Chapter 1 Talia's POV

Talia's POV

The cold rain battered over me as my breath escaped heavy. My hands trembled as I held my head low. My ears stood on edge waiting for the right moment.

"We all know why we're here," a guard announced, pacing on the stage, "Escape you survive, caught you die," his voice cold sending chills down my spine.

It was the annual hunting game held by the sadist tyrant, alpha Logan Stone. He hunted us rogues like we were nothing. I've heard stories, chilling stories about the past hunting games. Disgusting guards who raped female rogues, the gruesome deaths and the quest for survival. I couldn't be one of them, I had to find a way out. I had to survive.

"You!" The guard called out to me, patting my head with the edge of his spear. Goosebumps trickled down my skin as my lips trembled. Raising my head slightly, I looked toward him, "Y...Yes."

"Aye, a pretty one!" Logan exclaimed, rising from his throne as he took steps towards me.

No! This can't be happening!

"We have us another red price!" He announced.

My heart sank to the bottom of my feet as my tears mixed with the rain. Why me? I didn't want to be the red price. How did I end up here?

"You should be honored. If you service me well, the guards will be easy on you," he said mischievously, caressing my face.

I held back my anger, forcing a smile. I couldn't fight back, all I could do was hope I wasn't caught. The other rogues who were caught as the red price didn't survive. Logan did unimaginable things to them just to suit his sadistic ways of pleasure. Dear moon, I can't be the next one.

"Xavier! Get me the red paint!"

My eyes widened as I heard his name. Xavier Greene, the most feared beta across the lands. He was fearless and his skills were unmatched.

"Mark her," Logan said, turning his back to me as he walked back to his throne.

A cold hand cupped my chin, compelling me to meet his gaze. My heart skipped a beat as I stared at the pair of silver eyes in front of me. His curly black hair wet from the rain as droplets of water trickled down his chiseled face. His thin pink lips inviting with a magnetic allure. A surge of heat coursed through my body as I stared at him.

"Don't worry Xavier, when she's caught, I'll let you have some fun with her before the guards," Logan said, laughing diabolically as he ran his hands through his hair.

Blinking repeatedly, Xavier smudged the red paint onto me before walking away.

"Ready! Steady! Go!" The guard announced, shooting the gun in the air.

My legs sprang into action before he completed his words. My heart throbbed with fear as each step suffocated me from within. The sky thundered as the downpour became heavier. The muddy forest floor proved to be my greatest enemy as I tried maintaining my balance.

"Look over there! Red price! Let's get her!" A guard yelled from behind.

I increased my speed. Running as fast as I could. My breaths escaped in rasps as I tried to maneuver the slippery forest. Thorns caressed my skin, leaving holes on the sleeves on my dress as I ran through the bushes.

My eyes darted through the path above in search of an escape route, but all I saw was trees.

The sound of a gunshot from behind jolted my feet more as I increased my pace.

"Calm down red price, we just want to have some fun!"

"We'll be much more gentle than the alpha!"

The guards mocked, their steps echoed closer as I looked for an exit. Tragedy struck as my toe hit the broken branch beneath sending me crashing to the floor.

"Ahhh!" I cried out in pain as my feet twisted. No, this can't be happening, I need to leave here at once!

"Hello little rogue," a fat guard sneered. Turning towards him, he was surrounded with two more guards who looked at me hungrily. Tears rolled down my eyes as realized what fate awaited me.

"We won't hurt you," he said as they surrounded me.

"Please let me go," I begged, crying profusely as I trembled.

"Nghm, your voice is so good when you cry, how sexy will it be when you moan."

The two slim guards pushed me to the floor, holding my hands as the fat guard began ripping my dress. I cried out for help as I struggled to break free.

A huge grey wolf leaped from the bushes, pouncing onto the fat guard, taking us by surprise.. Its long fangs sunk into his neck, sending him into a tree. Turning towards us, the wolf began taking steps, closing the distance. The guards rose to their feet, trembling as they pulled out their swords.

With a loud howl, the wolf pounce onto the other guards, his teeth grabbing one by the arm while his tail threw the other. I lunged my body up with much difficulty, leaping towards a safe spot.

The loud scream of the guard echoed through the night as his blood flooded the forest floor. Snarling, the wolf turned to the last guard who trembled on the side. His eyes filled with terror as the wolf walked towards him. As he turned to leave, the wolf lunged himself towards him, sinking it's fangs into his leg. The guard cried for mercy as the wolf tore him apart. My pulse stopped as I remained frozen in place.

The wolf turned to me, blood dripping from its mouth. Shock coursed through me as I feared my fate. Sounds of bones cracking echoed as its fur receded. My eyes widened as I watched it's human figure appear in front of me. Rain dripped down his body as he turned to me.

"Mate."