Free Web NovelChapter 36: Futile Attempt
Just the sound of a wolf’s howl — not even the man’s voice — and I knew that it came from Damon. My hands went to my neck, touching the gray collar there in fear. I had almost forgotten about this nifty accessory. It could’ve had a tracking device this entire time for all I knew.
"We’ve been found out," Gus said regrettably. "I’m sorry, if it weren’t for me, you would have―"
"Shut up," I scolded. There was no use crying over spilled milk. "God damn it."
Our heavy pants were far too loud. Paired with the sound of the leaves and twigs crunching beneath our shoes, I had no doubt that Damon and his men were all able to catch the sound of our footsteps from where they were.
"There’s still a chance for us. We’ll split up," I suggested. "You’ll run in the opposite direction. He’s probably after me." freeweɓnøvel.com
"The Alpha most likely isn’t alone," Gus reminded. "He would’ve brought backup for sure."
"Then you better pray that you can indeed run as fast as you claim despite being injured," I said, gasping for air as I threw a look over my shoulder.
I might not see Damon nor his men yet but I could already smell his scent from where I was. He was close enough.
"If you’re caught, I’m not saving your ass a second time, deal or not," I warned.
"What about you?" he asked. "They’ll catch you for sure."
"Then you better come back to get me if you’re keen on keeping that promise of yours," I replied.
Gus nodded, his lips pressed tightly into a straight line. "I know some people. We’ll come back for you, I promise. If you make it out into Everhaven, the human town nearby, use the ruby necklace. Head to the town bank and ask for me."
"Good," I said. "I’m counting on that. Don’t make me regret helping you."
With that said, I veered sharply off course and ran in a different direction. Past the trees, Gus disappeared rather quickly. When I turned my head back to look, he had already disappeared into the woods, leaving no trace that he had ever been there. He must’ve shifted and ran for it the moment he could.
Maybe I should’ve just gone with Gus. If he was in his wolf form, he might’ve been able to make it. He was a rogue, after all, and they were notoriously faster and swifter than werewolves that belonged in packs. Rogues were on a constant run― they should be adept at it.
But it was too late for regrets.
I was now alone and my lungs were burning from the lack of oxygen. I hadn’t done so much exercise in a long time — perhaps even forever — and the consequences were starting to catch up to me. I was starting to slow down as exhaustion caught up with me. My ragged breaths and uneven breathing only barely muted the thundering of my heart, beating immensely loud against my ribcage as if it were attempting to break free.
It didn’t take long before Damon and his wolves caught up to me. I could hear their paws roughly colliding with the dirt of the forest floor, along with their howling battle cries.
I screeched in horror and stumbled back, roughly landing on the ground when a wolf suddenly curved in front of me, blocking my path.
His fur was as black as the night, the sleek coat seemingly glistening with trapped stars. Amidst the dark fur, his eyes stood out like twin sapphires; it was a piercing, intense blue that seemed almost electrifying. As the wolf moved, sinewy muscles rippled beneath his dark pelt, and those captivating blue eyes fixated on me all throughout even as he circled me.
I didn’t even need to guess who it was. Now that we stood in such close proximity, even in his wolf form, I could tell. The mate bond between us — both the mark on my shoulder and the fact that our souls were bound together with the blessings of the moon — screamed out to me.
Damon moved his head a little, gesturing to his back. In this form, he was unable to talk. Since the mating mark wasn’t placed on him, I wasn’t officially a member of Fangborne― I couldn’t use the mind-link.
However, I didn’t need to read his thoughts to know what he wanted. There was no use in running anyway, with how he had twenty over wolves surrounding me, ready to pounce if I dared to attempt a second escape.
Obediently, I walked over, mounting on his back. The moment I was on, Damon’s wolves began to head back for the packhouse, with him right in the middle. That was no doubt to ensure that there were wolves surrounding us in case I hopped right off and made a mad dash.
Of course, I wasn’t so foolish.
With one hand clutching onto his fur, my other came to rest on the collar. I didn’t dare think of what Damon might put me through after we returned to Sirius House. A wave of indignance surged through me and I could feel tears starting to brim in my eyes― not of sadness but of fury.
He was the one that hadn’t wanted me around. And yet, he was also the one who refused to let me leave.
Even without running, we arrived back at Sirius House in nearly no time at all. That only proved to me how futile my escape attempt was― I hadn’t even made it far enough for it to take a long journey back.
Blaise was waiting right at the doorsteps of the packhouse, his arms folded across his chest as he lazily leaned against the doorframe. He was alone, watching with a smile on his face as the group returned.
I sat up a little straighter, looking back and forth only to realize that Elijah wasn’t among the wolves that came after me.
Had he been punished for letting me slip through the cracks? With the way Damon and Blaise ruled the pack, I wouldn’t be surprised. Guilt ate away in my chest the nearer we got. Out of all the wolves, only Damon entered the house. He stopped and I got off, Blaise right in front of us to welcome us back― Damon back home and me back to my prison.
Behind me, I could hear the sound of bones snapping and forming back into place. When silence filled the air, I knew that the transformation had been completed.
"What do you want to do with her?" Blaise asked, looking directly over me and at the man who stood behind me instead.
"Keep her confined to her room," Damon’s voice came from behind, a low growl that sent my hair standing on my body. "Punish her as you see fit."
