Shadows Of The Pack (Aria and Knox)
Chapter 2 Survival
Aria's scream echoed through the darkened forest, a desperate cry for help as the wolf closed in on her. Her heart pounded in her chest, fear coursing through her veins like wildfire. She braced herself for the impact, for the sharp pain of teeth sinking into her flesh.
But in that moment of imminent danger, two massive wolves leaped from the shadows lunging at Aria's attackers.
The larger of the two bit into the neck of one of the savage wolves killing it instantly.
The snarls and biting continued until the bodies of four savage wolves lay on the ground.
Aria watched with fear as her saviors turned circling around her,rooting her in place.
She tried to get to her feet but her leg throbbed with the pain from the flow.
Bones cracking filled the woods and the two wolves transformed into humans. One with long black hair and the other with a scar that ran across his face.
"What are you doing in our territory?"The scarred man asked her.
She gulped trying to find her words, "I'm sorry. I was on my way to the Moonlight pack when those wolves attacked me."
The long haired man pierced her with his golden eyes, "Every wolf knows the rules. The Nightshade territory off limits".
Aria froze, "Nightshade?" She looked around.
He continued, "Why should we believe you? How do we know you are not a spy?"
Aria's eye darted between the two of them.
"I promise. I am not. I was going to the Moonlight pack", she replied, fear lacing her voice.
The long haired man turned to the scarred man, "Ryder I suggest we kill her and get on with our patrol. Knox will be expecting us back by now."
Fear gripped Aria. The mention of the name sent chills down her spines, even more scary than the fact that one of them suggested they kill her.
Ryder stared blankly at her sitting on the ground, then his eyes widened for a brief moment.
He turned back to his counterpart, "Jacob.She has the mark of the moon goddess."
Jacob narrowed his eyes, "So what? Rules are rules. We stay away from the other packs and they stay off our territory."
Ryder sighed, "I know."
He turned to her, "Who are you?"
"I'm Alpha Gabriel's daughter."
"What is an Alpha's daughter doing in the woods?"
She finally managed to fight the pain standing to her feet, "My mate rejected me and chose my sister. I couldn't stay there any longer."
Ryder's eyes traveled to her already swelling leg, "You won't make it another day alive in these woods. There are many more wolves like that."
"We are taking you to Knox", Ryder announced.
"What? No! I'm fine. Please don't take me to him."
"Knox won't be pleased if we show up with an unexpected guest," Jacob warned.
Ryder folded his arms, "Let me worry about Knox."
He gestured to her, "Bring her."
Aria tried to run but it was to no avail.
Jacob moved fast hitting certain points in her body with his finger and her entire body went numb.
*********************
Knox sat in his grand throne-like chair, his presence commanding respect from everyone in the room. The pack house was filled with a tense atmosphere as the doors swung open, revealing Ryder and Jacob, flanking a restrained and visibly fearful Aria.
His gaze immediately went to the black haired girl with fear in her silver gray eyes before returning to his beta. His wolf paced around.
"Ryder?", He questioned his right hand man.
"We found her in our territory", Ryder answered.
"And why did you bring her here?"
Jacob spoke this time, "She is the daughter of the Silvercrest Alpha and she bears the mark of the moon goddess."
Knox's eyes flickered with surprise for a moment before they narrowed, "And that is supposed to be of meaning to me?"
Aria's wolf purred as his eyes landed on her, his scent surrounding her.
"Why were you in my territory?"
Her wolf whimpered at the tone of his voice.
Aria gulped,"I didn't mean to. A group of savage wolves attacked me."
Knox leaned back in his with calculated calmness, "I see. So would you care to tell me why I shouldn't slit your throat right here?"
His wolf growled at him, then the temperature in the room thinned as his eyes blackened.
Aria took a step backwards.
Her wolf lunged to the surface. She didn't understand. She had found her mate. There was no way the most feared Alpha could be her mate.
"Knox. She was rejected by her mate. That's why she left her pack".
Knox's eyes flickered between Aria and Ryder. Then his expression became unreadable.
"What is your name?"
"Aria", she replied.
"Aria", he tasted the name on his tongue.
"What do you suggest I do with you Aria?"
"I was going to the Moonlight Pack. I promise if you let me go. You won't ever see me again", she rushed out.
"Moonlight pack", He repeated to himself.
"That's Alpha Randy's pack", Jacob helped.
Knox's eyes landed on him. He bowed his head in apology.
"Fine."
Aria's eyes widened, "You are letting me go?"
"No. But I will give you a choice. I either kill right here". He paused as his wolf growled at him again.
Knox didn't understand what was wrong with his wolf. He had found his mate, a wave of pain washed through him as he struggled not to remember and according to his beta, she was also mated just left unclaimed.
His wolf lunged to the surface again.
Aria watched as Knox's eyes blackened again.
His wolf wanted out, so did her wolf. She pushed her back down just as Knox's eyes returned to normal.