SELENE
I don't know for how long I've been running but I fled without looking back. My breath came in quick, uneven and untamed gasps as my feet struck the cold, unforgiving hard ground beneath me. I wasn't certain how long I would have to endure while running or where I was actually going, but I knew one thing for sure, I was ready to escape everything I had ever known in the walls of silver moon pack.
The Silver Moon Pack, the cruel rejection from Kael, the life I had spent two decades believing I was meant to lead… it was all behind me now. With the ball going on tonight, security was more focused on where the ceremony was taking place. Only a few men were left to watch the pack's boundary and thankfully, they were all shifted drunk and lying on the dirty floor of the woods, they did not notice me racing pack the boundary.
With each stride that I took, my heart broke a little more, yet a strange, bitter sweet comfort was gradually settling over me.
Perhaps being rejected cruelly by my fated mate was for the better. Perhaps I could uncover a life beyond that stifling pack, beyond the burden of heavy expectations. But the fresh breeze of the night stung my skin, and with it, I became very worried.
Something felt very off. My senses become heightened, as if I were being watched closely. I glanced for the umpteenth time over my shoulder, but the surrounding forest was dead silent, too silent. I was no longer focused on escaping Kael. I was fleeing something else even bigger. I could feel it working my bones. I could smell the danger lurking in the dark of the night.
I tightened my hold on the edge of my now worn out gown, my heartbeat quickening.
The hairs on the back of my neck stood at attention, an unfamiliar gnawing sensation gradually tugging at me. I wasn't alone, yes, there seemed to be a company. A low growl aroused amidst the silence. I halted immediately. My pulse raced uncontrollably. The growl was deep, dangerous, and filled with warning.
"Who's there?" I called out in a shaky voice as tears of apprehension filled my eyes.
Fear enveloped me like a cold blanket, making it difficult for me to breathe but I fought against the fear that was threatening to paralyze me. Before I could inhale again or have the chance to gather my emotions and turn, the sound of heavy steps drew nearer. Too quick. Too close without a warning. Then, from the shadows, a figure emerged. I spun around and…
A man? No.
Something was different. Tall and broad shouldered. His silver hair lined up faintly in the dim moonlight. I could see him clearly in the dark of the night. He was dressed so elegantly, it was almost as if he was coming from the masquerade ball but he did not have a mask on.
Did he follow me? The thought that someone had been following me and I did not notice was enough to make me begin to hyperventilate as fear clogged every pores in my body.
This man had mismatched eyes. One came out a striking blue, the other an unsettling green. They locked with mine, and for a moment, the world became still. I should've left the area immediately if I had any common sense. I should scream for help.
I should run, but my legs felt like they were permanently glued to the earth. I held my breathe and stood still as he began to take steps towards me, and I instinctively recoiled into myself.
"Stay away!" I snapped, hoping that my voice would come out strongly like I wanted, but my voice lacked the strength I tried to muster.
"You're very brave, little Omega, but that alone won't be able to protect you forever."
It took a while for his words to settle into my brain that was fogged up with fear. My mind raced non stop, but no words left my mouth. I wasn't sure if I was only terrified at what was happening or...
My heart pounded heavily in my chest like a bass drum as he took yet another step, his gaze never leaving mine as he drew closer.
"Who are you?" I managed to rasp. I wanted to sound defiant, but fear caged every word.
"Ryker Vale," he said nonchalantly, his voice smooth and rich with a warm huskiness I could not help it notice even in my situation. Still, there was a sharpness to it, something dark, perilous.
Ryker Vale? Why did that name sound very familiar as if I've seen people gather together and heard them whisper his name in hushed tones.
"And you are indeed far from safe, Selene."
"How did you manage to know my name?" I demanded, panic already crawling into my tone. I've never met this man before so how did he know me? He must have really followed me from the masquerade ball, "What do you want from me?" I asked the question that was now nagging at me.
He lowered his head to look down at me, as he was very tall and towered above me, examining me, and for a brief moment, I felt strange and small like a prey before a predator. His stare was dangerous, piercing, and disconcerting.
"I know more about you than you even know of yourself. You're in deep danger."