The Alpha's Prize
Chapter 30: The forest of the damned

We ran towards the woods, careful to watch our surroundings for anyone that would stop us. Finally,we reached the tree line and stepped into the dense brush, blending ourselves with the forest. Wewent further in and continued running for a few minutes before stopping. Gunnar and I had closedenough distance between us and the pack house that it was safe to stop now, but only for amoment.

Kneeling on the ground, I opened the bag Rose gave us and started pulling the contents out. First, Ipulled out an old map showing directions to the forest and the willow tree. Then, I dug into the bagagain, pulling out salt, a lighter, a flashlight, a pair of gloves, a compass and a silver knife. Althoughthe knife was dangerous to us, it was also a threat to other supernatural creatures, but I was gladRose had packed some gloves.

Gunnar knelt beside me, and we both started to go over the map, memorizing key points."According to the map, it doesn't seem like it's too far of a journey from here. We head South forabout 10km, then East for 7km, and then north for 4km. There are a few markers along the way thatwill help to keep us on track, as well.” I said to Gunnar as we reviewed the map and directions thatRose gave us.

Gunnar looked at me, a severe expression on his face and placed his hand on my shoulder. “Are yousure you want to do this? Unfortunately, this mission will not be as easy as you hope, Freja. Fromwhat I've heard, those travelling to the forest don’t come back, and the journey there will test yourlimits.”

I looked back to the map, thinking over his words and considering the question of whether or not Iwanted to do this. However, if I chose not to do this, then Cain would die, which was not a choicefor me. But, no matter what comes my way or what challenges I face, I know I can do this, and I willface it all, like the brave warrior that I am, with my wolf at my side.

I nodded my head. “Yes, I want to do this, Gunnar. I need to try at least to save him.” If I didn't try tosave Cain, it would torture me for the rest of my days. He is my mate, and I am not ready to losehim.

He pursed his lips, and I knew he disagreed with my decision, but like the good man he is, Gunnarnodded in agreement. “Ok, then. We will get through this together.” Gunnar then stood to his feetand extended his hand for me to grab. “Let's get going.”

Before standing to my full height, I packed everything back into the bag and grabbed Gunnar'shand. I threw the bag onto my shoulder, and we followed the trail leading out of Cain's territory,using the map as a guide to sudden doom, I mean to the cure.

Gunnar and I walked along the dirt path in silence, listening and watching for any dangers orunwanted guests. We were about 10kms into our journey now, almost halfway there, but the sunwas starting to go down and soon it would be too dark to continue safely.

I came to a stop, grabbing Gunnar's attention. “We should probably set up camp and get a firegoing. Plus, we need to get some rest, and, in the morning, we can continue.” I suggested toGunnar, hoping he would agree with me.

Gunnar nodded his head and gazed around us. “Yea, you are right; it will be safer to travel duringthe day.” He said, still looking into the distance. Gunnar pointed a finger towards a clearing that wasjust off the path. “We can make camp over there; it's off the path and not so isolated that we can'tsee.” We walked over and took a look around, smelling the area and making sure nothing had beenhere.

I looked to Gunnar. “I think it's good; let's get a fire going; I'll go grab some wood.” I placed my bagdown on the ground and walked off into the brush, searching around for firewood. I had finallyfound some decent wood to burn that wasn't too damp and headed back towards the camp.

Upon my return, I noticed Gunnar had built a fire pit and was now kneeling in the dirt, piling brushtogether on the ground and creating what looked like a makeshift bed.

Gunnar looked up at me, then back down at his creation and shrugged, “I tried to make some beds.”He pointed at the second bush bed. “They won't be that great, but it's better than sleeping on theground,” Gunnar said while rubbing the back of his neck, and I chuckled at him.

I shook my head and smiled at him. “They are perfect, and it's better than nothing. I found somewood.” I placed the pile on the ground next to the pit. “Some of it is damp, but once we get thingsgoing, it should burn no problem.” I grabbed a few logs and placed them in the middle of the pit,and then walked over to my bag and grabbed out the lighter.

Gunnar was next to the fire pit, spreading dried grass around the logs. We finally got the fire going,burning bright, and warming the cool night air around us.

As we sat around the fire, we noticed that the sun was nearly set now. Gunnar stood to his fullheight. “I'm going to go see if I can replace us some food.” He then took off into the brush, and Istayed at the camp, tending to the fire.

