Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Hayley

Rage boiled through me, knowing this had all been planned from the beginning by the vampires. I tried to shift, but I could no longer feel my wolf. I gasped for another breath as I continued running, my hands balled into fists.

I could hardly see where I was going as my eyes welled with tears.

"You really think you can escape?" the female voice of a vampire echoed through the forest. "You are the last wolf of your pack, the Alpha. Why don't you come out and let's end this?"

I wanted to stop so badly, but I couldn't. Even in Kieran's death, his commanding voice still pushed me forward. He was supposed to be the Alpha, but now that he's dead, I am. I almost laughed at the title. Alpha of what pack? My whole family and pack are dead!

Even if I wanted to fight, how could I kill that many vampires?

I ran deeper into the forest, intent on finding the perfect place to hide. The screams and snarls of my pack had faded, and I wondered if any of them had escaped. If so, how many survived?

I wanted to scream and end it all, but the hope of avenging their deaths someday fueled me, so I kept running.

I glanced over my shoulder to see if the female vampire was following me. Sniffing the air, I caught no scent. I sighed, relieved that she was gone. But just as I turned around, the female vampire leaped from a tree.

I took a different path, trying to outrun her, but she was faster and stronger. I felt so weak after watching my family die.

She grabbed my hair, yanking me down. I fell to the ground, rolling on the dead leaves and dirt of the forest. I landed on my back, my breath catching in my throat. I groaned, trying to get up when she pounced on me. She pulled my hair back, her sharp fangs sinking into my neck.

I screamed, using every last bit of my strength to roll over and push her away. Before I could get far, she grabbed me, pinning me against a tree.

I breathed heavily as her pale skin and long red hair came into view under the moonlight.

"How weak and pathetic you are," she said. "Pitiful. This is why your kind shouldn't argue when we say vampires are stronger and faster."

"You might have killed my friends and family, but I promise you this: I will avenge their deaths and enjoy killing you all," I snapped.

She frowned, raised her hand, and slapped me across the face. The slap was so hard that my head whipped to the side, and blood dripped from the corner of my lips.

As I stared at the female vampire, I refused to let my emotions overwhelm me but it was all futile as I felt anger and pain tore through me.

As she bared her fangs, preparing to attack me again, the full moon shone upon me, filling me with strength. I pushed her away and dashed into the forest.

I kept running, my neck bleeding from her bite. Tears rolled down my cheeks, and I sniffled them back, clenching my hands into fists.

"Oh, Moon Goddess, why would you stand by and watch your children die?!" I screamed. Why didn't she do anything? Why didn't she reveal any prophecy about the deaths of my pack to the oracle before tonight? Why would she let us die?

My heart shattered, and I could no longer run. I collapsed to the ground, digging my fingers into the earth as I tried to shift, but still, nothing happened.

"Are you going to let me die too?!" I screamed.

Even if I managed to escape, what would happen tomorrow? Where would I go? Would I just keep running for the rest of my life? No pack would accept me after our fight with the vampires.

Memories resurfaced in my head. I thought of Mom and Dad. I thought of my last birthday and how everyone had celebrated joyfully. I thought of how my father had arranged meetings with the ruthless Vampire King, who refused to accept me as his mate.

I thought of my mother and how she had encouraged me during my lowest moments. She had wanted me to shift and, if possible, find a second mate. Everyone had been so happy the night before, even Kieran. I had teased him about beating him once I had my wolf.

Why did the Moon Goddess let this happen? Why didn't she stop it? Why had she let her children die at the hands of these bloodsuckers?

I tried to stand, but pain shot through my foot. Looking down, I realized I had stepped on a nail embedded in my skin. I groaned as I tried to remove it, screaming in pain.

I attempted to use my shifter healing, but nothing happened. Just then, I heard the rustling of leaves.

I looked around and gasped when I spotted the female vampire leaning against a tree with a stake.

"Why don't we end this now, little wolf?" she smirked, closing the distance between us and grabbing my neck.

My heart lurched as I felt the stake slowly dig into my flesh. I held the wood, trying to push it away, but she was too strong.

"Don't fight," she rasped.

My heart pounded wildly as panic gripped me. Oh gods, I was going to die. I was going to die without avenging my friends and family.

Suddenly, the vampire's hands slipped from the stake, and she looked down at her chest, where another stake protruded. I gasped as she slowly dried up and fell hard to the ground.

I breathed in relief, dizziness washing over me, when I saw him for the first time in a year.

Long dark hair and red eyes the color of blood. My breath caught as he approached, almost as if he knew I was hurting.

I hadn't forgotten his face. How could I forget the face of the vampire who had rejected me three times?

With his tall, broad frame, he extended his hand. "You're coming with me."

"No... No... no..." I tried to crawl away, but he was suddenly in front of me.

He leaned down, placing his hand on my neck and before I could do anything, I was knocked unconscious.