Chapter 2 Elsie's missing

Elsie's Pov

I ran on four paws, my senses heightened by the adrenaline coursing through my veins. My heart pounded with every stride, and my breath came out in heavy pants. I felt free for the very first time after my parent's death, yet I had no idea where I was going. But I couldn't stop. Not now. My uncle's voice echoed in my mind, his threats, his anger. I had to escape him. I had to escape the life he had planned for me.

As I raced through the wilderness, leaves and twigs crunching beneath my powerful paws, I couldn't help but think about the future he had envisioned for me. A forced marriage, a life of slavery. It was a fate I couldn't accept.

Soon, I slowed my pace just enough to glance over my shoulder. Moonlight filtered through the trees, lightening the forest in a beautiful manner. I could sense they were soon going to start looking for me and I knew they wouldn't give up so easily. But neither would I.

I needed to find a place to hide, to gather my thoughts and figure out what to do next. I veered off different paths, my keen instincts guiding me deeper into the woods. My steps were swift but unsure, guided only by the thought to escape. My uncle's demands and threats played freshly in my thoughts. He had arranged a marriage for me with Ethan, a man I barely knew, and one I knew I couldn't trust. "I can't go back," I whispered to myself, tears welling up in my eyes. "I won't." I won't return to the pack, I won't get married to Ethan.

There was no choice for me but to keep moving, keep running, and hope that whatever pursued me would eventually give up. I was running for my life, and nothing else mattered.

Unknowingly to me, there was a hill ahead of me that I couldn't see properly since I was lost in thought. Without warning, my foot mistakenly hit against a root and I tumbled forward. Time seemed to slow as I descended then, a sickening realization hit me, I was falling from a high mountain. Panic surged through me, and I tried swinging my arms, desperate for something to grab onto. But there was nothing but empty air.

With a loud crash, I landed into an icy river. Pain radiates through my body as I struggle to regain my senses. I gasped for air, my lungs aching from the fall. I frantically looked around, trying to get my bearings. As I struggled to the surface, gasping for air, I knew that I wouldn't survive this fall. My body ached, and my vision blurred.

I fought to stay afloat, kicking and thrashing in the water but the current from the water was pulling me downstream, away from the shore. Desperation welled up inside me, and I mustered all my strength to swim against the relentless flow. But my efforts were futile, and exhaustion overcame me.

As the darkness of the water closed in around me, I couldn't help but reflect on my cruel fate. My life had been a series of love and losses, and now it was ending in this cold, unforgiving river. I had always believed that death was the only constant in my life.

As I kept struggling, the water pushed and pulled, dragging me deeper into its cold embrace.

Time seemed to stretch as I fought for survival. Thoughts raced through my mind, memories of happier times and dreams I always wanted. I soon closed my eyes, surrendering to how my life was ending.

Just when I thought all was lost, something unexpected happened. I felt strong arms wrapped around me from behind, pulling me upwards through the water. My heart raced, hope flickering back to life. I couldn't see my rescuer, but their grip was firm and reassuring. Finally, we broke the surface, and I gasped for breath, coughing and sputtering as I clung to the person who had saved me. My vision cleared, revealing the face of my rescuer, a stranger with kind eyes and a reassuring smile.

"Are you alright?" the stranger asked with arched brows.

I nodded, unable to find my voice just yet. Tears welled up in my eyes as I managed a weak smile, "Thank you." Before I finally gave in to darkness.

|Few Hours Later|

I blinked and opened my groggy eyes. The world was a hazy blur at first, and my mind felt clouded, as though I had just emerged from a deep slumber. As my vision cleared, I realized that I was lying on a comfortable bed, covered by soft sheets. Panic gripped me as I tried to piece together what had happened. Where was I? How had I ended up here?

As my senses slowly returned, I realized that I was indoors. The room was cozy and warm. Confusion gripped me as I tried to piece together how I had ended up here but my head was blank. Nothing was clear to me. I suddenly noticed a presence and I turned my head to the side and then, I met with a surprising sight. A man, sitting on a chair beside the bed, his unexplainable gaze fixed on me. He had striking features, dark, wavy hair, piercing blue eyes, and a strong jawline. I suddenly had the mindset to trust him.

My voice came out in a hoarse whisper as I spoke, "Where... Where am I?"

The man's smile widened, and he leaned forward to my bed. "What's wrong? Are you afraid of something?" He replied, giving me an opposite answer. I didn't say a word and it gave him space to continue. "What were you doing on the mountain? You should be more careful."

"What do you mean?" I questioned as my mind went blank. I couldn't think of anything he was saying.

He leaned back on his chair and answered, "I mean, you were too careless on the mountain and if I hadn't saved you from the water, you could've been dead by now."

I furrowed my brow, trying to grasp the gravity of the situation. "I don't remember anything. How did I end up in the river? Why can't I remember?"

His eyes held sympathy as he spoke, "When I found you, you were barely conscious until now. If you don't remember anything, It's possible you hit your head during the fall, which could explain the memory loss. Don't worry, it might come back with time." He spoke like he knew all things and all I could do was nod my head, feeling a sense of trust in his presence. He had saved my life, after all. "Thank you for saving me. I don't know what I would have done without your help."

His smile was warm and reassuring. "You're welcome. I couldn't just leave you there," he taunted and added. "I'm Madriod by the way and if you can't remember your name, it's fine too." He sounded as if he knew me but the kindness in his eyes gave me assurance that I was safe.

As I lay there, I couldn't help but wonder about the life I had lost or at least, the memories of it. Who was I before this moment? What had led me to that treacherous mountain? The questions swirled in my mind, a puzzle I couldn't solve.

Noticing the look on my face, he conveyed, "Hello, don't stress too much about your lost memories. Sometimes, the past is a heavy burden. For now, focus on healing and getting your strength back. We can figure everything out together later."

His words were a balm to my worried heart, and I nodded in agreement. There was something about Madriod that made me feel safe. I knew I had a long journey ahead, not just to recover my memories but to uncover the secrets of the past that had led me to that river's edge.

As I closed my eyes, exhaustion pulling me back into slumber, I clung to the one thought, who am I?