I sat there, staring into the roaring fire, watching as the wood slowly turned into ash. Finally, havinga moment to myself, my mind began to race with everything that had happened. The betrayal andloss of my sister, of Erik, two people I grew up with, loved and cared for, but the hardest thing todeal with was the possibility of losing Cain. All my life, I had been raised to believe that he was amonster, an evil man with no morals and when he took me, I thought for sure I was going to die,that my life was over. However, I had gotten to know a different man, someone not portrayed in thestories I was told as a child. Cain was a monster, a man to be feared, but he could also love anotherwith every fibre of his being.

I was abruptly brought out of my thoughts by Gunnar's sudden appearance, causing me to jumpslightly. He was standing there, holding some fish in one hand and something else in the other. Heraised a brow. “Everything ok?"

I nodded my head. “Yes, I was just waiting for you to get back,” I told him, not wanting to discusswhat had just been going through my head.

Gunnar walked over and knelt beside me. “I caught a couple of fish for us to eat and found someberries that we can crush up to make a sauce for the fish.” Gunnar put everything onto a rock nextto the fire, grabbed the knife out of the bag, and then prepared things.

Then, as I watched the large man cautiously prepare our food, I told him wholeheartedly. “I'vefucking missed you,” I said with a broad smile.

He scrunched his brows together, looking at me like I was a crazy person. “Shut up, would you.”Gunnar chuckled.

I genuinely don't know how he had done it, but the food was delicious. The fish was juicy, sweet andsavoury, melting in my mouth and leaving me to crave for more. With our bellies now full, it wastime to get some much-needed rest.

We laid down onto our “Beds.” and got as comfortable as we possibly could, despite the odd branchpoking me in the side. I rolled onto my side, facing my brother, who was staring at me intently,hesitation etched on his features.

I let out a sigh. “Spit it out already; I know something is on your mind,” I said aloud.

Gunnar looked away from me for a moment. “I am just concerned about this journey. What it holdsin store for us and what the outcome will be. What if there is no cure? What if we can't get thecure?” Gunnar's tone was heavy with concern.

If 1 was being honest with myself, I hadn't given those possibilities any thought. I knew thingsweren't going to be easy along the way, but I hadn't thought about the outcome or the likelihoodof not getting the cure.

I frowned. “Honestly, I haven't given that any thought. My mind has only been focused on gettingthe cure and getting it back to Cain.” I told him truthfully.

His expression softened, and he pursed his lips. “I know that doing this means a lot to you, and yourmind is made up, but I just want you to consider the idea that we may not make it there, that thecure might not even be there or that the cure won't even work,” Gunnar said solemnly.

I closed my eyes and swallowed roughly, my throat tightening with the hard-hitting truth of hiswords. I nodded my head slowly. “I will,” I said, then rolled over, facing away from him now, notwanting to have this conversation anymore. I must have been even more exhausted than I hadthought, as sleep quickly overcame me.

I opened my eyes and sat up, realizing I was surrounded by yellow flowers in the middle of a field. Istood up, frantically looking around for Gunnar, but I was alone, and there wasn't a soul in sight.The field stretched on for as far as the eye could see, littered with nothing but these yellow flowers. Ibent down to look at the flowers, entranced by their beauty; they were a bright yellow, with red inthe middle of it and a thin layering of black dust.

Just as I was about to pluck one, I heard a familiar voice call my name. I shot back up, standingstraight and whipped around. My chest heaved, and tears brimmed my eyes as I stared at the facethat I longed to see again.

I rushed towards him, the flowers brushing against my legs with each stride. He stood there smilingand opened his arms wide, ready to embrace me.

I jumped into his arms, and he held me tightly to his chest. “Cain.” I choked out, my voice scratchy.He rubbed up and down my spine. “It's ok, love; I'm here now,” Cain said in that deep, husky tone ofhis.

I pulled back from him, my eyes roaming over his face. “How are you here? How are you alive?" Iasked, bewildered.

Cain raised a brow. “Does it matter?” He asked me, a hint of irritation to his voice.

My brows pulled together as I got a feeling of unease suddenly. “Yes, it does matter. But, wait......thisisn't real; it can't be.” I had to be dreaming or something, as my gut told me this wasn't my mate.

I tried to pull away from him. “You're not Cain, and this isn't real. Let me go!” I demanded.

I squirmed in the person's hold, trying to free myself, but when I looked up at them, the blooddrained from my body, and fear gripped me tightly, as their face was now frail and withered.

