Mated To The Beastly Alpha
Chapter 66

Pain, raw blinding pain; fear, sickening fear; betrayal, heart-wrenching betrayal. All accompanied Nicole as she ran for her life. No one was after her. Not yet, but as soon as she was far enough, she changed to her wolf form and sprinted through the forest.

Everything about this act of escape seemed wrong to her. Her bones were wearing from fighting, but for some reason, her wolf was against running. It wanted to turn back.

Turn back to what? She asked herself. Don't you want freedom? Have you forgotten the pain you suffered?

The worst part was that she couldn't remember why she was running. The only thing was that the voices in her head screamed treason and told her that turning back meant her death.

Since her wolf was highly uncooperative and was yearning for something she couldn't quite understand, she turned back to human form.

She had crossed the Dark Moon's border a long time ago and was farther away from the life she knew than she could imagine, but she didn't know.

Nicole's heart pounded in her chest as she sprinted through the dense forest, her breath ragged and her body covered in sweat. Each step she took seemed to further blur her memories, fading away like whispers in the wind.

She couldn't recall what had transpired before this great battle, but one thing remained clear-her life was in grave danger.

The forest enveloped her in its ancient embrace, its towering trees casting long shadows that danced around her.

Nicole's legs trembled with exhaustion, her muscles protesting against the relentless sprint. She could feel her strength waning, but the fear coursing through her veins pushed her forward.

As she stumbled upon a small clearing, Nicole's body finally gave in to fatigue. She collapsed to her knees, gasping for air, her mind swirling with confusion.

Her head throbbed with pain, aching from the strain of the battle she couldn't remember. She desperately needed rest, a respite from the chaos that had consumed her life.

Nicole gathered the little energy she had left and managed to erect a makeshift camp in the heart of the forest. The canopy of trees provided a temporary sanctuary, shielding her from prying eyes and the dangers that lurked beyond. She lay down on the rough ground, her body aching and battered, and succumbed to a deep and restless sleep.

The night unfolded with haunting whispers and eerie rustles, stirring Nicole from her slumber. Disoriented and disheveled, she sat up, her eyes scanning the darkness.

Her surroundings were unfamiliar, foreign to her, like a forgotten dream. She reached for her memory, grasping at fragments that eluded her, but the harder she tried, the more they slipped away.

Nicole's injuries, too, made their presence known. She wasn't healing as fast as she should have. It was like she was fading away.

Bruises adorned her limbs, an evidence of a fierce battle fought with unfathomable strength. Blood seeped from wounds that now throbbed with every beat of her heart.

She knew she needed to tend to them to replace a way to heal her battered body, but the path ahead remained obscured.

The first thing the next morning, Nicole continued her journey through the labyrinthine forest. Each step brought her closer to the unknown, yet further from the memories she so desperately sought.

The forest whispered ancient secrets, its hidden depths whispering promises of salvation and treachery in equal measure.

She stumbled upon a crystal-clear stream, its glistening waters beckoning her closer. Nicole knelt down, cupping her hands and drank thirstily, the cool liquid soothing her parched throat. She splashed water on her wounds, wincing at the sting, but replaceing a momentary respite from the pain.

The forest path grew treacherous, with twisted roots and tangled underbrush threatening to ensnare her with each movement.

Nicole's exhaustion deepened, her body heavy with weariness. She pushed on, driven by an instinct to survive, to replace answers in the face of relentless adversity.

In the twilight of yet another day, Nicole stumbled upon a dilapidated cabin nestled deep within the forest's embrace.

It stood like a solitary sentinel, its weathered walls echoing tales of forgotten lives and lost battles. Hope mingled with caution in her heart as she cautiously approached the wooden structure.

As Nicole approached the cabin, her heart filled with a flicker of hope, a glimmer of respite from the relentless pursuit. But her anticipation turned to terror as a pack of rogue werewolves sprang from the hidden corners, their snarls echoing through the air. Instinctively, her own werewolf nature surged within her, but the weariness and weakness that plagued her body hindered her abilities.

The memory of her power remained locked away, inaccessible to her in the chaos of the moment.

Her wolf urged to rip them apart, and Nicole didn't understand its bravado. With a surge of adrenaline, Nicole turned on her heels and sprinted away, desperate to escape the ferocious jaws that threatened to tear her apart.

The forest blurred around her as she dodged trees and leapt over fallen logs, her body straining against the pain and exhaustion.

The relentless pursuit of the werewolves sent a shiver down her spine, their snarls growing closer with each passing second.

She could hear the pounding of their paws, the heavy breaths that punctuated their relentless chase. The scent of damp earth and decaying leaves filled her nostrils as she pushed herself to the limit.

Her muscles screamed in protest. The forest seemed to close in around her, the shadows elongating and reaching out as if to grab hold of her fleeing form.

Just as it seemed her pursuers would close the distance, Nicole's foot caught on a hidden root, sending her sprawling forward.

