Into the Arena

Chapter 15

I took off into a treacherous sprint into the woods, through the falling snow that was no longer floating down peacefully, but instead barreling down hard to the ground. The winds were picking up, and at times it almost felt as though I was running in place. I needed to find shelter, and fast if I was going to wait out the storm. If the Alpha had any wolves out patrolling, they likely would have stuck close to the house, seeing as how bad the weather is.

So, I guess it really is giving me the upper-hand at the moment, though I was also freezing my tail off. I needed to find some of the women, any of them who haven't been captured. I remember in the first two days the men had essentially rounded up them all, that was around the time Kaden had first found me. But I can't imagine I have been the only one to escape.

Maybe, but you're also probably the only one who would run away after a male has claimed you. Those women most likely stayed with their mates, because who would want to run and hide in this weather if they didn't have too?

I'm still betting that finding any of the other females would help me last out the next 4 days we had in the Arena. My main target was the red-headed girl that I saw my first and second day here, she was far more fitting for this position than me. Talia Amberling, when I read her profile I learned that her father was an Alpha of the Southern Mountains pack. She was a leader amongst her father's warriors, and she wanted to eventually become lead fighter.

She would make for the perfect mate to an Alpha, I don't understand why our wolves have apparently decided we should be mates. They obviously made the wrong choice.

Honestly, I'm not even convinced we are mates, besides the fact that Kaden has been stalking me like his life depends on it; I don't even feel the bond. I mean, not to say I'm not attracted to him, he's easily the most handsome man I've seen. The only way I'll know for certain is if I can breathe in his scent. But scenting another wolf was considered extremely disrespectful if they're higher ranks than them.

He's scented you, he obviously knows you're mates. It's unlikely you're not his mate if he seems so adamant. Besides, after all the trouble I've been, if I wasn't his mate why would he even bother?

I slowed down my run and shook my head, trying to keep as much snow from laying on me as possible. Not that it worked very effectively seeing as I was basically standing in a blizzard right now. There was nothing to be seen in any direction, the snow was blowing so hard. I can barely see the trees that stood all around me, and I'm slightly concerned I'll run into one of them.

But I can't just stay put here, I only ran for maybe 10 minutes and mostly in just a straight line. If Kaden comes for me, or sends his wolves they'll easily find me, especially if the snow lets up even a little. I could maybe shift back into a human and climb another tree, but it's not as if that will help me stay much warmer than if I were on the ground. And by now, Kaden would know to expect that kind of move on my part.

I tried lifting my nose into the air and sniffing, but all I could smell was the scent of fresh snow, and even that was faint because my nose was all but frozen. I took my green pack back into my mouth and slowly walked forward, trying to zig-zag through the woods. Walking would maybe help keep me warm, and I didn't have any other options.

I walked for about another 30 minutes until the snow began to let up enough that I could start to see. But at this point the snow was covering the ground so much, walking wasn't exactly easy. And unless it magically began to get hot here, this would make it a hell of a lot harder to run away or fight off any of my enemies.

That would also mean it will be harder for them to chase after or fight me, so maybe this could be good. But also... I'm FREEZING.

I need to find somewhere to lay down, sleep, stay warm. All I've eaten in the last day were those noodles, and that was not enough to sustain this much activity. Dropping my pack onto the ground I nuzzled my snout into it trying to find anything left there to eat. I'd eaten most of the small snacks in my first three days here, but there had to be something left.