I gasped loudly and froze, unable to move or speak. “This is your fault; look upon my face and seethe damage you have caused, Freja,” Cain said, in a cynical and unrecognizable voice.

I shook my head violently. “No, this is just a dream, and you're not Cain. I will get that cure, and I willsave him.” I shouted at the top of my lungs, not letting this nightmare deter me.

Suddenly, I woke up, sitting up with a jolt and looked around for the figure from my dreams, but itwas no longer there. I closed my eyes and sucked in a deep breath, trying to let go of the nightmareand calm my nerves. I looked over, and Gunnar was sound asleep next to me, snoring away.

I gave him a shake. “Gunnar, wake up; we need to get going,” I shouted, trying to wake the sleepingbeauty. The sun was starting to come up, and I wanted to get a head start before it was too late.Gunnar swatted my hand away and groaned loudly, “I'm sleeping; leave me alone.” His voice wasgroggy, still filled with sleep.

Standing to my feet, I kicked his boot. “Get your ass up! Or else I'm going to drown you with coldwater.” I shouted.

He rolled over and opened one eye, glaring at me. “You are a pain in my ass; you know that?”

I shrugged. “Yes, I'm aware. Now, let's get moving.” I didn’t want to waste any more time as we wereracing against the clock.

Gunnar reluctantly got up from his bed and stretched, giving me an evil look as he did. I gatheredeverything up and placed it into the backpack, ensuring we weren't leaving anything behind.

I looked to Gunnar. “Do whatever it is you need to do before we head out,” I told him, not wantingto make any stops, and he just groaned in response, then walked off into the brush. I followed suit,looking for a spot for me to relieve my aching bladder.

Once we had finished, I grabbed the bag and threw it over my shoulder. “Ready?” I asked Gunnar.Gunnar looked at me with a deadpan stare. “If I say no, can I go back to bed?” He asked blatantly,sleep still evident in his tone.

I snorted. “In your dreams. Now, come one there, princess, you can catch up on your beauty restonce we have the cure and get it back to Cain.” I told him, smiling broadly.

He rolled his eyes. “Then I guess I'm ready.” He said in a tone that was anything but pleased.

I laughed at his childlike behaviour, and he shoved me playfully. Then, grabbing out the map, Ilooked over it, trying to figure out where we were and where we needed to go next.

"From what I can tell, we are here.” I pointed on the map, going by the last marker we passed beforestopping for the night. “We need to head East now.” I pulled out the compass and moved it arounduntil it pointed East. “Alright, we need to go this way,” I told Gunnar, and he nodded. We then leftour campsite and started on our trek.

We had been walking for what felt like an eternity, following the map accordingly and keeping aneye out for the markers that would indicate we were on the right path. Still, for the umpteenth time,we continued to pass by the same marker over and over again.

I groaned loudly in frustration. “This is fucking ridiculous! According to the map, the forest shouldbe just ahead of us. The last marker before the entrance looks like a gargoyle and that.” I pointed atthe stone, shaped like a gargoyle. “Looks like a fucking gargoyle, but we seem just to be going incircles, and we have passed that same stupid rock five times now.” I threw the map onto the ground,beyond frustrated and lost. I didn’t understand what was going on; I was beginning to feel hopelessand as if I was failing before I even had the chance to begin.

The map showed that the entrance to the forest of the damned was just beyond this last marker,but each time we continued past it, we ended up right back at the stone. We were no closer to theforest and feeling a little disoriented now, as if something was playing a trick on us.

I walked away from Gunnar, needing a moment to collect myself and clear my mind. I closed myeyes and rubbed my hands down my face, sighing heavily. Sucking in a deep breath, I calmedmyself and turned around to face Gunnar in hopes of being able to figure this out together. Only,when I turned around, I was alone, and Gunnar was gone.

I spun around in a circle, looking all around me, but Gunnar was nowhere in sight. My breathingincreased, and my heart began to pound in my chest as the fear slowly crept up my spine. Then, athick and chilling fog started to roll in, wrapping around me like a blanket and engulfing what littleof my surroundings were left to be seen. Suddenly, a pungent smell invaded my nose as the foggrew, making me gag.

I stopped moving and stood still, knowing I would get lost if I continued to advance. I closed myeyes and focused on my wolf, allowing her to be my guide. My wolf's hackles rose, and she was onfull alert, growling at something that was closing in on us. I opened my eyes, the fog still growingthick around me. Only now, a slim figure was coming into view, and as it closed the distancebetween us, those familiar green eyes from my dream came into view.