Chapter no 2-Going Rouge

'No one can reach the threshold of fate

No one can reach, for fate is a powerful magician'

Amara 's POV

It was almost night, the sun had sat for almost an hour now. There was a grey bag waiting on the coffee table in the lounge. We had packed all our life, all our time spent here in these two bags, and had to leave.

I stood outside, by another bag, while Erica helped father pack. I was waiting while roaming over a two week old newspaper.

The news stated that Alpha Jacob had claimed yet another innocent life of a she-wolf after he had spent three days with, and when she tried to run the third day, was declared a traitor and not loyal to the Alpha. Alpha considered this his insult. The girl was beheaded an hour after the running attempt.

I could feel my head spinning reading this. A vision of my father and sister being beheaded. Would I die with a smile on, or am I just like every other coward wolf of the Seraphic pack?

"Let's leave!" Father's voice cut through my thoughts. I picked up the bag and passed it over my shoulder. I was supposed to be the first one to leave, followed by Erica and father.

The streets were as deserted as a ghost town.

With the bag weighing down on my shoulder and my heart thumping loudly against my ribs, I took a step.

Then another

and another,

and soon she was at the end of the street.

Sweat flowed down my temple that had nothing to do with the temperature.

Erica and father were behind me. Quietly walking through the empty streets in the shadows we reached the ends of the territory. It was a small limber forest. It used to be a vast one but was cut down for wood and space for housing. But the forest stretched long further after the border towards thw north.

It was known for the lands of the red berries, the red and blue frogs, and the rare white foxes.

We needed to find a space with no Delta roaming. The border was not more than some dense vines with thorns, twisted together to form a net.

I could see beyond the thorns. We were so close to the freedom.

And sometimes the fates...they tend to be unkind.

A sound hit my ears and made my heart jump. The sound grew. It was the wolves howling and running. The earth making a rhythmic sound when touched by their feet.

So, we ran.

The sounds grew closer and closer.

The fates seem to laugh down at us.

The desperation hit me and so did the tears.

They had found us.

"Father!" I cried his name. He had stopped running to hold his knee, the pain was too much for him.

"Father please, Breathe," Erica yelled, her face covered with tears, as she bent down to her father.

I could see flashes of fire and a group of people at some distance.

"Father!" Erica yelled, as her father pushed her forward.

"Go! Leave now!" The old man yelled with all his might.

We were left stunned. Could I leave my father here, and be so selfish to go forward knowing the death he would suffer?

"For your mother, for the fates, Leave! let me die a peaceful death knowing I protected you!"

"Father we cannot!" I yelled.

"I beg you, kids, I beg you for a peaceful death! Run!"

"Let's go!" I found Erica tugging at my hand, pulling me.

But before I could realize it, I heard a scream near me and Eric waa pulled away from me.

There was a sharp pain in the back of my head, and my vision was blurry, my knees gave up.

*****

A thousand years ago,

The same lands.

She was beautiful. Everyone who met her told her she was the most enchanting sight. She trekked through the dense forest, her feet aching from the long journey. As she rounded a bend, a sudden gust of wind swept her cloak aside, revealing a hidden blade attached to her thigh, over her clothes.

There was a glade, in the center, a magnificent stallion pranced and whinnied, its coat glistening like gold in the sunlight. A figure, cloaked in shadows, stood beside the horse, their face obscured by a hood.

He was examing a now dead deer, that had died by a blade in the heart.

"Do you often steal someone's prey?" Hera said, approached cautiously, sensing an otherworldly aura. The figure turned, revealing piercing blue eyes and chiseled features. -beautiful, the mysterious stranger. He wore a silver brooch with an emblem of a noble family, and his armor seemed to shimmer with an ethereal light.

"You shouldn't be here, milady," Colins said, his voice low and enigmatic. "This is a wild forest, inhabiting wild beasts,"

Hera felt an inexplicable pull, as if the land itself drew her closer, shrinking so they can meet. "The only thing I see, is you," She eyed him, a smile forming on her lips.

