Forsaken [MxM]

Chapter 1: Captured

^ Thorin ^

Thorin

"You are to be stripped of your rank of Alpha and banished from this pack. If you ever return I will take it as an act of war and you shall be put to death." Those cold, hollow words echoed in my mind. A steady ache started to build in my chest, and each intake of breath seemed strained.

Somedays, I think about returning to that miserable place just so I could die. It would be peaceful, death. So unlike the hellish nightmare that has been every waking moment of my life so far. But if I returned it would mean on some level that I agreed with them and their outrageous accusations.

It will be a cold day in hell before I agree with any ideas entertained by those backstabbing bastards.

They stripped me of my rank and threw me out of the only place I could call home. But then again that place wasn't really a home was it? A home is a place full of love and understanding, something they know nothing about. I had once thought of that place as a home, but I was horribly mistaken.

I have no home, and I never will.

The pine needles that blanketed the forest floor crunched underfoot with each step I took. Once again I could feel the raw hatred swirling in my gut, my blood beginning to boil from the white hot inferno that scorched my very soul. An animalistic snarl tore from my lips as my entire body began to tremble. Clenching my fists and locking my jaw, I struggled to push back the beast trying to overcome me.

Mortem didn't put up too much of a fight and I soon managed to push him into the back of my mind. He merely snarled in annoyance before retreating to my subconscious once more. After I was sure Mortem was well under control I continued my trek through the wilderness, listening closely for sounds of life.

No birds chirped. No squirrels chattered. The whole forest was hushed, for they sensed the death in the air and made for safety. The only thing in this forest now was me.

My nose twitched, suddenly assaulted by a rank odor. I followed the stench to the trunk of a tall pine tree and found a squirrel, dead. It was curled in on itself, a twisted look of agony permanently etched on its face. "You see this Thorin, death. It follows you like a cat follows a mouse, and if you stay you shall bring death down on all of our heads. Is that what you want? Do you want your family to die?"

Her once sweet voice a harsh hiss, and I could hear it once again as if she were standing right next to me. Her words had struck fear into me then, but now inspired a bitter laugh. Family? Was she making some sick joke? I had no family. All I have in this life is myself and the beast within, and that's all I'll ever have.

Because death follows in my shadows, and he kills without conscience.

A twig snapped somewhere in the distance, I froze. Tilting my head I struggled to pick up any other sounds. "I could help if you just let me out." Mortem bargained, his voice just as baritone and husky as the last time he had spoken to me. "No, it's your fault that I have been forsaken by my own pack. I don't need any more of your help." Mortem snarled at my words.

"It's not my fault! I didn't wish for this! I didn't ask for this curse!" I fell onto my hands and knees as Mortem's yelling thundered in my skull. My eyes screwed shut and my breath came out in sharp pants as an instant migraine caused bursts of pain just behind my eyes.