the torment of soulmates

one II desperate

                           "and though she be but little, she is fierce."

                                               ~shakespeare

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      the rows of trees were endless; just lines of dark foliage and the occasional rustle of leaves and chatters of birdsong.  she must have been in the woods for hours; her legs and feet were sore from trekking and she felt like her body was close to collapsing.

    another few steps and there was a thud. the world went sideways, she had fallen and her surroundings were spinning. riley's breath came out in ragged gasps and in that moment she had never wanted anything more than to give in to the pull of blackness that tugged at her conscience.

     her mind filled with images; blood all over my body, a glimpse of a crying baby, the dark yellow eyes of him that seemed to peer into her soul as had he attacked. riley remembered a terrible aching pain down there and then the agony of birth that felt like she was being ripped apart.

      riley was so close to letting go and yet something stopped her; the memory of her daughter. if she didn't try and pull through then she would never see her again -something which riley could never let happen. she gritted her teeth and pulled herself to my elbows, knowing full well her legs wouldn't move. Riley looked up, slightly dazed as the world still spun and to her amazement she saw there was a slight break in the trees that lay only a few hundred meters away.

     how could she have missed that?

    in the distance riley could see glimpses of wild flowers and the shimmer of water. she was filled with a sense of hope, a sense of purpose. if she could find water then she could re-hydrate and maybe find food and a way out.

    riley slowly staggered to her feet and stumbled towards the clearing, breathing heavily. almost there… just a little further and…

     there she collapsed at the waters edge. riley lay down, the river lapping gently at her dirty brown hair while she marvelled at the beauty of forest. she was lying in long wet grass, dotted with daisies and dandelions that framed a glistening creek running through the woods. the waves soaking the ends of her hair reminded riley that she needed nourishment and so she turned over onto her belly and scooped up some water in her hands to pour down her throat.

    suddenly a branch snapped and the serenity of the forest was broken. a harsh shout disturbed the silence and riley's body stiffened as the scent of werewolf filled her nose.

     "what are you doing on my alpha's land you filthy rogue!"

     riley froze, her mind was blank of ideas but she snapped her head around and stood up, cringing at the ache in my body. there were four of them. all tall and well built but only one stuck in her mind; it was the rough voice filled with aggression, dirty blonde hair and defiant green eyes that kept her attention. he was a beta and the self-assertiveness and defiance projected off him in waves of power. he was angry that she was here and willing to do anything to protect his pack.

     if he hadn't been so focused on getting rid of her then riley probably would of admired him. at least that's what the old riley would have thought. for now she was tired mentally and physically and was in trouble. these werewolves were all strong and wouldn't hesitate to attack and if they did she wouldn't stand a chance.

    riley was snapped out of her thoughts when one of the other men spoke up and said, "well? answer your beta!"

    he's not my beta! an inner part that wasn't tamed by hunger and exhaustion snapped. riley's wolf had finally decided to make an appearance. but riley ignored her and instead gave in to submission as it was the easier choice. her wolf growled in disgust. 

    "i'm s..sorry," riley started. "i thought this was a free space… i don't want trouble so i'll just leave and get out of your way."

     riley could see the human side of the beta was considering her words but his wolf was enraged that someone was trespassing on his land. stupid, riley's wolf hissed in her mind, deliberately provoking him, are you a wolf or a piece of prey?

    riley snarled quietly to herself but it was too late. the beta felt her wolf's defiance and his eyes flashed. riley weakly prepared for an attack but the wolf of the beta didn't reappear.

    "no." he said evenly. "you will come with us and meet our alpha and you will see what he does to trespassers." 

     riley whipped her head around anxiously, her eyes darting from side to side. "no, wait!" what about myra?

    "enough!", he roared, "what is done is done and you will come with us, even if we have to force you!"

     riley felt her wolf tense and made a feeble effort to stop her. but then her wolf finally felt the intensity of anger coming from this beta. she was too weak and he was too determined. her wolf eventually gave in. riley bowed her head as the four werewolves formed an escort and resigned herself to her fate. 

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hey guys, caia here. hope you like the book so far, i know the style is a bit weird >.<  anyways it's my first werewolf book and first time writing with someone else xD wish me and roxanne luck!!