He expressions took the same turn. "And your horse, its beautiful,"

The stranger turned to look at his horse.

"And this is my prey," Hera said. He faced her, a little surprised. She was indeed a fiesty woman.

"All yours," He stepped aside, his eyes never leaving hers.

Hera forwarded, getting a cloth from her waist band and grabbing the rabbit, wrapping it inside the clock.

"What are you doing here? This a wild area,"

The stranger laughed.

'Beautiful' Hera thought.

"I came to find a rare herb for my mother's ailment," He looked into her eyes.

"Then thank the fates because I happen to know the way," Hera smiled, holding her eyes to his. Her blue eyes to his brown

*****

My vision was unclear when I opened my eyes. A subtle pain pulsed at the back of my head, and shoulder. I groaned and straightened such that I was now on my back, hearing the rustle of leaves beneath me.

I wiped a hand over my eyes only to get mud in my eyes. I sat up, my eyes watering. The sudden made a sharp pain in my head.

"Shit!" I groaned, looking around with one eye. The memories came flooding back. My heart picked up a rhythm as I looked around again, now looking for my family.

It was still night, but the moon was almost full. I saw a crumpled up figure by a tree.

"Father!" I cried and rushed to him.

Father laid wide eyed, limp on the ground. He was dead. "Father!" My eyes filled with tears again. I could not remember the last time I had cried so much, as I did today. sitting beside my father's lifeless body, cold and rigid.

They took my sister! They left me and my father to die here.

Moving my eyes over my father's body, I found no sign of injury. He probably died with a weak heart. The heart that could not bear the loss of his daughters.

Desperation filled my veins, as I hurried back to the lands. I needed help, anything, anyone to save Erica.

I reached the street to my home and saw people gathered around, stunned at my arrival.

"Where is my sister?" I wanted to confirm my thoughts.

"The Alpha took her, we saw!" A man replied, anger and resentment visible on his face.

I fell to my knees.

"Help me, my people!" I cried, "Help me! I beg each one of you!"

But the people could do nothing! How could they? They were quiet for all the other murders the Alpha committed, How would they find the courage to speak for my sister? Why would they risk their lives?

"But what can we do? He is the Alpha," A woman in the crowd spoke.

"Raid his house, seize him, kill that excuse of an Alpha," I yelled and there was a collective gasp. Killing the Alpha?

"We can! If all of us join, we can take him down!" I said through gritted teeth.

"Please!" Iwhispered, and the crowd began to scatter, saying I had lost my mind. The men had their heads lowered.

It was when I felt an old man crouching in front of me.

"Amara , my dear, get a hold on yourself," His voice low, but affirm.

"If you can, I have a way," He said making me look back at him.

"For what?" I wiped the back of my hand over my eyes.

"To save your sister!" The old wolf replied, "Alpha Damien of the Enigma Pack, The lycan king,"

My eyes widen, and my tears dried. The Enigma pack! The moat strongestpack of the world. The state with the indomitable force and power, bound by the vow to rule, and driven by the unwavering desire for dominance.

The Lycan king was many many years old but still young. He was rumoured to be the most cruel man on this earth, killing his mates for eternal life, not just once but many times.

It was a pack of the north. The stories claimed one wolf of the Northern Enigma was of thrice the power of the Western Seraphic.

"How? Why would he help me?" I wanted to cry out for the fates. The hope that filled me just a second ago, disappeared just as it came.

"He can, and with the right bargain, he would," The men replied.

Seeing the confusion and vexation only grow over my features the old man sighed.

"I was once a wine man to Alpha Jacob, I had been for fifteen years before I was too old for his liking, thankfully I didn't catch a cough, or I would have been dead too," The man began, "Believe me, when I say he will help you, but only with the right Bargain, because he has done that before, many times. Have you never heard the stories? Alpha Damein is the king, a ruthless and cruel king with leading the most strongest pack of our world. I have seen Alpha Jacob quivering at the sight of him,"

"What bargain could I ever do?"

