Lia’s POV

I flinch at the mention of my execution and they both turn towards my direction. I take in a deep breath and hold it in as I began to silently pray that they wouldn’t detect me. If they caught me, then the wound Tyrel inflicted on himself would have been meaningless and I would get the death sentence.

The gears in my mind begin to turn at an insane pace as I try to figure out what I can do to get the attention of the guards off me.

“Wait, what was that?” the first warrior asks as his eyes begin to scan the area.

“I didn’t see anything,” his partner replies, “but I thought I saw something move out of the corner of my eye.”

“Maybe it’s a rabbit or something,” the first warrior suggests but his partner is already inching closer to my hiding spot.

“I don’t know, man. I have a bad feeling. Let’s check it out.” His partner says as he cautiously starts to make his way towards me.

My heart races as the first warrior joins him to creep closer. Their eyes scan the underbrush and I swear I almost sequel when I think one of them had caught my eye. I begin to hyperventilate and my breaths change as they come in short rasps. The suspense was killing me, I almost stood up and made a run for it but I force myself to remain absolutely still.

I prayed intensely inside me for the first time in like…I don’t know but I do know that it’s been a long time since I prayed to the moon goddess and I just hoped that she would take pity on me and accept this one prayer.

Just as they were about to pounce, their attention was grabbed by a loud rustling noise that echoes through the thick forest.

“What was that?” the first warrior spins around as he becomes alert.

“Sounds like something big or the omega might be tired of hiding and she’s on the run.” his partner replies, already taking off in a sprint.

The first warrior pauses for a while and stares intently at my hiding spot. He seems to be in a dilemma but in the end he chooses to follow his partner as he sprints after him.

I let out a heavy sigh of relief and I had the urge to kneel right there and give thanks to the moon goddess. I wanted to promise her that I would be an ardent believer in her and sing her praises everyday but I knew this wasn’t the time to do that. I still wasn’t in the clear.

I peek out from behind the bush, watching as they disappear into the trees. I catch my breath and I stay intently into the distance and I finally realize what saved me. It was a Lycan, the sworn enemy of us werewolves. It was in its beast form and its fur was matted and dirty as it began to sprint as it was subjected to the pursuit of the warriors who had shifted into their werewolf forms and howling for support.

I begin to wonder why on earth a Lycan would venture into werewolf territory. I slap my forehead as I cautioned myself to focus. More warriors would come and this place wouldn’t be safe at all. I needed to move and fast.

Taking advantage of the chaos, I scramble to my feet and make a run for the river. I can still hear the howls and growls behind me but I don’t dare to look back to satisfy my curiosity. I pump my arms and legs as fast as I can. My heart pounding in my chest as I continued to run through the forest, praying I don’t suddenly bump into one of my pack’s warriors.

Finally, I see the glint of water up ahead and push myself even harder. I had concluded that the cave would be compromised and it would be suicide if I continued to stay there. The only option I had was to reach the river and swim away to safety.

I burst through the trees and leap into the air, landing with a splash in the river. The cool water envelops me and I finally gain my balance as I remain afloat. Tyrel had taught me to swim so staying afloat was definitely no problem.

I begin to swim downstream as I wanted to put as much distance from myself and the warriors as possible. As I continue to swim, I can’t help but think of Tyrel. I hoped he didn’t stab himself in a vital point and he was fine back at the pack. The thought I was leaving the pack I had grown up in all my life sends a pang of pain through my chest. Even though I had been an omega and I was against the title, I had so many cherished memories.

Tears begin to stream down my face as I think about Alpha Verrick. The nature of his death was covered in too much mystery but the number one culprit in my mind was his Beta Lucas. I resolved to investigate on his death and get revenge on the real murderer but for now, I needed to survive.

I push those thoughts aside and I continue to swim.

*****

I swim for what feels like hours, my arms and legs aching from the exertion I put them through. I begin to think that I’ve put enough distance between myself and the warriors when I freeze. I hear it, the unmistakable roar of a waterfall up a head.

“Oh shit.” I curse silently. My heart sinks and I try to swim back in the opposite direction, but it’s too late. The current is too strong, and despite my best efforts, I’m swept forward helpless to resist.

I’m enveloped by the raging water and everything goes white. I try to struggle but against a force of nature? It was pointless. I feel myself being pulled down, down, down into the depths of the river and everything goes black.