apter 2 Chapter 2 Who … Who are you ? I whispered , my voice barely audible as my hand hesitated in midair , trembling The wolf no , this thing was bigger than any wolf Id ever seen stared back at me . Its red eyes glowed like embers , cutting through the shadows of the forest . But there wasnt any fury in them . No bloodlust . Instead , it felt like … recognition . Like it knew me My fingers brushed against its fur before I could stop myself . Thats what threw me off the most . For a beast this size , its fur felt like velvet beneath my touch . It leaned into my hand . Just a little . Enough to make my heart stutter , What the hell … I muttered under my breath . This was insane . It could rip my arm off in a second , but it didnt . Instead , it let me touch it . My hand slid along its neck , and for a moment , I forgot about the blood staining its muzzle . But when my eyes trailed lower . the sight hit me like a slap . Crimson streaks glistening under the moonlight . Its teeth , its fur hell , even the ground around it were splattered with the evidence of its kill . My hand jerked back like Id touched fire . The wolfs ears flattened against its massive skull , and its eyes dimmed . It took a step back , slumping slightly as if the rejection physically hurt . Was it sad ? No. Absolutely not . I wasnt going to pity a blood soaked beast that just murdered my only source of comfort in this godforsaken pack a damn deer . Great , 1 hissed , throwing my hands up . As if getting rejected by Kallias in front of everyone wasnt enough , now Im playing therapist to a homicidal wolf . Fantastic . The wolfs ears twitched . And then it stumbled . I froze , watching as its legs buckled beneath it . It caught itself before it hit the ground , but the effort was written all over its trembling frame . Thats when I saw it . The gash . The fur near its side was slick with blood , hiding the wound until now . But as the beast shifted , the ugly , raw edges of torn . flesh became impossible to miss . Blood dripped from it , pooling onto the dirt below . Shit , I muttered , the word slipping out before I could stop it . The wolfs gaze locked onto mine again , its red eyes still burning but softer now . Pleading . And just like that , my panic took a backseat to something else . Why me ? I groaned , crouching down slowly . My knees scraped against the rough forest floor as I inched closer . Of all the Omegas in the pack , you pick the one who just got Jumiliated in public to deal with your furry ass problems . 1/5 Chapter 2 The woll di move , it just s watched me This is so stupid , I muttered . My hands hovered over its side , trembling again . Dont bite me , okay ? I swear , if you so much as twitch wrong . Ill … וויו The wolf huffed . Like I was the one being ridiculous . Oh , youve got jokes now ? I glared at it , but my hands kept moving . The fur around the wound was sticky with blood , and the gash was worse than 1 thought . Too deep for something this big to still be standing . I tore at the hem of my dress , the fabric ripping easily . The wolfs ears twitched at the sound , but it stayed still . This doesnt mean were friends , I warned , pressing the makeshift bandage against its side . It flinched , a low growl rumbling in its throat . Hey , stay still ! My voice wavered , but I didnt back off . Do you want me to help or not ? The growl stopped . Thought so . I tied the bandage as tightly as I could , ignoring the stickiness of its blood on my fingers . My stomach churned , but I kept going . When I finished , I sat back on my heels and stared at it . The wolf stared back , its tail giving the faintest wag . Youre welcome , I said flatly . It tilted its head , watching me with an intensity that made my skin crawl . Youre not just a wolf , are you ? The words slipped out before I could stop them . The wolf blinked slowly , its red eyes gleaming like it understood . And for a moment , just a moment , I swore it smirked . The wolf stared at me , its crimson eyes softening in a way that didnt match its massive , bloodied frame . Its tail wagged faintly , a silent request for something I couldnt bring myself to give . My hand hovered midair , trembling . Touching it felt wrong after what it had done , but its gaze burned into me , waiting . Go , I whispered , barely audible . Its ears flicked , the light in its red eyes dimming . A low whine escaped its throat before it finally closed its eyes , curling up into the grass like it was giving up . 