Chapter 23
Lily POV
I decided to take a stroll after staying at home all day doing nothing.
I found myself wandering through the pack, my mind a tangle of conflicting emotions. The events of the past few days had left me feeling empty, drifting in a sea of uncertainty and I found myself missing home.
Missing waking up every morning and being on my father’s and sister’s beck and call, missing the few friends I had in the pack and also Lucius. Despite the kindness I’d been shown by Kai’s pack, I couldn’t shake the lingering feelings of loss and loneliness that clung to me like a second skin.
My thoughts drifted again to Lucius, who was the only person who had shown me genuine care and affection in the past years. Despite it turning sour in the end, I still believed that during those years we were together, there was a part of Lucas that sincerely loved me and maybe he still loved me.
The memory of the warning from him before I left still gnawed at me. Had he known something about my father’s and sister’s plan? Was he involved in it somehow and had to pull out in the end because he felt guilty and wanted to protect me? What if he still cared for me – the possibility of that even after rejecting me, sent a warm sensation through my heart.
“Maybe he was just trying to protect me,” I murmured to myself, kicking at a small pebble on the path as a small smile curved on my lips.
I knew I should be grateful for the hospitality and generosity Kai’s family had shown me. They’ve been nothing but nice to me even though they’ve only known me for two days but the rational part of my brain still reminded me that they were still virtual strangers. Two days of kindness didn’t erase a lifetime of caution.
“I’ll have to move out soon,” I said softly, my eyes scanning the unfamiliar landscape. “Once I have enough money, I can’t keep imposing on them p>
But there was another problem – the thought of being truly alone in this new place sent a shiver of fear through me. Although I had always been an outsider in my old pack, but at least it had been familiar. Here, everything was new and uncertain.
I had been so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t realize how far I had wandered until I found myself at the edge of a dense forest. The trees loomed ahead, tall and imposing, their branches swaying gently in the breeze.
As I scanned the area, my gaze fell on several warriors who were on patrol. I breathed a sigh of relief and turned back trying to trace my way back to the pack when a group of warriors suddenly appeared in front of me. I nearly jumped with surprise as I stared at the armoured, uniformed men.
“Hi guys… warriors… soldiers!” I stuttered waving my hand like a limp lepper not knowing how to address them best.
One of them, a tall man with a scar running down his left cheek, smirked and came forward, alongside his companions.
“Well, well,” he called out, his voice filled with amusement. “If it isn’t the little mouse who came scurrying into our territory the other day p>
I felt my cheeks burn with a mixture of annoyance and embarrassment. I had secretly hoped that my less-than-graceful arrival would have been forgotten by now. Why were they still talking about it?
I flashed them an uneasy smile and made to pass but two more soldiers came forward too, their eyes raking over me in a way that made my skin crawl.
“I can see why Alpha Kai brought you home with him even when we heard you were a rogue,” one of them sneered “It’s because you’re pretty isn’t it and with those curves… I bet he’s enjoying having you in his family’s house p>
The implications behind his words were clear and I felt a surge of anger rise within me. I might be wolfless but I wasn’t some plaything to be objectified and mocked.
“How about you show us some of your skills?” Another one pressed forward making me take a step backwards. “Nothing much just a little popping of our lollipops in your mouth and give it your best shot. If you do well, we might let you stay in our house when the Alpha finally tires of you and casts you away p>
The rest of the men howled with laughter. My eyes burned bright with tears but I bit the insides of my lips to stop myself from crying. It’ll only become worse if I show any sign of weakness.
I was annoyed – raving mad but what could I do? Not only was I outnumbered, I couldn’t throw a punch if my life depended on it. The best thing was to walk away. Since they had refused to leave my path in front, I decided to walk in the opposite direction.
“Thank you for your kind words, gentlemen. I should go,” I said stiffly, turning to leave. But before I could take more than a step, I felt a strong hand close around my wrist.
“Not so fast, little mouse,” the scarred warrior growled and suddenly grabbed my wrist yanking me back. “We’re not done playing yet. Didn’t you hear us? C’mon show us how you do it at Golden Moon p>
Before I could open my mouth and protest, another warrior slid his hand around my waist, pulling me close. My heart raced with fear and fury as I struggled against their grip.
“Let me go!” I demanded, my voice sharper than I felt. “If the Alpha should know of what you’re doing, he’ll have you all punished. Let me go, this instance p>
“You think the Alpha will punish us – one of his decorated warriors because of some rogue weasel… oh please!” one of them said.
Spurring another episode of laughter from the men.
“The Alpha isn’t here right now is he?” the one holding my wrist taunted “It’s just us and you, little mouse. So, just be a nice little girl and treat us right. We’ll be gentle p>
I struggled against them but I seemed to be amusing the men. Panic began to set in when I realized what they were about to do. One of the men reached for his fly, laughing as he did. I was vulnerable and in a vulnerable position. I was no match for one warrior, let alone three.
Just as I was about to scream for help, a dark shape plummeted from the sky.
With a fierce screech, an enormous eagle swooped down, its talons extended. It struck the warrior holding my wrist, knocking him to the ground with surprising force.
“Shit!” One of the warriors said. “It’s that damn girl’s pet again p>
The remaining two quickly released me and retreated.