CHAPTER 6

Ariana’s POV.

The pain I felt was sharper than a knife cut; I couldn't move because I was caught between gravity because the pain of the open rejection made me heavier than a rock. The only thing I felt at that moment was the tears rolling down my face; they were rushing like a troubled ocean trying to find peace, but I couldn't control it. I tried to speak, but I was stuttering, and I struggled to compose a simple sentence.

“But... I... thought... we... kissed...

“That was nothing. It meant nothing.”

My heart shattered when he said those words; he piled on the agony when he said the kiss we shared meant nothing. I have suffered cruelty from my family, but I had never felt this level of pain before, and it felt like I was suffocating under the weight of his cruelty. Everything blurred and faded into white noise, but the only sound that stood out was the mockery and laughter from Sabrina and Vivian. It seemed they were waiting for this day all their lives, and I couldn't stand the shame. I ran out of the house without looking back. I ran as fast as I could, and even though my legs were aching, I didn't stop, and at some point, it felt like the wind was carrying me. By the time I stopped, it felt like my throat was burning. I turned and saw a river adjacent to where I was standing. I didn't know how far I had ran until I looked around me and saw that I was far from home; I had never been there, and it was a strange place. I rushed there quickly and got into the water. The water was the cleanest thing I had ever seen; I could see below the water and all the beautiful rocks beneath it. I sat in the water and cried my lungs out.

“Maybe I am just a curse after all; maybe I am worthless. Sabrina and Vivian were right; I am nothing but a slave, and that is what I will ever be.”

I was pouring out my heart when I suddenly heard growls around me; I jerked up and tried to run, but I was overpowered and brought to my knees. I tried to raise my head up, but I was pinned to the ground with my head facing my knees. At this point, I was scared for my life, and all the pain faded away, and the only thing I felt was fear, as my hand was trembling.

“What are you doing in our territory?”

The unfamiliar voice was firm and scary, but before he finished his sentence, another voice from behind me interrupted.

“I think she is a spy from the other pack; let us kill her and send her head back to them as a warning to stay away.

“Please do not kill me; I am harmless. I just lost my way and found myself in the woods. Please spare my life and I will disappear, please.”

I begged for my life because my head was already hurting from the position they had pinned me in. There was no response from who seemed to be their superior, but I felt a sensation on my body. I still couldn't see the faces of the people who held me down, but I felt the cold sensation of his sword running through my breast area. My clothes were wet because I was in the water before they caught me, and it wasn't until the sword got to my breast that I saw that my clothes were transparent, and because it was wet, my nipples were visible.

“The Alpha is going to like this one; bundle her up, and we will take her to him.”

“What? The Alpha has enough women at his disposal; let us keep this one and enjoy ourselves here. We have been keeping watch all night, and we would need to relive our stress with this fresh damsel; surely I would want to have a feel of her; her body is soft and warm.”

“Are you crazy?” the leader barked. “The Alpha instructs us to kill and hurt only the male intruders but bring the females to him. Do you want to have your head hung in the gallows if the Alpha finds out?”

“And who is going to tell him? We have been working faithfully for decades; this one time won't hurt.”

My life was hanging by a thin line; I couldn't believe these men would decide my fate. I burst out into a loud cry because I was scared, but this seemed to bring confusion between the men; they were arguing about who would have me first, and while they were at it, they left me, and I fled before they even noticed. This time I was running with a purpose, which was to save my life. I didn't know anywhere around, I was in a strange place, I wasn't sure of the direction I was running to, but I didn't stop, and I eventually saw an old house with an old woman outside; she saw that I was troubled, and she asked me to come in quickly. I got into the old house, and I was panting. I was trying to catch my breath, and it was as if I could pass out if I tried to say a word.

“Calm down my child, you are safe now. Don't worry; they can't find you here.”

I felt comfort because I knew I was finally safe from those wicked men; the old woman was kind to me; she gave me water and watched me as I guzzled it.

“Easy, my child, don't fill your tender stomach with water; here, have this. You have exhausted your strength; you need to eat and refill.”

She handed me a plate of soup and bread and I devoured it because I was hungry, I ate like it was my last supper, and when my tummy was full, the old woman seemed pleased, she was happy I enjoyed my meal and she gave me a cup of a locally pressed orange juice to aid my digestion. Without hesitating, I gulped everything and it was at that point that a question came to my mind.

“Thank you ma for your hospitality and your help, but how did you know I was being chased?

She didn't respond to my question but rather the men I ran from walked in, the old woman moved forward to where I was and collected the cup from me because I almost lost grip on it. I didn't know what was happening, my body was becoming numb, and I suddenly couldn't move my hand and my feet, my body was not responding to stimulus and my eyes were gradually closing involuntarily, I couldn't speak or shout and that was when it dawned on me that I was poisoned. The old woman smiled at me sheepishly as my sight faded and after a while, the only thing I noticed was a male figure carrying me to an unknown location. I couldn't see or move but one thing I knew was that I was in danger!