SHALISE

" Run, Shalise! Don't stop!" my mother said in a piercing voice that was shaking with terror and anguish.

" I can't!." I said, my voice breaking, my legs swaying under me and my lungs burning so badly that they seemed like they might burst at any second.

"I—I must get some rest." I croaked as my eyes watered.

She grabbed me by the arm and jerked me up

"Do you want to die, Shalise?" She asked and I realized that she was crying too but was trying to be strong for both of us. "The rogues are near. We must leave immediately."

As if on cue, the rogue's bone-chilling howls blended with the thundering hoof sounds behind us.

I was sweating profusely and my heart was racing.

I was still plagued by the lingering ghostly smell of blood and smoke.

Half of the pack was injured and half of it was gone.

And that includes my brothers and father who were fighting off the rogues.

I staggered but my mother's hands held me up

"Look at me, Shalise." She said cupping

my small face in her hands as I sobbed. " We will be fine, my love. If we get past the brook we will be safe and under the protection of The Sovereign Of The Night."

Whoever that was, he must be kind to his mother and father to continuously talk about him.

"You know what will happen if the rogues get us."

I understood what she meant.

In addition to killing, the rogues kidnapped women for breeding, which is a worse fate than death that's why they had attacks unannounced.

One of the arrows pierced a tree trunk just inches from my head as it flew by.

Although my body betrayed me my instincts told me to move more quickly.

With tears running down my cheeks, I jumped, suddenly filled with strength.

I thought of Father

About my brothers and Elias my mate-to-be and Mila my best friend.

The attack had scattered everyone and I wondered if they were alive and safe.

It might not feel so hopeless if I could just see them again.

"Shalise ." Mother cried, startling me as an arrow pierced her arm.

“No!” I yelled holding her as she stumbled.

She tried to steady herself but her trembling hand was stained by the blood that stained her dress.

"Keep running. " She hissed in pain." We must not stop."

She pushed herself to her feet.

"Run, for goodness sake, run.".

Her steps faltered but were strong as we continued.

But the rogues didn't stop. No, it seemed a thousand of them were chasing us and they were too close.

When I turned to look behind me, I saw him.

A rogue with a sly grin and wild bloodshot eyes. When his eyes met mine, my blood froze.

Immediately the rogue lifted his bow my mother yelled.

"Go!

He fired.

"No!" I screamed as my mother pushed me away, standing in between as the arrow lodged in her back.

She hugged me forcefully as we crashed through rocks and bushes and we tumbled down a rough cliff landing hard at the bottom.

I scurried to her side, my hands were trembling as I tried to stop the bleeding.

"No, no no!." I cried." Mother please ."

Her face was pale and her breathing was shallow.

Her voice was barely audible as she whispered.

"Shalise. ."

" Be quiet, let me stop the blood." I stifled. "You'll be alright. I'll get help, I'll get Uncle Warren—. "

With a trembling hand reaching into her pocket she said.

"Yes… Uncle Warren. Y-you must fi-find him."

She took out a tiny frayed scroll and placed it in my palms. "Keep the Papyrus of the Moon safe."

"What does it mean? What does it do? Will it stop the bleeding?"I screamed holding it close to me and cradling her.

Despite her best efforts she couldn't speak." This is my necklace, it's a keepsake." She pulled it over my head." May the Moon Goddess be with you."

Her body froze in my arms as her head rolled to the side.

"No!" I yelled shaking her limp body." I beg you, please stay with me. "

Through my tears the world became hazy. My hands shook with each scoop of dirt as I buried her in a shallow grave.

The rogues might still be in the woods.

I ran with only the clothes on my back and the papyrus.

Days went by. My body felt weak and bruised and my stomach rumbled constantly.

Desperate and alone I wandered into a small village. My hunger snarled like a beast as the aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air from a vendor's booth.

With guilt and desperation fighting in me, I hesitated.

Before I could stop myself my hands spontaneously moved, grabbing a loaf of bread and thrusting it beneath my cloak.

“Hey!” exclaimed the vendor.

I ran making my way through the bustling streets until I came to a small alley.

Tears were streaming down my face as I quickly ate the bread there.

" Sha?" I froze when I heard the familiar voice. When I saw him my heart leaped.

"Elias," I said Elias and rushed to him. . . He took me in his arms and wrapped me in a hug.

I felt safe for the first time

His voice was filled with worry as he stared at my face and my bruised eye.

"What happened?"

I had hit my eye hard when I and mother rolled down the cliff and now I had one good eye. This I told him

"Mother is gone too."

He just drew me in, his face hardening without saying anything.

"I'll keep you safe, Sha ."

"Where's Mila?" I asked scanning the area.

"She is safe. Come with me."

I followed him to a little cabin outside the village. It was peaceful, isolated and the ideal hiding spot.

I told him everything including the papyrus my mother had given me the attack and her passing.

"Don't remember it anymore." He said to me.

I had a strange feeling when I woke up the following morning.

It was too quiet in the cabin.

My heart stopped at what I saw when I rubbed my eyes and entered the main room.

Elias was there and he and Mila were kissing.

"What?

They drew apart and turned to face me.

" Oh." Elias said in a nonchalant tone. "you're awake."

"Mila, you are alive?"

The warmth I had once seen in his eyes was replaced by cruelty as he stared at me and Mila looked away.

"We wanted to tell you, Sha," Mila muttered pretending to be sorry.

"That we are in love and I don't love you anymore," Elias said.

"What?" I stuttered.

"The only reason I loved you was because your father was the Alpha." He ran his hand through his hair." What am I even saying? The pack belongs to my family."

"You are joking right?"

"Joking?" Mila spat." Girl you are pathetic and I hate you for thinking you are better than me."

"Mila?" I gasped in shock.

"Look at you and then look down at your bandaged eye. You're disgusting."He spat." Since the pack is no more, I have no need to love you, besides you are short and frail."

I sank to my knees and started crying. " Elias, Mila... please."

And that was when he shattered my heart

"I, Elias Jonas Clavier reject you Shalise Betty Atticus as my mate."

I wiped my face and stood up.

" I should get going."

"No, you are still useful. You will be a good breeder."

It was the last thing I heard as I was hit with a stick.