Saved, Then Rejected by my Ice Hockey Mate

Aya's POV

This was not part of my plan.

I really ought to pray and ask for forgiveness from the Moon Goddess because I really cursed at her for my bad luck on this very day.

A series of bad luck, might I add.

It started simple. A cute one, in fact. I was just about to pack my things silently, but then the wind knocked off my things.

Oh dear.. Not now, please.

Please don't make him-

"Aya.."

Nevermind.

I exhaled first and then twirled around to face him. "Hehe, hi dad?"

He looked at me, at my bag, and sighed.

"No." He firmly said.

"But dad! It has been ten years already! Ten years since we arrived here at Cladbridge! Ten years since we last set foot on Wood-"

"ENOUGH." He roared.

Ten years since I last saw him...

I also want to add, but I think my dad would skin me alive. So I just looked at him with puppy eyes, hoping he would yield. But yield he not.

Seriously, this man!

"Aya.. You know how dangerous it is for you to leave here. You only know half of why it is dangerous! Much more to go back there. Besides, didn't we promise each other to find your mother?" Dad spoke in a tone that crumbled my heart. Especially the last bit.

"I know dad, but I am just going to visit!" I protested. He only looked at me and said, "My decision's final dearest, please forgive me," and then he took off after giving me a kiss at the top of my head. I closed my eyes and savored this very last moment.

'Please forgive me too, dad.'

-----

And so here I am. Not in Cladbridge, also not at Woodhill. But currently abducted before I even spent an hour running away from home.

"I assure you this one is special," said one of them.

"How on earth can she be special? They are all the same, you dumbass."

"You really don't have any idea about anything!"

And they bicker and bicker until I grow tired of listening. I was slightly annoyed too because they left my bag way back to where they abducted me.

As hours passed of just walking, my feet grew numb, and my thoughts went to my father. I bet he'll be so shocked to see me gone. Because all this time, for ten years straight, I always try to run away. To go back to where my heart and soul truly belong. In Woodhill.

With him.

But dad always says something to make me stay. He knows I have a soft spot for him and for my mom. The one who left us all alone. At this point, I don't even know how to react when I finally see her again.

But I still do wanna see her and ask why on earth didn't she come back for us? Why did she leave in the first place? Is she still al-

I was interrupted with my thoughts when this gross, huge man grabbed my arm and literally dragged me away. As if hurrying me.

"Hey! Gentle??" I complained, and he just sneered.

Huh! The audacity of this man?

I rolled my eyes at him, and, well, what else could I do but let myself be tugged?

We were in this huge forest. But every single time we took a step, I could hear the birds getting farther away from where we were heading.

I gulped. Because that single piece of information sent chills all over my body. It can't be..

That only means one thing.

We are in Bloodbury.

At the eastern part of the whole wolf domain. And we are obviously heading to their infamous 'living forest'.

My heartbeat was fast, and I froze. Stuck my heel to the ground. That made the man trip on a fallen branch, but instead of getting angry at me, he chuckled. "So, you noticed already, huh?"

I gulped but immediately turned around and ran as fast as I could. Hands still tied together in front of me. I should be thankful that they did not blindfold me, but I know the only reason they didn't was because they knew..

The three of them knew that my efforts of running would be for naught.

And we were all right.

The three men laughed and let me run for five minutes straight before I heard them wolf out to chase me. I should try to hide, but that is so stupid since.. well, wolves.. They could instantly find me with this obvious leaking scent of mine.

After just seconds, they instantly found me. The three of them cut my path and circled around. One of them spoke, "You are smart for running away and not hiding."

"What do you want from me!?" I yelled. My tears were about to fall, but I stopped them. Would rather die than let them see me crying.

Oh Goddess, what have I done? My dad would be so devastated if he saw my lifeless body.. but that is, if I even have a body left. My soul left me for a moment and thought of my father looking for me all over the place. Thinking I only ran away, and he would never find out I was already dead and buried deep within the very soil he would wander.

Well, that itself is a blessing in disguise. He would be more devastated to know that I died rather than thinking that I lived. But he will surely still blame himself all the same.

"You already know where we are. So you should have half a mind of what we want." The slimmest wolf snickered.

