Chapter 3 Risk Worth Taking

Alexandra

I struggled to keep myself upright, the room was violently spinning in circles. Even though Alpha Axton hadn't actually touched me; I felt violated, dirty and powerless. I would be eighteen soon and now I knew that my destiny would be sealed to become the Alpha's new whore. This was all my fault, if I had only been a more attentive slave to him and steered clear of trouble, maybe I would still be subject to my regular duties. I didn't understand why he needed a pack whore at his disposal, he went to brothels nearly every night. How could he do this so carelessly to the Luna Fraya's memory?

Marilyn had been frantic, I could feel the tears she had been concealing drip against my neck as she held onto me tightly. I knew her heart was breaking for me, I could feel the sporadic thumps echo loudly into my chest. "Oh you poor child. I'm so sorry for everything," she whispered into my neck. I breathed in her soothing scent, the smell of lilac and birch interlaced together reminding me of Luna Fraya's motherly scent.

Charlotte placed a hand on her hip, judging by the look on her face she didn't have the slightest remorse for me. "Are you always this dramatic? The Alpha just told you that you'll be satisfying his personal needs, you should be thankful that he chose you. Now I'll be the one forced to return to omega duties, this is so bullshit," she said, choking on her words and kicking a nearby garbage can in the pack house kitchen. The banging sound of her foot making contact with the metal bin rang in the kitchen like cymbals striking together.

Marilyn turned to face Charlotte with an unimpressed sigh, "Charlotte, I think it's time to leave. I need to talk to Alexandra." Charlotte's eyes darted to me, carefully scanning my face for any visible emotion then threw her hands up in defeat. "Yeah, whatever, fine," she spat out, rolling her eyes and disappearing into the hallway.

Marilyn followed her to the door and peered her head outside, only closing the door behind her when she was certain there was no trace of lingering ears nearby. She trekked towards me and gripped my hands tightly in hers, there was a mysterious glint in her hazel eyes. She took a deep breath before she spoke in a low and hushed voice, "this isn't the fate that the Moon Goddess wanted for you. You're a smart and beautiful young lady who also happens to be the heir of an Alpha and Luna. I know it's dangerous but I urge you to at least consider."

My eyes widened as I stared intently at Marilyn, I could feel my forehead wrinkling in concern. I was sure that Alpha Axton wasn't going to change his mind, certain that the only fate headed my way was the brutal acts I had just witnessed Charlotte endure. I gave Marilyn a slight nod and she continued, "Luna Sarah of Broken Ridge Pack and I have become somewhat friendly over the years whenever she and Alpha Desmond would visit. Last night at the Alpha's dinner, Alpha Desmond scolded Alpha Axton for acting so inappropriately with an omega and Alpha Axton announced he could because you were to become his next pet on your eighteenth birthday. Well my dear Alexandra, the Alpha and Luna were shocked to find out about your bloodline and have offered to take you in without Alpha Axton's knowledge. They are strongly against the barbaric act of acquiring an omega to be used for pleasure and without such dignity so you wouldn't have to worry about any of that in Broken Ridge, you would just resume the same duties you had here."

I shuddered at the mere thought of leaving Shadow Pack, this pack was all I never knew. It was familiar and comfortable. Luna Fraya's memory was here. "What about you? Will you come too?", I questioned, hopeful that she'd give me the answer I desperately desired.

She reached for my face, holding it tenderly between her palms. "Oh Alexandra, you know that I can't. There are far too many other omegas like you that need me here. I can't protect them if I abandon Shadow Pack."

"But what if I don't want to leave? What if I want to stay with you?" I asked and furrowed my eyebrows together.

"If you don't, you know what your new role will be. You'll be beaten, used and tortured, only then to one day tossed to the side like Charlotte is now. I know it's dangerous but your mate is out there somewhere waiting for you, don't become like me. Outside the pack house, I was never given the opportunity to meet my mate. Be brave my child," Marilyn explained.

I nodded and steadied my breath, a tactic to control my emotions that Luna Fraya had taught me long ago. "I'll have to think about it, I-I just don't know," I whispered to Marilyn.

Marilyn looked at me with soft and understanding eyes, "a patrol guard from Broken Ridge would meet you close to their border, you would have to shift into your wolf and escape from Shadow Pack late at night not to be noticed. Without shifting Alexandra, it would be a suicide mission with the rogues that roam freely. You have time left, however, your birthday isn't here yet. I'm begging you though, please consider."

An instant rush of panic flooded my chest, the thought of having to travel alone in the forest was unsettling. I would be traveling on no man's land the second I stepped foot outside of Shadow Pack territory. No man's land was the unclaimed area between packs and it was dangerous as it was occupied by rogues, rogues who had no loyalty to any pack. Most were traitors to their Alphas, others born into the lifestyle. They were merciless savages, unpredictable most of the time too which is what made them so reckless. I had evaded the rogues once already when I was saved by Alpha Axton and Luna Fraya, but to escape them twice? That would be nothing short of a miracle.

There was also the fact that I would have to shift into my wolf, it had been nearly eight years since I have let her out. I wasn't sure if I even knew how to shift anymore and if the shift happened to be successful, I worried that the pain of all of my bones snapping and rearranging would kill me alone. Most strong shifters couldn't survive a night in the forest on no man's land, how was I expected to? I was near wolfless.

Lastly, I thought about Alpha Axton. If someone catches me trying to escape, there was no doubt he would hang me in the town square for all to witness. I'd be made an example out of, a reminder to all of what it means to betray the Alpha. He would eventually figure out that I was gone and I wondered if he would care to search for me, he was possessive over anything Shadow Pack related after all.

I glared up to Marilyn and squeezed my lips together in a tight line, "can we talk about this tomorrow? I need to think about what I'm going to do. I just don't know right now, I mean I could die... I'm really tired right now and can't think straight." I felt guilty about lying to Marilyn, the truth was I could run a marathon right now with all the adrenaline that was pumping through me but I didn't want to continue this conversation.

By the look on her face, she was determined to get me to Broken Ridge territory, even if the cost was my life.