CHAPTER 005
KEISHA'S POV
“I’m so sorry Keisha,” Lumis, spoke for the first time this evening. “I forced you into this. If I hadn’t talked you into meeting Alan, you wouldn't be in this mess right now,” She whimpered, tucking her tail between her legs as we strode to my apartment with the guards.
“No, it’s not your fault Lummy. I guess he wasn’t worth it after all. I have you, Dad, and my unborn child, so I’m positive everything will turn out right. But I swear on my blood. I’d be back and I will make sure I bite them harder than they had bitten me,” I growled through our mindlink, rubbing my invisible baby bump.
I slowed my steps as I approached the house, but the guards behind me pushed me so hard that I missed my step, falling on my stomach.
“Move it! You have ten minutes to get your things!” The chief enforcer barked.
I rose to my feet, dusting myself up before walking into my apartment. The lights were out. Perhaps, my dad was already asleep. I turned the lights on and headed for his room.
“Dad! Wake up!” I called out, reaching for a backpack. “Wake up! We have to leave now!” I repeated. This time, tapping and pulling the duvet off him in a hurry before sweeping his medication off the table into my backpack.
“What is going on honey?” He grunted half-awake, stretching himself out. “It’s 9pm, Keisha. Where are we going by this time?” he queried.
I didn’t respond. Instead, I raked through the closet, picking out some essentials we are going to need for the cold night. “ Here,” I tossed his woolen pullover to him. “Get dressed,” I said, going through my personal stuff stacking some items inside.
“You have five more minutes!” One of the guards waiting to escort me outside the border ordered.
“Five minutes?” My dad queried looking out the window. “Keisha?” His eyes flew open. “What are the guards doing here? Are we in some kind of trouble?” He asked
I paused, tears rolling down my cheeks. How do I explain that I failed to protect him like I promised? How do I tell him I’m pregnant for Alan and the man who had promised to give us a better life, has thrown us into the wilderness to be devoured by the unknown. Ignoring him, I continued packing when he suddenly gripped my arm and spun me around.
“You would answer me…and you will answer me now!” He growled, breathing hot air on my face. “What is going on?”
My throat dried.
“Your time is up! Everybody out!” The enforcer ordered again but Dad was not letting go until I spilled the bean.
“I…I'm sorry Dad,” warm moisture rolled down my face. “I'm sorry I couldn't do anything. I could save us,” I wept. “Alpha Alan rejected me as his mate and framed me up for murder.”
“What!” his eyes flew open in shock.
I collapsed into his arms, weeping. “Sad, I didn't do anything… I was framed and he ordered that we'd be sent out of the pack immediately,” I sobbed louder.
Before my dad could react, the sharp clang of boots echoed down the hallway. My heart lurched. They broke into the house.
“Move it!” a guard barked, flickering his torchlight in our faces. “Move it! Fast!” He repeated, pushing my dad and I forward.
“Don't you dare touch my daughter,” Dad revolted but was frozen the moment the guard clicked his gun off safety.
“Dad! No! Please let's leave!” I wailed, pulling him away from the gun. My heart, pounding in my chest.
He hesitated but later obliged. We picked up some of the supplies I had packed and left. While we strolled to the front yard, I saw Aurora standing by the gate, flanked by three maids.
“Well well well! Nightbane would be safe once again from murderers,” she mocked immediately as we got closer to hearing range.
“Dad, I'd be back,” I whispered, handing over my backpack to him before marching towards Aurora. The guards halted me but she eased them.
“Hold on! I want to hear what she has to say,” she ordered. “Perhaps, she'd want to beg for her mercy,” Aurora said, giving out a mean cackle.
“I should have known you were a snake!” I spat in her face. My brows knitted together in anger. “I promise you one thing Aurora, I'd be back. Not for some stupid title but to see you crawl and beg for your life,” my voice deepened as I clenched my fist so tight my nails dug into my flesh.
“Ohh!! I'm scared…someone get me to safety…I'm scared..,” she mocked theatrically, before contouring her face into a scowl.
“If I were you, I'd be more worried about the rabid dogs out in the woods,” she leaned forward growling into my ear. “I hope they start by tearing out that thing in your womb.”
My blood boiled. I held up my hand to slap her but I withdrew. Aurora laughed, mocking and daring me before ordering the guards to escort us out of the gates.
There was nothing but darkness the moment my dad and I crossed the Nightbane border. Trees and branches twisted into horrifying shadows. I clung to my dad, relying on his night vision. The unforgiving cold of the night penetrated the pullovers we took, biting hard into my skin.
“Sorry baby! Let's find somewhere to camp for the night,” my dad said, his teeth gnashing, yet he rubbed hard on my cloth to generate little warmth.
“Over here!” He pointed to an enclosed area surrounded by thick trees.
While he gathered dry twigs and branches to make fire, I sat down with my knee against my chest—hugging it tightly. Tiny sparks of flames came through as he clanged two rocks together until he generated a smoke then a fire.
“Finally!” I shivered with a smile. My lips, frozen like ice. I managed to sit up and crawled to the fire embracing the warmth.
For a moment, we sat around the fire without saying anything to each other until my dad broke the silence.
“Murder, huh?”
My heart sank. I stared blankly at him. At this point, I couldn't lie, especially if I wanted my unborn child to survive. I lifted my head, meeting his inquisitive gaze.
“Well, Dad…I didn't murder anyone. It was Aurora who stole….”
My eyes flew open. Someone shot a dart at my dad. “Dad!” I yelled running over to him. “Are you okay?” I queried. My voice trembled.
“Yeah! I'm good!” He managed to say, struggling to keep his eyes open.
“Dad! Dad please stay with me,” I held his head against my bosom when he slowly passed out. “No! No!” I panicked, peering deep into the dark to find out where it was coming from.
Then I perceived the scent. Another werewolf. A strong masculine scent coming from my left. I slowly dropped my dad, about to transform when another hit my neck.
I fell, plunging into darkness.