Alpha's replacement bride is destined mate-Chapter 174 How Can I Leave Her Behind?

Dolly heard the report of a pistol behind her. The sound was like a heavy sledge-hammer, striking hard at her heart, and causing her extreme uneasiness. She ran to the front of the group and anxiously whispered to Susan, " I have to go back. Emily is in danger."

"No, we’ll keep going." Susan said firmly.

" I am not asking your permission." Dolly stopped in her tracks. At that moment the group behind her stopped, too, because of Dolly’s movement. There was tension and uneasiness in the air.

"I am the leader now. " Susan said to Dolly in a serious tone, "Have you forgotten Emily’s orders?"

"I haven’t forgotten." Dolly said, " More than that, I haven’t forgotten that I am her beta and it is my duty to protect her."

" Have you thought about the consequences?" Susan asked, " If something bad did happen to Emily, do you think you could really save her? Carl has already gone to find her, and if Carl can’t save her, you can’t do it either."

"Dolly, look at these people. " Susan grabbed Dolly by the shoulders and she made Dolly face each of the team, "We’re the only two people who can protect these people right now. We must get them to safety; that was Emily’s command. If we stay longer there is a good chance that the enemy will overtake us. Dolly, do you want all of us to die here?"

Dolly was silent; she was torn. She had promised Adam that she would keep Emily safe, and that was the only reason she had come to the North. Now Emily was in danger, and there was nothing she could do.

"Dolly, I don’t want to die here. " Mina whispered, "Can’t you go back to Emily when we get to safety?"

Dolly looked at Mina’s dirty face, so full of exhaustion and fear. Her heart wavered a little. She clenched her fists, not knowing what to do.

A dog barked from behind them, and for an instant the faces of the party turned pale. They knew that Dog slave was gaining on them again. Word spread rapidly through the group, and despair filled the hearts of all.

" The enemy is catching up." Susan decisively ordered, " We must cross this forest as fast as we can."

" Run!"

Every one ran with all his might, and their footsteps resounded sharply through the woods. Every time they landed on their feet, it was like stepping on an uneasy drumbeat that made one’s heart skip a beat.

Every one in the party followed the man before them closely, for fear of being lost in this darkness. Their breathing was rapid and disorganized, and tension filled the air. From time to time the little animals, startled by their flight, fled in every direction, making a rustling noise which for an instant strained the nerves to the utmost. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Suddenly there was a strange cry in the distance. The footsteps of the crowd lurched, and they looked in terror toward the source of the sound. It seemed to be the roar of some ferocious beast, or the cry of a dog-slave, echoing through the silent woods and sending shivers down one’s spine. Their hearts beat like thunder, and the sweat soaked through their shirts.

" Don’t stop! Keep running! We can definitely run out of these woods!" Susan shouted.

Every one took up the pace again, and ran desperately forward. They did not know how many dangers lurked in the dark woods, nor whether they could ever succeed in getting out. Every step is fraught with unknowns, and every second is terrifying.

Time seemed to lengthen infinitely in the strain of the run. At last a faint light appeared before them. Sparks of hope flamed instantly in the eyes of the crowd, and they quickened their pace and ran furiously in the direction of the light.

The light became more and more distinct as they drew nearer. It was on the edge of the woods, with an open meadow beyond. All rushed out like wild horses in harness, as if running from a dark hell into a bright heaven.

By this time the sound of Dog slave’s voice could no longer be heard behind them, and the strained nerves of the party were at last relaxed a little. All lay down on the grass and breathed heavily.

Dolly sat up slowly and looked back into the woods from which she had just escaped. The woods were still dim and eerie, as though they were silent behemoths that sent shivers down your spine. But at that moment there was no yelping and chasing of dog-slaves, only silence.

" We finally escaped." whispered a girl, and there was a hint of tremor in her voice.

" But we can’t take this lightly." Susan said seriously, " Dog slaves might still come after us, we have to find a safe place soon."

"I’m so tired, I want to rest. " Maggie collapsed on the grass, she was panting.

" We must continue along the east." Susan stood up and told the group, "We’ll rest when we reach the valley."

Susan’s eyes swept each exhausted face. All were silent, and there was a look of weariness and hesitation on their faces.

" But I don’t have the stamina anymore." Some one spoke up involuntarily, and there was a hint of exhaustion and worry in their voices.

" That’s an order." Susan emphasized again.

And so, in silence, they rose to their feet, arranged their bags, and prepared to continue their arduous journey.

Dolly, with Maggie’s pack on her back, followed in silence to the end of the group. For the last time she looked back at the dark woods, as if they were a barrier that completely separated her from Emily.

"Emily, wait for me. " Dolly said to herself silently in her mind, "I’ll be back for you."

...............

Some one forcibly tore the hood off Emily’s head, and a blinding white light fell upon her in an instant. The intensity of the light seemed like a thousand pinpricks, piercing straight into Emily’s eyes. Emily, who had not yet had time to adjust herself to the light, could not help blinking, and her eyes were so blurred that she could only dimly make out a wavering figure.

The next second there was a sharp slap on Emily’s face. The sound of the clear ringing echoed like thunder through the silent space. Emily only felt a hot pain in her cheek, and her head was knocked sideways by the sudden force. Her ears buzzed as a wave of rage and humiliation surged through her.

"Emily, it’s been a long time. " Gina grabbed Emily’s hair, her fingers twisting hard around the strands.

Gina’s eyes glared menacingly at Emily, and those eyes were full of flames of anger, jealousy, and vengeance.​