By the time they finished their beatings, my whole body was aching, my head dropped low and my eyes were sealed shut, probably black and blue by now.

Everybody left and I was all alone on the cell grounds, tied helplessly to a tree, while fresh blood oozed from my mouth, nose, temple, arms, legs and chin, slowly drying.

I took in a hitched breath, but I was hardly even able to breath, the ropes were too tight on me and I was punched in the stomach, many times.

I wasn't crying though, I couldn't, I think I cried too much that it hurt to cry more, it used up too much of my energy.

Need help?
No, don't shift. Don't do anything.

I quickly blocked Lia out again, not allowing her to protest or take any actions against my words.

I wanted to open my eyes and look around me, to be alert but they were sealed shut and in pain.

The only thing I could here around me was the slight breeze of the wind and my short pants of breath.

I tried to wiggle my fingers, just to see if I could move them, but barely, then I moved my feet, up and down, I groaned and bit my bottom lip, everything hurt.

Suddenly I heard a twig snap, my heart skipped a beat, were they back?

I shook my head, trying to calm myself down, it was probably just the wind anyway, I nodded head, yes just the wind.

But, that thought drifted away once a strong scent hit me, it was masked but I was still able to make it out, there was someone here that didn't belong in this pack.

I gulped, wanting to open my eyes and see what was happening, but they wouldn't budge.

Footsteps were heard as they approached me, I gasped while shaking my head and trying my hardest to pull myself out of the ropes.

"W-who are you!" I yelled out hoarsely, my voice cracking while I frantically turned my head from side to side, yet all I could see was the darkness from my eyelids.

"Don't worry, I'm going to help you." An unfamiliar woman said, I scoffed and thrashed around, trying to save myself.

"I don't believe you!" I spat out, fear consuming my ability to think, and the fact that I was temporarily blind didn't help.

"Please, stop moving." She whispered calmly, her voice sounding sweet and warm, making my movements stop as I melted against the tree bark, my fear forgotten.

I felt the movement of the rope being tugged from behind the tree, I sighed in relief, knowing that she was untying the tight ropes.

Then they suddenly fell onto the ground without a sound, I chuckled dryly and smiled, my emotions mixed together.

"Are you okay?" The old lady asked, now standing in front of me, while placing a hand on my face, I flinched, she soothingly trailed her hand from my cheek to my temple.

"N-no, I can't see." I replied, anxiety crawling inside my stomach as her hand continued rubbing against my cheek, she quieted me by humming, I gulped and nodded.

Suddenly, a warm feeling made my head rise up, I gasped and my eyes flew open, no longer hurting and no longer blinded by my shut eyelids.

I licked my lips and hesitantly lowered my gaze, my curious eyes locked with silver gray eyes that worriedly gazed back at me, my eyes widened as I took in her appearance.

This lady had wrinkly white skin, her hair completely gray, matching her silver eyes, her height small compared to mine, which wasn't that tall either, and half of her face had a huge scar going from the corner of her lip to her temple.

"Can you see now?" She asked, tilting her head when she noticed my gaze was on her scar, I quickly cleared my throat and averted my gaze, an embarrassed blush warming my cheeks.

"Y-yes I can, thank you, but how did you do that?" I asked her, my voice in a loud whisper, just so she could hear, then she shook her head and smiled, my brows furrowed.

"I didn't do anything, your energy was all that was needed to help." She replied, a proud smile on her lips, I stammered for words while shaking my head.

My energy? But, I was weakened by the beatings and I couldn't shift either, how could my energy do anything?

"B-but how?" I asked, my tone shocked probably resembling my facial expression, she sighed and nodded her head.

"You'll find out soon enough." She said, her lips falling straightly, I bit my lip while my brows furrowed.

"Listen closely to me now, you have to leave, but in order to get out of here, you have to take a path, all the way down to Creek Grounds and then left, but don't enter your packs grounds. Understood?" She said sternly, our previous conversation long forgotten, I gulped and nodded hesitantly.

"Good." She replied while eyeing me sadly, I nodded once again before pushing myself off the tree and turning to the side, but then I remembered something.

"What's your n-" but before I could finish asking, I turned around and saw that she disappeared, my stomach dropped.

I looked around the grounds with squinted eyes, the dark woods was all I could see, then I brought my worried gaze back to where she was standing, and I noticed silver metal on the ground.

I licked my lips nervously and hesitantly walked closer to it, then I bent down and picked it up slowly, later straightening myself out.

I lifted the metal up and watched as it unraveled into a necklace, my eyes widening curiously.

The long silver line trailing down and holding a small golden pendant, with a red diamond in the middle making me gasp.

I wonder what I'm supposed to do with it?

I bit my lip and decided to slip it on over my head, then once it touched my neck, I pulled out my crazy brown hair and laid it over the necklace.

Suddenly my eyes widened and a gush of wind hit me making me stumble back as I shook my head, trying to figure out what happened.

I gulped and touched the necklace, wondering why it had such a strong effect on me, but not giving it too much thought before turning on my heel and running through the woods.

Following the path that the old lady gave me.

•
•
•

Once I reached the start of the Creek Grounds, I made sure not to step over the big C, which was engraved into the grass, because once you touch it, your presence is felt by the alpha.

I licked my lips and looked around me, only tree's and bushes able to be seen, I inhaled in relief.

Then I turned to my left and started running once again, remaining alert while anxiety continued rising inside me.

I watched as everything blurred to my sides, everything green coming together in the dark.

But then I saw someone, standing in the middle of my path, with a broad figure, making me stop in my tracks and stumble forward a bit before regaining balance.

I gasped and backed up warily, my brows furrowed as he walked closer, my eyes squinted, trying to make out his face in the dark, moonless night.

"S-stay back!" I yelled out, my voice cracking, while my hands shook at my sides, I fisted them quickly.

But the figure continued walking closer making my stomach drop.

I gulped and stepped back slowly, too scared to turn around and run away.

Once he got closer to me, I made out his wrinkled face as well as his brown hair, his lips in a thin line and his eyes observing with their brown color.

I licked my lips and exhaled loudly, his facial features similar to my own and his eyes warming me as if they were a hug.

I frowned in wonder, who is this man?

"You need to come with me." He stated, his voice deep and calm, making my head spin at the familiarity of it, although I'm sure I don't know him.

I shook my head, but he held his hand out for me to take, I looked at him warily then dropped my gaze to his big hand, observing it.

He moved it around, making me giggle at his sudden attempt to lighten my mood and then hesitantly I took it, he seemed safe and I wanted to find out why I felt this way around him.

I brought my gaze back to his and I watched as he smiled, making my heart melt, I smiled back but merely, trying my hardest to not seem scared.

"Let's go." He said before turning around and guiding us to who knows where.

But I felt something when our hands touched and I know that he knew because of the way he previously smiled, and I wish I knew what it was.

Who is this man?