Malia’s POV
Many told Ania that the words of the seer were lies, blinded by love and fear for her mate. She gave in to the words of the seer.
Unfortunately, death met her and her lover on their way from the pack. They were attacked by a pack of wandering wolves who called themselves the Unborn.
Ania’s story is still very much talked about to date In the pack, although it was said in hush tones because the tale was considered a bad omen. My mom told me her soul still longs for children’s blood now.
Any time I remember her words I laugh because I believe the tales told to scare children.
The reality before now tells me more than I thought existed. My story was already similar to hers but without an end yet. I kept trying to wave off the thought from my head but the more I tried the more it fisted on my wit.
“Was this the end game ?” I thought quietly.
No, I am Melia. I am not Ania and I won’t die in this wood like any wolf would. All this was what I kept repeating in my head the whole time. Besides, if the moon didn’t justify my action then I would be dead by now. Why would they send me a comforter? I looked at the muscularly built figure standing close to the log and a little smile formed on my face.
As we struggled with the waves and waters on the makeshift raft, my thoughts raced faster than the currents underneath us. I could not shake the feeling of gratitude mixed with the puzzle rattling in my head towards Ryder.
What had brought him into my life at this critical moment? And why did he seem so determined to ensure my survival and even risk his life and that of his comrades?
Raising my head, I saw figures at the other end of the river. No, they were not his men, even though I had not seen much of them I knew good people by main sight. “I know the scent of a good person when I smell one.” My mom would always say back then when I was a kid.
First, it was one and then they grew in numbers to about 12. I waited silently and attentively to see if he would shout out to them or give a signal to mark their comradeship, but no he did not.
It thus became clear to me that they were not related at all and perhaps these are the other rogues I had always thought we might meet.
“You do not have to be scared or worried,” he said while reassuring me. “when we get over to the edge we will find out if they’re foes or allies,” he continued.
“I just hope they are the latter though, I have had a lot of trouble to deal with in one night already,” I said quietly to myself.
When we reached the opposite bank and stepped onto solid ground, a sense of relief washed over me, although I was still feeling uneasy with the rogues approaching. Now we have made it across the treacherous river, one step closer to safety finally. But our journey was far from over, and the shadows of the night still loomed ominously around us.
Perhaps we might set a camp for the night. But first, we have to deal with people advancing. The weather was cold and my gown was wet already, so as the cool breeze blew I felt it sent cold shivers down my spine. Shivers of fear and cold at the same time.
“Who are you and what are you doing in our hunting ground?” the short muscular man said with authority.
“We are just passers-by heading towards our camp, we mean no trouble please.” He told them gently.
“All passers-by pay tribute to us for trespassing,” he replied.
I knew it was not a written agreement anywhere and they were just looking for a means to pin us down their trouble list.
“And why should we pay you? Even if we were to pay you, how do we pay you ” he inquired.
“You pay cause you trespass and you pay in kind. We do not need your money” he queried.
“Why shou…”
“Don’t bother,” I cut him short immediately and looked at the short man, so I passed him the golden bracelet Zade gave to me a few years ago.” this would do I guess, we do not mean any trouble we just want to pass.” I pleaded.
“Very well” The short man nodded to his comrades and they left.
Turning to him, I finally mustered the courage to speak. “Thank you,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “For everything.”
He met my gaze with a nod, his expression unreadable in the dim moonlight. “We’re not out of the woods yet,” he replied coldly. “But together, we stand a chance.” He was acting almost exactly like Zade had done when we first met
I nodded in agreement.
“what is your name beautiful?”
“Malia,” I said quietly.
“Well I’m Ryder,” he said in return.
I knew it, because I had written on the jacket he had been wearing so I assumed it was his name. I was a bit glad the assumptions were correct though.
“It is not safe yet we need to head back to the rest of the pack only then can we cross our minds on safety,” he said quickly.
With that, we continued our journey into the wild, filled with hopes of a better chance of survival and a new beginning. We had not walked far when the sound of a horn drew our attention.
“It’s them, I knew they’d get rid of the rogues in a short time. I believed so much in them.” He said happily.
He was more handsome when he smiled and his gap tooth gave out his beauty even more.