Chapter 2 WHO IS HE

CHAPTER 2: WHO IS HE?

The cover of the night, and the merriment that had caused the borders to be left unguarded was the perfect opportunity for Raya to escape. She wasn't going to live under the indefinite torment of Victoria, and an even more awful treatment from the rest of the pack.

She was terrified of walking into the unknown, especially since she barely knew the world outside her pack. She had never ventured outside Ravenhill. But bracing herself, she took that daring step.

She looked at her mother's grave as tears ran down her left cheek.

"Goodbye, mother," she bade, then she walked into the dark forest.

She went quite deep into the forest, and could no longer hear the jubilation from her pack. It was now replaced with a frightening silence, mixed with the chirping of crickets and hooting of owls.

Gulping as she walked, even the snapping of a twig under her foot scared her. It got even worse when she heard the rustling sound of grass. Turning in the direction of the sound, squinting her eyes, she saw a pair of bloodshot eyes flashing because of the moonlight.

Gripped with fear, she froze. Growling mildly, the creature emerged - It was a Silverback rogue. Goo dripped from the side of its mouth as it inched toward Raya.

More rogues emerged from the dark, their eyes glowing at her with murderous intent. She was surrounded. Taking a few steps back, she found herself leaning against a tree. Her nails clawed into the back of the tree as her heart raced.

Standing face to face with death, for a fleeting moment, she wondered if escaping was the best call. But there was nothing she could do.

In this dire moment, she wished her wolf would awaken. At least, she would have a fighting chance.

A rogue snarled and sprang at Raya. She docked and fell to the ground, but was grazed close to her left shoulder by its razor-sharp claws. She crawled backward frightfully, her eyes darting around as the other rogues prepared to attack her.

Suddenly, she saw that they all cowered, their heads bent and ears folded in, whimpering. Someone emerged from the dark.

His eyes flashed gold. His long dark hair cascaded over his shoulders, sitting on his huge body frame. He only had on a furry winter coat, but was shirtless, revealing his well-built upper body, adorned with two gold necklaces.

He walked right through the middle of the rogues as they made way for him. Raya's vision began getting hazy as she got drowsy.

'Poison. I've been poisoned by its claws,' she said to herself.

But then, she wondered who this was that terrified the rogues, even though they outnumbered him as her eyes were fixed on him.

He walked calmly toward Raya, paying the rogues no attention whatsoever. It was as though his presence caused time to slow down - His aura was on a whole other level than what she had ever seen or felt.

Squatting, he looked right into Raya's eyes. She felt a calm she had never felt in the presence of anyone, making her forget she was at the verge of death.

"You poor thing. Out here all alone," the stranger said in a soft but calming deep tone.

Slowly, Raya lost consciousness, collapsing at his feet. But one question ran through her mind.

'Who are you?'

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Gasping, Raya jerked up. She looked around and saw that the rogues were all on the floor. Her heart thumped as she gasped in fear.

Then she saw the same stranger sitting by a fire. The reflection of the fire in his eyes made the perfect blend.

'So it wasn't a dream.'

"No, it wasn't a dream," the stranger replied. Raya's eyes widened in shock, looking at him.

"How- How-" she blurted, unable to make the words.

"You're surprised I read your thoughts?" he asked. She looked at him, unable to speak. The cackling sound of the burning wood was audible in the awkward silence between the two.

"What were you doing out here all by yourself, away from Ravenhill, and away from your pack? Are you not aware of the dangers that lie without, especially at night?" he further asked.

Raya found it hard to answer. She wondered how he knew what pack she was a part of. But she also wondered what pack he was from. She had never seen him before. He was dressed differently as though it was winter, but it was summer, hence the weather was hot.

He got up and began walking away from the fire. Raya sat there, wondering why he was leaving all of a sudden without saying a word. She quickly got up and followed him. She thought he'd send her away, but he didn't.

Up ahead, she saw torches lit, and there was a company of carriages. As she got closer, she saw that they were royal carriages, and flags that bore the sigil of the royal house - House Gavanar.

'What are the King's delegates doing here?' she thought. She quickly remembered that the stranger could hear her thoughts, so she quieted her thoughts.

When they got to the temporal camp, the soldiers got up and bowed to the person I followed. Furrowing her brow, she wondered what was going on.

A well-dressed man, having similar hair to the man I followed approached him and bowed. "My Lord."

'My Lord?' She was confused at this point.

"Take our guest to my tent and have her fed with the finest delicacies, and give her a change of raiment," he instructed.

"Yes, my Lord," the man bowed, but looked a bit perplexed. As he led her away, she turned and looked at the stranger, wondering who he truly was.

As she got into the tent, everything she saw spelled royalty - true royalty. There was a table that was already set like a banquet, with all varieties of delicacies.

The man returned with a servant holding a raiment. It was made of the same furry material as all the royal delegates.

"Please, enjoy what the White Wolf has so generously offered you," the man said.

"What?" Raya's eyes widened in utter shock. "Sorry, sir, but is he- Is he King Barakar, the Alpha King?"

"Who else would he be?" he replied, nonchalantly, and walked out.

Raya had her hand over her mouth.

"Oh, spirits! I am done for!"