Rejecting Dawn

Chapter 12

I felt a few drops of drool slide from my forehead down to my cheekbone. Did Xerxus already find me? I consciously opened my eyes. The sky had a dim glow and was filled with dark gray clouds. Soon, it felt like the sky was taking pictures. Lightening clicked once in a while. I realized that the rain would wash away my scent masking spray.

Crap!

I carefully got down the tree. The last thing I need was to break a leg or my neck. I cannot afford anything that would speed down my running away process. I secured my back pack before I continued my journey.

After walking a mile I stopped to the sound of people whispering. Should I eavesdrop in their conversation? It could be Xerxus's men. Did they already find me?! But it was too soon! They could even sniff my scent now.

My curiosity got the best of me. Mom always used to say that 'curiosity killed the wolf'. But do I ever listen? And it cost me so much yet I never learn from my mistakes.

For the first time I felt glad I was in a forest. The  cherry shrubs were the perfect hiding spots and it can also  cover my scent. It was  like getting to kill two birds with one stone. I walked as lightly as I could using the balls of my feet avoiding all the snappy dry branches on the rich mineral soil and hid in the bunch of  leafy bushes.

"I am telling you, they won't expect it!" A heavy voice said.

"But we can't! What if they find about our plan?" A squeaky voice replied.

"You are such a pussy! Fuck them! We have 25 rouges and 6 rodens on our side." The owner of the heavy voice replied edgily.

"But-" the squeaky voice was interrupted by the rough heavy one.

"I've been eyeing that territory for years! And it's just been five years since Vicky came! She and Memphis are not getting their hands on the Elite Glowers pack. I work on a First come, first serve policy. I want.. No! I need to get their land, the pack house and all that wealth! It's all mine!" His voice sounded crazed.

"No. They will kill us. I am not-.."

"I will make you my beta" he once again cut the squeaky man. I heard no reply in return. What greedy pigs!

"Glad you agree. We attack in a week's time" the heavy voice replied smugly.

I felt like getting out of the bush and seeing how they looked like but refrained from doing so. It was too risky. The foot steps of the two men seemed to fade away. I sighed not in relief but in dismay. I had a choice to make. They were planning to attack in 7 days!

I need to make up my mind. Should I go back? Or Should I continue my journey? All I know is if I go back, there is no escaping ever again. I may even get killed. Being locked in the cells for the rest of eternity is also one of the possibilities. Or Xerxus tearing my neck. I know it won't faze him. Since I'm his mate just by a name. Maybe he might miss me for a split second due to the mate bond. But I definitely doubt it.

I can't go back. I can't walk back into a death trap. I'm sure Beth, Valerie and Hazel will understand. They can surely take care of them selves, they were the ones who taught me everything I know and besides, I know that Xerxus could protect his pack.

My heart felt as if I swallowed it and it was swimming in the deadly hydrochloric acid in my stomach. Maybe it was just the feeling of never seeing them again. Or maybe it was something else. I just couldn't figure out what.

They will be okay! I decided as I walked till I reached the edge of the forest where the highway met the forest's entrance. This is it! All I need to do was to just hitch a ride. I sat on top of a milestone which said "90km away to brookslock". I felt a deep longing. Like something of me was missing. I knew what I was missing. It was Xerxus. Just even saying his name makes my body tingle.