Megan's POV
I should have known it was a trap and a setup right away. She ought to have left for home days, or even weeks, ago. She seemed calm instead of scared like a guardian of children ought to. Her peculiar conduct ought to have served as a warning to me as well, but I ignored it since at the time, all I could think about was the children who were in danger. All of those errors caused me to fear and begin to sink.
As we cleared one of the mountain ranges, the ground began to slope eastward as we traveled. I was perplexed by the absence of odors, but I ignored it, thinking that nobody would truly want to be here except to patrol. My wolf refused to leave the pack's territory, and I could really feel it.
"Why are we leaving?" you ask.
"Uh, we were being chased by the, by the.."
"The polar bear?"
"Yes, the bear, I see. I was escorted out of the area along with the kids. They might be nearby.
It struck me as unusual behavior for a bear. Bears aren't great distance runners, therefore they usually merely chase things away rather than pursue them. They are more fighters, which explains why their arms and legs are short yet strong.
"What were you doing here with kids, especially? The seasons for bears are spring and autumn.
We, um, were seeking for herbs! We were seeking herbs, I guess.
And you made the decision to bring children along with you? Is this far away from the group? At her, I hissed.
"I-I thought it would be a good learning experience for them?" "Who are they?" I inquired as I searched for their fragrances. I detected a few, but none of them were recognized by my pack. I am unable to smell them.
They are members of my flock. She quickly left. They were Billy and Jenny, but you couldn't tell who they were anyhow.
"So, what brings you back here again? Your group departed some time ago.
I remained to assist in repairing the damage. She responded quickly and relaxed when the topic was changed.
I could detect the mist in the air and hear the loud, rushing sound of running water in the distance. As we got closer to the source of the river, the forest changed to a richer, deeper green. The wildlife became scarce as the forest became dense, obstructing the sun's natural light.
From behind me, Amy murmured, "We're almost there. Just keep going straight.
A broad, swift-moving river was in front of us. Wet mud covered the area, and the sides were covered with broken pebbles. Deer tracks were visible, but no little footprints, wolf prints, or even bear prints were to be seen. Only two others that I could make out were
I spun around and swung my fist to try to get away, but they were more cunning than this. Instead, I made a fist in the air and locked eyes with eyes that were identical to mine. His body trembled slightly as eyes that were unlike mine looked at mine, their pupils almost becoming black from strong intensity.
"Good day, dear Megan." He spoke in a chilly, uninviting tone. We did not resemble one another, but we had the same blood—the blood of a wicked man who had since vanished.
"Finn." My mouth accidentally spoke his name, which caused him to frown.
"Neither my father nor I can remember ever telling you my name." His voice was piercing as if it might sever my ears as he spoke. Father. He was able to phone his father, of course.
"I have my own ways." I made an effort to maintain a strong, steady voice. I straightened up by pulling my shoulders back and stared him in the eyes.
"Megan?" I'm guilty, a terrified voice in my brain cried as it asked. Whereabouts are you? Kai said that no one had seen him since he never came.
East, upwards of the mountain, away from the pack. Amy, I need your assistance.
Speaking to your mate? Finn slapped my face in jest in an effort to get me to look away from him. "None of that will take place."
"Why did you bring me here?" I asked. I scowled at him while holding my hand on my stinging cheek. "I haven't hurt you in any way."
"Nothing?" He barked. You destroyed my life. Father and I had to live among outlaws in hiding as a result of you in order to avoid being murdered!" His hands were trembling at his sides as he growled.
I'm not sure what you're talking about, I'm sorry.
If it were possible, his face darkened. "You are well aware of the deception you perpetrated on Father. Due to you, we had to endure suffering. He snapped downwards, his body trembling. Before Amy emerged from the woods, bones slowly cracked and moved under his skin.
"Finn! You must take a deep breath. I took a few steps back when she didn't quiet him down with her touch as I had anticipated. He almost spun around and snapped at her, which is something that lovers would never even consider doing to one another.
I'm all right. He let out a snarl and took several long breaths. His bones eventually realigned themselves, and he stood up straight and stared me dead in the eyes.
"I get angry just being around you. Knowing what you've done my whole life, and now that you've slain our own father, it's difficult for me to maintain control.
I followed in his long steps, moving backward till my heels hung over the edge of the rocks and I was in danger of plunging into the ocean. He made sure I was facing him by grabbing my neck with one hand and my hair with the other.
"You killed Father, and I'll kill you too, dear sister," the speaker said.
"I'm not your sister," she said. I was able to speak, attempting to breathe in between each syllable.
I said, "More lies!" He snarled and squeezed my neck even more tightly.
It's "I'm your-" In an effort to obtain a breath of air, I gripped both of his hands. It says, "Your cousin."
"What?" He dumped me onto the muddy, damp ground with a scrunched-up face. On my hands and knees, my throat was burning as I struggled to take deep breaths of oxygen.
I said, "I'm not your sister." He was not my father; he was my uncle. Finn didn't say anything as he just stared at me. The gaze in his eyes remained constant, despite the fact that his eyebrows were drawn together as if he couldn't understand anything. He remained silent, so I saw it as a cue for me to explain.
"When I was little, your father, my uncle, kidnapped me. He did things to me that were horrible.
Would you just stop talking? Amy grinned. I'm becoming tired of this. She shoved Finn out of the way as she moved near me.
"Amy, hold on." It was too late for him to clutch her arm. She had already launched herself at me, and the power of it threw me into the rapids and knocked me backward.
Despite my attempts to get to the surface, the river drove me deeper. I was worn out by the time I was able to lift my feet up off the stony sediment below me and burst through the surface. I found it challenging to keep my head above water, and I often fell back in. I coughed up some water that I hadn't intended to ingest after spitting water out of my mouth.
"Megan!" I couldn't place the caller's voice when it phoned. My ability to hear was obscured by the sound of the water flowing.
Megan, hold on. The voice rang out once again, and I saw a sizable branch downstream. It was lengthy, but given that I was in the exact middle of the running river, it was far too near to the embankment.
Even though my limbs were already exhausted and frail, I battled the river with all my might. I was barely able to reach the branch because of how swiftly it was approaching. It lurched forward and hit the palm of my hand, almost making me cry. I was slowly but steadily pulled into the rocky embankment while wrapping my fingers around it and using the other hand to keep my head above water.
As I lay flat on my back, I inhaled rapidly and shakily. Overworked, my arms and legs trembled, and I was unable to move them. When I turned to face my rescuer, I saw a head of vivid, golden hair.
I appreciate it, Lucy. I coughed.