I tried to turn around and run again, but the third giant one immediately followed. "Fun's over, missy. It is hungry."

One of them bumped me into the giant one's back, and then they started to glide through the woods. That was until I jumped off his back and rolled over the ground for five seconds. My whole body fucking ached. I thankfully didn't bump my head, but my face and arms are full of small cuts and some bruises.

I didn't mind the pain and instantly tried to stand as fast as I could. No matter how difficult it is with my hands tied. I heard them yell and curse at each other, so I tried my best to run away again.

It did not take long for them to find me, of course.

"You are one of those annoying ones, huh?" The giant wolf growled and turned back into his human form. He grabbed my hair and was about to bash my head somewhere, but the other two stopped him.

"Stupid! We will be dead too if you do that!"

"I'll be at her back to hold her tight so that she won't dare to jump off again. So calm the fuck down, bro."

The giant one glared at me. "Last chance, missy. I am not so patient. Either die with less pain or in a gruesome death in my hands. There is no other choice."

I was cowering in fear deep inside, but I didn't let it show. The two of them wolfed out again with the other one at my back.

There goes my freedom. I haven't even seen him again, and now I'll be dead. And what a pathetic way to go since they'll feed me to this fucking living forest of theirs.

Yep, I swear on my life, this was really not in my plans...

Aya's POV

We are here. I could feel it. All of us do.

Anyone would instantly have an idea that this is no ordinary forest. Even these three men are obviously scared out of their wits.

We are still at the outside of it though. And in front of me is this eerie silent tall lump of lifeless trees that looks like death itself. Trying to steal your precious life right in front of your eyes.

"You go with her! I was tired carrying both of you." The giant one said to his comrade.

"He should!" The one at my back pointed to the slimmest one. "He didn't do a single damn thing!"

"Hey! I was the one who spotted her, you dumbasses!" The last one defended.

I could only sigh and roll my eyes. How annoying of them to see trying to save themselves. The mere luxury of it irks me so.

One of them suddenly had this bright idea. (Which just annoyed me more) "Let's just send her in. As if she could escape there alive."

I immediately look at them and frown. "Geez, are you guys really men?"

I know there were rumors up North at Cladbridge about Bloodbury's forest eating up wolves but I still refused to believe it.

Because how could I?

When there was even a time where this area was used as a field trip or something to test its neighboring wolf's strength and wits. I heard that it was quite a match.

"Nice try making us mad to accompany you inside but hell no. You don't have any idea how worse this forest is now.." The one who rode at my back commented. The rest of them looked at each other and then..

"AHHHHH!"

That overacting yell was of course, me. I screamed my heart out when the giant one picked me up like nothing and literally tossed me inside. I instantly got up on my toes, (after cursing at them!) and was about to jump out but suddenly, it felt like I was being vacuumed inside.

It sucks to feel that the last faces I saw were the three of them smirking.

And then, there was silence.. One that could make anyone go crazy and just simply want to end their life. I heaved a huge breath and started walking.

Looking around the whole woods, I noticed some marks and dents across some tree trunks.

This is obviously a training area way back in the past. I swear I could even feel and hear some laughter and teasing of some of the wolves who used to be here. Is this real??

What on earth happened here?

The moment I thought of that, I stepped into something.

Oh shit..

I immediately ran for my life while trying to evade all the spears that rained in my direction. The moment the two of them managed to glide and cut my cheek and arm it stopped.. Only for some logs to suddenly pop out of nowhere.

And I really meant "nowhere". Because some of them even came from the ground and above me. This time, I didn't let it touch me since I used it to my advantage.

I hopped on one log to evade the other as it continued to pop in all directions. That went on for thirty minutes straight! Thank Goddess I never skip my small daily workout..

When it stopped, not a breath later, there were these big balls of thorns swaying all around. At this point I am so tired and emotionally drained with all the things that took place today.

But still, I managed to escape some of them but one got me and it scraped my whole back.

This time blood was dripping all over the ground. And because of that, it felt like the woods got too excited tasting their favorite meal again.

Because..

Twigs were suddenly wrapped all over my limbs. Trying to restrict my movements. I tried everything in my power to break free but I can't..

