Defiance

Chapter 2 - Defiance

I couldn't tell how long I had been running, but the pack had to know I was gone by now. I finally took a moment to stop and breathe. The sun was slowly setting, and the forest was growing dark. Then, for the first time since leaving, the feeling of regret started to creep in.

"We need to find a place to sleep." Phoenix said softly "somewhere high to protect us from rogues and any other animals or creatures out here." Her voice was full of concern. I nodded in agreement as I used what daylight we had left to find a suitable tree to climb.

I was so busy trying to find a tree I hadn't noticed the wolf staring at me a few trees back. I could feel my hair stand up on end as I felt eyes burning into my back. A loud growl pierced my ears as I slowly turned around. A horrible smell of rot filled my nose as I turned to face the dark grey eyes staring at me. This wolf was definitely rogue. It smelled of death and decay. Foaming at the mouth, his teeth showing as his snout was pulled back into a snarl.

"I'm a werewolf too." I managed to say surprisingly calmly. As if that would change their mind about killing me. My heart was racing as I slowly stepped back. His fur was black as night with a huge scar across his side. He was rough, and the fur never fully grew back from whatever attack he endured. His eyes flashed to my feet, and he stepped forward, his growl deepening. I knew I only had seconds left before my life was over.

"I'm sorry I was so stupid to leave." I cried to Phoenix.

"With you until the end. I'd rather die than be a pet." She snarled. I flashed her a nervous smile and then turned to run as fast as I could. I knew I wouldn't get away, but I needed to try.

As I ran, I could hear the wolf run after me. I felt a sharp pain shoot down my leg as I fell to the ground. I grabbed anything I could and turned around, hitting it in the face with a rock. Hearing it yelp and step back for a second before it lunged at me again. I squeezed my eyes shut and pictured my father as it was the last thing I wanted to see before I died. I let out a loud scream as I felt its teeth bite into my arm. Just as I was about to pass out from the pain, I heard a huge yelp and felt a sense of relief.

I opened my eyes in shock as I saw a giant wolf, the biggest I've ever seen,

ripping the rogue to pieces. Its fur as white as snow, it stepped back and turned to me. Its eyes were the most beautiful emerald green I had ever seen. Too weak to speak or move, I layed there welcoming death as I closed my eyes and passed out.

****

Unknown P.O.V

I heard the screams as I raced through the forest. The smell of blood and rotting flesh hit my nose as I got closer. I could see a rogue on top of her. Its teeth Ripped into her arm. I jump straight for the rogue smashing it to the ground and ripping out its throat. I could hear her heart rate slowing. I stepped back from the mangled wolf and turned to look at her.

She looked at me with her blue eyes, welcoming death as she closed them. Her scarlet hair was filled with leaves and twigs. Her skin was tanned from the kisses from the sun. I shifted into my human form as I got closer to her. My Beta arrived, looking at the mess behind me. He changed and threw me some shorts from behind a tree. Her arm was definitely broken, but our pack doctor would put it back in place. She was lucky, considering all the rogue's bites and clawing. It didn't manage to hit any major arteries.

"We need to get her back to her packhouse. Have her fixed up there, and then we will bring her back to our territory right after." I told my Beta, giving him a nod to move forward.

"Go ahead of me and tell the others we found her and get the room and doctor ready for her arrival," I ordered

"On it." My Beta said as he turned into his wolf and ran ahead. I picked up her limp body. She couldn't have weighed more than a hundred and five pounds, maybe a hundred and fifteen pounds.  She smelt so intoxicating; even with the smell of blood, her scent pushed through. The scent of vanilla and citrus hit my nose as I leaned her head against my chest and carefully carried her out of the woods.

As I walked into the packhouse, the werewolves that were left searching for her stared in disbelief. They couldn't believe she was still alive. I brought her into a room with a bed. As I placed her on the bed, the old pack doctor walked in. His eyes were wide as he stared at me.

"Her arm is definitely broken, and she has some lacerations on her stomach and back of her thigh," I told the doctor as he quickly put on gloves and examined her. I couldn't stop myself from watching his every move. I wasn't sure what had come over me.

"Once she is bandaged up, she will be brought to our territory," I said to my Beta as he walked into the room. He nodded

"She is lucky you got to her in time, Alpha Erik." My Beta said in a low tone. I could feel his eyes on me as he spoke.

"No one touches what's mine," I said sharply.