Chapter 15%
The trees rushed past me as I ran, my wolf loving freedom. The forest was thick, strange, and exciting. I didn’t care about rules or wamings–this was the first time I felt alive.
But then, out of nowhere, a large wolf with dark fur and sharp golden eyes stepped in my path. I didn’t see him around while taking a stroll of this land. His scent was rough, wild, and not friendly &
I looked around for the familiar face of the sailor. When the realization hit me that I was too excited to notice I was far from our ship i became sober.
pup.
“You shouldn’t be here,” his voice came through the mind link, calm but firm.8
I slowed, baring my teeth. “I can go wherever I want.”
“You’re going to get yourself killed,” he said, shifting into his human form. He stood tall, his eyes studying me like I was some lost
“And why should a she–wolf venture this far? Have you no mate?” He asked, curiosity rather than concern.!!
My wolf growled, but I reluctantly shifted back as well, crossing my arms. “I’m fine on my own. Always have been.
He snorted, his eyes scanning me like I was some clueless pup. “Not in this forest. The Land of No Return doesn’t take kindly to outsiders, Run around like that again, and you’ll find out why.“2
“Thanks for the warning. I said sarcastically stepping around him.
He moved to block me, his expression hard. “You don’t understand what’s out here. Do you even know the rules?”
“Land of no return has no rules” I shot back. Not ready for lectures.!!
He moved to block me, his expression hard. “You don’t understand what’s out here. Do you even know the rules?“R “Rules?” I raised an eyebrow. thought this place didn’t have any. I am not in for chitchat.””
“I am not either.” He didn’t let me land.
“That’s the problem. There are no rules–only instincts. And you don’t look like someone who knows how to use them.”
I bristled. “I’ve survived just fine so far.””
“Barely,” he muttered
“If you know nothing about me, keep shut!” I shot at him. Walking away
“Your woll’s too noisy. You’ll attract things worse than me. He persisted.
“Worse than you?” I smirked “Doubt it.”
“Keep joking” he said, his tone sharper now. “But I’m offering you an alliance. You won’t make it out here alone.”
“You must be drunk to think I want to leave this place…..”
“Now if you must excuse me, I have a ship to sleep in
I didn’t turn back. I headed straight to the sailor, sitting next to him. The sailor, or rather the roque who had become my unexpected traveling companion, leaned against the mast, chewing on a piece of dried meat. He was calm, too calm, for someone who had just smuggled me out of the pack and into the Land of No Retum,
“So,” he started, breaking the silence, “you don’t regret it yet?”
“Regret what?” I asked, tossing the seaweed I’d been fiddling with overboard.§
“Running away,” he said, nodding toward the horizon. “Leaving your pack behind. Your family.
I shot him a glare “They’re not my family. Not really. They never wanted me there in the first place.”
I muttered to myself.
He snorted, shaking his head. “Typical pack drama. You wolves are all the same–clinging to tradition and loyalty until someone breaks a rule. Then it’s exile or death, Rogues like me? We don’t have time for that nonsense. Jareth and other rogues stand on business”
I felt goosebumps recalling the wolf that stopped me earlier.
He chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re not much of a talker, are you?“}
“Depends on who’s asking.” I smirked, keeping my eyes on the water!
“Also, my words meant nothing really”
“Well, since I don’t have much choice, let me just say this. He leaned back, folding his arms. “That glowing screen back at the healer’s den? Couldn’t help but pry into your life a bit “3
I stiffened but tried to play it cool. “You mean you eavesdropped ”
“Don’t flatter yourself,” he shot back “The Alpha’s voice carried like thunder. Didn’t need to sneak around.”
I flicked a piece of seaweed at him, but he dodged it easily. “What’d you hear?”
“Oh, not much.” He grinned, leaning forward like he was about to spill the juiciest gossip in the pack. “Just that your mother’s in bad shape in the healer’s den, the Alpha dropped everything to get to her, and then…” He paused dramatically.
“And then what?” I asked, rolling my eyes but unable to hide my curiosity.
“You wolves gossip? That’s bad!” He teased me?
“And rogues are always prying into people’s lives,” I shot back.
