And in the end

All I learned

Was how 

To be strong 

Alone.

~From Pinterest

ANASTASIA'S P.O.V.

I stumbled back, my feet getting caught against the luscious carpet. I quickly scrambled for the door, trying to flee at once.

I continued to run, not once looking back at the man left in the room, the man who now had a slight glimpse at my identity. The identity which began to evolve like an uncomfortable itch.

With determination I pushed my bare feet against the carpet bolting towards the elevator and praying no one was using It. As soon as I reached it, I slammed my palm against the metallic plate causing a ding to sound through the corridor. The elevator doors immediately opened, granting me entry and momentary freedom.

Once inside, I inhaled a shaky breath relaying what had happened.

I feel the bond Roxy had altered me.

I fisted the overly large shirt in my palms as I continued to reflect.

"Call me Kawan".

He granted me access to his name, not many could freely voice the name of an Alpha other than other higher ranked wolves. In turn, my lips falling prey to the moment and releasing my own name.

"Anastasia".

My mouth went dry as he repeated my name, sullen bolts striking through my hands. His eyes ablaze and lips set, the large meeting room suddenly felt all too small. I sucked in breath, trying to steady my racing heart.

This couldn't happen. We couldn't happen.

It's not right, yet we both seem to be dancing dangerously closer as timed passed.

That's why I had to flee. Though, I had someone to speak to first.

I blinked, focusing back to my surroundings the elevator dinged again altering me of the final stop.

I stepped out quickly, fixing my pace to a power walk I didn't need to raise any suspicion considering the conspicuous status I already held which already drew in unsolicited attention.

Walking towards the stairs I glanced downwards noticing the earlier crowd had already dispersed, leaving no wolf in sight. I quickly raced down the stairs, pushing my heels against the timbre floor, my poor feet had already been through a lot. Though I had a feeling this was just the beginning.

I scanned left to right and stopped as I noticed a wolf hunched over a table. Narrowing my eyes, I noticed the wolf holding a rag whilst wiping dust off the table till it glistened.

Deeming it not a threat to my plans I preceded to the entrance, I quickly reached across grabbing a hold of the metal handle and tugging it open as quietly as possible.

As soon as I stepped outside, I was engulfed by sunlight. Raw, natural light caressed my skin leaving small sparkling rays.

I smiled briefly at the sun, if only I could be the sun and sit up in the sky away from others, live freely without a taunting fear of impending doom. I sighed, focus Anna.

"You should be careful".

I jumped at hearing a wolf so close. I froze for a second, before sucking in a breath and slowly turning around. Please don't be an informant I pleaded.

I blinked at the wolf who'd spoken, his tall frame towered over my by an inch. His hair resembled the colour of a dark tree root—Oh it's the Alpha from earlier who had announced my arrival.

I cleared my throat, trying to appear unbothered by his presence despite the range of nerves I felt beginning to stir. I couldn't quite tell what it was, he had an almost eerie feel to him like he could see through anything or anyone. His brown orbs scanned my face briefly before he spoke again.

"It must be hard to deal with all the loss", he voiced calmly. His face completely void of emotions just as he had been earlier.

"Excuse me?", I questioned. There it is again that strange feeling like this man knew more than he was letting on. How— no he couldn't possibly know. I don't even know him.

The Alpha's lips, tilted by an inch to the side seemingly looking like a smile which seemed to be forced. He lifted his pointer finger and tapped it against the side of his head. Before turning around and leaving.

"Hey wait! What did you mean?", I yelled completely puzzled with the encounter. The Alpha continued to walk, his back turned my way as he continued escaping into the distance.

Shaking my head, I turned around and started heading towards the hospital one foot in front of the other. The dry brittle grass sticking to my bare feet whilst my hands swung beside me.

That's when I felt it. 

Heat. A sudden wave of heat coursed through my stomach causing me to halt mid-step. I clutched my stomach as another wave pushed through. I groaned, as the pain continued leaving me momentarily breathless and my body covered in sweat.

I was afraid this was going to happen, but I had to take my chances. Maybe this was what the Alpha dude was warning me about?

I sucked in a deep breath, willing myself to keep inhaling the air as much I could. I slowly pushed forward, I needed to get to the infirmary and see him.

As I continued, the pain slowly vanished no longer creating an immense pain rather it felt like a minor bee sting. That I could handle, a lively fire in the pit of my stomach not so much.

sighing, I came to a stop at the entrance of the hospital, instead of pushing I simply waved my hands at the door which opened instantaneously with a whoosh. I scanned the main lobby, white filled the area, walls painted white, lights shining a bright white.

