"L-Luna?" A trembling voice replied. A voice I knew all too well.
"It's me, Christy. We're here to take you home." I tried to smile even though I knew they couldn't see my face in the dark.
Ruth was approaching the kids cautiously. She didn't want to make any sudden moves and scare them. There were a few apples and oranges scattered around on the ground. I guess that's what they were given to eat.
"I-I need to see m-mommy…" The little omega's voice was shaky as she cried.
"It's okay, honey. We're going to see her soon, okay?" I stepped closer to them. Her brothers were standing in front of her, shielding her from us. Little protective alphas. They'll grow up to be fierce warriors.
"You don't need to be afraid of me. We're here to rescue you," I smiled, but they only glared back at me, not even moving an inch. "You're Robin and Ryan, aren't you? I'm your Luna. I know you guys have seen me with your Alpha. Don't you trust me?" I asked softly, crouching down to look them in the eye.
"You were one of them," The taller one in the trio spoke, glaring at me. What a feisty little alpha.
"I was a rogue. I was never a hunter. The people who kidnapped you are hunters." I explained calmly. "I was once taken by them too. That's why we're here to save you. I don't want you to go through what I once went through."
The kids looked at each other for a moment before their shoulders relaxed. "I'm Robin…" The taller one spoke. He then pointed at his brother. "This is Ryan."
Ryan bit his lips and looked at me. "Get us out of here, please. It's scary here…"
"Take my hands and follow me, okay?"
"Okay,"
___
Ruth and I got the kids out of the cave and I saw the relief wash over their tiny faces when they saw the light after long hours of staying in the dark. I picked Christy up as we walked because the little omega was tired from dehydration.
"I think I got a signal," Ruth announced happily, showing me her phone. "It's only one bar but I think—"
"Ruth," I hushed her. My whole body went stiff as I focused on the sounds. "They're here…" I looked around. The chill-rising stillness of the forest just made my stomach churn. "Run."
That was all it took for Ruth and me to bolt through the forest, stumbling here and there as we tried to avoid the trees. "Should we shift?!" Ruth asked.
"No, there's no time! And it's not practical with the pups!" The alpha kids might be able to run but Christy can't. She has no energy.
"Don't shoot! We want them alive!" I heard their voices in the distance. They have weapons!
I can't let them hurt the kids.
I could hear their manic laughter. They like it. They like the chase. This is entertainment for them. My blood boiled at the thought.
I need to find a way to save the kids!
I looked for anything that could save us. Any little thing that could help us get them off our tail.
That's when I caught the smell.
The stinky bush I used to hate when I lived in the forest. I remember avoiding that thing at all costs because of how bad it smelled.
But now that thing could save us. "Ruth, follow me," I told her before taking the lead. We sped up for a moment, making sure they couldn't see us before I led all of us into the copse of those stinky bushes. "They won't be able to smell us here. The smell of these plants will cover us." I panted as I explained.
"We can stay here until they're gone," Ruth nodded.
I shook my head. "They'll find us eventually,"
"What are we gonna do?" Ruth looked at me, raising her eyebrows in question.
"I have to go—"
"No." She cut me off, shaking her head as if that's something impossible.
"They need a distraction, Ruth."
"That's not happening, Ivy. You're not going—"
I caught her face in my hands. "Ruth, listen to me. I'm talking to you as your Luna. Obey me." I told her sternly, causing her eyes to brim with tears. My gaze softened at her expression. "I can't stay here for long. I'm going to get out of here and lead them away, okay? Use your phone to send your location to someone in the pack. You said you got a signal, right?" I asked, and she nodded. "Okay, do that and wait here for them to come. I'll lead these people away from here. Don't worry, I'll be safe,"
"Ivy—"
I hushed her. "The kids need you, Ruth. Stay strong for them." I told her before looking at the kids. Christy was already crying. I wiped her tears away. "Stay here, okay? I'll see you back at the pack house."
"D-Don't go…" She cried, gripping my hand.
I looked around. I could see through the gaps between the bushes that they were getting closer and closer. I need to get out. It's a good thing that nothing is visible from the outside as it is dark here.
"I'll come back. I promise," I said before getting my hands free from her tight grip.
I got out of the thicket of bushes without making much sound. They were approaching. I could hear their footsteps.
I have to lead them away. Fast.
I ran in the opposite direction, making as much sound as I could. It didn't take long for them to catch up to me. I was glad they followed me like fools but my happiness didn't last for long. My feet came to a stop because they had no other option. I was on the edge of a cliff with nowhere to run to.
What?
I looked down. Deep down there's a river flowing. I have no time to think.
Turn back and run away!
I turned on my feet, ready to bolt away.
"Surround her!" I heard one of their voices.
"What about the others?"
"Leave them! She's his mate. We hit the jackpot!" His laugh echoed in the forest.
