The Alphas Prize

Chapter 30: The forest of the damned - Part 1/2

We ran towards the woods, careful to watch our surroundings for anyone that would stop us. Finally, we reached the tree line and stepped into the dense brush, blending ourselves with the forest. We went further in and continued running for a few minutes before stopping. Gunnar and I had closed enough distance between us and the pack house that it was safe to stop now, but only for a moment.

Kneeling on the ground, I opened the bag Rose gave us and started pulling the contents out. First, I pulled out an old map showing directions to the forest and the willow tree. Then, I dug into the bag again, pulling out salt, a lighter, a flashlight, a pair of gloves, a compass and a silver knife. Although the knife was dangerous to us, it was also a threat to other supernatural creatures, but I was glad Rose had packed some gloves.

Gunnar knelt beside me, and we both started to go over the map, memorizing key points. "According to the map, it doesn't seem like it's too far of a journey from here. We head South for about 10km, then East for 7km, and then north for 4km. There are a few markers along the way that will help to keep us on track, as well." I said to Gunnar as we reviewed the map and directions that Rose gave us.

Gunnar looked at me, a severe expression on his face and placed his hand on my shoulder. "Are you sure you want to do this? Unfortunately, this mission will not be as easy as you hope, Freja. From what I've heard, those travelling to the forest don't come back, and the journey there will test your limits."

I looked back to the map, thinking over his words and considering the question of whether or not I wanted to do this. However, if I chose not to do this, then Cain would die, which was not a choice for me. But, no matter what comes my way or what challenges I face, I know I can do this, and I will face it all, like the brave warrior that I am, with my wolf at my side.

I nodded my head. "Yes, I want to do this, Gunnar. I need to try at least to save him." If I didn't try to save Cain, it would torture me for the rest of my days. He is my mate, and I am not ready to lose him.

He pursed his lips, and I knew he disagreed with my decision, but like the good man he is, Gunnar nodded in agreement. "Ok, then. We will get through this together." Gunnar then stood to his feet and extended his hand for me to grab. "Let's get going."

Before standing to my full height, I packed everything back into the bag and grabbed Gunnar's hand. I threw the bag onto my shoulder, and we followed the trail leading out of Cain's territory, using the map as a guide to sudden doom, I mean to the cure.

Gunnar and I walked along the dirt path in silence, listening and watching for any dangers or unwanted guests. We were about 10kms into our journey now, almost halfway there, but the sun was starting to go down and soon it would be too dark to continue safely.

I came to a stop, grabbing Gunnar's attention. "We should probably set up camp and get a fire going. Plus, we need to get some rest, and, in the morning, we can continue." I suggested to Gunnar, hoping he would agree with me.

Gunnar nodded his head and gazed around us. "Yea, you are right; it will be safer to travel during the day." He said, still looking into the distance. Gunnar pointed a finger towards a clearing that was just off the path. "We can make camp over there; it's off the path and not so isolated that we can't see." We walked over and took a look around, smelling the area and making sure nothing had been here.

I looked to Gunnar. "I think it's good; let's get a fire going; I'll go grab some wood." I placed my bag down on the ground and walked off into the brush, searching around for firewood. I had finally found some decent wood to burn that wasn't too damp and headed back towards the camp.

Upon my return, I noticed Gunnar had built a fire pit and was now kneeling in the dirt, piling brush together on the ground and creating what looked like a makeshift bed.

Gunnar looked up at me, then back down at his creation and shrugged, "I tried to make some beds." He pointed at the second bush bed. "They won't be that great, but it's better than sleeping on the ground," Gunnar said while rubbing the back of his neck, and I chuckled at him.

I shook my head and smiled at him. "They are perfect, and it's better than nothing. I found some wood." I placed the pile on the ground next to the pit. "Some of it is damp, but once we get things going, it should burn no problem." I grabbed a few logs and placed them in the middle of the pit, and then walked over to my bag and grabbed out the lighter.

Gunnar was next to the fire pit, spreading dried grass around the logs. We finally got the fire going, burning bright, and warming the cool night air around us.

As we sat around the fire, we noticed that the sun was nearly set now. Gunnar stood to his full height. "I'm going to go see if I can find us some food." He then took off into the brush, and I stayed at the camp, tending to the fire.

I sat there, staring into the roaring fire, watching as the wood slowly turned into ash. Finally, having a moment to myself, my mind began to race with everything that had happened. The betrayal and loss of my sister, of Erik, two people I grew up with, loved and cared for, but the hardest thing to deal with was the possibility of losing Cain. All my life, I had been raised to believe that he was a monster, an evil man with no morals and when he took me, I thought for sure I was going to die, that my life was over. However, I had gotten to know a different man, someone not portrayed in the stories I was told as a child. Cain was a monster, a man to be feared, but he could also love another with every fibre of his being.

I was abruptly brought out of my thoughts by Gunnar's sudden appearance, causing me to jump slightly. He was standing there, holding some fish in one hand and something else in the other. He raised a brow. "Everything ok?"

I nodded my head. "Yes, I was just waiting for you to get back," I told him, not wanting to discuss what had just been going through my head.

Gunnar walked over and knelt beside me. "I caught a couple of fish for us to eat and found some berries that we can crush up to make a sauce for the fish." Gunnar put everything onto a rock next to the fire, grabbed the knife out of the bag, and then prepared things.

Then, as I watched the large man cautiously prepare our food, I told him wholeheartedly. "I've fucking missed you," I said with a broad smile.

He scrunched his brows together, looking at me like I was a crazy person. "Shut up, would you." Gunnar chuckled.

I genuinely don't know how he had done it, but the food was delicious. The fish was juicy, sweet and savoury, melting in my mouth and leaving me to crave for more. With our bellies now full, it was time to get some much-needed rest.

We laid down onto our "Beds." and got as comfortable as we possibly could, despite the odd branch poking me in the side. I rolled onto my side, facing my brother, who was staring at me intently, hesitation etched on his features.

I let out a sigh. "Spit it out already; I know something is on your mind," I said aloud.

Gunnar looked away from me for a moment. "I am just concerned about this journey. What it holds in store for us and what the outcome will be. What if there is no cure? What if we can't get the cure?" Gunnar's tone was heavy with concern.

If I was being honest with myself, I hadn't given those possibilities any thought. I knew things weren't going to be easy along the way, but I hadn't thought about the outcome or the likelihood of not getting the cure.