Chapter 14

Little did I know that my true journey had begun. I was leaving Ice crest wolf pack, all by myself and for the first time ever. It was overwhelming to think that I had finally left Lucas behind me. He was all in the past and I needed to think about my future. The life I wanted to Iive from henceforth didn't require any distractions from my past. I wanted to find out my legacy, I wanted to know how my father died and what really happened. Was he murdered or killed? I had been walking for hours now and looking around, there was no village or clan nearby. For a minute, I regretted not accepting Alpha-king Magnus' offer. It didn't make sense to me anymore so I had to sit for a while. I prayed and hoped that I wouldn't encounter any strange creature in this strange place where I had found myself. 'Please send me a helper, o moon goddess." I prayed desperately, hoping she would hear me. I looked around to see if there was something I could eat but I didn't find a thing. I was surrounded by trees and wild vegetation and my eyes already felt like they were spinning. I was cold, hungry and battered as I continued my journey. It was getting late equally and I needed a place to sleep for the night. I searched with my eyes for shelter and I walked with my poor weak legs. It was getting frustrating but I dared not regret taking this major step in my life. Then suddenly but immediately, something grazed my elbow, I looked at my arm and there was blood all over. I looked around to see what it was that had grazed my elbow, then I heard growls from behind me. They were deep and resonant. I was about to scream when I came face to face with its dark brown gaze but I stopped myself. It was a lion or something that had started out as one. Its front legs were definitely not that of the typical jungle cat and it had a scar running from the top of its face and into its beard. It looked hungry and furious. I didn't know how to leave this dangerous situation that I have found myself in. I remembered years ago, how my father had taught me to navigate situations like this. My father was a warrior and at 8 years old, he taught me everything I needed to know about basic fighting skills and how to face such situations like this. I could remember everything he had told me but I was rusty at it because I hadn't practiced for a very long time while I was at the Palace. It was not like they would allow me to duel or hunt for anything. I tried to charge at the hungry creature standing in front of me, it was ready to devour me. I had to stand my ground because I wasn't going to be killed by a lion without putting up a fight, especially when I was on a journey. 'Duck!" I heard a distant shout. I didn't know if it was my instincts but I ducked immediately and I felt an arrow pass overhead, then it found its way into the body of the lion. It cried out but couldn't charge forward anymore and withdrew, charging back into the forest with a pained whimper. I looked back to see where the arrow came from but I saw nothing. 'Hello." I called but no response, just total silence. 'Who's that?" 'What are you doing all alone here?" The voice asked. I knew it was a man because of his deep baritone voice. I turned sharply and then I saw him. He had stunning features that made him look different from werewolves I have seen. He had piercing eyes that shone with determination and focus. He walked slowly to me with the grace and agility of a predator. When he was close by, his scent was earthly and primal. 'I asked a question." He said, standing fully in front of me now. 'Why are you out here, alone?" 'I'm on a journey to discover my destiny." I said and he smiled, then laughed when he saw that I meant what I said and wasn't joking. 'In a dangerous forest? You want to die before discovering your destiny?" He asked with all seriousness, then took my hand as he dragged me along with him. I didn't know why but I didn't refuse to follow him, all I knew was that he saved me and it was probably safer for me to follow him than remain in this forest any longer. He didn't leave my hand even for a second as we continued walking. I was so tired but I didn't have any choice but to follow my savior. We got to where the earth dipped into a valley and then stopped. 'This is a safe land, you can go on finding your destiny from here. At least, you're sure that you're not going to die." 'What?" I was too overwhelmed and I didn't have any words. At some point, I thought he was going to take me home, wherever his home was. He was already leaving. 'Thank you." I said but he didn't respond. 'Hello." He was walking too fast to hear me but I had to run after him. 'Hello, please can you take me with you." I pleaded, when I was sure, he could hear me. 'No, go back." He said without even looking at me. He walked past me again. 'But I have nowhere to go." I screamed after him. 'Go back to wherever you're coming from." I couldn't let him go. He saved my life and he could also help me find a place to stay. I ran after him again. 'Please can you provide me a place to sleep for the night?" I asked and he stopped walking. 'Please, just for a night?" 'I can't help you." He told me but I stopped him, again. 'Please help me." I was holding on to his arm in desperation at this point. I was visibly tired and I had to bend over to be able to breathe properly. 'Only for a night and that's it. You leave the next morning." When he looked up, he didn't look like the harsh guy he seemed to me, some moments ago. His eyes brightened when he looked down at me. 'Let's go." Then we commenced another round of walking, just that this time, he didn't hold my hand. I had to take breathing breaks and then run after him. I was just glad that someone was helping me. After a few minutes of total silence- apart from the occasional noises from the animals in the forest, he opened his mouth to say. 'We are here."