05

I growled to her as she just laughed.

After fixing my small blanket on the ground, I finally laid down and closed my eyes listening to the crackle of the fire.

Right as I was about to fall asleep, I heard a twig snap in the distance.

‘Athena ?’ Artemis asked.

‘I heard it.’ I said as I sat up on high alert. ‘It sounded close, but a little ways away.’

‘Maybe we should find a new spot.’ Artemis asked as I threw dirt on the fire.

Once I made sure it was finally out, I started to slowly pack my belongings back into my bag trying to be as quiet as possible.

‘Stop !’ Artemis yelled as I was about to grab the zipper.

I froze and held my breath. What is she sensing ? I closed my eyes and listened.

Another twig snapped before I was tackled.

I let out a grunt as I pinned to the ground.

« You’re hard to find. » A deep voice chuckled from above me.

I shook my head, trying to get away from the dust before opening my eyes.

« Zack. » I spat.

He was a very good fighter as well as a very talented tracker. Alpha Rick used him for many missions and he always proved himself worthy.

« I’m surprised you remember me. » I laughed.

I scoffed. « How could I ever forget you. You put me in the hospital last year. »

Zack smirked. « Not my fault you couldn’t fight. »

« I had just shifted ! » I shouted. « It wasn’t fair to begin with. »

He rolled his eyes. « Enough child’s play. Get this shit and let’s go. Alpha Rick has a bounty on your head and he wants you back alive. »

I growled as I hooked my feet from under him and pushed him off. He let out a grunt as he hit a tree.

« I’m not going back. » I spat standing up.

Zack growled at me when he stood up and dusted himself off. « If it wasn’t for him ordering us to bring you back, then I would kill you right here, right now. »

« Us ? »

Zack gave me an evil laugh. « He has almost the whole pack looking for you. »

Shit.

« I’m not going back. » I stated firmly.

« Looks like I’m going to have to force you. » Zack smirked. « That won’t be too hard. »

I gasped as he ran towards me with speed that I didn’t know he had.

I let out a grunt as he checked me in my stomach and I felt my back slam on the ground.

‘Athena !’ Artemis yelled worried.

‘I good.’ I grunted as I felt my head spinning.

‘Fight back !’ She yelled.

« This is going to be so easy. » Zack laughed as he circled around me. « You’re so weak. Always have been and always will. »

« I am not. » I coughed in pain as I clutched my stomach.

I looked up to see Zack lean down and hover over my face.

« Poor Athena. Actually thinking you have a purpose in life and thinking that you belong here. You went against your pack and do you know what that means ? » Zack smirked. « You committed treason and that is punishable by death. »

I let out a grunt as he kicked my stomach.

« I’m going to enjoy watching you get killed. I wonder how he is going to do it. Maybe cut your head off ? Maybe shoot you with a silver bullet ? Maybe rip you to shreds ? »

I let out a growl and tried to kick him.

He laughed as he jumped out of the way.

« Hey lookie here ! » He smiled as his eyes sparkled mischievously. « We got a fighter. »

« I’m not going back with you. » I growled as I spit on his foot.

He gave me a low growl as he grabbed me by my throat and pulled me off the ground.

I’m pretty sure I looked like a fish out of the water as I crawled at his hand.

« Listen here, bitch. You are coming back with me whether you like it or not and I’m going to personally ask Alpha Rick if I can join in on killing you. It’s going to be so much fun. » Zack growled in my face.

« I told you to bring her back to me. Not cut off her air supply. » A voice sounded behind me.

Zack dropped me and bowed. « My apologies alpha. »

Alpha Rick walked around Zack and squatted down so he could be eye level with me.

He chuckled as he lifted up my chin. Again, I felt no sparks. « You gave us quite the goose chase you know. »

With a growl, I jerked my head and his hand fell as he threw a glare my way.

« Let’s go, Athena. » Alpha Rick commanded as he stood up.

« No. » I said sternly as I too stood up.

« Excuse me ? » He asked as he turned around to face me. « Did I just hear you correctly ? »

« Did I stutter ? »

Alpha Rick laughed as he crossed his arms over his chest. « Look who grew a backbone. I’m impressed. »

‘What are we going to do ?’ I asked scared.

‘Fight Athena ! You need to fight.’ Artemis yelled at me.

« So what’s it going to be Athena ? » Alpha Rick asked.

‘Artemis. He’s an alpha.’ I shot back.

‘I know you’re scared. I am too. But you have to fight back. You either fight or you die. Pick one.’

I looked Alpha Rick in the eye while Artemis’ words rushed through my brain.

She’s right. If I don’t fight I’ll die and even if I do fight, I still might die. But I would have died fighting and trying to protect myself. That alone was enough for me to make my decision.

« I’m not going back with you. » I said strongly as I got into a fighting stance. I tried to look tough but on the inside, I was dying and by the laugh he gave me, I’m sure he saw it too.

« You’re kidding right ? You are going to fight me ? » Alpha Rick asked shocked.

I gulped and nodded. « I’m staying right here. »

That earned me a loud growl from him. « You need to stop being a hero and get your ass back. You are not tough Athena. You are a wimp so quit the act. »