Chapter 2

Talia's POV

My heart skipped a beat as I stared blankly at him. His taut muscles exuded through his wet shirt as the moon light shone on his face. My jaw dropped to the floor as I pinched myself to ensure I wasn't dreaming. It was Xavier.

“Mate,” he called once more.

Dumbfounded, I turned around to see if there was anyone else around. But there was none. Maybe I was dead? Definitely, this has to be a fantasy, right?

“Are you ok?" He asked, concerned as he walked toward me. Staggering, I blinked repeatedly to ensure it wasn't an imagination as I tried maintaining my balance. I looked at him in disbelief, “Y…Yes, thank y…”

Before I could complete my words, he wrapped his arms round my waist pulling me close to him. His breaths grazed my skin as he sunk his fangs into my neck. The sky thundered viciously as I stood in shock. What just happened? This was too good to be true. Xavier marked me?

“Leave here and never return," he said, his voice stern as he looked me dead in the eye.

His words made my ear twitch as I scoffed in disbelief.

“You marked me, and now you leave?" I asked.

“I don't have time to explain, ok? Just leave here! Now! Before you're caught!" He snarled, transforming back into his wolf form as he leaped through the forest. Was I just rejected? Wow! I've really suffered a great deal.

“I think there's a rogue over there!" The voice of a guard in the distance rang in my ears.

I didn't have time for this either. I needed to leave here at once. Without further ado, I ran into the woods, running as fast as my feet could carry me.

Xavier's word rang in my ears, his actions replayed in my head as I tried to comprehend it all. Was this a part of the game? What if he uses the mate bond to locate me? I need to get help.

As the downpour reduced, my feet grew weak as I began staggering slowly. Placing my hands on my knees, I gasped for air as I searched around for shelter. I'd gone far off Logan's territory I think, I hope.

I needed a place to rest for the night, or at least hide. It's going to be a long night as the game doesn't end till dawn. As I walked through the quiet forest, the voices of two people arguing caught my attention.

Could it be Logan's guards? Am I in another alpha's territory? With each step, the voices grew louder. I tiptoed as stealthily as I could trying my best to avoid attention being drawn to me.

I caught sight of a female standing in the distance. Her lustrous brown hair cascaded over her shoulders in curls, her brown eyes glistened with rage as she pointed her fingers toward someone else. Her yellow dress caught my attention as I noticed Logan's mark on the side. Could she be the famous Marissa Stone? Logan's mate?

“I don't have time for this! Logan's game will soon come to an end. I've done the best I can," she said, her voice strained. She was visibly stressed but the other party refused to give up.

“I don't care. I sent you into his territory, yet you can't give me shit!"

“Listen, I tried my best ok? I can't do it. I've practiced a lot, but I can't!"

“And why can't you?!"

“Because I love Logan! Ok? He maybe be a tyrant but I love him."

“Are you out of your mind? Logan is a murderer!"

“I will not be the one to end him! The deal is off. I am not your pawn anymore!" She yelled, turning to leave. I hid behind the bushes, narrowing my eyes as I tried to see the face of the man she argued with.

“Marissa! You will not walk out on me!"

"Watch me!”

"Marissa!”

“Ahhhh!"

I gasped, placing my palm over my lips as I suppressed my scream. I watched as he brutally stabbed Marissa multiple times from behind, each thrust more deeper than the last, her blood splattering over the floor until her screams grew faint.

Trembling, I took steps backwards in an attempt to leave as my eyes fixed on the murderer’s back. Tragedy struck as my feet collided with a branch causing a crunched sound to echo. My eyes shifted to the branch as I cursed under my breath. Shaking, I raised my head slowly, my eyes meeting with the masked killer as he growled.

With shuddering breath, I sprang into action, running without looking back. His steps echoed behind me as I ran. Only moon knew what he would do to me if I'm caught. I felt a slight sting on my neck as my eyes became heavy. The side of my eyes blurred as my senses grew weaker. My legs wobbled as I struggled to steady my steps. In moments, I fell to the ground, darkness surrounding me as I cursed my fate.

“Now, I'll teach you a lesson," a voice echoed as I passed out.