Chapter 4 CHAPTER
Selene's Point of View
If you want to live, keep moving.
Mathias’ words were like a growl, low and urgent, every part of him tense, ready for whatever was coming. His golden eyes were darting across the woods, scanning, looking for any sign of trouble.
I wasn’t sure how much longer I could keep up with him. My legs burned with every step, each one sending waves of pain through my side. But I couldn’t stop. Not now. Not when there was nowhere to run and the sounds of howling were getting closer.
“What is it?” I managed to ask, my voice weak from the strain.
“Not what—who.” Mathias’ voice was sharp and focused. “Rogue territory. They don’t leave survivors. They don’t hunt in packs.”
The fear curled in my stomach. Rogues. The word alone sent a chill down my spine. The very idea of them—it was enough to make my wolf growl inside me, restless and eager to fight. But I could feel how tired I was, how my body was starting to slow, and I knew the fight wouldn’t be easy.
“Why are they after us?” I asked, my breath shaky, my legs struggling to keep pace.
“Because you crossed their boundaries,” Mathias said, not slowing down. “You’re weak, and that makes you a target.”
I stumbled as we moved deeper into rogue territory. The ground was rough, the trees thick with tangled roots, and every step felt like a battle against the landscape itself. I could feel every branch that scraped against my skin, every jagged rock that caught my foot. It was like the forest itself was pushing us back.
“Stay close,” Mathias said, looking back at me.
“I’m close,” I shot back, though it didn’t feel that way. I staggered over a root, and before I could catch myself, Mathias grabbed my arm and steadied me.
“You’re slowing us down,” he said, his voice calm but with a bite of frustration.
I pulled away from him, not wanting to show weakness. “I didn’t ask for this,” I snapped, my pride stinging.
His expression softened for a moment, something flickering in his eyes—concern? Annoyance? Maybe a mix of both. But he didn’t say anything, just kept walking ahead, his pace relentless.
I wanted to tell him to stop, to let me be, but I knew better. I couldn’t afford to be weak. Not now.
The sounds of the forest were eerily quiet, the distant howling growing louder. My mind was starting to cloud, the exhaustion catching up to me. My chest felt tight, and the pain in my side was becoming unbearable.
Mathias glanced at me, his face hardening when he noticed my condition.
“Selene,” he said, his voice sharp now. “You’re bleeding again.”
I shook my head, not wanting to admit it. “I’m fine,” I lied, my voice wavering.
“Great,” he said, stepping in front of me to stop me from walking further. “You barely stand.”
The tension between us was thick. I shot him a glare, frustration bubbling up inside me. “I don’t need your pity.”
“It’s not pity,” he replied, his tone softening, but there was still an edge to it. “Surviving out here isn’t about pride. If you keep acting like you’re invincible, you won’t last.”
His words hit harder than I expected. For a second, the walls I’d built around myself felt like they might crumble. His eyes met mine, and in that moment, I saw something I wasn’t sure I wanted to see—care. Maybe even something else. But before I could think about it too much, he pulled off his jacket and draped it around my shoulders.
“Here,” he said. “Try to live like you want to.”
I stared at the jacket, taken aback by the gesture. It wasn’t much, but it was more than I expected from him. I didn’t want to show my gratitude, but I couldn’t help myself.
“Thanks,” I muttered, tightening the jacket around my body.
“Don’t thank me yet,” he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. “When this is over, you’ll owe me.”
Assuming we survive, I wanted to say, but I held my tongue. Instead, I forced a smile, though I wasn’t sure it reached my eyes.
The tension between us seemed to lessen, but it didn’t last. There was something in the air now, something heavier, and I could feel my wolf growl deep inside me.
Mathias froze, his entire body going rigid as he turned his head toward the sound.
“Stay behind me,” he ordered, his voice low and firm.
Before I could ask what was happening, the bushes ahead rustled, and three figures stepped into the clearing. They were rogues, their eyes glowing with hunger and malice. The scent of them—wild, untamed—reached me before I could even see them clearly.
One of them grinned, his teeth sharp and predatory. “Well, well, what do we have here? A tiny Alpha dismisses her caregiver?”
Mathias didn’t flinch. “Walk away,” he said, his voice cold and commanding.
The rogue laughed, the sound harsh and cruel. “You outnumber me?” he sneered. “You think you can guard her?”
Mathias’ eyes narrowed, his wolf coming to the surface. “Test me.”
The fight broke out in an instant. Mathias was a blur of motion, fast and merciless, his body shifting mid-step. His massive wolf form collided with the first rogue, tearing into him with brutal precision.
I shifted too, the pain in my side forgotten as my wolf took control. I faced the second rogue, my claws extended, my teeth bared. We circled each other, snarling, looking for an opening.
The rogue lunged, and I dodged, barely missing the swipe of his claws. I fought with everything I had, and with one swift move, I sank my teeth into his shoulder, sending him crashing to the ground.
But the third rogue was faster. He charged at me, and I barely had time to react before his claws raked across my back, sending me sprawling.
Pain exploded in my chest as I tried to get to my feet, but everything was spinning. I could hear Mathias’ voice, distant and urgent.
“Selene!” he shouted.
Before I could register what was happening, Mathias was there, his wolf tearing into the rogue, his teeth sinking into the rogue’s shoulder. The rogue let out a blood-curdling scream before collapsing to the ground.
The surviving rogues fled, their howls fading into the night.
Mathias turned back to me, his face covered in blood. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his eyes locking with mine.
“Are you alright?” he asked, his voice low, full of tension.
I nodded, though my legs felt like jelly. “You didn’t have to do that.”
He shrugged, his expression unreadable. “Didn’t really have a choice. You’re not exactly in fighting shape.”
I wanted to argue, but I was too exhausted. The adrenaline was wearing off, and my body felt like it was falling apart.
Another howl echoed through the night, deeper and more chilling than before.
Mathias stiffened, his gaze darkening. “We need to move. Now.”
“What? They’re gone,” I protested.
“That wasn’t them,” he said grimly, his eyes scanning the trees. “Something else is hunting us.”
My heart skipped a beat. What was out there? And how much longer could we keep running?
“Mathias…” I whispered, fear creeping into my voice. “What’s coming for us?”