I gulped. I can't run. They're everywhere. I will be caught and I will be tortured… The memories flashed through my mind again, making my stomach churn. I wanted to puke.
I can't go through that again.
The river….Will it kill me? Taking a deep breath, I slowly turned. Maybe I'll survive….
It's the hunters or the river and right now, the river seems to be the safest option.
"Little omega…come with us. We promise we won't harm you. You are the only way to make your husband calm down…Come with us…we're safer than the river—"
"I'll die before you even touch my shadow." I spat out before leaning back, letting myself fall from the cliff.
I heard their loud growls for a second before everything was blocked out. My survival instinct kicked in, and I prepared myself to enter the water. I couldn't see properly so I struggled a lot. The fear was kicking in. I was going to die.
My whole body ached as I entered the water. The air was kicked out of my lungs and I felt like I'd been whipped by a thousand lashes.
The force was too much. I felt myself go in and out of consciousness as I sunk deeper.
___
The next time I opened my eyes, I was lying on top of a rock, half dry already. My lower body was still in the water as I clung to the rock for dear life.
How long have I been here? How did I get here?
I couldn't remember anything. Everything, after I fell into the water, was only a hazy memory.
I need to get up and move from here. They'll be here in no time and god knows I've already wasted so much of the time I should've used to get away. They're not going to let me go. They know me and they want to use me against him. I can't let that happen. I'm already weak. I can't become his weakness too.
I need to hide my scent. If I'm not careful enough, no matter where I go, they will track me down. What should I do?
I looked around as I walked. I didn't know where to go. The first thing to do is hide.
Mud. Mud will help to cover my scent. I looked down at the puddle of mud. As much as it looked disgusting, it was going to save me from the hunters.
I got down to work immediately. Scooping up a handful of mud and smearing it on my body where my scent glands are located. When I was finished, I continued walking. A small stream of water came from the deep forest, joining the big river. I decided to follow the stream. If I walk closer to the stream, then I won't lose my way back and I can avoid leaving footprints since the sides of the stream are rocky.
I started my journey, always looking around and moving while making no sounds. My neck ached from how many times I looked over my shoulder. I was paranoid. Even a leaf falling harmlessly set me on the edge.
I hope Ruth and the kids are safe. Everything will be in vain if they're caught by the hunters and I'll never be able to forgive myself for dragging Ruth into this.
I don't know how long I walked but when I reached the start of the stream. There was a waterfall. It was big and wide.
I should rest. The mud on my body was dry, and it was falling down in clumps whenever I moved. The sole of my feet ached and bled from walking on the rocks.
I'm thirsty and I needed a bath. Crouching down on the shore, I washed my hands and then waited a while before scooping up some water to drink. Only when the water hit my tongue did I realize how much I craved it. I drank like I just got back from a desert.
I peeled my clothes off till I was butt naked and then got into the water.
I swam around for a few minutes before I went closer to the waterfall.
That's when I saw it. A cave. Right behind the waterfall!
"What the hell?" I said before stepping on the rocks to get there. It was a deep cave and pretty big. Wow, a perfect hiding spot.
I walked inside and looked around. There was nothing in it so I don't think it's a cave that a lot of people knew about. I should rest here. Nobody would find me.
I smiled. On the opening of the cave, there was a pointy rock at the top, facing downward. Water trickled down from it like a showerhead.
I sat down under it and leaned back to let my head rest on the big rock behind me as the water trickled down right onto my head. It felt so calming. It reminded me of that time I went to a salon with Ruth and the way they washed my hair.
I stood up after a few minutes. I can't stay under the water for a long time and get myself sick. I need to dry my hair. My palms were turning wrinkly after being in the water for so long. I scrunched up my hair to get the water out of it as I walked into the cave. Maybe I should sleep here for a bit.
I should get my clothes and come—
I felt hands covering my mouth, causing my whole body to go frigid. My heart almost flew away from my chest and almost scratched the eyes out of the person holding me before the familiar scent of wild herbs hit my nostrils.
Cassian?
Cassian hushed me and walked me to the darkest corner of the cave, telling me to listen. I focused on the sounds. I could hear faint voices outside. The water muffled them but some of them spoke so loudly that it pierced through the water.
Hunters. They were here.
"...clothes…."
I knew they were talking about me. I left my clothes there!
"... shifted….that way…. catch…" I could only make out a few words from their conversation. I waited a few more moments but there were no more voices.
Relief washed over me and I looked up at my mate, only to see his dark eyes staring back at me. A chill danced down my spine and suddenly I was aware of the state I was in.
My body pressed against him, hands gripping his shirt and holding him close as if I wasn't naked as the day I was born.
Shame and realization hit me like an avalanche and I tried to move away only to be held in place by the alpha.
"Don't move," His deliciously low voice rolled off his tongue like a sweet melody and I clenched my thighs together from how it made me feel.
Oh, no.
This is not good.