"Fur...of the rare white fox," The man said. "The fox's skin being presented to the Alpha is considered to bring peace and prosperity for the Reign and the pack. White foxes are animals of the south, and they are wild creatures, with sharp nails and teeth,"

"Seeking for his help is better than doing nothing at all. Enigma pack is 168 miles in the north east, If you run now, you can have his help by tomorrow morning, and maybe your sister can be saved if fates are in your favor,"

"I will go!" I said and stood up.

*****

Chapter no 3-The Lycan King

Amara's POV

I ran towards the forest to race against time. It was my only chance to protect Erica.

I walked up to my father's rigid body and looked into his sunken eyes. He had desired a peaceful death, but he didn't get it. The least I can do is avenge him.

With one last glance upon his face, I stood straight and did what I hadn't done for the past three years. I felt my skin grow, and my body turn and twist.

Although it wasn't allowed by Jacob, my sister and I turned into wolves almost three days a week, where our father trained us, in our living room. He believed we should know how to fight.

I ran straight towards the vines, opening my mouth, chopping off the thorny vines, and my mouth got bruised. Tasting blood, I continued, until there was enough path for me to cross. With one quick jump. I was out. Tears strung in my eyes. I was in my freedom.

I hated it!

I needed to find the white fox. They were rare, but if you knew where to look, you could find a couple. Searching for almost two hours, of running forward towards the end of the forest to reach the Enigma pack. My legs were cramping like they never had before. The pain and the cold was too much, but it didn't stop me, not even once. I had sworn to only stop when I reach the gates to the Enigma pack.

It was cold, and I had started to see traces of snow on the land I crossed.

My throat was as dry as the bark of a tree. My head had started to spin when I finally eyed a white fox. I wanted to howl loudly with joy, but instead I leaped at the poor animal. The animal was as wild as they claimed, razor-sharp nails and teeth that were used against me in a good fight. I was cut and injured by the wild animal before I snapped at its neck with one final attack. I saw its blood oozing out and flowing over the white snow.

I shifted to human.

I held the warm dead animal in my hands, drinking the blood from its wounds. My throat soaking in the liquid. I used my hands to remove the skin off of the poor animal, and ate a few pieces. It was then I realized I hadn't eaten anything the entire day.

Holding onto the fur, I wrapped it securely around my neck and shifted again. Then I took off.

It was a distance of five hours that I had completed in three. Tired, weak, and covered in blood, I reached the giant gates of black metal. Unlike the Seraphic pack, whose territories were defined by thorn vines, Enigma had metal walls. It was the biggest land both in population and in area. The men surrounding the gates saw me, a rogue wolf approaching. In front of the gates, I shifted to human form and fell to my knees. My breath was short, as I panted for more air. The cold air of the north had restricted my windpipe.

"What do you want?" A roar hit her ears, deep and strict. I whimpered. The accent they had was very different from mine.

"I present...a gift...to the alpha," I spoke in a loud voice, using up my leftover strength with pauses for breath. The cold air fills my lungs making me shiver. My heart is slamming against my rib cage.

"And why?" The roar comes again.

"I need...help...to save my sister...else she would be killed in the morning," I said loudly. I did not want to appear weak and frail in front of them.

"who are you?"

"I am Amara ...of the Seraphic pack! I need help, in return...I bring peace and prosperity," I lifted up the fox's skin, the white fur glistening in the moonlight.

The man walked in front of me and stood there, looking down at me.

"You think The Alpha is so idle that he would lend you a hand for your trivial matters? He has things to do, a land to run!"

"But I heard The Alpha was Righteous and Impartial. My sister...she did nothing wrong. The men. They want to rape her! and then kill her. I implore to the justice of your Pack to let me meet the Alpha and plead the Alpha for her life and honor! Let him decide if he wants to be just,"

They looked taken aback by my strong words. A guard walked to me and held his hand out for the fur. I hesitantly passed it to him. The man held the skin in his hand and gave it a whiff. He nodded his head once.

"Let me escort you," The man said. I stood up onto my weak legs, blood dried over several wounds on my body. My mouth stained red, from my own blood and the blood of the fox. My clothes torn in some places. I looked wild.

