I could not feel anything. My limbs had given up the strength I retained moments ago. The bruised muscles of my limbs cried out for me to rest. But I could not stop. Not when I had been given the chance to flee the clasps of the devil I called my moon blessed.

Courage welled and I pushed my feet against the bare grounds of the forest as I heaved and panted. My destination was not decided but my motive was apparent. I needed to cross the river before his warriors caught up to me or terrible, I land in his hands again.

The risks were high.

And the fact that my wolf was in hibernation for he had dominated her fully, ignited outrage and natural turmoil inside me. So vastly. He had demolished so much of me. My breath was unequal but I could not risk it for I was so near to my path. Just needed to cross the river and my scent would be mixed with wolves of another pack. I just hope the weed Dextra had given me worked for a few more days till I decide what I need to do next.

Pebbles pierced through my soles, the blood dripped down my forearms as I ran with all my might. My eyes hastily searched the area when I heard soft waves of water cascading down the rocks.

Eventually.

I run carelessly with bleeding limbs. I had been running for the past few hours. I hadn't truly believed the location Dextra had given me of the next pack but the deeper I ran into the forbidden forest, the more I feel it... the taste of my freedom.

Freedom that had been yanked through my hands by the nefarious barbarity of my mate. The one who was supposed to protect me was the one I was seeking protection from. Why? Why did he have to be my mate? Were my longings of wanting a mate who loved me and cherished me wholly was so much that the moon finds it so unfair for she cursed his existence upon me. My thoughts shattered, a wild wind blew past my flesh making me shiver. A few more steps and I was near the shores of the river that flows south.

I scrunched my shoulders to my ears at the glacial wind. It followed me into the thickening trees that grew darker the further I endeavor. The setting sun was casting the sinister shadows that turned every rustle that the wind made into an imagined threat.

Sweat beaded at my hairline as the pain in my body deteriorated. The soft sound of running water should have been a gift, but it served to be a new way, for now, I had to sneak into foreign lands. When a rushing river came into view, it didn't take long before I spotted another side. I didn't waste any time before making my way toward it.

My body hurled in relief whilst the cold flowed through me, causing it to break out in goosebumps. My finger touched the cold water and I held back the urge to shiver and back away. I needed to cross it. Xerxes's wolves were a lot swifter and if I kept lingering in his territory, it would be a matter of time when I would be again in his clutches.

Shaking my head, I sagged a deep breath before dipping my leg into the water. My teeth soon began to chatter violently. Clenching my jaw tightly to seize the motion, I quickly moved further. The river was shallow, barely reached my shoulders and that was quite beneficial since I only had to swim to a certain distance before I reached the opposite side.

Feeling relieved that I no longer was fenced in his region, and now that my little wavering odor was washed away, it was difficult for him or his wolves to trace my imprints.

Kneeling on the ground, I took deep breaths, the air around me seemed changed now. But the pain resonating through my sides was jaw-clenching. It was my limit now. I couldn't take it any longer. I barely had any stamina left to walk.

My breathing was now trivial, more refined and the cold wind now had started to leave glacial impacts on my flesh. Pushing myself, I tried to regain my posture yet it only resulted in me landing on the ground again. This was it.

The pain was too much to bear. And that was when I started feeling numbness creeping its way down my legs, and my torn, wet clothes indecently clung to my body.

Losing the battle with my mind, I surrendered on the ground. The moment my head touched the ground, my body went limp and darkness was soon followed but the sudden snap of a twig to my right had my senses on high alert and with a groan of frustration and pain, I managed to pick myself up from the cold wet ground.