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Word Count: 1997

~Dawn

A few more weeks past.

It got to the point where Lucy was going into the Pack, because it was too dangerous for me. Rylan has guards posted where we usually go in, and the amount of Elite's scouring the forest has almost tripled.

I hate him for it. He knows it too, since I told him.

"You're getting paler by the day," Lucy told me one afternoon. She stands over me, the golden sun glistening in her dark hair.

I'm aware of how hopeless I look, how sickly and disgusting. Lucy looks tired, but other than that, she is still my stunningly beautiful sister. Even if she looks a little ruffled a pink cheeked, as if she had been running. She has been pursued numerous times, especially lately, however, she is too quick for them. Perks of being a ten year old, I suppose.

"Thanks," I muttered sardonically, grabbing the bread she held out to me. "I can't help it, you know?"

Lucy sighs deeply, sitting on the log we had positioned by the fire.

"Sometimes I think you would be better off with Rylan," she tells me suddenly. I frown, not expecting her of all people to say that. She is the one who has kept me away from Rylan, thinking he isn't the best influence on both of us. Sometimes I think he more terrified about leaving the forest than I since.

My teeth clench as I shake my head at my sister. "We are better out here. I'll be fine in a few days, and we can begin our trek toward the Freedom Pack."

Collectively, we have decided to migrate to the Freedom Pack, where anyone can live without the Alpha and Luna finding out. It seems like a perfect idea, but the walk there will take us weeks, and I'm not sure how much strength I can muster to make it.

I won't tell Lucy that, though.

"I'm excited about that, you know?" Lucy comments, realising it's foolish to argue with me about this. "I think it's going to be fun."

She's right...It will be nice not having to worry about being caught when finding food. I may even be able to get a job so we can have an actual house to live in, and she can go to school. Lucy is intelligent, but that wouldn't stop her from punching a kid in the face if they said something smart to her.

The thought of it makes me smile. She would be expelled on the first day.
"I'm going to make life good for you, I promise," I vow softly, and Lucy smiles, moving to sit beside me. Wrapping my arms around her, I bask in the feeling of the only one left in my life. One day, she will find a pleasant mate, because Fate cannot be so cruel, and she will leave me.

And I won't mind.

"I love you," she whispers against my shirt.

"I love you more," I murmur, and that was when he appeared.

First, I was shocked that I hadn't heard him coming. From my time in this forest, I have developed quite a keen sense when it comes to my hearing. Even Lucy, who is more talented than anyone I know, can't hear an animal's footsteps until it is right outside our camp.

The dark figure, who had previously watched from the trees, emerged so we could see his face.

Back in school, I didn't care less about learning the Alpha's names, or even anything about him. I know about the Alpha of Vengeance, though. Everyone knows about Kaden.

Textbooks didn't do mercy to the soulless shallows of his eyes, the ebony black swirling within in them, made up of dark cruel memories...And maybe even the souls of all his victims, however, that is just a part of the myths we told as bedtime stories. Something about them had merciless shivers dancing down my spine.

They say when you see him, you're dead. He doesn't visit commoners for no reason.

He had this kind of casual smile on his face that I couldn't explain. He knows he has caught who he is looking for; it's obvious from the look in his eyes. Honestly, it is terrifying, as I can think of nothing I have done that would cause Alpha Kaden to show up at our camp.

Unless...

"Good evening, Dawn," he says carefully, in that melodic tone only Vengeance Pack members can master. It reminded of my saviour from last night. Kace. I wonder what he is doing right now.

I take a wary step backward, my heels hitting the edge of the log I had been sitting on. "How did you find me?"

There is a sinking feeling in my stomach, as my mind comes up with reasons why he may be visiting. He is almost like the symbol of death, ready to steal my life away for all the murderous sins I have committed.

There is only one death I caused. The Guard came at me with a taser, and I was defending myself. I had no idea I would hit him the exact right spot to cause immediate death. I've hated myself ever since, but I don't talk about it. Only Lucy could listen, who doesn't deserve to listen to her murderous sister.

"I have my ways," Kaden comments. I didn't doubt that he could find me in a single heart beat. He gets what he wants. Everyone knows it.

Lucy has gone. She's smart like that. If both of us get caught, then we are done.