The guard led the way, while I walked behind him. A wolf followed behind us, big and grey. They said that the men in the Enigma pack were larger than those of the other packs, more vigilant, more strong, and had more muscle mass than others. It was their strong genes. I could now see how true it was.

Soon enough, we reached a car. I had only seen such vehicles in the hands of the rich of the Seraphic pack. Four were owned by Alpha Jacob, and seven more were owned by the three rich families of the pack. The man opened the door for me and ushered me to sit inside. I did. And I was thankful for how soft it was. A bliss for my sore body. The vehicle roared and moved forward, and we entered the city.

The road we traveled on was sandwiched between the city and the forest. The road was very big, almost five lanes drawn with paint.

The city was highly modernized. Tall, glass buildings that peeked above the clouds on one side, followed by smaller ones as we reached towards the big road we were traveling on.

The right of the road accompanied a grove which followed a denser forest to its right. A river flowed in the grove, following the path of the road.

It had fresh blue waters. I had read about it. The river was named Niamon. We crossed a large beautiful bridge that connected the city and the jungle, over Niamon.

The car stopped in front of gates bigger than those of the city gates, which slowly opened, and we traveled in. The atmosphere had changed the moment the car moved from the city to the palace gates. Vast lands stretched inside the cemented walls. Gloomy big trees, and long stretched paths on both sides.

My door opened again, and I hurried out, whimpering as my swollen feet touched the ground again.

Big steps lead to a wooden door almost triple my height. They took me inside. It was as dark and gloomy as the outside. Cemented and stone walls, wooden floors, and Grey roofs.

They led me down the hall, and the man knocked on a door. He then went in and came out after five minutes. Meanwhile, I was of the verge of collapse. Would I be able to talk to a man like him? The Alpha Damien of Enigma pack! Just a wall away from me. He could kill me right now, and no one would know or move a muscle. No one would save Erica. Would I be able to plead my case to the most cruel man on earth?

"Alpha is waiting for you," My heart shrank, fluttering like a bird about to die while still entrapped in a small cage. I slide my wet hands on the doorknob and turn it, while my other hand clutches the fur tightly.

I enter the room and immediately feel the tension rising on my shoulders. I take a deep breath, mixed in the scent of cigars and cider.

Slowly, I lifted my eyes and looked straight at him. He stood there. Taller than any man I had ever seen, he a built strong and muscular. A face beautiful and Eerie. Haunting but enchanting at the same time. Something stirred inside me, almost as if my entire world had changed without my permission. My skin burned. My fingers itched, and my mind numbed.

Mate!

The lycan king Damien, of the Enigma pack, was my mate!

My breath got stuck in my throat. My skin burned to touch him.

A loud growl echoed through the entire room.

"Who are you?" A voice hit her ears, loud and rough.

Your mate!

I took a step back at his tone. He was angry, I could tell by his clasped hands and furrowed brows.

Please help me!

"I...I am A...Amara of Seraphic pack," I breathed, gulping in saliva.

Please save my sister!

"Seraphic!" He sneered, looking unimpressed. His whiskey colored eyes glowed in the dark.

"Why do you come...here?" He said, voice deep and rough.

"I bring peace-peace and p-prosperity to you, Alpha," My voice cracking even though I had worked hard not to appear weak. I raised my hands for him to see the fur.

"I ask for your help... My sister, She...They would kill her,"

Alpha Damien raises his brows in question.

"Alpha Jacob, our alpha...of the Seraphic pack. He picks women, and uses them...before killing them. Please save her! I be-beg you!" Tears run down my face. My head spins, but I steady myself.

He showed no emotions. He does not care, nor does he want me! He does not want to be associated with someone from the Seraphic pack. He looks disgusted. Does he not realize how much it will pain me!

"Please, Jacob would kill her tomorrow, he has her now!"

I could not bear the death of the only family left to me. I would die this instant. I fell to my knees, as my head kept spinning and my vision became blurry.