Pain lanced through her body as she tumbled down into a hidden burrow, rolling in the dirt and leaves. Desperation lent her the strength to scramble to her feet despite the throbbing ache in her limbs.

From the safety of the burrow, Nicole peered out, her heart pounding in her chest. The rogue werewolves circled the area where she had fallen, their growls resonating through the air.

Their eyes gleamed with feral hunger, and their muzzles twitched as they sniffed the air, searching for her scent. The moonlight cast an eerie glow over their hunched forms, turning their fur into shadows that seemed to dance with menace. Nicole held her breath, her body trembling with fear and anticipation. She knew she had to remain hidden, to stay perfectly still and silent as the werewolves prowled mere yards away.

The burrow provided a temporary shield, shielding her from their view, but she knew it was only a matter of time before they discovered her hiding place.

Minutes stretched into an eternity as she waited, her heartbeats pounding in her ears, each one a deafening reminder of the danger she faced.

Finally, the werewolves, frustrated by their fruitless search, gave up and retreated into the darkness of the forest. Their fading growls and snarls brought a measure of relief, but Nicole knew she couldn't linger in the burrow for long. Summoning every ounce of courage she could muster, Nicole crawled out from the burrow, her body aching with every movement. She surveyed her surroundings, taking in the moonlit landscape with a mixture of weariness and determination. The forest stretched out before her, an unending maze of shadows and hidden perils. With each step, she knew the danger would still be present, but she also knew that she had escaped, at least for now.

Pushing the pain and confusion to the back of her mind, Nicole forced herself to her feet and resumed her treacherous journey, the echoes of the rogue werewolves' snarls still ringing in her ears.

She would replace safety and answers and reclaim her lost memories despite the trials she had to endure along the way.

Nicole's weary legs carried her to the entrance of an unfamiliar territory. She could sense a shift in the air, the invisible border she had crossed.

But her exhaustion overwhelmed her, and with a final feeble step, she collapsed at the entrance, her body unable to withstand the strain any longer.

As darkness closed in around her, Nicole felt a flicker of hope fade. The world blurred, sounds fading into distant echoes. But just as unconsciousness threatened to claim her, the rustling of leaves and footsteps reached her ears. "Look over there!" a voice exclaimed, filled with concern.

Nicole's eyes fluttered open, replaceing herself surrounded by a family of four-a mother, a father, and two children. Their eyes widened with surprise and worry as they took in her battered form.

"Oh my goodness! What happened to you?" the mother exclaimed, her voice laced with empathy.

The father knelt beside Nicole, gently cradling her head. "We need to help her. She's in bad shape."

As they tended to her, Nicole struggled to replace her voice. "Who... Who are you?" she managed to whisper, her words barely audible.

The mother smiled warmly. "We're just travelers passing through. My name is Sarah, and this is my husband, David, and our children, Emily and Lucas."

Nicole nodded weakly, gratitude flickering in her eyes. "Thank you... for helping me."

Just as the family worked together to support her, the sound of approaching footsteps filled the air. Guards, clad in the distinct markings of the territory, encircled them, suspicion etched on their faces. "What's going on here?" one of the guards demanded, his voice tinged with authority.

Sarah's voice quivered as she explained, "We found her collapsed at the entrance. She's injured and needs help."

The guards eyed Nicole warily, their gazes filled with caution. "Who is she? What is she doing in our territory?" one of them pressed.

Sarah's eyes met Nicole's, a glimmer of determination shining within. "She's not a threat. Can't you see she's barely conscious? She needs our help."

The guards exchanged glances, uncertainty flickering in their eyes. But one of them stepped forward, his voice filled with scepticism. "We can't just let anyone waltz into our territory without explanation."

The air grew tense as the standoff continued, Nicole's weakened body barely holding on. But then, another guard approached, his expression thoughtful. He took a step closer, his keen senses detecting something unique about Nicole's scent. "I'll handle this," he declared firmly, his voice commanding attention.

With a single sniff, the guard's face softened, and he turned to his comrades. "She's not a rogue. There's something different about her. Let the family take her to safety."

Relieved sighs escaped Sarah and David's lips as the guards reluctantly backed off. With a nod of gratitude, Sarah motioned for her family to lift Nicole carefully. The children's faces were filled with concern and curiosity as they followed their parents' lead. "Thank you," Nicole murmured weakly, her voice barely audible.

As they made their way deeper into the territory, the family's reassuring words floated around Nicole, providing a sense of comfort amidst her fragile state. They spoke of hope, of a place where she would be safe, a place where she could replace answers to her lost memories.

"We'll take care of you," Sarah whispered, her voice tinged with compassion. "You're not alone anymore."

Nicole felt her eyelids grow heavy, the combined weight of exhaustion and relief pulling her deeper into the darkness. The last thing she heard before succumbing to unconsciousness was Emily's gentle voice, laced with innocence. "Don't worry, we'll protect you. We're a family now."

And at that moment, as Nicole's consciousness slipped away, she couldn't help but hold onto that glimmer of hope, grateful for the unexpected family that had come to her rescue.