"You're wasting your time," I tell him, carefully watching my words so he couldn't twist them in a way that suits him. I know for a fact that he dabbles in riddles, which means I'm not about to make myself a player in his game.

He tilts his head. "How so?"

I wanted to bring up his mate. It was Lucy who found out that they have been in a relationship for nearly three years. She's a Purity Pack member, which makes it more scandalous in many people's eyes. I couldn't care less, but in this situation, I can use it as a bargaining chip. It's the only thing going for me against an Alpha.

"Shouldn't you be home with your mate?" I say nonchalantly. "And your child?

His jaw clenches, his eyes darkening. Got him.

"That is none of your business," he seethes, however, his irritated expression morphs into an indifferent one, as if nothing I could say would affect him. His well armoured demeanor isn't something I can fight against.

He takes a small step forward, and I stumble back behind the log. "Please leave me alone. It was an accident."

"So you admit it?" he says, his method of winding me up unfortunately working to his advantage. He has a delighted expression on his face, that anyone would naturally want to slap off, however, there is no point. He would kill me on the spot, and I'm walking on eggshells as it is. "You admit that you murdered that innocent man?"

This time, I don't say a word.

"You know what I do to murderers?" he questions. An animal playing with it's food.

My stomach sinks once again, fear attacking my heart as it beats frantically. I want to turn and run, but something tells me I won't be able to escape someone like Kaden. The way he looks at me suggests he's reading every kind of idea I'm conjuring up.

I feel utterly hopeless. Just him looking at me strips me bare.

"I first have a few people decide whether or not you deserve to die," he tells me slowly, his lips tilting up at his own words. "If not, you will serve the rest of your life as a slave within my Pack. Sometimes that's a death sentence...Or worse."

Again, I shiver, and not from the setting sun. The idea of being a slave is worse than any pain I would have to go through being Rylan's mate.

I decide to take a different route. "It's been over six months. A little late on the game there Alpha?"

He tilts his eyebrow up, not expecting retaliation.

"I was spending time with my mate. I suppose you can't say the same thing," he comments. It frightens me that he knows so much about my life already. "What are you so scared of? You could have some fun with him to...Turn that pure mind into something as dark and disturbing as you."

That hurt a little, but I don't let it show. Rylan is too perfect for me. He deserves a submissive mate who will conform to his rules with no questions asked. He can't find that here, and I have a feeling Kaden knows that.

"Rylan and I are not mates," I tell him confidently. "I think Fate made a mistake."

Kaden chuckles. "Fate, huh? That man does not make mistakes. Perhaps it was a practical joke on his part, but you will not find a trace of a mistake on him."

My skin heats up. I hate that a lot. The fact that he gets to dictate everyone's lives to an extent seems so manipulating. He may not alter my thoughts, change time of revoke his previous decisions, but he should at least be able to aptly plan. Because he doesn't have a mate, he believes he can play around with the relationships of others.

I hate him for it.

"I'm sure Fate didn't decide that I would be going anywhere with you," I exclaim confidently, taking another step backward, hoping he wouldn't notice.

Kaden smiles again. It always scares me when he does that. "Perhaps you don't have a very clear judgement."

My jaw clenches.

"Don't you worry, you have a day to make a run for it," he says. "My favourite game is one of chase. It would be boring to just take you right now. Plus, I get to see if you have the guts to confront your mate about this."

This is his challenge. If I don't take it, then I'm sure he would snatch me up right now, and I wouldn't be able to fight back. Lucy can't save me from a court trial, or from years of slavery behind the walls of the Vengeance Pack. I'm glad she managed to get away, otherwise-

Lucy is suddenly dragged back into the camp area.

A stab of betrayal wedged its way into my stomach, and I don't know why. The strange man from weeks ago who had saved me from being raped was holding my sister. He didn't look friendly anymore, but cold and detached like his leader.

I should have seen it coming. I shouldn't have trusted him, no matter what he had done for me.

"There are many things you are willing to protect," Kaden says. "I'll be back tomorrow. Do me a favour and at least try to entertain me."

He takes a few steps back, and I notice his subtle wink.

"Think about it."

And then he was gone.

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Want more and don't want to wait!? More of Rylan is available now on Radish!

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