LANA'S POV
An unusual stinging ache at the center of my forehead precedes the movement of my eyelids. Showing the first glimpse of a blurry sky, and as soon as I closed my eyes the pressure from the darkness started to lift and I could breathe properly again.
I sensed a change in the level of brightness behind my eyes and slowly opened them. A shiver skated down my spine at the realization of where I was, just when memories of being pushed into the lake resurfaced in my mind.
And in that moment, it came rushing back.
Ethan, the lake, being stabbed by my father…
I perked up to my feet, scrubbing blood off my fingers. Leaning close to the lake beside me. I managed my way off the lake track, trying to understand how on earth I was back alive.
I pushed through the tall weeds until I found the overgrown trail that ran beside the lake, and then suddenly, I found prints, which I could tell were fresh from last night. I tightened the strap of my drenched dress, suddenly alerted to the fact that I was moving off my pack territory, but was desperately in need of shelter.
The city grew slowly around me. A few gas stations and businesses pressed in between the encroaching trees. Just then the trees around me rustled. I was suddenly plunged into a world of ice and darkness and panic sensing that I had company.
The world seemed to go silent as a figure stepped out from the undergrowth, not twenty feet from where I stood.
A warrior…
The first I'd seen in the past couple of hours. Neither of us moved. My heart pounded in my ears; my throat was dry. Every survival instinct in me screamed at me to bolt, but something else, something deep, held me frozen.
The second he turned, I vaulted into the forest. In seconds I realized I was suddenly surrounded by unknown men. I glanced over my shoulder, seeing that another man raced through the trees to my left headed in my direction and just then I felt a hand grip my arm.
Almost instantly, I gained my feet and lunged away when his hand closed on my foot. I smashed into the forest floor with a flash of pain. I tried to rip my foot away and get back on my feet. But then an unfamiliar voice echoed from afar causing a sudden pause followed by a loud menacing growl that warmed the air and vibrated the floors.
I turned, my eyes meeting black shiny shoes before then skimmed up the shoes to the dark dress pants, past the chiseled chest clad in a dark blue shirt to a pair of flaming blue eyes and dark blue hair.
For some reason, my wolf went crazy howling and scratching at me to be let free, for the second time in my life the word that ruined my hopes popped into my head.
Mate.
"Turn her over!" He growled, reeking of power and authority spoke in a baritone voice.
I gulped nervously, wondering why I suddenly felt a warm pull down my legs watching him approach me. My stomach bottomed out getting a better glimpse of the gentleman in front of me, with memories of Ethan resurfacing in my mind causing a sharp pain to my chest at the thought of being betrayed once again. I laid still, focusing on drawing in breaths, and then glared up at the curly-haired man. His piercing blue eyes trailed over me and I felt a flush grow on my face but instead he returned and turned my gaze with all the hate he could muster.
"You're trespassing!" He snapped.
I arched a brow staring back at him and then looked around me to find that I had in some way run into what I presumed to be the Warriors pack.
"I-I'm sorry, I was sort of lost and in need of shelter and so I found a few tracks which I followed down here and---" I continued, but was cut off by the loud growl that came afterward.
"Take her away!" The gentleman commanded and in seconds I felt powerful hands grab my upper arm and shoulders from each side as they had me dragged down a lonely path with the others following suit from behind us.
In a couple of minutes, we'd arrived, and I couldn't help but marvel at the sight of the magnificent structure which was built like a castle. High ceilings, large chandeliers, and various pillars on every corner of the building felt surreal.
"What do we do with her, Alpha Ken?" A guard asked.
'Alpha Ken, so that was his name!' I thought to myself.
"Lock her up!" He yelled yelled and in seconds they had me thrown into one of the damn cells as they had me locked like the others.
"Let me out, please!" I cried out, tears streaming down my face in rivets.
"You think I'd let you run off that easily huh?" He asked, taking more steps towards me, his eyes strained directly on mine.
"I know you're one of those rogues sent to spy on succeeding packs, I guess you got unlucky this time,"
Disappointment washed over me, and angrily I leaned closer to the cell rods glaring at him and then I finally parted my lips to respond.
"I'm not afraid of you either, plus the name's Lana!" I said. Surprisingly when I did, he let out a self-deprecating laugh and then etched closer to my cell door, a smile tugging at his lips.
"In my territory, you are meant to bow to me or die from my wrath. And last time I checked; you're stuck in my territory Lana!" He snapped back and then in seconds, he turned to leave without a glance my way.
The minute I realized he was out of sight, I tensed readying myself for my next point of action. Just when I noticed a guard headed in my direction, I filled my lungs, fingers tingling as I prepared for the race of my life. The door to my cell creaked open and without any hesitation, I reached for the weapon of the guard, with as much strength I could muster. Making sure to have him stabbed in the chest multiple times, alongside the others that followed suit from behind him.
Just then, a hand gripped me from behind, pushing me off to the cold floor of the dungeon. He pressed harder, constricting the airflow in my lungs. I got my elbow under me and tried to roll sideways but then he pressed down harder, black spots flickering in my vision.
A heavy hand pressed on my lungs. It was impossible to move, to think. I was suffocating.
I trashed, weaker now. Still, his body pressed. I fought harder until blackness filled the edge of my vision.
"I warned you, didn't I, mate?" Alpha Ken whispered into my face.
'mate?'
'He knew all along!'