I fell on the ground as the twigs hugged me tight. Then the ground moved. Heading north, I presume.

I tried my best to retaliate again and escape but I simply just couldn't. These trees are clinging at me for dear life.

Literally..

But I did not give up. As if I would.. I squirmed and used up all of my energy until I exerted all of said energy. The forest was eerie quiet again and at the same time it was not. It feels like you heard something, but there was no sound. Goddess, now I feel like I'm going insane..

"I swear they said that this isn't used to be this dangerous.. Wanna strangle and drag them here with me.." I muttered to myself while still trying to unbind these damned sticks!

'A useless act..' I heard someone say as I dumbly looked around the area. But there was no one. So I just presume that now this forest can talk. Just great.

"And now.. a talking forest too." I wiggled and wiggled but the more that I did, the more that it tightened its grip.

'Why try? You know you can't escape.'

"Well, I just can't wait here and die now can I?" Now if there's just something around here that can help me...

'A futile one. From a wolfless girl like you..'

I froze. Not because of what it said, but because I heard something..

Screams.. People pleading for their lives. Wolves trying to get out.

But I know they are already dead and all of these are either their souls or the forest trying to scare me.

I gulped and then the twigs put me in an upright position so that I could see this massive red area.

It looked like the ground was drenched in blood with how red it looked like. And I just know that it really was blood.

There was no mistaking it as it also smells like one.

The whole forest echoed with evil laughter and I feel the twigs are trying to lift me up and dump me to this huge hole.

But then–

It happened so fast that I didn't even process what really took place. I was ready to condemn and curse at the Moon Goddess for my poor life, but someone broke the twigs and grabbed me.

And then–

Pure white fur..

The one who saved me wolfed out and is now carrying me at his back. This warm cozy fur felt so damn familiar that I cried and passed out.

But before I did, I mentioned his name and could feel him tensed.

"Johanis..."

Aya's POV

"Aya!"

I woke up hearing this yet another familiar shriek. But even though this shriek sounds so sharp, it still feels like home..

"I said stop shouting! You'll wake her up, you dummy." Another familiar voice emerged.

My head still feels really groggy but I forced myself to open my eyes. And there they were..

The heir and heiress of the South. Johanis Martin, and his little sister, Liliana Martin.

"J-joha.." The moment I whispered his nickname, he froze and looked away. I just sighed and looked at his little sister. "L-lily"

"You shall not speak yet, Aya!" She pouted. "I swear to the Moon Goddess you and this stupid brother of mine are just the same! No rest and more headaches for us! Do you know that we keep on looking for you guys all this ti-"

"Lily.." Johanis said in this warning tone of his. But Lily just rolled her eyes and ignored him. "Anyway! Are you fine now?"

"N-no.. what happened? How about those three who were there?"

"What do you mean three?" Lily pondered for a moment and then.. "Oh! You meant those who abducted you? Why they are already dead, of course. Beaten like a pulp before they heaved their last breath!"

She said it like it was nothing.. Should I be alarmed? She used to be this sweet munchkin of ours when we were young.

Does everything truly change?

"W-what?"

"Well, do you expect my brother would just let them live? After what they did to y-"

"Shut up, Lily. It isn't for her but for your safety and the whole pack."

"Lalala! So denial, geez!" She bumped herself into Joha's arm but the man didn't even budge. He looked at me for a moment and we locked our gaze for three seconds before he looked away.. only because Lily's teasing stare is too loud.

He was about to leave but I spoke. "C-can we talk?"

"No."

"I am about to leave again. I'm only here to visit.." I tried to plead but.. He stopped in his tracks and looked at me sideways. With a cold expression in his eyes.. "Leaving again, huh? Seems to be your talent. Then, all the more reason that we shouldn't talk anymore."

And with that he left..

The moment the door closes, Lily makes a face towards his direction before she sits beside me. "Don't mind that one. He is just too bitter to forgive you guys, yet."

"Huh?"

"Hmm?" Lily tilted her head. "Is there a problem, Aya?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"I simply meant it as it is. No need to be guilty around me."

