ALPHA SIN

ARTEMISIA

I darted into the foreboding woods. I ran as fast as my legs could take me, and occasionally I glanced at my back to see if what I was running away from had caught up with me.

I didn’t dare to stall, since I knew I would be an appetizing meal for the beast if I did.

Leaping over a chunk of wood that was on my path, I let out a wince as my leg got stuck into a hole that I hadn’t noticed in front of me.

Also, I heard a snap. I didn’t need to look to know it was a trap that had caught my leg. My nose twitched and the scent of blood wafted into my nostrils.

“No!” I shook my woozy head frantically whilst trying to chase away the dizziness that was building at the corner of my eyes.

My head reeled, and my heart palpitated. “I didn’t come this far to become unconscious in the middle of nowhere,” I said.

Earlier, everything had been great. Emma, Julie, and I had taken a stroll around Merene and had arrived back at the palace later than usual.

Nothing seemed out of the ordinary as I stepped towards the entrance. Yet the doorknob had given me a cold vibe when I gripped it. I had been hesitant to step indoors until Emma and Julie showed up beside me.

As soon as we stepped inside, the sight that greeted us perplexed us. I still remember the stench that was oozing out of the already decomposing body of only God knows who.

I had taken a moment to glance at the hall filled with lifeless, stinking humans searching for Sin or anyone that I might know, whilst still in shock.

Until the beast that had incited the havoc appeared.

I was positive I was the first person who sprinted out of the door because I didn’t even bother to check if the others had done the same.

Emma and Julie, I groaned. The beast might have caught them and slit their stomach, as it had done to the people in the hall. I moaned whilst blinking back the tears at the corner of my eyes.

I had left my sister and the only best friend I had at the mercy of an ogre. Again, I should get awarded the worst in the category if nominated for friendship and the best sister.

I had tried to save myself whilst leaving them.

If I waited to ensure they were alright before scampering, I was certain I would be dead by now.

Still, it was better than not doing anything. At least, I died whilst knowing they were doing great.

I swirled as a twig cracked. The leaves rustled as the wind blew violently. My hair flapped around my face and I shivered whilst clutching the hem of the dress I donned as the wind ruffled it.

I couldn’t run. My right leg wasn’t working anymore. It had grown numb because of the snare that it had caught in. There was no way I could use one leg to escape. It was only a miracle I needed, a miracle to save me from the impending doom awaiting me.

I took in a staggering breath whilst glancing around the forest. This was my first time coming here. I had been wanting to explore the whole of Merene, but I didn’t plan for it to be like this.

Likewise, I believed this would be my last time because whatever I was running from might have caught up with me.

My eyes widened as a growl sounded. My breath came out in quick gasps as the creature that had been chasing me came into view.

I had thought it was a humongous entity, instead; it was a black wolf with gleaming red eyes. It seemed somewhat familiar, and I wondered where I had seen it before.

Blood stained its teeth, and I wondered from whom the crimson liquid was.

It prowled towards me menacingly, and I took two steps backwards with each it took.

I winced as I stumbled on a branch that was at my back.

I shut my eyes and say a silent prayer to whoever was watching over me.

My eyes snapped open as I heard a howl from the wolf. Swiftly, it leapt into the air and its paw swung.

I shrieked, jerking awake.

“It is a bad dream, an awful one.” I chanted, staring around the room with wild eyes.

I switched on the lamp, which was on the nightstand.

A shriek slipped out of my mouth, and I leapt out of bed as I noticed a figure in front of me. I sprinted towards the locked door and grasped the handle, yanking violently. I banged and banged, but it remained locked.

“Bloody hell, woman!”

I turned, staring into the glaring dark eyes of Sin.

I breathed out slowly. My hand left the handle, and I slid down the wooden door.

“Oh, God.” I stared up at him whilst trying to calm my racing heart.

He looked dishevelled. His robe hung loosely around his body, and his hair seemed like he hadn’t used a comb on it since yesterday.

Despite how messy he was, he pulled off the look. He was smoking hot, even with the scowl present on his face.

“What is going on? I came in when I heard you scream.” He mumbled, coming close to me.

“I-I…” I trailed off whilst thinking of what had happened.

I doubted he would understand if I told him what I saw. It had become a recurring dream, and I thought about what it meant.

Maybe it meant I was dying soon at the hand of a fierce beast.

I shuddered as several images of the stinking remains of humans infiltrated my mind.

“It’s only a nightmare.” Sin asserted. He pulled me up and embraced me.

I hugged him tighter instead of pulling away. It seemed weird he was assuring me. He should goad me and berate me for disturbing his sleep.

Yet, he was trying to comfort me.

Perhaps I had judged him too quickly by thinking he was a jerk. Or maybe he was still the jerk and acted as if he cared.

“You should go back to sleep.” He mumbled, pulling away.

I nodded, walking towards the bed. I knew I wouldn’t be getting any more sleep until the morning came because it frightened me that if I closed my eyes, I would see the same thing again.

He walked towards the door, and a knock sounded on it.

The door opened, and Emma’s head peeked into the room.

I hoisted my brows whilst staring at her.

“I heard you scream. Are you okay?” She asked.

Julie came soon after, asking the same thing.

“Geez,” I muttered, glancing at Sin.

“I must have woken everyone in the palace with the way I had shouted.”

“Well, you were very loud.” He affirmed.

“Thank you for coming,” I whispered after a while.

He shrugged, stepping out of the room without acknowledging the appreciation.

Well, he was still a jerk, even though he had assisted me.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

As soon as he left, I clutched my phone, playing with it until the morning came.