Chapter 7: Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Lily ran until her legs could not go any farther. Her legs ached so much that she felt she would die if she ran any further. She stopped under a tree and laid on the forest ground looking up at the sky. She looked up, panting for a few minutes. As she saw the orange glow on the horizon, she knew it was evening and she had to run home. Even though she was still feeling crappy about what happened a few hours ago, she was adamant not to change her decision. Nor that she regretted it. No matter how worse things got, she would never regret her decision of calling off marriage with Walden.

After resting for a while, her mind was clear, and she was ready to go back. After a good run, it was time to go home. When she looked around, she noticed she had entered an unfamiliar territory. With the different trees and plants that grew around the area, also with the different soil, she could tell that she was not anywhere near the Lotus territory, nor the Goddess' Crescent. Oh, no! Whose land had she stepped into? How could she be so absent-minded? Was she running for that long that she did not even notice? Along with so many questions, different feelings of fear and worry clouded her mind. She had to figure a way out of that place before they caught her.

It did not take long for her fears to come true as she suddenly heard footsteps. Probably the soldiers were marching towards her. They were far away, but she could hear them well. Of course, they would be wolf soldiers who were coming from the border; the direction she was supposed to return.

That was not good at all! In that situation, she felt it was better for her to hide. She shifted to her human form and her eyes searched for the perfect hiding spot. She then spotted a rabbit hole in a corner which looked like a perfect place to squeeze in and hide so that she could escape undetected when the soldiers would pass. Luckily, she had a small stature, which made it easy for her to fit into that hole well. She just had to cover up with the leaves and branches once she got inside. Just perfect!

She hurried over to analyze the hole to ensure that she would fit. When she was sure that it was not a problem, she stretched her hands forward to gather up leaves and branches when something unexpected happened. Miranda was unaware that a rope leading to a metal trap was hidden under those leaves and branches waiting to trap its next victim. The leaves were just used to cover up the rope so the intruder would not see, and exactly that happened with her.

As Miranda's hands dug inside, the trap snapped and as quick as lightning, the hidden net scooped her up, until she was trapped in a net hanging from the tree. Her wolf roared and growled, pushing against the net she was trapped in, trying to shift back to her wolf form, so that she could possibly cut the net and set herself free. But it was of no use. The strong mesh from the net stuck to her skin like glue, trapping her and making it impossible for her to shift. The one who had built that trap really intended to catch a werewolf, and now she had been caught!

***

Beta Renard of the Silver Pack had gathered the soldiers to survey the terrain, ensuring there were no mines bombs, or anything inauspicious planted by the rogues. The troops scouted every area as their normal daily routine as those were the main instructions from the mighty Alpha Damian, who had ruled over these lands for nearly a decade and had ensured the protection, peace and prosperity of the Silver Pack till date.

Renard was about to call off the patrol for the day when one of the wolf soldiers ran towards him, panting hysterically.

"Barack, what is it?" He asked.

"Huh. Sorry, Beta!" He said, catching his breath. "I came to alert you of an intruder on our premises."

"An intruder? How?"

"We found footprints. The trails lead into the bordering forest. Our men were patrolling the other edge when the one-man intruder came in unnoticed."

"If the intruder has dared to step foot in our territory, it means he must still be in the bordering forest, hopefully one of our traps must have caught the intruder since we haven't heard of any new visitors in the main city for some time now."

"Yes Beta Renard," Barack confirmed.

"If so, search the entire forest for as long as you have to. We must find this person. Close the city gates and inform every soldier to be at the border. This person should not escape out of our territory." and then he remembered something crucially important, "Go to the pack-house and alert the Alpha immediately."

"Yes, Beta."

As the guard ran off to carry out the instructions, Beta Renard mumbled some words to himself.

"Whoever those bloody rogues have sent this time, we will make them regret the minute they ever thought of stepping foot on our lands."

***

"What about this one?" Katrina beamed a sexy smile at Alpha Damian as she held up one of his favorite shirts for him to choose. A solid dark casual top, which came with a pair of matching trousers. She had picked it out from his closet, as she knew he would like that one. Black was Damian's favorite color.

He smirked for a second as he stood up to take the clothes from her. "I'll wear it. Now get out."

"What?" Katrina frowned, reaching for him. "Why won't you let me watch you while you dress? You and I are so close and..."

"Katrina." His voice was stern as he said her name.

That was all he needed to do. He did not need to raise his voice or any more words. He did not need to repeat himself.

She quickly withdrew her hand like his skin burned her. She visibly gulped, "Yes. Of course, Alpha. I'll be taking my leave now."

Katrina bent to pick up her clothes that were thrown across the floor. Alpha Damian had served her hot today, just the way she always liked it. Even after being his mistress for many years, the two of them never bonded outside of their sexual relationship, but Katrina wished that to change.

Alpha Damian watched her as she dressed herself, swinging her hips sexily as she put on her clothes one by one. He did not seem to appear moved by any of her gestures. Guess he has had enough of her for one day.

After dressing, Katrina was about to leave the Alpha's chamber. "Can I ask for one more thing, Alpha?"

There was a moment of pause. As time dragged, she felt like her heart would drop any second now, and then he asked, "What is it?"

"C-can I dine with you tonight, Alpha? Please?"

Another pause, but she felt much better since he did not refuse her at first. Not even the sound of her breathing was heard as she waited for his answer before he finally responded.

"Yes. Katrina, I would love to dine with you tonight."

"Oh, thank you!" She smiled, jumping. Oh, how she wished she could hug him at that moment! She did not, because she was not sure how he would respond to it. She would be a dead meat if he did not welcome her touch.

As Katina opened the door, still saying her thanks, someone was already waiting at the door. He was the guard who had informed Alpha about an intruder on the Silver Pack territory about two hours ago.

"Come in Barack."

"Thank you Alpha," he entered and nodded at Katrina in greeting as she walked out, but she only scowled at him as she thought of him as a useless servant that could not even greet her properly. If the Alpha was not around, she would have taught him a lesson.

After Katrina left, Alpha Damian took his robe from the bed stand to shield his nakedness. "What news do you have about the intruder?" He asked Barack after clothing himself.

"It's a woman, a she-wolf."

Barrack's statement did not surprise him.

"And so? Are you not aware of what I always preach? The rogues aren't trustworthy people. Of course, they wouldn't send a spy so easy for you to detect. In fact, they'd send who you least expect, someone innocent, someone you would never think in your wildest dreams. Any of her innocent tricks mustn't fool you. She might try to play on you or any of the others. Never let your guard down. Do you understand me?"

Barack nodded firmly, "Yes Alpha." The Alpha rarely gave advice and talked little, but when he did, better deem yourself worthy of it.

Alpha Damian then walked over and sat on the desk chair.

"So, what else have you come to tell me?"

"I just received a call from the station at the pack-house gates. They've caught her, and she's already being brought here by Beta Renard's men."

Alpha Damian nodded, "Good, that's good. I'll get dressed now and meet with her soon in the court, make sure everyone is gathered. She is done for once we find out who have sent her here. And then I will teach you all how to throw mercy into the gutters where it belongs. I'll kill her myself for all of you to watch."