"No. I mean, y-yes, I still feel guilty even around you but.. 'guys'? You meant me and my father, right?" I hesitatingly asked because I'm really confused.

And then she dropped this bomb. "No. I meant the three of you. You, Sari and B-brinn." She looked away when she spoke of the last name. Even had this yearning gaze written all over her face.

I know it too well. Because that is my very face when I look at myself in the mirror thinking of my life here. Thinking of what could've happened if me and my father hadn't left.

Thinking of him all the time...

Only.. Lily also had this other emotion in her face that I cannot pinpoint what exactly.. Anger? Worry? Hesitance? Vengeance?

I merely sighed and let her be. Because I also don't wanna be asked way back at Cladbridge about my face when I think of him either..

But that was all in the past and I'm here now. That is what's important, right?

But wait...

"Sari and Brinn left too? When!?" I sat up in shock and because of that, my vision's getting all blurry again.

"Hey.. easy peasyy. You haven't fully recovered yet." Lily worryingly said as she guided me back to lie down.

"When?" I looked her straight in the eyes. I feel like if I didn't, she wouldn't tell me.

Lily sighed and combed her hair with her fingers. A trait she and her brother had. She bit her lower lip before speaking, "That very same night you were also gone.."

I don't know why but it feels like I was dumped with cold ice water. "W-what?"

She exhaled a huge breath again. "We really thought you guys were dead and we mourned for a year or two until someone said they saw you fleeing that night. That was when we started this search way back then until now.."

"So that was why Johanis looks really mad." I forced myself to stop these stupid tears from falling.

"Yeah. He always asks me that if you guys were alive, why wouldn't you come back? Or even write a simple letter? Sometimes I agree with him and sometimes I'd be the bigger person and make him understand.." She had this melancholic expression on her face that made my heart ache so damn much.

"I'm sorry.. I tried everything, but father said it's too dangerous for me to even send a letter.."

She nodded. "I understand now.. I really do.. Uhm..." She gulped and hesitated but I just smiled at her and said, "So.. were you shocked that I don't have a wolf?"

"Yes." She honestly said, biting her lip again. "And Johanis should understand how dangerous it is for you too! Seriously, I'll skin him alive the next time I see him!"

I merely chuckled and got comfy in bed. "Nah. No need to. As I said, I'm leaving the moment the pack doctor or nurse gives a go signal."

She squirms and fiddles with her hands. That could only mean one thing..

"Liliana.. What on earth did you do now?" I suspiciously looked at her as she cheekingly giggled. "Uhh. I forgot to say the part where you were unconscious for five days already.."

"What?"

"And uhmm.. healer Mira already said you can actually go once you open your eyes and deem that you can stand up."

I sighed. "Okay, then I'm going now."

"Only that you can't!" She stopped me before I could even attempt to sit.

I glared at her. "What else are you hiding?"

Liliana Martin has always been so cheeky. I couldn't say that she's spoiled because Alpha Hans and Luna Jhoanna, her parents and the leaders of Midnight Pack, always scold and punish her as they deem fit. But still Lily will always be Lily, and I inwardly smile that even after so many years, some things never changed..

Nevertheless.. this is different and I have a really bad feeling about this.

"So, uhm.. it is to be expected that your father looked for you and the first thing he does is mind link mom and dad.. It was chaos but anyway to cut things short, I kinda lied to my parents that Joha and I picked you up on our way towards finding you guys.."

"What the-"

"They were also on their way on a mission at that time. So I just said to mom that I already enrolled you here at Woodhill University.."

"LILY!"

She flinched but still continued. "Your father was rather furious and he is expected to arrive by next week I think.."

"Oh my Goddess, Liliana!"

She was about to say something again but I could feel these ominous pheromones marching to where we were. Two of them.

She gulped. "Shit. They have arrived and found out already!?"

"What do you me-"

And I didn't get to finish my sentence as one furious Alpha and Luna barge inside the infirmary tent.

"LILIANA MARTIN! HOW DARE YOU LIE TO ME!?"

She quickly bumped her cheeks to mine and fled. "See you later, Aya!"

But she hadn't even taken five steps when her father caught her. "You really think you can outrun us, little wolf?"