"How can I recognize her?" He said, his eyes reflecting a strange emotion. His hands balled by his side, gripping onto the table till his knuckles turned white.

She raises her head, "She has black hair...and blue eyes. A birthmark on her right arm. She is the only... woman there, he...he killed the rest. He always does that," I whispered the last line.

"Save her," My breathing slowed. I think I fell, because my head was on the floor now. A warm hand on my cheek is all I felt, and darkness consumed me, "Save me, Damien."

Chapter no 4- A horror of the void

'My patience was unparalleled, my courage extraordinary,

But your words, they took time to sink in,'

My eyes flutter open. Sharp light burned at my retinas, making me turn my head. I tried to gain full consciousness. Tried to open my eyes fully. I blinked several times and came across a white ceiling.

The Ceiling led down to white walls. The room was dimly lit. The only light source was the sharp light above my head, and the surroundings were dull.

Faint whispers!

Dull and low voices grab my attention, making me look to my right. A cupboard sat in one corner of the wall, and reached across the wall, leaving a small portion of the wall on the other side empty and dark.

The empty corner blinked at me.

A void.

A void captivating me, capturing my mind, burning my eyes.

The room was spinning. I felt my insides scream, and chills erupted all over my body.

I cried out in pain.

There was so much pain!

There were faint whispers. Barely audible. I could not make up the words. My body began to shake.

I felt hot.

The whispers grow and grow until they are screaming at me, pulling me to the void. I screamed in pain.

"Damien, save me!" The voices yelled at me.

The voices shout. They continue to shout at me, making my body burn. I cover my ears, but the voices don't stop.

I cry out in pain.

The door swung open, and several lights were turned on. The room was filled with warm lights. I was shaking furiously.

I hurried off the bed, sensing comfort from the person who entered and ran to him.

Tears sting my eyes.

"What happened?" The voice was warm, but urgent.

"....Th-They were pulling me,"

I choked.

Warm hands push me away gently from himself.

"Who were?" He asked.

I looked up from teary eyes. Damien stood in front of me, in all his glory. His sharp cheekbones cast a shadow underneath. A tight jaw. His hair was disheveled. His shirt creased. He was angry.

I looked down at the wet spot on his shirt. It was my tears.

I turn to look at the void.

There was nothing.

The room was clean and....empty.

A single bed that inhabited me a few minutes ago. Two chairs and a lot of medical equipment. A small window I didn't notice earlier.

"There were...people," My eyes widen.

"I heard them...,"

"The only person screaming here was you, I heard only you," He said.

I turn to look at him. My breathing still fast, my head still hurting.

"It must be a bad dream, or a hallucination," He said. "You blacked out last night,"

Last night!

Enigma pack!

Erica!

I turn to the window. It was daylight peeking lightly through the gloomy clouds. Birds chirping at a distance.

"Where is Erica?" I whispered, "You let her die,"

"She-"

I hit his chest before he can continue.

"Where is she?" I cried. I had officially lost my mind. Sanity had left me.

"I told you," I hit him again. He just looked straight ahead. His jaw tensing further.

"I told you, He would kill her. I plead to you. I never begged anyone, anything. I begged you,"

I continue to hit him like a mad woman. He not even flinch at my attempts to push him back. He stood there like a stupid stone wall.

"You are a monster!"

His hands fish out of his side, grab my arms and push me towards the nearest wall. He shoved me to the wall and caged me between him and the walls.

My hands were clasped above my head, in his grip. He pressed my arms further into the wall, tightening his grip. My wrists hurt.

His eyes darkened, seething in anger. Pure red anger. The vein on his forehead pumped, and his face reddened.

"I am not a monster,"

He was so close to me, I felt his warm breath on my face.

He looked like he could twist my head off, if I moved even an inch.

"If I were a monster," He snarled, "You wouldn't be standing here in one piece."

As I buck underneath him, he presses his hand harder against my wrist. My bones are threatening to snap.

His eyes glared into mine. I wanted to look away but I couldn't.

He just threatened to kill me. Any sane person would be scared to death. Any sane person would lower their head. Any sane person would beg for mercy.