I shivered, as memories of the infirmary plagued my mind. I swallowed remembering his vice grip on my neck. I shook my head, trying to clear my mind, looking up I immediately noticed many curious eyes directed my way the nurses adorned in their blue uniform fluttered around. As beepers went off, along with wolves shouting in the near distance while others waited patiently in their seats.

Clearing my throat I headed towards the reception desk. The nurse a young she-wolf smiled though it never reached her eyes, "How can I help you?", she asked.

Not retuning her smile, instead I pressed my hands against the cold metal top of the reception desk. "I need to speak to Dr. George", I said a bit to hastily.

The young nurse narrowed her eyes at the request, "I'm sorry his currently occupied with patients, do you have an appointment?", she demanded.

What a bitch I thought.

I narrowed my eyes at the remark, "Call him", I growled. I was done asking nicely.

The young nurse blinked surprised at the sudden change, "...Do you have an—"

"Oh, honey that's the wrong answer, ill find him myself then", I began to turn around when she shouted, "Okay okay, just wait a moment".

I smirked, seeing her flushed cheeks and hands quickly reaching for the phone she punched in a few numbers before holding the phone against her ear. She mumbled a few words before hanging up, she looked back up meeting my eyes with an irritated expression, "He'll be out soon", she muttered. 

I nodded, walking off to the side.

A minute later the doctor himself walked out, he walked over to the nurse I spoke to earlier and mumbled something I couldn't hear.

The nurse motioned her head towards me in response. Following the nurses gaze the doctor looked up meeting my curious eyes. He smiled and began to walk towards me.

"Ah Anastasia, we meet again. I think I may need to give you a patient card at this rate", he smirked meeting my blue orbs.

I rolled my eyes in response "Very funny, George".

Though just as quickly I reversed my expression narrowing my eyes and dropping my voice down an octave "I need to speak to you in private", I whispered. Looking over my shoulder, I noticed the wonderous eyes from various pack wolves no doubt wondering what a Rogue was doing with the main doctor.

Clearly noticing the change in my demeanour George nodded, "Follow me", he directed.

I walked behind George following him down the narrow hallways of the hospital, reaching the end we turned right. This new area had several office-like doors, white beams positioned on the ceiling filling the already bright hospital to a complete white.

It was very clinical and clean I noted. No seat, corner or ground had any sign of litter or dirt everything was crisp and maintained well. I blinked a few times to adjust to the luminescent lights which seemed to only grow stronger in contrast.

Finally, George came to a stop in front of oak door. He tugged at the handle opening the door, he stepped back allowing me in first before stalling at the entrance as he scouted the corridor ensuring no one was in sight.

Satisfied with his search he closed the door and walked towards the office chair and took a seat. George clasped his hands in front of him and leaned slightly forward in his chair.

"So how can I help you, Anastasia?", he questioned coolly.

Clearing my throat, I tried to delve right into the topic I was anticipating on discussing. Yet at the very moment I froze. I couldn't believe it, was I really going to ask such a question.

Who was I? what had become of Anna the Rogue? Reflecting on the question I was bound to ask I realised my identity was beginning to shift consuming a different role I wasn't ready for neither did I want it.

I thought of the Alpha, his ever-changing moods along with the light-hearted moments with his ma. But then the memory of the prison was all too hard to pass, I hissed remembering the sensation of the silver against my flesh. I subconsciously rubbed my wrist, trying to soothe what had already been done.

He saved us, Roxy butted in breaking my train of thought.

For once I was silent. No witty remark. No backfiring statements.

I had forgotten that George was still in the room until I heard the creak of the chair. I looked up blinking back at his hunched figure.

"Look...Anastasia whatever it is you can ask me freely, don't hesitate", he said gently while giving me a sympathetic gaze.

I nodded, taking a deep breath I rushed out the one word I'd been terrified of, "Heat".

Just as quickly Georges sympathetic gaze, crumbled in a matter of seconds his eyes turned weary while his body tensed, and brows knitted.

The change in his demeanour surely didn't give me much confidence with the impending discussion.

"Each mate will experience the period of Heat which will go on for two or three days. During that process many symptoms can occur for the she-wolf ranging from an extreme spike in body temperature, sharp stomach pains, insomnia and—" George hesitated for a moment, clearing his throat he continued"—And an increase in your sexual drive. Though their mate will also experience a spike in their drive, have insomnia and experience a fervent need for their mate".

