The Cursed Hybrid's Redemption

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."

Talia's POV

My heart skipped a beat as I stared blankly at him. His taut muscles exuded through his wet shirt as the moon light shone on his face. My jaw dropped to the floor as I pinched myself to ensure I wasn't dreaming. It was Xavier.

"Mate," he called once more.

Dumbfounded, I turned around to see if there was anyone else around. But there was none. Maybe I was dead? Definitely, this has to be a fantasy, right?

"Are you ok?" He asked, concerned as he walked toward me. Staggering, I blinked repeatedly to ensure it wasn't an imagination as I tried maintaining my balance. I looked at him in disbelief, "Y...Yes, thank y..."

Before I could complete my words, he wrapped his arms round my waist pulling me close to him. His breaths grazed my skin as he sunk his fangs into my neck. The sky thundered viciously as I stood in shock. What just happened? This was too good to be true. Xavier marked me?

"Leave here and never return," he said, his voice stern as he looked me dead in the eye.

His words made my ear twitch as I scoffed in disbelief.

"You marked me, and now you leave?" I asked.

"I don't have time to explain, ok? Just leave here! Now! Before you're caught!" He snarled, transforming back into his wolf form as he leaped through the forest. Was I just rejected? Wow! I've really suffered a great deal.

"I think there's a rogue over there!" The voice of a guard in the distance rang in my ears.

I didn't have time for this either. I needed to leave here at once. Without further ado, I ran into the woods, running as fast as my feet could carry me.

Xavier's word rang in my ears, his actions replayed in my head as I tried to comprehend it all. Was this a part of the game? What if he uses the mate bond to locate me? I need to get help.

As the downpour reduced, my feet grew weak as I began staggering slowly. Placing my hands on my knees, I gasped for air as I searched around for shelter. I'd gone far off Logan's territory I think, I hope.

I needed a place to rest for the night, or at least hide. It's going to be a long night as the game doesn't end till dawn. As I walked through the quiet forest, the voices of two people arguing caught my attention.

Could it be Logan's guards? Am I in another alpha's territory? With each step, the voices grew louder. I tiptoed as stealthily as I could trying my best to avoid attention being drawn to me.

I caught sight of a female standing in the distance. Her lustrous brown hair cascaded over her shoulders in curls, her brown eyes glistened with rage as she pointed her fingers toward someone else. Her yellow dress caught my attention as I noticed Logan's mark on the side. Could she be the famous Marissa Stone? Logan's mate?

"I don't have time for this! Logan's game will soon come to an end. I've done the best I can," she said, her voice strained. She was visibly stressed but the other party refused to give up.

"I don't care. I sent you into his territory, yet you can't give me shit!"

"Listen, I tried my best ok? I can't do it. I've practiced a lot, but I can't!"

"And why can't you?!"

"Because I love Logan! Ok? He maybe be a tyrant but I love him."

"Are you out of your mind? Logan is a murderer!"

"I will not be the one to end him! The deal is off. I am not your pawn anymore!" She yelled, turning to leave. I hid behind the bushes, narrowing my eyes as I tried to see the face of the man she argued with.

"Marissa! You will not walk out on me!"

"Watch me!"

"Marissa!"

"Ahhhh!"

I gasped, placing my palm over my lips as I suppressed my scream. I watched as he brutally stabbed Marissa multiple times from behind, each thrust more deeper than the last, her blood splattering over the floor until her screams grew faint.

Trembling, I took steps backwards in an attempt to leave as my eyes fixed on the murderer's back. Tragedy struck as my feet collided with a branch causing a crunched sound to echo. My eyes shifted to the branch as I cursed under my breath. Shaking, I raised my head slowly, my eyes meeting with the masked killer as he growled.

With shuddering breath, I sprang into action, running without looking back. His steps echoed behind me as I ran. Only moon knew what he would do to me if I'm caught. I felt a slight sting on my neck as my eyes became heavy. The side of my eyes blurred as my senses grew weaker. My legs wobbled as I struggled to steady my steps. In moments, I fell to the ground, darkness surrounding me as I cursed my fate.

"Now, I'll teach you a lesson," a voice echoed as I passed out.

Talia's POV

"How could this be?"

"She was in the mansion, right?"

"Oh! My Luna!"

