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Lost and Alone

EMELIA

I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, my heart pounding in my chest like a drum. I didn't dare look back, fearing what I might see. Finally, exhaustion caught up with me, and I collapsed onto the soft earth, gasping for breath. I looked around, realizing I had no idea where I was. The unfamiliar surroundings only added to my panic.

"No, no, no," I muttered to myself, burying my face in my hands. "How did I end up here?"

I thought about going home, seeking my dad's help - Atlas, the pack leader. But the fear of Ryker and Alethaa catching me again and selling me off to Keiran was too much to bear. I couldn't face that fate again.

"I won't be a rogue," I whispered, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. "I won't run the pack in secret. That's not who I am."

But what choice did I have? I felt like I was out of options, trapped in a never-ending nightmare.

Just as I thought things couldn't get worse, a sob escaped my lips, and I let out a loud, anguished cry. I cried for my lost freedom, my shattered dreams, and my uncertain future.

"Why is this happening to me?" I wailed, pounding the ground with my fists. "What did I do to deserve this?"

As I sat there, lost in my tears, I suddenly heard the snapping of twigs and rustling of leaves. My heart skipped a beat as the scary sounds got closer and closer. I froze, my senses on high alert. Oh no, I thought, they've finally caught up with me. Ryker and Alethaa's guards must have tracked me down.

I sprang to my feet, my eyes scanning the surrounding area frantically. I tried to run, but my legs felt like lead, and I didn't know which direction to go. The sounds seemed to be coming from all around me, echoing off the trees. I spun around, trying to pinpoint the source, but it was impossible.

"Where are you?" I whispered, my voice trembling.

I stood there, paralyzed with fear, waiting for them to emerge from the shadows. But as the figures stepped into view, I realized they weren't guards at all. They were a group of rough-looking men, dressed in tattered clothing and sporting scruffy beards.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" one of them sneered, his eyes roving over me like a predator sizing up its prey. "A little lost lamb, all alone in the woods."

"Leave me alone," I warned, trying to sound braver than I felt.

"Ah, come on, sweetheart," another one chimed in, his voice dripping with malice. "We mean you no harm. Why don't you come with us? We'll show you a good time."

I took a step back, my heart racing. "No, I won't go anywhere with you. Leave me alone!"

The men exchanged amused glances, and one of them took a step closer to me. "Oh, feisty one, eh? We like that."

fury rising up inside me. "I said no! Don't come any closer!"

I tried to stand my ground, but my legs trembled beneath me. The men took a step closer, their eyes gleaming with a sinister light. I knew I had to get away, but my feet felt rooted to the spot.

"Leave me alone," I warned again, trying to sound braver than I felt.

The men just laughed, their voices sending shivers down my spine. "Oh, come on, sweetheart," one of them sneered. "We just want to have a little fun."

I took a step back, my eyes darting around the clearing, searching for an escape route. But there was none. The trees seemed to close in around me, trapping me.

The men took another step closer, their hands reaching out to grab me. I turned to run, but my legs felt like lead. I stumbled backward, my feet tangling in the underbrush.

Just as I thought I'd managed to put some distance between us, I felt a hand grab my shoulder, spinning me around. I tried to shake them off, but they were too strong. They pinned me down, their hands like vices on my arms and legs.

I kicked and struggled, but they just laughed, their hot breath in my face. One of them twisted my leg, and I felt a searing pain as it snapped. I screamed, but my cry was cut short as they clamped a hand over my mouth.

Just when I thought all was lost, a figure emerged from the shadows. Keiden. His eyes blazed with a fierce intensity as he took in the scene before him.

"What's going on here?" he growled, his voice low and menacing.

The men snarled, baring their teeth. "Mind your own business, weirdo. This doesn't concern you."

“And I would I advice you to being in a discussion that doesn’t concern you can make you lose your life so he warned.” One of the men threatened Keiden

Keiden didn't flinch. "I'm making it my business. Let her go."

The men sneered, but Keiden didn't back down. With a swift and deadly precision, he took them down, one by one. I watched in horror as he fought, his movements a blur of steel and blood. When it was over, he stood panting, his chest heaving with exertion.

I cowered, my heart racing. He looked like a killer, his clothes splattered with blood, his eyes gleaming with a feral light. When he reached out to me, I bit his arm fiercely, fear consuming me.

"Stop, Emelia!" he shouted, wincing in pain. "I'm trying to help you!"

But I was beyond reason. I was trapped in a nightmare, and I couldn't wake up. I bit harder, my teeth sinking deeper into his skin.

With a swift motion, Keiden struck my head, and everything went black.

As I lost consciousness, I thought I heard him whisper, "I'm sorry, Emelia. I didn't mean to hurt you."

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