2:21 PM
“My bad…let me continue then”
“And then what?” I asked again. Urging him to spill it out.
“Lilith came barging in like a storm,” he said, making an exaggerated face. “But the Alpha? He’d had it.. Right there in front of everyone, he said it. Loud and clear”
I blinked, my heart racing. “Said what?”
How well is he at storytelling? Even Lyca paid attention to him. First time in history
“That Lilith was no longer his daughter. Disowned her on the spot.” He whistled low, shaking his head. “Said every status, every privilege she had? Gone. Just like that.”
I saw Lilith, she was heavenly until she showed her real character. She was really once their favorite…what a shame.
I picked another seaweed this time, wrapping it tighter around my fingers, trying to picture the scene. “He really said that?”
I blinked, mouth opened 8
“Word for word” He nodded solemnly, but there was a teasing glint in his eye. “Course, Lilith didn’t take it well. Threw a tantrum right there in the healer’s den. Screaming, crying, you name it.”
I couldn’t help but anort “Typical Lilith.”
“Right?” He laughed, tossing a pebble into the water. “But the Alpha? He wasn’t having it. No time for pampering her like he used to. Gave her a mark on her shoulder instead.”
“She looked and sound really spoilt from the screen”
“Are you serious about the mark?“My mouth was wide opened in surprise.
“Yep,” he said, nodding. “One to shame her for ruining the pack’s reputation.”
I let out a low whistle, shaking my head. “And what did she do then??
“Oh, she made this big dramatic vow,” he said, throwing his arms out like he was acting it out “I’ll come back! I’m the only heir! Not Lyria!” He mimicked her voice, high–pitched and whiny, and I burst out laughing.
“That sounds just like her, I said, wiping a tear from my eye.
He leaned closer, smirking “You’re not worried, are you?”
“About Lilith?” I shrugged, twirling the seaweed again. “Please. She can vow all she wants. Doesn’t mean it’ll happen.”
“I am no longer there…. am following the legends
“That’s the spirit” He reached over, pretending to snatch the seaweed from my hand, but I pulled it away just in time.8
“Hey! Get your own seaweed,” I teased, holding it out of his reach.!
“Oh, come on,” he said, grinning. “You’re hogging it:“|
“I found it first I shot back, laughing as I shoved him lightly.
“I will give you the name, Foggy
He smiled. The first one I have seen on him since sailing.
“I forgot to add something I saw while prying into your live, I didn’t talk about her enough.“2
“What show?” I asked, already giggling at his tone
“Oh, you should’ve seen Lilith,” he said, shaking his head. “She was bawling like a pup, right there on the ground. Big crocodile tears streaming down her face.”
I snorted. “She was crying all over?”
“Honestly that wolf you called sister was full of pretense that even a rogue like me would believe her”
“That’s what I faced with her. Mother tolerated that and Father pampered her” i added smiling hard
“Like her life depended on it he replied, mimicking her voice. “Why won’t anyone help me?”
I laughed so hard I nearly fell off the dock. “No one helped her?”
“Not a single wolf,” he said, grinning. “And the pack? Oh, they didn’t hold back.”
“The pack are swift to choose sides. Always ready to point fingers” I noted.
“What did they say?” I asked, leaning closer
He straightened up, clearing his throat to mimic the pack wolves. “Traitor! one shouted. Fake another growled. And the best one?” He paused dramatically, waiting for my reaction.
“What?” I asked eagerly, trying not to laugh already.K
“You don’t even deserve a wolf” he barked, throwing his arms wide.l
I howled with laughter, clutching my sides. “No! They didn’t!”
“Oh, they did,” he said, nodding “She was on her knees, all snotty and red–faced, begging them to stop.”
“Begging?” I gasped, tears forming in my eyes from laughing too hard.
“Yup.” He leaned in closer, grinning. “And someone yelled, “You’re a curse to the pack! You deserve this!”
I slapped my knee, unable to contain myself. “They really let her have it!”
“Oh, it was brutal,” he said, chuckling. “She tried to say something about taking back her title, but another wolf shouted, “You’re nothing without Lyria!”
