Chapter 4

Arabella's POV

"SHIT!" I cursed, the booming voice echoed through, slicing my resolve like a dagger.

I glanced over my shoulder and saw a group of werewolves hot on my trail, their eyes filled with a mix of determination and rage. My heart pounded in my chest, urging me to run faster.

I weaved through the dense forest, the branches whipping against my skin as I pushed myself to the limit. Sweat dripped down my brow, mingling with the dirt on my face. The sound of snapping twigs and heavy panting filled the air, amplifying the sense of urgency that drove me forward.

"Arabella, stop running! You can't escape us!" one of the pursuing werewolves bellowed, his voice laced with malice. I clenched my teeth, refusing to let their words deter me. I had no choice but to keep running, to stay ahead and out of their clutches.

Adrenaline coursed through my veins, sharpening my senses and heightening my awareness of every detail in the forest. I could hear the distant call of birds and the rustling of small creatures seeking refuge from the commotion.

The smell of damp earth and the freshness of pine needles filled my nostrils, a stark contrast to the suffocating scent of fear that lingered in the air.

Suddenly, a branch snapped beneath my foot, causing me to stumble forward. 

"Ahhhhhh," I yelled as I managed to regain my balance just in time, narrowly avoiding a collision with a tree trunk. My heart pounded against my ribcage, and I risked a quick glance behind me.

To my horror, the pack of werewolves closed the gap, their snarling mouths just inches away from my heels. Panic surged through me, urging me to push harder, to find the strength to continue running. I gritted my teeth and summoned every ounce of determination within me.

"Arabella, give up! The Alpha has spoken!" one of them growled, his voice carrying a hint of satisfaction. But I couldn't give in. I couldn't surrender to anyone. 

I dodged a low-hanging branch, its leaves grazing my cheek as I veered to the left. My legs burned, and my lungs screamed for air, but I refused to let the exhaustion consume me. I had to keep going, keep pushing, because my freedom depended on it.

As I sprinted forward, a voice broke through the chaos. "Arabella, over here!" I glanced to the side and saw a figure waving frantically from behind a thick grove of trees. It was Max, a friend of mine who didn't look down on me despite all I went through. You can refer to him as a true friend.

Relief washed over me, and without a signal to those behind me, I altered my course, veering toward Max. The pack of werewolves barked and growled, sensing me, their prey slipping away. But I was determined not to let them catch me. Not this time. Not now, not ever.

"Arabella, hurry!" Max urged, his voice laced with urgency. I pumped my legs harder, my muscles screaming in protest. 

The snarls of my pursuers reverberated through the forest, fueling my desire to escape their clutches. "We'll catch you, Arabella!" One of them yelled but I paid no attention to him.

Different branches whipped against my arms, leaving stinging trails of pain on my body and although it hurt, the only thing I wanted was to get to safety.

"Almost there, Arabella!" Max encouraged. His unwavering belief in me spurred me on, reminding me that I wasn't alone in this chase.

As I pushed myself forward, my breath came in ragged gasps, and my legs threatened to give way beneath me. 

"Almost there, Ara. Almost there," I chanted to myself, running with looking back.

I wiped my face with my hand as sweat poured down my brow, mingling with the dirt and grime on my face, as I strained to maintain my speed. 

Just when my legs threatened to give out and it felt like I was about to fall, I saw Max, who stood behind some trees. With a final surge of energy, I launched myself forward, propelling my exhausted body toward the waiting embrace of my friend.

Max's outstretched hand reached for mine, his strong grip pulling me into the protective cover of the trees, and we both stumbled to a stop, breathing heavily, our hearts pounding in our chests.

"Arabella, you made it," Max said, his voice filled with relief and admiration. "You're safe now."

I nodded, unable to form words as the weight of the ordeal settled upon my shoulders. The fear and adrenaline that had fueled me, now crashed upon me in waves, leaving me trembling and vulnerable.

"Hush!" He motioned and I held my breath, trying to calm my racing heart so the men don't find us.

As I caught my breath, I glanced back at the forest, where the wolves stood, their snarls and bared teeth out of frustration and anger.

They lost me, their prey, but their eyes held a promise of revenge. Deep down I knew they would start a relentless pursuit that would continue until they had me back within their grasp.

But for now, I had escaped their clutches. The forest stood as my shield, and Max. 

A while after, they left, probably thinking I took another route, and Max and I sighed in relief.

Max's eyes met mine, filled with a hint of worry. "We can't stay here, Arabella. They'll regroup and track us down. We need to get you to safety."

Nodding in agreement, I took a deep breath to steady myself. 

"Where do we go, Max?" I asked, my voice filled with a mix of gratitude and uncertainty.

He squeezed my hand reassuringly, his grip strong and steady. "There's a safe place not far from here, a place I found not quite long. I'll take you there, Arabella."

Relief washed over me, and I was happy to run into Max. "Thank you," I said and we left the trees.

Leaning against Max for support, we began to navigate through the dense forest, stepping carefully to avoid leaving a trail behind. The sounds of the pursuing pack faded into the distance, but I couldn't shake the lingering feeling of being hunted. Every rustle of leaves or snap of a twig set my heart racing, reminding me of the precariousness of our situation.

Max guided us through the trees, his knowledge of the terrain evident in the confidence of his movements. 

After what felt like hours, we arrived at a concealed clearing, tucked away from prying eyes. A small cabin stood nestled among the trees, its rustic exterior blending harmoniously with the natural surroundings. 

"This is home," Max said softly, his voice filled with a mixture of nostalgia and longing. 

"Here?" I asked shocked. "It looks abandoned."

"Yeah, that's the aim. For it to look abandoned so no one would suspect we're here."

"Oh,” I nodded, understanding his words.

As we approached the cabin, Max opened the door and we stepped into the cabin. Unlike the exterior which looked abandoned, the interior was a little furnished and was stocked with ointments and foodstuffs. 

Max led me to a worn-out couch in the corner of the living area, gesturing for me to sit down. I gingerly sank into the cushions, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle over me. 

The events of the past few days had taken their toll, both physically and emotionally, and the safety offered by this hidden refuge was appreciated.

"I'll fetch the first aid kit," Max said, his voice laced with concern as he disappeared into another room. Moments later, he returned with a small box in his hands, filled with bandages, antiseptic, and other supplies. 

He settled down beside me, placing the kit on the coffee table before turning his attention to the wounds on my arms.

I extended my arms, revealing the angry gashes that marred my skin. The pain, dulled by adrenaline during my chase, began to assert its presence now, throbbing with each beat of my heart. 

Max, ever gentle, approached the task with careful precision, cleaning the wounds with a tender touch while I shut my eyes and winced, "Max, it hurts."

As he worked, he spoke softly, his voice a soothing balm to my troubled mind. "Sorry, I'll be done soon." 

When he finished cleaning my wounds, Max retrieved a roll of bandages and skillfully wrapped them around my arms, securing them in place. The pain had subsided a little and I was grateful for his help. 

"You should rest now," Max said, his eyes filled with a mixture of protectiveness and weariness. "You've been through a lot and I need to clean your scent so they won't track us."

I nodded, "Thank you, Max. I don't know what would have happened if you didn't show up," I said, gratitude welling up within me as I reclined on the couch. 

Max stood up and went outside of the cabin and as I closed my eyes, sleep tugged at my eyelids but a part of me felt restless.

"Maybe water would help," I said to myself and stood up to find the kitchen but as I got to the nearest window, I froze in my steps and my heart began to race. I stood there, unable to move as I heard Max's words over the phone.

"Arabella is with me! Deliver my mother safely to me and I'll give her to you, Alpha Nick. Do we have a deal?"