Chasing back his Rejected Mate

With each stride, my body throbbed with pain, and the weight of fatigue made my legs quiver. I was unsure of the duration of my run-hours. Days? With the trees looming above me like silent sentinels, the forest seemed to go on forever. I could only see shadows dancing at the borders of my vision, mocking my desperation.

I had been abandoned by the Moon Goddess. I had no doubts about it. Every breath was an effort, and every heartbeat served as a constant reminder of how alone I felt. Exiled, deceived, and abandoned to survive on my own in a society that desired my destruction.

I could taste the bitterness of defeat on my lips, and my throat felt dry. The faint cry of a far-off wolf reminded me that rogues were never far behind me. They were constantly on the lookout and hunting. I was one of them now.

I was startled out of my reverie by a rustle coming from the bushes to my right. My senses were sharpened, my wolf alert but weak, and as I swung around, my heart leapt into my throat. I was too weak to fight, too tired to move. I was done for if it was an attacker.

"Who is present?" I cried out, just managing to contain the edge of dread as my voice cracked.

The sole answer came from the wind, which smelled like damp earth and pine. There was something else, though, something subtle yet distinct.

With a hard gulp, my heartbeat accelerated. My wolf yelled at me to run, but my legs would not move. I had a gut feeling that this time, running would not save me. Rather, I readied myself, anticipating the next move.

Then a figure appeared out of the darkness. Tall, black-cloaked, eyes that gleamed in the darkness like fires.

With the grace of a predator, he moved with purpose and control in every step.

I couldn't quite identify it, but there was something uncannily familiar about the way he handled himself. Although my gut warned me to run, my wolf awoke, interested and curious.

The unfamiliar person came to a halt a short distance ahead of me, his sharp eyes meeting mine. Neither of us said anything for a moment. Even though his stillness unnerved me, there was something about him that prevented me from turning away.

At last, he murmured, "You shouldn't be out here alone." His voice was velvety smooth, like dark velvet against my skin.

I wasn't sure if it was fear or something else entirely, but it sent a shudder down my spine. My eyes narrowed as my body begged for rest, but I refused to reveal weakness.

I snapped back, a little more acerbic than I meant to be. "I don't have a choice."

His mouth twisted into a little smile. Each person has an option. Even you, miscreant.

I wasn't prepared for how deeply the word cut. I detested the moniker "rogue," which was imposed upon me the day I was banished. I wasn't going to show him how painful it was, though.

"What are your desires?

I shifted into a more demanding stance, trying to hide my quivering legs. My skin pricked as the man tilted his head and studied me intensely.

Desire? Nothing.

He stopped and moved closer, making himself larger than I was. However, it appears that you require saving.

At what he said, I winced. I had no desire to be saved. I desired retribution. For the lies that had destroyed my life, I yearned for justice. But survival was more important to me right now than anything else. "And you're attempting to rescue me?" I questioned, mistrust permeating every word.

His smile vanished to be replaced by something much more sombre. "Hunting is happening to you, whether you like it or not. Not only by outlaws, either.

A beat skipped in my heart. "Explain what you mean." "You're not out of the Crescent Moon pack's grasp, Nixie."

I got chills from the way he pronounced my name.

They dispatched scouts. If they track you down, it won't be an easy exile. They'll murder you.

I felt panic building in my chest and my breath caught. Although I had a sneaking suspicion that they wouldn't let me go so easily, seeing it verified by a stranger made it seem much more real.

"I am unable to... I muttered, more to myself than to him, "I can't go back."

"You won't," he answered, letting me know that his tone had softened a bit. "If you have faith in me." Confide in?

After what I'd experienced, the word itself felt strange and unfamiliar. I couldn't help but notice the peculiar earnestness in his gaze, though. He wasn't telling lies. He had knowledge that could save my life.

A loud cry rang through the trees, closer this time before I could reply. I took an involuntary step back, my heart hammering against my chest as my pulse raced.

"He turned to face the trees and muttered, "They're coming." "You're short on time."

I forced a hard swallow as terror gripped my throat with its cold fingers. I didn't want to pass away in this way or without a struggle. But I couldn't defeat them by myself.

"Why do you assist me?" I inquired, my eyes searching for answers, my voice no more than a whisper.

The stranger's face grew serious as something unintelligible flickered in his eyes. Let's just say that, more than you realize, something far bigger is involved in your destiny. It all falls apart if you pass away."

I felt a wave of anxiety pass through me at his comments. What was his meaning? What could make my survival so crucial? But before I could inquire, the silence was broken by yet another howl, closer than before.

In a low, frantic voice, he added, "Make a choice, Nixie." "Come with me and live to see another day, or stay here and face them."

I paused, caught between the certainty that I couldn't survive on my own and my mistrust of him. Sensing my hesitation, my wolf shoved me in his direction. Proceed. I took one more look at the woods before deciding.

"All right," I responded, moving in his direction. However, if this is a ruse-

"It's not," he interrupted, a menacing glimmer in his eyes. However, you'll owe me.

I had no time to quarrel. He took hold of my hand, and as soon as our flesh made contact, I felt a rush of energy. Even though it wasn't painful, I gasped enough to make my wolf growl in reaction. He pulled me into the darkness before I could realize what was happening, moving so quickly it took my breath away. I didn't feel like prey for the first time in what seemed like forever as the jungle grew blurry around us. I sensed being shielded. But as my heart hammered in my chest and the wind rushed through my hair, a persistent question kept popping into my head.

This man, who was he? And why did it seem appropriate for me to remember his touch?

He halted suddenly as we approached the edge of a clearing, his hand becoming more tightly clasped around mine. His eyes narrowed as he looked out at the pitch-black ahead. His head snapped up.

"What's that?" With my voice just audible, I asked.

He remained silent. Rather than grasping my hand, he released it and moved forward, his body tight and positioned like a predator about to attack.

Then I caught sight of it. Two bright eyes, peering back at us from the darkness.

"Remain behind me," he said, his once-smooth tone giving way to a harsher, more savage one.

I took a step back, my head shouting that this was just the beginning.