Kayla's POV
I had the sensation that my body was being ripped apart from the inside out. My heart was always pounding. Every breath ached more than the last, and my chest burned. After Arthur rejected me, I lay on the chilly ground for a long time, but I had no idea how long. Time seemed to have halted.
"I refuse to have you as my partner."
Like a vicious curse, those words kept repeating in my head. I wanted to cry out, but I couldn't. I felt devastated and empty.
A voice awoke somewhere deep inside me. Weak, shaky, but there.
"I apologise, Kayla," the quiet voice said. My wolf was it. She had spoken for the first time in my life.
"Are you awake?" I said to myself.
She said, "Yes, but I'm weak," and then her presence diminished once more.
I had no idea what was going on with me. Something within me had been aroused by the rejection. But also smashed something else. I huddled inside, feeling more isolated than before.
As I forced myself to stand up from the Gathering Hall floor, my limbs shook. Everyone had already departed. Nobody gave a damn that I was in pain. After wiping away my tears, I staggered over to the servant quarters. Pain throbbed through my body. I had a broken heart.
I heard two voices whispering as I got to the hall's corner.
"We ought to get rid of her right away. One person said, "She is a disgrace."
The other person answered, "I've heard Alpha Damian is already making arrangements."
My eyes got big. Were they referring to me?
Silently, I stepped aside. I couldn't handle any more difficulties. I had to visit my mom. I needed her consolation. The only reason I was alive was because of her.
However, she was gone when I arrived at the healer's hut. The bed felt chilly. She wasn't there, but the smell of blood and plants persisted. My knees gave way. Had they removed her as well?
"Mom?" To the empty room, I said.
No response.
Now I was alone.
Before I could even open my eyes properly the following morning, two enforcers pulled me from my sleeping mat.
"What?"
"Stop talking," one snarled. "Alpha's commands."
My hands were tied forcefully, and my neck was stung by something sharp. My vision became hazy. My legs failed me. The sky above me was spinning when I last saw it.
I woke up with my wrists still bound inside a wooden cart. As the wagon travelled across difficult terrain, it trembled. My throat felt dry, and my head hurt.
"Where am I?" I whispered.
From outside, a deep voice replied, "She's awake."
I listened in silence.
"It's unbelievable that Alpha Damian truly revealed her in such a way. One renegade chuckled and claimed it was for diplomatic purposes.
"My ass, diplomacy. He was only interested in getting rid of the rejected partner. Said that she was cursed.
And all we're meant to do is bring her to Zane? He will still kill her.
A shiver ran down my back.
She is frail. Hardly has a wolf. We claim she disappeared after disposing of her body in the river.
I scurried back from the edge of the wagon after gasping. They intended to kill me!
I needed to leave. Right now.
I looked around the floor with my tied hands and discovered a broken nail. I started cutting the rope. It was painful. My wrists were bleeding. I didn't stop, though. I was unable to.
I had freed my hands by the time the wagon came to a stop for the night.
I bided my time till the renegades were preoccupied. I then pushed the wagon's side flap and leapt.
As I hit the ground, I felt pain go through my legs. I ignored the blood streaming down my side as I rolled and ran. My only hope was the forest, even if it was dark.
"Hey! She is no longer there! A shout came from behind me.
I ran more quickly.
My face was slapped by branches. I tripped over some roots. I didn't stop, though.
Until everything went dark, I ran.
I was lying on a plush animal fur mat as I opened my eyes once more. Nearby, a fire crackled. The air smelled of wild vegetation and something pleasant, and herbs hung from the ceiling.
Beside me sat an elderly woman with serene, hazy eyes.
Softly, she replied, "You're safe now."
"Who are you?" I croaked.
"Call me Mira. I discovered you in the bushes, bleeding. I'm glad I was close by.
I attempted to sit, but the agony was unbearable.
"Take a nap. "Your body has endured a lot," Mira remarked.
A funny thing happened as I fell back asleep. I knew that I wasn't dreaming. It was too genuine.
The silver light surrounded me as I stood in a luminous woodland. In front of me was a massive silver wolf with star-like eyes.
"Who are you?" I inquired.
Although the wolf remained silent, I could feel her words in my heart.
"Kayla, you are strong. You have been selected. Get up. Remind yourself of your identity.
The vision dimmed.
My heart was racing.
Upon opening my eyes, I noticed Mira gazing at me with wide eyes.
"Your eyes," she said in a shaky whisper.
Bewildered, I blinked.
She gave me a gleaming metal object. I looked at my image.
I had silver-glow in my eyes.
My breath froze in my throat as I looked at the bright eyes in the reflection. This time, my wolf's whisper was louder.
"It's time to get up."
And I was aware that nothing would ever be the same.