CHAPTER ONE- A NEW PACK
GABRIELLA
My heart pounded hard in my chest as my weak legs struggled to move as fast as they could. My long blonde hair clung to my sweaty skin as I ran in the thick of the woods, panting and looking over my shoulders.
The darkness of the night made it harder to find my way but I kept running, my whole being engulfed in fear.
"Catch the thief! We must throw her in the dungeons " I heard a baritone voice yell behind me followed by the chants of angry loud voices.
I was being chased by a group of heavily chested guards with sticks, and my only saving grace was the fact that everywhere was dark. I was just an omega living in Stone Pack. My mum used to be a fantastic chef and had the knowledge of healing which she passed down to me, but she suddenly passed away.
After her death, my dad began to drink and gamble and ended up acquiring a lot of debt. In order to pay up, he sold me to a wicked woman at the age of ten, who made me work in her kitchen without pay for twelve years.
To make matters worse, the other employed chefs didn't like me because all the customers only ate my food. They called me a witch and accused me of casting spells on their food to make them eat only what I cook. Working in such a toxic environment was hell but I managed to pull through.
Right now, one of the chefs accused me of theft from one of the customers; the fearful Beta of the pack. His golden scepter was planted in my box and I knew I would be thrown in the dungeon when the investigation was over.
The only solution is to run, so at night. I packed about three clothes and wrapped them in a small sack before flinging it over my shoulders. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me but some of the guards caught on and began to chase me. I knew they were closing in on me and I feared for my future.
Suddenly, I felt someone grab my hand. I was startled, but I knew better than to scream or I'll attract the guards. I looked at the person holding me and I could see it was a girl about my age, dressed in a hoodie and baggy pants. I would have wondered what she was doing here by this time but I was too tired and disoriented to bother.
"Come with me," she whispered. I nodded and followed her wherever she would take me.
At least, it's safer being with her than being caught and thrown in the dungeon. She led me through a path I didn't know existed till we were far away from the noise of the guards.
I exhaled in relief, glad to have escaped them. I fell on the floor, panting like a thirsty camel as I tried to catch my breath.
"Thank you for helping me," I managed to mutter, staring at the tall brunette in front of me. I was disoriented after escaping the guards who were after my life.
I dusted the sand off my clothes and stood up, my raging breath finally calming down.
" You literally saved my life,"
"Don't mention. I couldn't let a bunch of angry men catch a helpless damsel in distress," a light smile tugged at the edge of her lips.
I liked her sense of humor and I summoned more courage to talk to her. "I'm Gabriella. What's your name?"
"Wendy,"
"Sorry, but why are you here by this time?" I asked curiously, clutching my old bag of clothes tightly.
"My mum works for the priestess so I came to see her. I could tell you're an omega and I know you all aren't treated well in Stone Pack so I decided to help,"