1 didnt dare linger . My heart hammered in my chest as I skirted around it , every instinct screaming at me to keep my distance . My hands found the lifeless body of my deer , its warm blood staining my fingers . My throat tightened , but I forced down the wave of nausea . Im sorry , Silas I murmured , scooping him up . Silas weight sagged against me , but I couldnt just leave it there . Not for scavengers , not for that wolf to finish . Each step away from the wolf felt heavy . It hadnt attacked me . It couldve ripped me apart like it had my deer , but it hadnt . I didnt understand it , and that pissed me off more than anything . Wolves didnt just … let things slide . Not like that . I reached the clearing near my brothers grave , my knees buckling as I placed the deer gently on the ground . The shovel I 80 % Chapter 2 kept nearby leaned against a tree , rusted but sturdy . I grab it , digging into the dirt with stiff , jerking motions . Dont think . Just dig The shovel hit the ground with each stab , faster , harder . Sweat stung my eyes , but I refused to stop . My chest felt tight full of something too big , too ugly to name . I pushed it down , down , as the dirt piled higher . The hole was deep enough . Just deep enough . I lowered the deer into the grave , my hands shaking as I rested its head in the dirt like it could somehow wake up . I shouldnt have brought you here , I said , my voice cracking . I thought youd be safe . My fingers lingered on its fur before I forced myself to cover it with dirt . Each shovelful made it harder to breathe , like I was burying a piece of myself . When it was done , I knelt by the grave , my hands caked with blood and soil . Goodbye , Silas I whispered . But I couldnt ignore the nagging thought creeping into my head . That wolf why had it stopped ? Why didnt it kill me when it had the chance ? I stood , brushing dirt from my hands . My legs moved before I could stop them , carrying me back toward the spot where Id left it . The clearing came into view , and my breath caught . It wasnt there . But there was a man lying in the spot where the wolf had been . His body was crumpled in the dirt , and blood pooled around him like he was trying to drown in it . His dark hair was matted , his shirt torn open , revealing deep , jagged gashes along his torso . I felt my heart skip a beat . That was the wolf . Hes a rogue . I crouched beside him , my hand trembling as I brushed his hair back from his face . Hes gorgeous , and Im afraid to say this , perhaps even more gorgeous than Kallias sharp jawline , high cheekbones , and lips that couldve been sculpted by a god . If he wasnt bleeding out , I mightve stared longer . Who the hell are you ? I muttered , my fingers trailing down to the wound on his side . It was deep , the kind of injury that couldve killed him twice over . His eyelids fluttered , a low groan escaping his lips . The sound was low , rough , like it came from the depths of hell itself . Shit , I hissed , glancing over my shoulder . If anyone found him here , theyd assume the worst . Rogues didnt get mercy the Riverstone Pack . And if they interrogated him , Goddess only knows if hes going to survive with these injuries already . 1 should call Gamma . That was the responsible thing to do . Thats what a pack member should do . But looking at him his chest rising and falling shallowly , blood still dripping from his wounds I couldnt . in Goddammit , I cursed , hands hovering over the gash on his side . If I didnt do something , he wasnt going to make it until sunrise . as no time for doubt . I had to act . Im going to regret this , I muttered under my breath . But there was He wasnt dying on my watch . Not today . 3/5 138 Sat , 15 Mar Fi Chapter 2 80 % The weight of him on my shoulder made every step feel like dragging a full sack of wet cement uphill . His body was solid . heavier than I expected , and reeked of blood and forest . By the time I reached the pack infirmary , my arms felt like they were on fire . 1 didnt wait for an invitation before pushing the door open . The sharp scent of antiseptic hit me , stinging my nose as 1 stumbled inside . Gammas favorite , the pack doctor muttered , not even looking up from the clipboard in her hand . Her wiry hair was pulled into a bun that looked like it had been fighting her all morning I shoved the man into a chair , doing my best to position him without dropping him on the floor. Hes hurt , I said , ignoring herjab He needs help. The doctor Dr . Lisas gaze flicked up , her dark eyes narrowing as they landed on him . And who exactly is he ? she asked , her voice sharp with suspicion . 