Chapter 5 Perfectly Fine

Rian

Pain radiates up my side, into the back of my neck, right up into my skull. I feel like I’m floating away, like nothing I can do will keep me grounded, and any moment, I expect to see the Moon Goddess Herself before me.

Actually, that’s not true. I’ve been told more times than I can count that I have no hope of ever spending eternity with the Moon Goddess–not someone like me. Someone inherently evil, someone born of criminals such as myself. Instead, I should expect to see the fiery pits of hell.

Yet, I see nothing at all for the longest time. I’m only faintly aware that someone is next to me, and then that I’m being dragged across the forest floor. Sticks and rocks jab into my wounded side. I’d grimace if I had any control over my body whatsoever. When I finally come to a rest, the scent of the forest is stronger, and I know I’m away from the path where those bastards from the castle fucked me up last night.

Visions of what happened come back to me in vivid images I’d rather not recall. On my way home from evening training, I took my normal path, always keeping my head on a swivel. I’ve been jumped in this part of the woods before, but never in such a situation where I was so grossly outnumbered.

These bastards didn’t sneak up on me, though. Not all of them, anyway. Hearing a noise behind me, I turned to see a couple of the castle guards rushing toward me–it was a distraction. A moment later, I was hit from my left side as several more of them rushed out of the woods, striking me on all sides, one of them partially shifting so that his claws protruded from his half-hand/half-paw. With that, he mangled my side so viciously, I thought I would bleed out there by the road.

The attack was over in a matter of moments as the guards certainly knew that other Omegas would be making their way back home to the village we all share after training. Not that they would necessarily mind being spotted. After all, they work for the fucking Alpha. But why be seen killing someone if it’s not necessary?

I managed to drag myself off the path underneath a cedar tree, thinking it was just as good a place to die as any, and took what I assumed would be my last breaths.

But I’m not dead. In fact, I’m beginning to feel better. How is that possible?

Another memory takes form, and I suddenly remember there being a woman there beside me–an odd woman, one I’ve never seen before.

She said she was from… You Nork City or someplace?

Cautiously, I crack open one eye, wondering if she was but a figment of my imagination. At first, I see only the sunlight streaming through the branches of the pine tree above me, but when I tilt my head slightly to the side, she comes into view, hazy and unfocused at first, but then well enough that I can see sapphire eyes beaming down at me.

“Rian?” Her voice is quiet but filled with concern. “Are you awake?”

Never having been one to trust anyone–much less a stranger–I try to scramble to sitting, but the world goes topsy-turvy, and she takes me by the shoulders, helping me sit with my back against the trunk. “How the fuck do you know my name?” I ask her, wondering if I told her when I was still in a stupor.

“I just do,” she says with a shrug. “I’m Bailey. You were bleeding to death when I came across you. I thought you could use some help.”

“Why?” I can’t help the bite in my tone. It’s not warranted. She seems like she’s genuinely trying to be of service to me, but I have no idea why. 

No one else has ever tried to help me, not since my mother died.

Again, her shoulders nearly touch her ears. “Why not? If I hadn’t, you might’ve died.”

Defensiveness takes over as I eye her with suspicion. “I was healing just fine on my own.”

“Fine.” She lets out a sigh and stands. “Good luck then.”

While I certainly don’t want to admit I need her help, I also don’t truly want to be left alone, not when I haven’t fully recovered yet. “You’re just going to leave then?” I call after her.

“Yeah, of course. Why would I stay? You clearly have this all under control. Besides, what are the chances that the guards that beat the living shit out of you and left you for dead will come back? And if they do, will they really be able to follow the drag marks I made moving you under this tree–or the scent of your blood? Nah, I’m sure you’ll be fine.” She swivels around and starts to walk away again.

That’s when I know I’m truly fucked.

“Girl!” I shout, not remembering what her name is. “Wait.”

“It’s Bailey,” she corrects me, “and why should I? You’ve made your wishes more than clear. I guess that’s what happens when a good girl like me tries to help a villain.”

“A villain?” The word slices through me almost as cleanly as those claws through my flesh. “I’m not a villain.”

That nonchalant shrug is back as she comes a few steps closer. “That’s not what I’ve heard. Look, I’m not from around here. I don’t know what to believe. All I do know is that it was castle guards that did this to you. You were muttering about it while you were mostly unconscious. So… I probably shouldn’t be helping you anyway. It’s probably best if I just get away from you. Besides, you’ve got this, right?” She arches an eyebrow above a stunning blue eye, and I don’t know if I should laugh, cry, or beg for her help.

Clearing my throat, I say, “Maybe… I could use a little bit of help… just getting to my feet.”

She snickers but doesn’t move for so long I expect her to turn around and rush away. Instead, she bends over and wraps her arm beneath my shoulders. Pain shoots through my side again, but I grit my teeth and bear it. Once we’re out from under the tree, and I’m on my feet, I have a moment to take a deep breath–and smell something that makes my stomach twist into a knot.

“What’s the matter?” Bailey asks, tipping her head to try to look into my face.

All I can say is, “Run!”