The sad murmurs echoed in my ears as I parted my eyelids slightly. My blurred vision becoming visible as I blinked my eyes. Where was I? As I tried standing up, I felt a heavy weight on my legs as the clanging of chains echoed.

"Alpha, the rogue is awake!"

"You!" Alpha Logan's familiar angry voice rang.

My eyes widened at the sight by my side. The woman from earlier, laid lifeless beside me. Her body battered and bruised, covered in dry blood. I looked down to my dress, unable to comprehend what happened. I was covered in blood. What was happening?

"Why?! Why did you murder my mate!" Alpha Logan demanded.

"Killed?" I asked, perplexed.

"Enough of the pretending!" Alpha Logan snarled, walking towards me. Grabbing my neck, he raised me from the ground as I met his eyes which glistened with fury.

"Why?! Huh! Tell me who sent you! Was it Xander? Answer me!" He yelled.

I opened my mouth, gasping for air as I tapped on his hand profusely, my eyes pleading for him to release me. I could feel my airway tighten with each passing second.

"Alpha, let her speak," an old woman on the side said.

Releasing his grip from my neck, I fell to the floor coughing violently as I massaged my neck.

"Speak," the old woman said.

"I didn't kill her," I said, my voice timid.

"Lies. I found you with the murder weapon laying beside the Luna! I'm sure the Luna must have fought to death in a bid to save herself from you!"

"I didn't kill her! I'm innocent!"

"All you do is lie! Alpha, let's kill all rogues now, if not, more like our precious Luna will be killed!"

"I'm also in support alpha!"

"Justice for Luna!"

"I didn't kill her!" I yelled at the top of my voice, tears streaming down my face. "I'm not the one who murdered her. I didn't even know who she was until now. All I remember is seeing Alpha Logan's mark on her dress while she argued with that man."

"Man? What man?" Alpha Logan asked, his interest visibly spiked.

"During the game, I tried my best to escape. I ran as fast as I could. I didn't know where I was, but I heard voices arguing. I came closer and I saw her arguing with a man over why she hadn't killed you yet," I said, shifting my gaze to alpha Logan, "She refused to meet his demands and he went biserk, stabbing her continuously until she died. I tried to run, but I was caught by him. The last thing I remember was running away from him."

The air filled with murmurs as everyone exchanged words with each other. Alpha Logan remained frozen as he stroke his beards.

"Who was this man she argued with?" Alpha Logan asked, turning to me.

"I couldn't see his face. He wore a mask."

"It's of no use believing her words, alpha. She could be making it up!"

"Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!"

"I'm not making it up. I witnessed this with my own eyes!"

"Then who is the man that murdered my mate?!" Alpha Logan demanded, his face red with anger as he glared at me.

"I... I don't know," I sobbed. I'm innocent, I didn't kill her. If only I could see the face of the murderer.

"Enough of this. Take this rogue to the execution room. I want her head!"

"No! Please, alpha, take mercy on me. I'm innocent. I did no such thing! Please!"

The guards grabbed the chains on my leg, dragging me across the floor as i cried helplessly. My hands clinging to the floor as I begged for mercy. Why should I be punished for a crime I didn't commit? Is this really my fate?

"Alpha!" Xavier called out as he entered.

My mate. He'll save me, right?

"Alpha, permission to speak," he said bowing slightly.

Logan signalled the guards to release me as he ordered Xavier to speak.

"Alpha, according to medical reports, this rogue here is responsible for the death of Luna Marissa Stone."

Xavier's words hit me like a bomb as a ringing sound echoed through the hall, pausing the world around me. What did he mean by this? I thought mates are meant to protect each other. Why is he acting this way?

"Then she will be executed," Alpha Logan said firmly.

"Just executed?" Xavier asked dissatisfied.

"What do you suggest then?" Logan asked intrigued.

"Let her be hunted down as the rogue she is. Whoever catches her can do as they please. Let her captor torture her in ways he dims fit until her final breath. Beheading her is to easy compared to the tortures Luna Marissa endured."

My ears twitched at his words. Did he really mean that? My own mate would rather I be used as a sex toy until I die? Why did he mark me if he was going to be this cruel? He should have left me to be by myself rather than rejecting me. Here I was thinking he would plead on my behalf, but I was wrong. He's the main reason for my torture.

"Very well then, that's a very prominent punishment. But it's not amusing enough. Throw her into the abyss, let the beasts feed on her."