I would die. I began to regret getting into a fight with Ryker. He had warned me and asked me to not leave the castle but of course I didn't want to be told what to do.

I listened for a while and I couldn't hear the sound of their boots. I released my breath, gasping for oxygen before I killed myself. The excruciating pain in my stomach was enough to make me cry out in pain and I was sure my bottom lip was swollen from biting it hard.

My legs had grown weary from keeping them in a position for more than what seemed like ages. I adjusted them, stepping on a twig in the process.

“Gotcha,” they whispered into my ear causing me to scream out. I ran, as fast as my legs could take me.

And then— I stopped.

The arrow pierced deep into my knee, altering my movement. I slowly looked down and saw the blood ooze. I shuddered in pain and fear. I could hear them come close.

“What are you? A rabbit? You thought I wouldn't catch up with you, yeah?” They laughed, voice full of spite. “It's intriguing that you ran from me just to run back into my arms.”

“Fuck you,” I cursed and groaned out in pain.

“Ah tough one. You're not going to beg for your life?”

I scoffed as sweat broke out from my pores. “I would rather die than plead to be spared. I can't crush my ego. That's pathetic.”

Whoever it is, must have been frustrated as they shot another arrow and hit me perfectly in the back. I watched in agony as it came out through the front.

“Beg me rabbit. Beg me.”

I shook my head, each movement feeling like the last. My vision was becoming blurry but I couldn't give in. I couldn't let them have what they wanted.

I couldn't let them have me.

“You're irrelevant you know,” they taunted. “If you die, no one would notice. Actually they would be relieved not to have the crazy woman around. And you'll be doing the Alpha a favor.”

“Shut up,” I cried out as tears wet my cheek. I clung to the tree for dear life.

They grabbed me roughly by my hair and spat in my face. I felt bilious the moment their Saliva landed in my face and trailed down my skin. Anger brewed like a storm within me. With the last bit of strength I had, I punched them in the stomach.

I saw them stagger backwards. I didn't want to die but I wasn't going to beg for mercy.

I'm a god.

And a god would never beg to be saved.

That was what I thought to myself. That's what kept me going. That was the reason I pushed myself harder, to stay alive longer.

“You bastard! Let me guess. You think the Alpha loves you and you could be a thing? How dumb! The Alpha is using you to while away time till he finds his Luna and you, you will remain an option.”

“Isn't it hilarious,” I laughed, pain etched into my voice. “At least I'm the Alpha’s tool but you? You're mine…”

They punched me in the face, causing me to fall on my knees. “I'm sick of you Roxanne. I hate your guts.”

“You're not the first,” I said with a smirk.

I heard the sound of their bow and arrow. Tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn't hold on for long. I was dying. I closed my eyes and the tears dropped. I braced myself for what was to come and it did come. It pierced my flesh and pillowed itself in my stomach.

“Finally my archery skills came to life,” they squealed in excitement. “I've always dreamed of doing this. And you were my board, all along.”

They knelt beside me and cupped my face. Their hands were covered in my blood and I watched it drip. Their hot breath caressed my face as they placed a kiss on my cheek.

A handful of hair fell out of their helmet and caressed my face. I squinted my eyes to see the colour— white.

My eyes closed but I heard them say, “Selina won't forget you.”

***

RYKER

“What do you mean she's missing?” I demanded as I glared at my guards, using my willpower to refrain from punching them hard across the face.

“Alpha, she said you had asked to see her,” Xeus explained. “We tried to stop her but she showed us a letter.”

“A letter?” I asked as confusion clouded my features. “What letter?”

They all exchanged glances before one of the lot, retrieved an envelope and handed it to me. He bowed, “She gave this to us on her way out and we couldn't stop her. It has your writing and insignia on it too.”

I stared at the envelope in my hands. Rage and frustration rushed through my veins as I read the content of the letter. There was only one person who had access to my insignia and that was— Selina.

“Get the army. Search for her in shadow halls, search the pack house and search the woods. Scour the land and do not return without her.”

“Yes, Alpha,” they chorused and bowed before taking their leave.

I grabbed my staff from the box where I had preserved it. As for Selina, I was going to get her myself.

I walked down to Beta Miles' room and pounded the door. I didn't stop until the door was forced open. Beta Miles watched me with sleepy eyes. “Alpha?”

“Get your mate for me,” I ordered.

“Selina? She didn't tell you?” He inquired.

“Tell me what?” I asked. “Where is she?”

“She left for White Moon this evening.”

***

I couldn't be tricked. I knew Selina was the one behind all these. Roxanne was missing and suddenly she was out of Red Moon. I had sent my guards to go after her and bring her back and as for Roxanne, I hadn't heard anything about her.

Unable to keep pacing my office, I grabbed my coat and dagger and left the pack house. I was going to kill anyone if danger had come to Roxanne.

It was a promise.

“Alpha, I'll come with you,” Beta Miles said as he ran to keep up my pace.”You think Selina is responsible for Roxanne not being in town? What if she's runaway again?”

I placed the envelope in his hand, “Read the letter. The last time someone forged my writing and insignia, it was Selina and I will never send a letter to Roxanne.”

“It's scented in morning glory too,” Beta Miles confirmed. “That's her favourite flower. “Fuck.”

My wolf howled and my wolf senses were high on alert as I picked Roxanne's scent and blood too. I left my Beta's side, anger rushing through my veins as I tailed the direction of the scent. And then I stopped, my eyes scanning the darkness of the woods. There was no moonlight but I could tell she was close.

“Alpha,” Beta Miles cried out. “She's here, I've found her.”

I rushed to his side and paused in my tracks as I stared at Roxanne. The sight was gruesome. She was blood drenched and her skin was destroyed.

“Is she breathing?” I asked as I reached out to touch her. “I swear I will kill whoever did this,” I growled.

Beta Miles listened closely and stared up at me with hope in his tear glistened eyes. “I can hear a heartbeat.”