Chapter 5 Kyle

Leah's POV

A big hand held me tightly and prevented me from screaming. I was so scared that Ian's men had finally found me, but I was surprised when I could still hear them looking for me.

"Come on, Jack, let's get out of here; it's obvious she's not here. We can't waste any more time," one of them said.

They started retreating which left me confused. If it wasn't one of Ian's men who held me from screaming, then who?

When I could no longer hear Ian's men again, the person took his hand away from my mouth, and I quickly turned back. I saw a man with dark, tousled hair, chiseled face, and striking amber eyes.

I stared at him cautiously, trying to decipher if he was a friend or foe.

"Hi, my name is Kyle. I am sorry for holding you that way earlier. I saw that you were hiding from those men and wanted to help," the stranger explained.

I looked at him with bitterness as I recalled that this was the same way Ian convinced me to follow him. I was not going to fall for that the second time.

I paid no heed to him and struggled to free my injured leg from the trap. Why would he even set a trap here! Of all places!

"I am a hunter, and I am sorry your leg got trapped in the trap I had set. Hold on, let me help you."

He tried to help, but I slapped his hand away harshly. I don't need anyone's help who would want to exploit me again!

Trying so hard to pry my leg out of the trap, I still couldn't . I was getting tired and my leg was bleeding profusely. My wolf must be cursing the moon goddess for pairing her with an unlucky girl like me.

I finally turned to Kyle, who knelt beside me, waiting patiently to help out.

He helped me remove the trap from my leg skillfully and I just muttered, "Thanks."

He went ahead to get a bottle from his leather bag hanging on his right shoulder and started helping me clean the wound.

I sat there, watching him as he meticulously continued what he was doing. When he was finally done, he asked,

"Can you stand?"

I tried to stand up but fell down almost immediately. Kyle quickly helped me and made me sit back on the ground.

He said, "Listen, if you don't mind, I can help you get to where you are headed. You are badly injured, and it looks like your wolf is taking time to heal you."

I really felt bad for Anna, my wolf. She had also been through a lot, trying to always repair my damaged body and take care of my child.

"Thank you, Anna," I mindlinked, but I only got a howl in reply. I could tell she was already weak, but there was nothing I could do at the moment.

I contemplated accepting Kyle's proposition, I was still skeptical about accepting a stranger's help.

I finally conceded, knowing that as a pregnant woman, I couldn't stay here with an injured leg.

"I am Rachael, and I am heading to the neighboring pack." I lied. I didn't want to make the same mistake I made with Ian.

"Which of the neighboring packs? You are already just a little close to mine, and it will take you another day and a half to get to the next pack," he replied.

"What's the name of your pack?"I inquired.

"Crescent moon pack."

His pack was one of the least developed packs I know, and it was the perfect hideout for me.

"I am headed towards your pack."

"Oh really! That's good, then please allow me to help you. I feel bad that my trap injured you, especially in your condition," he offered.

Stating firmly, I quickly yelled, "I owe you nothing! If you want to help, then so be it, but I won't be forced to do what I don't want to do."

He raised his hands in surrender and said, "Woah, calm down, Rachael. I mean no harm. I just want to help. That's it."

"Moon goddess, please don't let me make the same mistake twice," I muttered silently as he patiently waited for my reply.

I finally agreed and he helped me stand and gradually led me to his pack. When we got to his pack, he asked,

"Who are you staying with in my pack? I know almost everyone's house here, I could help you get there."

"I..I..the house.....I meant...."

I just couldn't keep up with my lies, what was I going to tell him?

Taking a deep breath, I finally decided to tell him the same exact excuse I gave to Ian.

"To be honest with you, I am actually running away from my Mistress who has been so cruel to me. I have nowhere to go and I don't know anybody here."

Surprisingly, He believed me and even offered to take me to his home since it was already late and he couldn't take me to the Alpha. He offered me food and some warm clothes.

Amidst all these, I was watchful and careful around him in case he displayed any weird character similar to that of Ian.

The next day, when he wanted to take me to his Alpha, I hesitated. Taking me to his Alpha would warrant me telling the Alpha which pack I belonged to.

I couldn't lie to an Alpha; his wolf had the power to command Anna to shift if he doesn't believe my words. Every wolf had a distinctive mark used to identify what pack it belonged to.

I couldn't risk shifting into Anna due to my pregnancy, nor could I risk exposing my identity. I begged Kyle to allow me to spend some days in his home to recuperate, and then I would find my way.

He obliged and introduced me to the pack as his distant cousin. Days turned into weeks, but Kyle never once asked me to leave and I also got comfortable.

After four weeks of staying with him, I relaxed and enjoyed the serenity of his pack. His pack members were friendly and welcoming, and Kyle never prevented me from associating with them.

They often brought gifts to me due to my condition and would assist me if I needed any help. I felt at peace and decided I would stay here and give birth when the time came.

I lay on my bed, thinking of what name my son would bear once I gave birth. Kyle knocked on my door, interrupting my thoughts,

"Rachael, come on, let's stroll to the market. You have been indoors since morning, and as a pregnant woman, you need to stretch your legs a little."

Kyle was really nice to me, and I appreciated all his efforts. I sometimes notice the way he gazes at me with affection, but I was not ready to be with anyone.

Aiden and Ian had made me shut my heart to commitment and love, and I don't think I was ready to open it again.

I quickly put on my sandals and accompanied Kyle to the market. I really needed to stretch a little. I have suddenly grown lazy because Kyle and his pack members hardly allowed me to do anything strenuous.

"What fruit would you like to eat today? Apples or berries? Kyle asked warmly as we strolled the market.

"I want both of them," I answered teasingly.

"Ah! I am certainly breeding a glutton."

We laughed and continued to stroll together. We got to the woman selling the fruits and started picking out the freshest fruit.

The Market woman stared at me with a weird gaze that made me feel unsettled. Just as I was about to ask her what was the problem, she suddenly asked,

"You look like the lady on the poster, are you twins?"

Kyle and I were confused about what she was saying. "What poster are you talking about?" I inquired.

"Look over there," she said, pointing at a tree where a poster was glued to. Kyle and I went closer to the poster, and I was shocked at what I saw.

"Wow, Rachael, the lady on this poster definitely looks like you. It seems this lady is desperately being searched for, just look at the reward amount," Kyle said, as he went through the poster.

He continued, "If I didn't know you, I would have said you were the one in the poster. The only difference is that you look a bit chubbier now, and you are Rachael while she is Leah."

I started hyperventilating immediately, Kyle noticed and quickly held me, asking me what was wrong. I couldn't reply as I continued to stare at the poster.

I was indeed the one being searched for, and what got me so scared was that Alpha Aiden was the one searching for me!