The Heir (on-hold)

7. Aryn (Lost Memories I)

Rogue lands
Forest
11 years ago

I woke up to see my wrists tied together with my ankles. The rope was knotted firmly and it was heavily laced with wolfsbane. I was trained to tolerate the pain that the substance causes our species to weaken, silently thanking dada as I elongated my baby wolf fangs and ripped the rope from my wrists whilst ignoring the burn on my lips. Removing the knot from my ankles, I looked around and saw a few men sleeping against trees. Not bothering to look after their prisoner.

Stupid.

Quietly, not meaning to alert them of my escape, I quickly ventured off and that's when I heard them, "Get her! The princess is escaping!"

"Momma, I have to go to momma." I kept on muttering under my breath as I zoomed past trees and constantly turning my head to the side to see if the bad guys were still following. I heard their footsteps as they rushed to get to me. But I was fast. I knew I was fast.

I was struggling to breathe as the wolfsbane still had an effect on my system. I knew I was weakened for I couldn't even reach my full potential.

I was so lost in my thoughts, not bothering to pay attention to my path. All I was focused on was getting away as fast as I could from those men. Due to my clumsiness, I tripped on my right foot and got it tangled with a vine. Before I could register what had happened, I felt my head hit on something hard, pain erupted at the side of my head and I heard a whimper, instantly knowing it was mine. Right after I lost consciousness, I heard heavy footsteps nearing me.

•••

I woke up with the feeling of my skin burning. Once I had opened my eyes, I registered a man in front of me with a whip on his hand. There was an evil glint in his eyes and I could tell behind those were his hatred directed towards me. I was confused.

What's happening? Who am I? Where am I?

All those questions filled my head and I swear my face was showing pure confusion. The side of my head started to sting once I thought hard enough to try and remember.

I felt my skin sting once more when the man whipped me. He was amused with my suffering, "You will be my puppet and you will listen to me when the time comes. Finally, I'll have control over the whole kingdom." He left through the only entrance and locked me in.

What was he saying? "Wh-what?" I let out a whimper of pain. I was on my knees, in a wooden cage of some sort and based on our surroundings, I gather that we were residing on forest grounds since there were trees everywhere. Even leaves and small branches managed to slip into the cage I was in.

But something still remained; I was still in an unfamiliar environment.

I struggled to move my arms around when I noticed my wrists were chained together. I could feel the sting of the silver into my skin and my head was continuously throbbing from all the pain, emptiness, and how lost I felt at that time.

Tears started to gather in my eyes for the question of my identity and how I got myself in this situation.

•••

I've been provided with little food and water ever since I've woken up in this filthy cage. The man grinned in triumph when he came to know that I remember nothing about my past. I was filthy. I smelled really bad and it started to sting my nose.

For the past months, I have been locked inside this cage as the man continued hurting me and filling me with hurtful words I couldn't even process and understand at the same time. I had bruises forming on every inch of my body and they were slowly healing each second. The oddity of my fast healing didn't seem to faze me for I grew accustomed to our abilities. I have seen men shift into their wolves and devour creatures for their own meal. It was a sight that might have frightened someone out of the norm but not of it surprised me, to say the least.

It was then that a few more months had passed when the man, who I've learned his name was Rik, got rid of the cage and allowed me to bathe and reside in their tents. There I was taken care of his mate, Lys, who has been acting out as a mother to 7 and a half me. She would be the one who'd defend me against her mate whenever he decides to punish me for who I am.

I don't think I could ever repay her for I caused her to turn against her mate, and leave him to let me escape his endless torture.

It was night time and Lys shook me from my sleep. My golden eyes found hers and she nodded her head towards me.

I understood her.

She was helping me.

I was about to say something to her when she tapped her ear with her index finger.

Enhanced hearing. She didn't need to inform me twice. The message has been clearly relayed.

Carefully, I stood up and left the tent with her, looking around for the patrols. Lys was informed of every patrol since her mate was the leader of this whole pack of wolves.

The minute we were able to wander off for about a hundred meters, I heard someone shout, "Who's there?"

Immediately, out of instinct, I held onto Lys' hand and ran off as fast as I could without turning my head to see if they were nearing us. The man who shouted protested at our faster and inhumane pace and I swear I felt like I could flash in an area into another by merely reaching my full potential.

Out of a distance, I heard Rik's enraged shout when he was informed of our escape. This alone boosted me up and caused me to run even faster.

Even though they were out of our range, we kept on running and running. My muscles were burning as we ran for hours and hours. We only stopped when we were able to find a decent place to reside in.

"Lys –" I started to say when we were in a small abandoned warehouse. Thankfully, we encountered a nearby store and dehydrated ourselves with cheap drinks. It has come to my attention that Lys had prepared beforehand and she was carrying a small backpack with necessities, a few clothes, and cash.

"It was never your fault. You did nothing to be in this situation." She started to explain. "My mate Rik is blinded with power thus calling himself the Rogue King as the leader of the rogues." Her raven locks were all over the place due to the continuous running. "He wanted to control you for his own personal gain and I can never let that happen." She turned to look at me, staring intently into my own fair share of golden orbs. A hint of familiarity was in them. Did I know her before?

I never asked.

The silence began to take over the atmosphere. I had so many questions but I had nothing to say or even ask. I just nodded in understanding.

"Aryn." My head snapped to her direction.

"Your name is Aryn." A small smile made its way to my face. Finally, to my satisfaction, I was able to know at least something about me.

I've been kept in the dark for 2 years. I had no knowledge of who I am and where I came from. I almost started to believe the words that left Rik's mouth, believing it to be directed to my real identity.

"Aunt Lys?" I called out for her that night. Her staggering breath indicated that she heard me. Stiff for the sudden indication of who she was to me. At least, for now. I stood up on my feet and settled down to her side, letting her warmth envelop me comfortably.

"Thank you." I closed my eyes and let exhaustion take over as the darkness started to consume me into nothingness.

••• 

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~AC