HIS QUEEN
Chapter 21

The week for the challenge had finally reached. The first activity was a race. We were given a starting point in the forest and clues to find our way to the finish line. I was currently standing in the forest with Gardenia who had a smug look on her face.

I wondered why the fight was prolonged. They were just extending my humiliation. Jairus explained to me that the sword fighting was the most important part. The other games were just to keep the people entertained and have a build up until the final day. The castle was bubbling with guests. Different sub-alphas were accommodated in the castle. Wolves from other territories were also present but they were staying in inns and hotels. Everybody wanted to watch the challenge.

A gun shot interrupted my thoughts. Gardenia took off immediately. I followed behind her and cursed under my breath. I ran with all my might until I saw a white sign on the tree. It pointed to the left. I turned to the left and saw another one. It pointed straight. I continued running looking out for another sign but I couldn't see another. I ran for a while until I stopped in exhaustion. There were no further signs and I seemed to be going deeper into the forest.

Tears stung my eyes and I slammed my hands against the tree in frustration. I leaned against the tree for support and continued walking. Goosebumps appeared on my skin and I wrapped my hands against myself. Birds were chirping loudly and some flew in my face. After walking for a while, I heard the faint sound of a gunshot. The race had ended but I was list in the forest. What the hell were they thinking sending me into the forest. I prayed fervently to the goddess that there was no wild animal lurking about.

I spotted a small stream and ran to it. Maybe I wasn't so unlucky. I was fucking thirsty. I carried some in my hands and drank from it. I heard a small sound behind me. Just as I wanted to turn, something smacked my head from behind. Fuck. I wasn't unlucky, I was cursed I thought as I blacked out.

My head was throbbing badly as I woke up. I groaned and sat up, looking at the unfamiliar shack. The room was littered with clothes and books and the smell of leaves cooking filled the room. A man sat in front of a pot humming a tune while he stirred something in a pot. I stood up slowly and grabbed a book from the floor. I approached him slowly and raised the book ready to hit him.

"Sies co hum ter a hua" a strong wind blew me off my feet and into the wall behind me. I groaned as my back connected with the hard wood.

"Is that how you thank me?" I looked up at the feminine voice. It wasn't a man but a woman. She had shaved all the hair on her head and face. Her eyes unfocused and crazed. I stood unsteadily on my feet.

She smiled at me. "Come. Your head must be hurting" I followed silently behind her and sat on a stool. She handed me a cup with a green liquid inside.

"Drink it" I placed the cup against my mouth ready to drink. She slapped the cup out of my hands and it crashed on the floor.

"You're too trusting. That was poisoned"

"Why did you give it to me then?" She shrugged and handed me another cup.

"I'm not taking that"

"If you want that killer headache to stop, you'll have to take it"

"You poisoned the last one"

"But I stopped you from drinking it"

"How do I know this one isn't poisoned"

She shrugged. "You don't" I hesitantly took the cup and put it to my mouth. She slapped the cup out of my hands.

"What was that for?"

"You're stupid" she tutted. "Why would you trust someone who tried to poison you" I had no answer.

"Stupid girl. I have no cure for your headache"

"That's what you should have said" I said exasperatedly. She went back to turning her portion and I looked at a few of her books littered around. "What are you doing here. Nobody ever ventures out this far"

"I got lost"

"You from the north?"

"Not really. But I work here"

"Oh. For the stupid king"

"You don't seem to like him"

"What's there to like?" A lot. But I didn't say that to her.

"What about you? Why do you live so far from the pack?"

"I'm crazy. Nobody wanted to associate with me"

"You act normal"

"I am normal. Just grieved" she continued humming and stirring her potion. I opened her front door and saw it was dark outside.

"It's late already? How long was I out"

"Quite long. I hit you pretty hard on the head" what the hell.

"I have to get going"

"Right now?" I nodded.

"Too bad. You could have been a nice ingredient for my potion" okay. This lady is creepy. She smiled at me showing her brown teeth.

"Follow me" she slung a bag over her shoulder and handed me a flaming torch. I followed quietly behind her. The crickets chirped loudly and the wind blew harshly. We walked for a while and she stopped abruptly. I bumped into her back. "Keep going straight. Take a right turn at every bend."

"How do you know that?"

"I sometimes go to the edge of the pack to listen to gossip" I shook my head at that.

"I have to keep in touch with the rest of the world before I completely loose it."

"Thank you" I smiled at her.

"Whatever. Stop trusting strangers. Hell stop trusting everybody" I gave her a brief hug but she stood stiff. I turned and continued walking straight ahead taking a right turn at each bend. After a long walk, I saw flaming torches and heard voices calling out my name. I followed the voices and saw what I assumed to be a search party.

"We found her" a call rang out. Jairus ran towards me and checking me for bruises.

"Are you alright?" I nodded.

"Where the fuck were you? The race ended hours ago"

"I got lost" he was about to say something when I was snatched into strong arms. I was thrown over a shoulder and he began to run. The wind blew my hair and I could hear it in my ears because of how fast we were going. I inhaled the woody scent of my mate and relaxed.

I was dropped on my feet and my dress removed. He lifted me and took me into the bathtub, my back to his front. I sighed in contentment as he washed me. There was nowhere I wanted to be but in his arms.