Chapter 4 The Escape

Zaria's POV

My head throbbed in pain, my body ached and the sharp scent of mold filled my nostrils the moment I regained consciousness.

I blinked again the darkness, confusion settling over me. Where was I?

Then everything came rushing back: Callum's rejection. Aria's triumphant smile. The way he kissed and touched her in front of everyone just like he did to me, but in secret of course. The immense pain of our bond shattering.

A sob escaped my mouth as I glance around. A cell. I have been thrown into the Pack's prison.

A wave of despair clawed at my chest.

I had given Callum everything. My love. My trust. My body.

And in return, he had pushed me aside like I was nothing. Tears streamed down my face as I curled into myself. How.....how could I have been foolish?

I was still repreminding my stupid self when I heard the sound of approaching footsteps. My body tensed.

The door flung open violently and he stepped inside.

Callum.

Even in the darkness, I could recognise him. His sharp and handsome features are unmistakable and his eyes were locked onto me with a cool indifference, as if I were nothing more than a criminal and not the same woman he had sworn to protect.

The silence stretched between us before I swallowed the lump in my throat, forcing myself to be composed. "Why?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Why did you reject me?"

Callum sighed, rubbing a hand on his face like I was a hassle that needed to be gotten rid of. "I needba strong Luna, Zaria. Someone who commands respect. Someone who isn't an Omega. Someone whose parents didn't betray this pack."

His words stung than I cared to admit.

Aria. She had always been the perfect one. Wealthy. Powerful. Untainted by scandal.

I let out a bitter laugh. "So, it wasn't about love?"

He smirked. "Love? Don't be delusional. Love was never a factor, Zaria. You should've known that."

Anger replaced my pain as I clenched my fists. "Then why? Why did you use me? You marked me....." My voice broke from the overwhelming humiliation. "You fucked me several times, even took away my innocence on the night my parents died. You whispered lies in my ears every night."

Callum shrugged, as if I didn't matter, as if those times doesn't matter. "I wasn't going to let you go without getting a taste of you. You have the best pussy I have ever fucked and I can't seem to get over you."

A taste. Best pussy.

I was nothing more than a meal to be devoured and discarded. I was nothing more than his whore.

Rage burned through me, and I met his gaze. "You'll regret this.

"Regret? Isn't that too much for someone who will be dead by sunrise."

I froze. "What....?"

"My father had already given the order," he said, his voice cold and detached. "At dawn, you'll be executed like your parents."

Panic surged through me as I scrambled forward, grabbing his legs. "Callum, please! You don't have to do this."

He yanked his leg free, stepping back. "Goodbye, Zaria."

Then he turned and walked away.

I collapsed to the ground, my body trembling. Elsa, my wolf whimpered for the first time since the nightmare began, feeling just as betrayed as I was.

This is really the end for me. I'm going to die.

****

The night stretched on as I remained on the floor. I had lost hope. Until, the sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor.

I lifted my head, and from my tear-streaked vision I saw a figure standing by the door.

Ashen. Callum's best friend. We weren't close, so I wonder what he was doing -

Hurriedly, Ashen pulled out a key, sliding it into the lock. The heavy door creaked open. "Get up," he whispered, holding the door and scanning the hallway.

I stared at him, confused. "Why are you...."

"This is no time for questions," he cut me off. "Leave. Now."

There was no time for hesistation. I pushed myself up despite the pain that wrecked my body and ran out of the cell.

My heart raced as we made our way through the corridors, towards a secret passageway. Once outside, he handed me a bag.

"There's everything you need in the bag. Run as fast as you can." I nodded, before I could even say more, he turned and left. I slung the bag across my shoulders, and made my way into the forest. My breath came in ragged gasps as I ran, the trees blurring past me.

I was tired. I was weak. I wanted to rest, but I couldn't. I keep running through the forest with one goal in mind -survival. I had to survive, not for me, but for my father. That was his last commands.

I kept running-until I heard footsteps behind me. When I turned around, I saw Ashen with several of Callum's men.

Did Callum find out and told him to get me back? My heart beat at the thought of going back to that cold prison.

"Ashen...?"

A slow smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "Did you really think I was just going to let you go?"

My heart pounded.

"Callum said you were tight," he murmured, stepping closer, his eyes gleaming with dark and dangerous intent. "Said you had the best pussy ever. I thought to have a taste too."

Fear gripped me. "Please don't...." I stumbled back.

But he closed the distance between us, his hand unbuckling his belt. His hand reached out but before he could grab me-

A low growl echoed through the night. Ashen frozen. His men tensed. The growls grew louder, and from the darkness huge figures emerged.

Rogues. They were more than a dozen of them, their eyes sharp and intimidating.

Ashen cursed, stepping back. "Damn it! We're leaving." With a final glare, he turned and quickly disappeared into the trees with his men.

My heart pounded against my ribs as he left me alone with the rogues. I wanted to run, but I knew it was useless. These huge ceatures would catch me even before I took my first step. They moved closer, their steps intimidating. They stood in front of me, the leader of the Rogues, an older tall man with piercing golden eyes, smirked.

"Looks like we found something interesting."