Scared, I was. Hell! I was shivering in fear.

But a coward, I wasn't. My father was killed, and Erica was killed. I could too. So let him be done with it.

"Amara?" A soft, afraid voice was heard by my ears.

I whip my head in the direction. Erica stood there. Unhurt.

My throat constricted at the sight of her, and I released a soft breath.

My arms were released, and the shadow that was hanging over me, towering over me, was now standing a few feet away.

I crash into Erica, wrapping my arms around her, breathing into her hair. Her body was warm. A soft wool coat hung over her small frame.

Tears flew down my cheek as I held her close.

"...I thought I-I lost you," I choked out.

"There, there," She chirps, "I thought you never cried," Her hands running up and down my back, soothing me.

We stayed like this for a while before a throat clearing made us aware of another presence in the room.

I whip away from Erica and turn to face him. "You could have told me before...,"

I let my words trail off between us when he began to glare at me.

"Your sister is a maniac," He tells Erica. I shift between my feet and eye him warily. So, he did help me. He is not that bad, I guess.

Did he do it because we were mates? A chill erupts through me at the thought.

I was mated to the Lycan king.

"And I would like this maniac to be removed from my lands as soon as possible,"

As if all the water of Niamon was poured down on me.

What? He wanted me to leave without even acknowledging the fact that we are mates?

My thoughts were worded by Erica.

"Alpha, she is my sister. Isn't she to stay with me?" She asks mirroring my discomfort.

I glance with Erica and him, confused.

Why is Erica to stay here?

"Who said you are staying here?" His voice a snarl, pointed at my sister. I heard her intake a sharp breath.

"But-but my mate-,"

"Knows his duties better than anyone in this pack. I do not allow this, so he wouldn't push it,"

What?

I was too dumbfounded to be a part of this conversation.

Both Erica and I found our mates In the span of a day? That too an Enigma man?

Well, If I can be mates with the king, she can sure have better luck.

"Alpha you cannot do-," Her voice wobbled, making my hands clasp beside me.

"I can, little girl. And I will. My men are not to take mates. That to, a woman of Seraphic," He was disgusted.

My heart felt as if it was carved up by a rusted knife.

Woman of Seraphic

"You cannot talk to my sister like that," I gritted through my teeth. Here I was trying to fish for words to thank him for saving her. Hell, I had the speech ready before he decided to open his mouth and call me a maniac.

His attention shifts towards me, as if I was a mere fly that buzzed and caught his attention.

"You cannot come to my lands," He took a step forward.

"Beg me to help you,"

Another step. His eyes raging with darkness.

"And when I do,"

Another step, this time I took a step back because he was too close. Close enough for my heart to jump out of my chest and into his hands. He towered over me.

"Neither of you can demand to stay here,"

Another step forward, another step back.

"And neither of you,"

My back was touching the wall now.

"Can tell me what I can and cannot do," He snarled. Again, caging me between him and the wall. Only this time, my sore wrists weren't being punished.

My hands get clammy. He was so close.

His eyes held mine like a charm. For a flicker of a moment, they travel down.

Down to my lips, follow a path to my neck and down to my chest.

I realized my clothes were almost about to fall because of how tattered they were.

My breathing grows heavy as dirty thoughts, that have no place to wander my mind right now, flow in.

Get a grip Amara !

"Both of you will leave before noon. Alex will hear none of this. It might not be his decision, but I rule this pack and also him,"

He backed away and started walking towards the door. With one last long gaze at me, he left.

I pulled myself off the wall.

Not only did he deny me, but he is also denying my sister of her newly found mate. I count to ten and take a deep breath.

Snap out of it, .

I turn to Erica when I hear a sob. With her head held down, her mouth had formed a thin line. She was trying no to cry.

I always told her crying is for the weak. Yet, I myself had spend a whole day bawling my eyes out. I hated how pathetic I was. A hypocrite.

"There, there," I repeat the same words she told me before and take her into a big hug.

"Tell me what was all this about,"