Chapter 2

-Skyler-

Shit. Fuck. Shit . Fucking hell. I’m in real trouble. I mean, I’ve been in trouble before, but this was serious.

I have no idea where I am. All I know, is that I am in an Alpha’s territory. By the scent I can tell he’s really powerful. It’s only a matter of time before his Warriors find me and i'm not exactly doing a lot to conceal my scent.

As I run, I think back to this morning and exactly why I’m running.

It was a day, like any other, waking up under a tree, stretching my legs and plodding off to the stream to wash off and drink. After I drank my fill and I was satisfied I was clean, I headed deeper into the woods to find something to eat. A rabbit at least, but a deer would be nice. I had known I was on Unclaimed territory so I let my guard down slightly after about a week of being here. That was 5 weeks ago. I found I quite liked this area, and after staying undisturbed for a satisfactory amount of time I decided to stay until I was forced by circumstances to do otherwise.

Creeping slowly along the path I know the deer regularly take, I stop to listen. Nothing. Not even so much as a bird chirping-which was odd. Normally, at this time of day, which was by my guess about 9 am, I could hardly hear myself think over the bird noises.

That’s when I heard it.

The thundering of at least 7 pairs of paws, digging and ripping up the earth as they headed in my direction at breakneck speed.

And that’s when I smelt it. Rogues.

Now, I’ve fought before. My skills in combat were pretty good, I had quick reflexes and I was fast. With that said, I was still no match for seven rogue werewolves, especially if they were males. At once a plan started to form in my head.

It was simple, run. And I ran. I ran like I’ve never ran before. Churning up the ground beneath me, narrowly avoiding roots and trees and barely getting ahead. These guys were fast. Really fast. Fuck. New plan. Time to fight. Maybe I can convince them I’m like them, a rogue? Which technically was true, I’m just not looking for a group to join. I had one big problem though: as soon as they saw me, they’d know what I was. Goddammit, why did I have to take a bath this morning? They can smell me from a mile away. Shit. I stopped, looking for a puddle of some sorts, just to roll in. Maybe then I can pass for white, or light brown or something. Worth a shot. As I covered myself in mud, I could hear them getting closer. By now my snout, hind and back was completely brown. Just as I was about to get up, I realised they’re here. Less than 200 meters away.

Time to put on the best show I’ve ever done.

I crouched behind a nearby tree, willing my heart to beat faster. If they heard how scared I was, maybe they’d leave my alone. They couldn’t know I had a plan and could actually fight.

“I think we got her now!” laughed one of them. “She’s definitely here, I can smell her," the other said. "Shut up! It’s like you want the whole world to know we’re here!’’said another voice, deeper than the rest. I guessed he was their leader.

As they came into view, I looked out from behind the tree I was standing, just so they could see the front of my body. “There she is! Get her!” the deep voice commanded. He was an ugly looking wolf, missing an ear and the colour of a rusty piece of steel with a little moss growing on it.

“No! Please! I mean no harm! Im just scared, that’s all. Don’t hurt me!” I pleaded. “Stop!’’ the leader yelled, just as two wolves were about to pounce. Both of them looked scruffy as well, with bones showing everywhere and matted fur along with dull eyes. Come to think of it, the whole group looked like that.

“Who are you and what are you doing here on my land?’’he asked me. “Uhm, well, I thought this was Unclaimed territory and I was just passing through. I’m really sorry and I’ll leave right now’’ I lied. “No no, I don’t think so. What’s your name princess?”

He had a wicked smile and a cruel look in his eyes. Now I didn’t have to act anymore. I was scared shitless.

“Skyler.”

“Well, Skyler, what do you say about coming with us for a little while? I’m sure you could find a way to repay my boys and I for not killing you on site for trespassing. Isn’t that right guys?” he snickered. They started laughing as well all while slowly edging closer to the tree I was still behind. “Being a group of rogues consisting only out of males is a little hard sometimes, as you can imagine, but I’m sure you will be able to help with that won't you?” he asked rhetorically, much to his companions’ delight.

Fuck. New plan. ASAP. I backed up as they kept coming closer, like a lion would circle a baby deer. But luckily, I am no baby deer.

As the closest one, to my left, started nipping at my side I jumped. Against the tree and over the heads of the foul-looking creatures.

And I ran.

Now I remember why I’m running with an already broken hind leg, bloodied paws and little energy left: I really was very literally running for my life.

I couldn’t hear the rogues anymore, which means they either stopped looking for my when I crossed into this territory or they think I won’t get far with my leg and they’re just biding their time, waiting for me to collapse form exhaustion. That wasn’t much farther. After I ran through that river and jumped the small ravine, breaking my hind leg, I could tell they started slowing down. Probably thinking to give me a ‘head start’ so they could enjoy the chase more. I was exhausted. I slowed down to a jog, looking for a safe place to rest.

And then I heard it.

More paws, coming my way and fast. I immediately took a defensive stance, getting ready to die with honour with the little energy I had left. As I heard wolves from every side, I turned around in circles, trying to get a look of who is going to kill me. It was at that moment I realised that the mud was gone. My coat was as silver as the day I first shifted. Fucking shit. A low growl escaped my throat.

Finally, a wolf stepped forward in human form and stark naked. By size, I could tell he wasn’t the Alpha or a Beta, but he was still high in rank. “Shift," he ordered. Like hell I was. I growled at him. He was hot. If I wasn’t about to die right now, I would flirt. “Shift. Now, rogue." He spat out every syllable. Fuck this guy, who does he think he is? Before I could growl again, I felt a sting in my hind, like a bee. A dart.

What the fuck?

The last thing I saw was the big guys eyes' glazing over, clearly linking somebody.

My vision went black.