Chapter 5

Five: Natalie Natalie's P.O.V.

I had never been so happy and terrified at the same time. The house was empty, and everything wasfree for the taking as I collected a bag with clothes, money, and food. Every few minutes, I wouldhear the creak of the house shifting or noise outside, and my heart would stop.

I was waiting for them to come home and find me stealing. Even worse, I was waiting for a Lycan topop out of the walls and rip my heart from my chest.

They had already made their way onto our land. Even without my wolf present, I could feel them.Their power was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. The hairs on my neck and armswere sticking away from my body, and my stomach was rolling with nerves.

I threw my backpack over my shoulder, keeping my bad arm as close to my chest as possible toprevent irritating the damaged appendage further. I had to make it three miles to the border andanother six before I reached a human town. Once I was there, I could hop a ride and go anywhere Iwanted. I could be free.

The back door squealed as I pushed it open, not bothering to shut it behind me as I took off at arun through the trees. The Lycans would only be able to serve as a distraction for so long. Once myparents got home, I had no idea what would be in store for me. Would they come after me forstealing, or would they let me go so they could be free of me?

Either way, I pushed myself harder, wanting to at least make it off their land before they realized Iwas gone.

I ran out of breath quickly, the throbbing in my arm distracting me as I stumbled over a branch butcaught my footing and continued on. The border felt like it was moving farther away the longer Iran, but I couldn't let myself slow now. I was too close.

A large shadow flashed by my right, hidden in the trees. I gasped, startled as I glanced to the side,not seeing anything there. Yet, the warning in my head was telling me that I was no longer alone.The further I ran, the more I began to notice my companion. The large, hulking form would appearin the corner of my eye and then disappear when I would turn to look.

It was the loud footsteps and snarling that joined us that sent a shiver all the way down to my toes.The feral sound was more than a warning. It was a threat.

To my left, two more figures appeared, running alongside me on two feet. Their beast-likeappearance made my lungs contract in panic, and I couldn't take in any more air.

I had never imagined my end would be at the hands of Lycans.

"You can stop running now, as entertaining as your attempt was.” A female voice called out beforeshe manifested several steps ahead. Her white eyes bore into my soul, and I slid to a stop. Myuneven panting seemed to amuse her as she looked me over. It was unsettling not being able to seewhat she was looking at as she didn't have visible irises to give her away, but the way her headmoved told me that I was under her scrutiny as she looked me up and down The Lycans moved closer, surrounding me as if they were about to feast on their prey. Their half-shift state was terrifying to see so close. I had stood in the crowd on previous Offerings but neverhad to face one for myself.

The four around me let out animalistic noises, talking among themselves before one of themonsters on my left reached for me, making me jump to the side.

I could feel the border only a few yards away, and while I knew they would just chase me into theunclaimed land, I was determined not to give up. I stared into the beast's green eyes, seeing theamusement and the challenge in them. He knew I was going to run, but it didn't stop me fromturning on my heels and sprinting right into the chest of another.

I screamed as they wrapped their arms around me, throwing me over their shoulder and making mybackpack hit me upside the head. My arms and legs thrashed as I continued to struggle, willing todo anything to get free.

His muscular build seemed to tighten further around me like a boa constrictor as he restrained meand took off at a run. The harder I kicked, hit, and struggled to be free, the tighter his hold on mebecame.

I let out a scoff of disbelief as we broke through the tree line. What had been over twenty minutesof running for me was less than five for the creatures holding me prisoner.

"I'm a human.” The terrified plea came out in a shaky and desperate voice. "I never shifted. I'm just ahuman."

The statement was met by laughter from the beasts surrounding the Lycan holding me. They hadnever required me to be present at The Offering before. I was nobody.

No Lycan would want me as a mate. A simple werewolf didn’t even want me.

The only possibility that made sense to me was that I was about to be punished for something that Imore than likely didn't do. My parents wouldn't have gone back to their home yet, and unless theLycans wanted to witness my beating for disrespecting Haylee, they had no use for or reason for meto be brought back to them.

I could hear my pack mumbling in irritation and disbelief as I was carried into view before beingunceremoniously dumped onto the ground. The involuntary shout of pain from trying to catchmyself with my injured arm silenced the pack, and I panted as I pushed back the tears, staring at thedead grass.

I could feel him, the King.

His powerful aura was calling to me, demanding that I submit to him. I wanted to look up as heapproached, but I was petrified. My gaze was locked on the dirt in front of his massive paws, mybody shaking with adrenaline and fear as I waited for him to speak. Would he kill me for runningduring The Offering? Did he even care about a pathetic human's presence?

A low growl came from the beast before me, and I felt my body warm as goosebumps covered myskin.

I had heard countless growls and snarls in my time among the pack. The sound that came from theking was unlike anything I had ever heard before. There was a darkness to it that made me want tocower away, but also a twisted pleasurable purr beneath the surface that had me convinced he wasgoing to enjoy killing me "Her?" The voice that tormented me for years screeched out, and I turned my head to look at thewomen lined up on their knees. Savannah stared at me in disbelief and disgust before she turnedher glare to the king. "You want her? She's a human!"

My eyes widened at her blatant disrespect, not comprehending her words. He released a loud roarthat made every member of the pack flinch and drop their heads lower in submission. With my faceonly a few inches from the ground, I watched with terror as the king moved away from me andstood before Savannah.

The greater distance between us allowed me to see more of him. He was larger than the otherLycans, his body covered in knotted scars that were visible beneath his fur.

His claw was the size of Savannah's head as he punched it through her chest, ripping her heart outthe other side and sending the pack into a flurry of sobs and terrified mumblings for mercy.

"You will do well to teach your pack to respect those above them.” The witch's voice called outagain, but I was trapped staring at Savannah's body as the king pulled his hand out, and it fell to theground.

I was aware of him walking back to me, but I couldn't take my eyes away. It was the large hand thatgrabbed me by my backpack and lifted me off the ground like a doll that brought me back toreality, and I instinctively met the glowing red eyes of the Lycan King.

His deep voice sent a chill through me as he spoke, "Mine."