Hers Freely

21. The intruder

After resting for an hour, I kept running well into the night. Every step cursing myself instead of her. 

My heart was heavy, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was making a terrible mistake by taking her to the last place she wanted to be. I felt like I was betraying her trust, and it was going to be hard to face the consequences of my actions.

I couldn't turn back now. What was done was done. Fate has bound us together for some reason.

The moon rose high in the sky, casting a soft glow over the rugged mountains. I stood at the base and steeled my nerves to start my trek into the highlands. It wasn't easy, with its steep inclines and rocky terrain. Every step had to be taken with caution to avoid slipping on the loose soil, and brief pausing was necessary to rest my weary legs. Despite werewolf stamina being greater than any human's, we still needed rest. This would have been easier and took less time if I were in my fur.  But I persisted with her tight in my arms.

Along the way, we passed the remnants of human resorts where they would come to these mountains for leisurely trips. Back when I was a pup, I recall how these resorts would thrive in the winter, drawing in visitors seeking excitement and serenity. Yet, now, all that remains are merely ruins, reclaimed by nature. It was a stark reminder of how quickly things can change.   

Continuing up, I took a deep breath and felt the cool, crisp mountain air fill our lungs, signaling our proximity to the packlands. My heart raced with anticipation as we climbed higher and higher. But my human mind couldn't shake off the guilt and fear of what was to come. I knew my pack and especially my alpha would not be happy with my decision to bring a human into our lands.

Gradually, as the sun began to rise, we arrived at the hidden boundary. I paused to take in the breathtaking view from the mountaintop. The scenery was tranquil and serene, a stark contrast to the months I had spent confined in that cell. With each step closer to my pack's territory, my wolf howled with excitement and relief. We were almost there. And as we bounded through the forest, I could feel the pull of the pack and the safety of our home.

The closer we drew to my pack's borders the more I could sense the other wolves becoming alert. They could smell human blood and were ready to defend their territory. As we crossed the border, I could feel the eyes of my packmates on us from behind the trees. They had to be shocked to see a human on our territory, and I could sense their anger and confusion. I braced myself for the worst. However, as soon as they caught sight of my stoic expression, their critical stares softened and they moved back, allowing us to pass.

Finally, exiting the dense trees into the entrance of the pack's village where most cabins resided. Many pack members keep their eyes on me, examining every detail of my appearance, as I walked through. I was soon surrounded by three wolves, and I recognized their scent as belonging to the warriors I had trained. As they drew closer, I tightened my grip on the human, emitting a low growl to assert my dominance. The wolves hesitated, but one of them, Finn, the eldest of the three, shifted into his skin in front of me, blocking my path. His eyes widened as if he had seen a ghost. But then his expression showed recognition and surprise, but also uncertainty.

Fuck! Do I look that bad?

The other two wolves shifted and stood behind Finn.

"Beta Jonah Norwood?" He questioned, his voice laced with disbelief.

I nodded and the two other warriors assessed my appearance and bared their necks in submission. Surely they had already notified the Alpha, it wouldn't be long for Elrix to show up. I could already feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand up in anticipation of his arrival.

"We all thought you were dead."

"What happen to you and who is that?" Finn said, stepping closer to me.

I didn't bother answering,  "where's the healer?" 

That came out a bit clipped but I didn't care.

They quickly led the way to the pack's healer, who looked at me stunned.

I gently placed the girl on a bed of soft furs. The pack's healer, an old and wise wolf, immediately came to her side. He examined her injuries and shook his head in concern.

'You can't just bring her here. What were you thinking?" the healer said sternly then threw a pair of pants my way.  I knew he was right. 

I silently cursed myself for getting involved in this mess. I couldn't help but feel guilty for bringing danger to my pack and for involving them in this human girl's troubles. But as I watched her sleep, her face peaceful and her breathing steady, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of protectiveness towards her. I knew I couldn't just abandon her.

"Heal her" I commanded gazing at the human's face.

'She needs immediate medical attention. Her wounds are deep and infected,' the healer said gravely.

"Heal her now." I said through clenched teeth.

"I can't use up our resources without the Alpha's permission especially for a human." As he continued, I gave him a sharp growl. My wolf was pacing violently.
"She is important to me. Do whatever is necessary to heal her, I'll take full responsibility." 

The healer looked at me with surprise, clearly not expecting such a response but he knew better than to argue with the pack's second-in-command. My wolf was reacting to the urgency of the situation. He was desperate to help the human and was willing to risk the consequences in order to get her the help she needed.

After a few seconds of uncertainty, the healer nodded and left the room, leaving me alone with the girl. I couldn't help but wonder what her story was and how she got caught up in that pack.

I took a deep breath and gathered my thoughts. I knew that I had to stay calm and find a way to confront my brother the Alpha. But first I had to make sure my human was tended to.

The healer soon reappeared with the pack's head Omega, Iris, a woman known for her gentleness and kindness. She greeted me with a sympathetic smile before bowing her head and tending to my human's wounds, washing and cleaning them with care. 

I grimaced as I saw how torn up her feet and legs were. Her left foot was swollen with a large gash running up her leg.
When she removed her clothing, more wounds and scratches were revealed. But I also noticed the many scars on her body especially on her back. My blood boiled at the thought of her being mistreated and hurt for so long.  Despite the wounds and scars, she was still alive. She showed courage to keep going regardless of the pain, she  kept it hidden well.

As Iris continued in tending to her wounds, she gave me a look of uneasiness and said, "She will need rest and a lot of care. she will have to be kept an eye on and make sure her wounds heal properly." I nodded knowing that I would take on that responsibility of watching over her. She may have been a human, but she was now under my wolf's protection. 
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