Chapter 1 Left for Dead

They say that the Mother Goddess always looks after her children. Wherever they live, or however they look, she will always care for them as any loving, doting mother would do. She provided her children with so much love that she even chose her most favored girl to lead them all. I once believed that I was that child. I knew I was favored by Her. She often said so.

But if the Mother Goddess really favored me, why am I in hell right now?

Why did she let my mate, my first love, not even care for me after I disappeared and make me look like a fool in front of the whole pack?

Why did she even let my sister, the one I trusted the most, to betray me? Why did she even let me live, barely, as I lay in the middle of the forest, losing blood and consciousness?

I almost wanted to laugh at the irony of my situation. Before my marriage, I was considered the strongest candidate for being the Queen, whom the Goddess favored the most. I was in the last stages of claiming the throne. I had the abilities. I had the strength. I even had the beauty. Aside from my sister Medea, there was nobody else better fit for the crown but me.

But Augustus… sweet Augustus. He wanted a loving family and a devoted mate. I wanted that too. Hell, I’d give up everything just to fulfill that, too.

And I did. I gave up my dream of becoming the Queen for him.

“Didn’t I tell you before, Hestia? Giving up the throne and settling as Augustus’ mate would be your downfall. I planned many great things for you!” the voice of the Goddess echoed in my mind.

I forced out a smile, trying to stop more blood from seeping out of my wounds. “But I loved him, Mother…”

“Hestia, child, it’s not the right time. I already told you that. But you didn’t listen, and I can’t do anything. You must learn the consequences of your actions to become greater and wiser.”

“Is the consequence of loving someone… death?”

Mother Goddess didn’t answer. I was then again engulfed by the sounds of the forest, like a cruel torture to my already ringing ears. I closed my eyes and tried to move my fingers to check on my wounds. My wolf stopped howling anymore, and I…

Another harsh, painful round of cough came out of my mouth, and I couldn’t help but wince at the pain it caused my body. The dried grass beneath me wasn’t helping at all, and all I could do was just stare into the distant sky, hoping that the Goddess wouldn’t make my suffering long.

Tears started streaming down my face as I was reminded of the times when Augustus was courting me. He’d often bring me to his favorite places and show me how much he loved me. That was bliss. Now, it’s nothing but agony.

Pure, hellish agony.

He was an Alpha of a huge pack. I was just a meek and shy debutante who happened to have the blessing of the Goddess. If anyone would suit him the most, it would be Medea, my sweet and caring sister.

For so long, he told me not to listen to my doubts. I believed him. Until he stopped and I paid the price of his betrayal.

Was it too much to ask for someone to love me?

I was almost losing consciousness when I heard the crunching of dry leaves near me. Judging by its weight and its speed, I deduced that it was a wild animal. I closed my eyes and decided to just let my fate be, as I had no strength in my arms anymore. Even if I tried to fight for my life, I’d just lose.

There’s no place for me to come back to, anyway.

“A woman?” I could barely open my eyes to look at the baritone-voiced man. He knelt and checked my pulse before letting out a cuss. “Heavens, you’re still alive. F*ck, just as I’m running away…”

I felt my body being carried gently, and when I managed to get a good look at him, I noticed the distinct insignia on the coat that he was wearing. Red. He was a Red, and an aristocrat at that! I tried to squirm from his grip to no avail. My arms and my fingers gave out, without even giving me the chance to lift them.

“Stop squirming, I’m not going to hurt you. I can smell your scent, Lycan, and it’s hard to fight this urge as it is.”

I felt water slowly rising to touch my back. The water was slowly mixed with a crimson-red substance coming from both of our bodies. I must be delirious, for I never imagined myself feeling warmth from an undead like him. My head rolled back as I let my fate be as it was. For an enemy, his presence was… calming.

I don’t know how long I was out. All I could remember was that when I opened my eyes once again, I was in a damp cave, and the heat from a small bonfire by my feet soothed my aching wounds for a bit.

“Stay still, trouble. I just managed to stitch you up, but that doesn’t mean you’re free to move.” The stranger suddenly entered the cave, with more wood in his arms. He threw a few more on the bonfire before leaving the rest nearby.

“Who… are you?”

He just smirked and shrugged. He sat by the entrance of the cave, exhausted. He has a huge blood stain on his chest that I don’t know if was from me, or if he was injured himself. “Are names important, trouble?”

I still tried to get up despite his warnings. “But you’re... A Red…”

“Yes, I’m a blood-sucking fiend. But that still doesn’t change the fact that I saved you, my little trouble. So now, be a good girl, stay silent, and get some rest. I’ll do the same.”

He just closed his eyes after that, exhausted. I waited for him to completely fall asleep before I tried to get up, my distrust of the stranger still at its height. I’ve heard a lot of stories of Reds eating Omegas and White Wolves whenever they have the chance. As of now, I’m nothing but a weak wolf. There’d be no reason for him not to contemplate devouring me when he’s in a weakened state himself.

He was right, however, and I failed to stand up for myself. My legs and arms were wrapped carefully with cloth, and I could faintly smell the scent of medicinal herbs applied to them. I groaned before giving up. Escaping him would be useless anyway.

I flinched when he opened his eyes and looked at me. He stood up and sat beside me, his hand reaching for my face. I tried to move away, but he just laughed. “I’m just going to check your temperature, trouble. I’m not interested in eating you.”

His gentle yet calloused hand landed on my forehead, checking my body temperature. Now that I was able to look at him up close, I noticed that he had a huge gash on his neck, which was now healing. Unlike most Reds, he didn’t look pale, and he didn’t have bare fangs. “You look… like a Lycan.”

He scoffed. “Do I now? Either way, you still need to rest, trouble. You’re burning up. I need to hunt for our food, so stay here and no funny business. I mean it.”

I watched him as he went out again, carrying his sword. Even if I try to escape now, I won’t be able to go that far, considering my state. I didn’t even know how long had passed since the stranger left. As I lay there, slowly burning up, all I could do was just rest and hope that no one with bad intentions would find me and—

“Who’s there?” I weakly said as soon as I heard the faint footsteps coming from outside the cave. I tried to grab anything that could help me defend myself in case, but my fingers could barely reach the wood that the stranger left.

The white-haired man who went inside the cave was carrying a wild animal behind his back and a huge ax in his hand. I tried to get away from him despite my weakened state, crawling away.

“No… move away!”

He didn’t listen to me, nor did he take into account that I was bandaged all over my body. He just continued to move towards me, with a blank expression on his face. It was hard to read what he was thinking, and I couldn’t even hear the voice of the Goddess.

“Stop!” I said, raising my arms when he reached out for me. To my surprise, he just touched my cheek and moved a few strands of my hair away, before looking straight into my eyes.

I could feel my consciousness slipping away when he raised his axe, ready to strike me dead.