Rejected Bonds

Xerina’s POV

“Xerina! Stop right there! It’s dangerous!” Luca’s shouts filled the air as he chased after me. His voice irritated and concerned as I laughed and ran through the forest. Jumping over the lodges of wood and hay, I was covered in mud and dirt. Everyone in the pack loved how energetic and relaxed I was, even though I was going to get an earful of scolds from my father later. But now, he had gotten quite used to my tactics.

“Hurry up, Luca!” I screeched, dashing down the muddy road that led to the cave just between the forest. I stopped when my breathing became haggard, and I could no longer hear Luca behind me. Where was he? Did I lose him? A grin managed to creep on my face at the thought. Now I would be able to enjoy myself…

“Ah!” A scream left my mouth when Luca suddenly jumped in front of me. Faking a startled gasp, I narrowed my eyes at him. “You scared me.”

“It’s enough, let’s go back.” He panted as he grabbed my wrist, and I jerked my hand back. Placing both of my hands on my waist, I glowered at him.

“I’m not going back. You heard me?” I said, turning away from him as my overprotective and annoying brother followed me with his large steps. He was only two years older than me but still a toddler sometimes. Even if he was nineteen, I didn’t regard him as an adult yet. Which adult sneaks food from the kitchen and cries watching a rom-com? Luca Knight. I often tease him for being so oversensitive and all, but still, he was my brother.

Luca’s angry pants filled my ears, and he grabbed my shoulders. “It’s getting late, Xery. Our parents would not be happy. And Rasmus—he’d kill—”

“Don’t take his name in front of me,” I growled. Wreck Rasmus. The jerk.

“Okay, okay. But can we go back now?”

“Okay, but on one condition.” I feigned an innocent look and pointed towards the tree behind him. It had berries growing on it. Luca and I ate them when we were little. “Can you grab some fruits for me? I cannot climb.”

“…okay…”

As he started to climb the tree with his back facing me, I tip-toed to the side, away from his sight. Stealthily, I ran past the familiar river to my usual place of camping. It rained heavily last night, and the forest floor was muddy and slippery. Yet, I managed to cross most of the path in just a few minutes.

By the time Luca realized I was gone, it would be too late. A smile broke on my face as I witnessed the cave I like to spend my time in. The backpack was filled with books I would be reading for today, a candle and lighter with some snacks that I sneaked from the kitchen, and my water bottle.

Climbing on the rocks comfortably, I realized wearing track pants for today was a good move. I quickly sat under the rocks and sighed with relief. Just a few hours here, and I’d go back home. Even though Mom would be worried and Dad would probably send his wolves to look for me, I couldn’t deny the little alone time to myself.

I unzipped the bag, pulled out the book I was reading, opened a bag of chips before washing my hands with the water in the water bottle, and lit up the strawberry-scented candle. A perfect mood for reading.

The place near the cave was serene, and a river usually flowed on the back side, where Dad usually brought us for swimming. I could hear the gushing water. The forest river was the keeper of deepest poetry, whispering sweet notes in cascading water-strings. Into the steady rising light, into the watery warmth of the air, came the river of the forest, this great and gliding dame. Everything was perfect.

A blue petal sky of summer dreams blossomed toward a whispered constellation verse, for were not the stars poetry told to poor, rich, young, and old? The soft blue sky soon turned greyish-cloudy. But I couldn’t care. The book I was reading was worth it.

When the evening turned into a dusky night, I couldn’t tell but by the time I was finished with the book, I realized it was too late. I gasped when I looked at the time. It was past eight. Hell. Immediately grabbing my things and pushing them into the bag, I decided to go back home.

I looked up at the night sky, and cold air cut through my skin like needles. It was going to rain. The tip of my fingers and nose turned ice-cold as I escaped the warmth of the cave. After spending this many hours sitting, my limbs were now starting to ache. It kind of made me curious. Did Luca leave me alone? Like, for real? He didn’t wait for me? Why would he?

I practically left him hanging on that tree. I now felt bad. Not for him, but for myself. I jumped from the rocks and started walking on the muddy path once again. I walked for a while, and clouds started rumbling. I made sure to take short breaks to relax my limbs. I usually enjoy exploring new places.

I was walking along the river on the path when my ears perked up. The sound came from just behind me. I stopped and waited to hear it once again, and then it came. A little crunching of leaves.

Damn it.

My senses alarmed, and panic heightened. But I pretended not to listen and walked quietly, keeping my ears perked. I felt like my heart was going to explode from the cold air and the panic. Just when I heard the voice again, I sprinted.

I looked over my shoulder a few times as I panted and ran through the forest without any thought. Who was it? A rouge? Father had warned me about the forest and wild wolves lurking there at night, but how stupid was I?

Shit! Mom wouldn’t be pleased. And Luca! He’d probably…

“Ah!” I couldn’t slow down at a time when I lost my footing, and my knees buckled before I rolled on the cliff. It was too late to slow down. I rolled as I let out a scream, and I fell down the cliff before a feared scream left my mouth.

One minute, I was flying in the air, and the other, I was rolling in the river. My legs and arms flared as I swam to the surface. The water was cold. I quickly tried to swim to the shore, but I felt a sharp pain in my leg. Shit. I might have sprained my ankle. I wobbled out of the water, coughing out with water dripping down my wet body. The adrenaline rush from the fall made my skin cold, and I stumbled on the ground, fell onto my knees, and tried to catch my breath.

“Oh god!” The panic inside me bubbled, and I started crying. When I tried to stand, my legs gave up, and I think my ankle wasn’t working anymore. Where was I? I had no idea. I was probably far from home now. I should’ve listened to Luca. Why did I have to do that? I could have read the book some other time. Why was I so stubborn?!

Tears started to flow hard, and my sobs turned into ugly crying. I scrambled to the tree and placed my back against it, pulled my knees together, and nuzzled my face between them. Shit. I breathed in, feeling my entire body hurting every time I moved.

I coughed, and my lungs ached. My vision was getting blurry and the rain had started falling now. I would stay here for a while and then resume my walking. I needed to catch my breath and calm my panicked heart down. To be honest, I never knew I would find myself in this situation. This day couldn’t get any worse.

It would’ve been a few moments when I heard something moving in front of me. My eyes widened in fear, and my body started to turn pale when I saw a big, strong silhouette walking towards me.

In the darkness, I could feel the icy glare hovering over my body, and I swallowed. My eyes trailed to his face, and familiarity weighed me down with new panic. My eyes trailed down to his chest, the black T-shirt clinging to his chest was wet, covered in rain. His pants stuck to his legs, giving me a lewd view of his muscular thighs.

What was he doing here?!

He stopped when he reached me. At that moment I couldn’t care about any rain or anything else. My eyes focused on him. I shivered against the tree when I realized how wrecked I was. A frown and an amused look appeared on his face. Shit.

“There’s my little troublemaker,” Rasmus muttered, with his eyes narrowed on my face. I looked around myself and realized one thing.

I was destroyed.