As George finished, I was just about ready to explode, the information was helpful yet agonising to listen to. This changes everything, I thought.

"I-I can't go through it George their must be some way to counteract at it, give me any medicine I'll take it now", I pleaded desperately.

George's sympathetic look returned once again, his eyes filled with genuine compassion and lips pressed tightly.

"I understand Anastasia your situation... is not so ideal. I am quite astounded the Goddess has paired you with our Alpha. But she must have a reason, and I trust her judgment".

"I'm planning on leaving", I blurted out.

George's head snapped so quickly, he gulped, "You shouldn't have told me that", he shook his head left to right. I shrugged in response.

"There's nothing I can give you Anastasia, no medicine will help although—" he paused his eyebrows pinched.

"What-what is it?", I prodded. Hoping to hear of a solution.

"...It might not work though. But I have heard of wolfsbane helping alleviate the pain. The only problem is it'll weaken you and your wolf. You won't be able to transition, communicate or feel her since heat itself is already a strain on both of you. Taking wolfsbane will only dull the pain temporarily".

Pressing my lips together I closed my eyes briefly. I needed to transition to my wolf to escape, going on foot would take far too long. Sighing, I slowly opened my eyes, "I'll need the bane", I nodded.

His eyes narrowed onto mine studying my features, I made sure to keep up my stoic expression I'd already shared too much. A minute later George let out a breath, he slowly stood from the chair pushing it back against the wall. Without a word he walked out of the room.

I took in a deep breath, scanning my surroundings in contrast to the remainder of the hospital this room seemed to be slightly darker.

The panels on the side of the wall collecting dust, the paper towel laid on top of the patient bed scrunched and torn at odd angles. It seemed to be unkept or utilised by someone who had little time for anything.

The door quickly opened and closed; my neck snapped to the entrance as George had reappeared. His face sporting a grimace as he handed me a vial of dirt like liquid. I understood immediately what it was.

"Look Anastasia if he comes asking me, I won't be able to keep your intentions a secret. But until then I suggest you run now. Once you leave the borders the bond will suffer".

Taking a deep breath, I nodded "Thank you—", I look down towards the vile in hand ,"For this and taking the time to discuss this".

George nodded a shadow of a smile appearing on his face.

I stood up, walking towards the door I tugged at the handle and disappeared into the field of medics.

***

The wind whipped around me viscously a silent deterrent to my radical plans to come. I blinked, scanning the expansive field, my feet sinking deep into the earth as I trekked towards the invisible line which kept me away from freedom. Each step stirring up my nerves and creating an eerie tension in the pit of my stomach.

I pushed my feet as fast as I could without attracting any unwarrtened attention from any wolves. Though the field seemed to be mostly empty, there were one or two wolves I had spotted who seemed to most likely be some kind of workers as they wore identical polo tops with a café logo on it.

Thankfully their to preoccupied in their conversation to notice me I thought.

As I continued to march down, I was now a mere meter away trees swayed in the distance creating a whoosh sound, my hair danced around in the naked sky. My skin prickled and heartbeat rose gradually as the border neared.

This is it I thought. I was going to leave bare, and as damaged as I had been when I first came here. Though I had the opportunity to heal physically, mentally my scars were fresh and still bleeding.

"...This side is clear". 

I jerked my head up, my eyes widening as I noticed two wolves in the distance shit. Warriros.

How could I forget, of course all packs had warriros protecting their precious borderlines. Fuck. And judging by their current conversation I highly doubted they'd let me leave without notifying their godamn Alpha.

I halted, biting my lip slightly as I felt the abundance of tension flow through me.

There's only one way Anna Roxy declared.

Fisting my palms, I understood what Roxy had settled on. I took in a shaky breath trying to steady my racing heart. I had only a few seconds to think this through, before the warriors noticed me.

One.

Two.

Three...

"Hey who's there!". I heard the familiar sound of leaves crunching in the distance and the voice of men booming closer.

Times up.

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A/N 

WOHOOO! I FINALLY DID IT! I WROTE ANOTHER CHAPTER

 (I HAD SOME INSANE WRITERS BLOCK SO IT TOOK AWAHILE BUT FINALLY PUSHED THROUGH IT) 

AS ALWAYS PLEASE DON'T FORGET TO VOTE, COMMENT OR FOLLOW 

HAVE A GREAT DAY!  💜