1 hesitated , forcing a calm expression onto my face even though my heart was thundering in my chest . Hes … uh , Fuck , think Taryn . A rogue ? No , of course I cant say that . A relative? They know I have no family left ! Uh … My boyfriend . Hes my boyfriend . Oh fuck it . That got her attention . The clipboard snapped shut , and she raised an eyebrow . Okay , thats just disrespectful , its not like I cant snag someone after being rejected . Your boyfriend ? Yes , I said , standing taller . Long distance . From overseas . Weve been writing letters for years . I swallowed hard , willing my voice not to waver . He just got back to visit me . Can you just help him ? But youve been with the Alphas son , Kallias . She raised a brow . I swallowed the lump in my throat , remembering what had happened last night . I grit my teeth . Well , hes long been with Seraphina and everyone knows theyre in love . Why cant I have one too ? I insists . Her skepticism was as clear as day . I saw it in the way her gaze lingered on my face , searching for cracks in the lie . But instead of questioning me further , she shrugged . Gammas favorite gets one free pass . Bring him here . Relief crashed over me as she started preparing gauze and antiseptic . I didnt dare say another word while she cleaned and bandaged his wounds . Blood soaked through the first layer of wraps , but the Lisa worked with a practiced efficiency , her face betraying no emotion . Hes stable , she said after a while , tying off the last bandage around his chest . Still unconscious , though . I nodded , biting the inside of my cheek as I stared at him . His face was pale , marred by a fresh gash along his cheekbone, but beneath the blood and bruises , he looked … perfect . Strong jaw , dark lashes resting against his skin like ink strokes . He didnt look like someone who belonged here . Definitely not like someone who belonged to Riverstone Pack . Stay out of trouble , Lisa warned , Why ? They said the Alpha King was reported missing . Its suggested that rogue wolves are running amok and perhaps had killed him 4/5 11:38 Sat 15 Mar ti Chapter 2 What The Alpha King Lisa shoots me a final glance before leaving the room . The door clicked shut behind her , and I was alone with him Lexhaled slowly , grabbing a bowl of hot water and a rag from the counter . My hands shook as I wrung out the cloth . He was too still too quiet , and every instinct told me I shouldve left him in the woods. But something about him his scent , the way his wolf submitted to me without a fight pulled me in like a moth to flame Just why ! Who the hell are you ! I whispered , pressing the cloth to his face . The grime and dried blood came away in streaks , revealing more of his features . He looked older , maybe in is thirties , much older than me . His lips were slightly parted , and the even rise and fall of his chest told me he was still hanging on , but barely . If the King is missing , then he must Youre probably one of the rogues who tried to kidnap the Alpha King, arent you ? I dont know why youre here . I continued , my voice barely above a whisper . Or why your wolf … bowed to me . Thats not normal . None of this is normal The cloth in my hand dipped into the bowl , and I wrung it out again , watching the water swirl red . What do you want from me ! He didnt answer , of course . His hot ass head lolled slightly to the side , and I sighed , wiping the sweat from his brow This was a mistake . A massive , world ending mistake . If the Alpha found out , if Kallias found out- Taryn The sound of Kalliass voice made my blood run cold . It was coming from the hallway , closer with every syllable . Shit I dropped the rag into the bowl , my mind racing . The door wasnt locked . I darted to the shadows , pressing myself into the narrow space between the supply cabinets . My heart hammered against my ribs as the door creaked open Where is she ? Kallias barked outside . His voice was low and dangerous , the kind he used when he was pissed off and looking for someone to blame . Treating her long distance boyfriend , Lisa said matter of factly , clearly unbothered by his presence . Why ? she adds . Oh God Lisa , why would you say that ? What did you just say ? Kallias barked . Im fucking screwed . Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!