Chapter 2 Run!

A year after the incident with Mr. Armani, I still found myself waking up in the middle of the night with cold sweats. The memory of his rough hand coming at me and everything turning dark in a flash still haunted me.

I remember how I was awoken by the sound of thunder and rain that night. I had tried my best to see past my heavy eyelids until I could barely make out the shape of metal bars in front of me. I blinked once, then twice before I had pushed my torso up from the wet floor. The little window in the wall allowed the rain to pass through and form a puddle in the room.

Confused as to where I was, I stood up and looked around. I was in an enclosed room with three walls made of stone, metal bars for the fourth wall, and a single window with metal bars that prevented anyone from coming in or going out. The room was much smaller than my room at my mother's place.

There was no light source in the room, but ahead of me, I noticed light spilling through the bars from a lantern that must have been placed on the ground.

Going to the railing, I had searched for a way out. When I found a door, I pulled and pushed as hard as I could, but the iron gate was locked.

I tried to remember how I got there, but the last thing I could recall was hurrying back home only to run into Mr. Armani on the way before being knocked out.

I still remember the woman with fiery, red hair that had been tied into a braid similar to hers. It was a maid, I later realized. I was soaked, in a cage, and confused. She had helped me out, taken me to the bathroom, and cleaned me. Combed my hair. Treated me like a doll only to present me to him.

His name was Lucian. He was my master. My king. I was a bit shocked when I was dressed scarcely in front of him.

He was tall and muscular, with broad shoulders and a powerful build that made him seem larger than life. His hair was a rich chestnut color, falling in gentle waves that just brushed against the nape of his neck. He often tied his hair back in a loose knot, with a few strands hanging in front of his forehead.

His features were chiseled and sharp, with a strong jawline and a straight nose. His eyes were a deep, intense green, with flecks of gold that sparkled in the light. There was a hint of stubble on his jaw, adding to the rugged, masculine look that he effortlessly exuded.

He had locked eyes with me and asked the maid if this was her and the maid told him yes.

I had never met the Alpha king before, I had only heard of the king who lived in the ShadowClaw pack and ruled the whole of Aldridge from his throne made of diamonds. I had admired his strength but that day I lost all respect for him. Because he had held me, he had touched me and he had used me to his will.

It was only later I found out that I had no right to choose. A slave had no choice.

Yes, I was the slave sold to him.

The alpha king has been looking for a woman to breed his child, many women offered up themselves but he rejected them. My stepfather had heard of this deal and sold me off to the first buyer who came for a virgin, green-eyed girl, who would be taken to the king to be his own personal breeder.

And here I was, a year after.

I was standing by the window, dressed in a light-colored cotton dress that exposed my arms and shoulders. The neckline was modest, high enough to cover my collarbones but low enough to provide some ventilation in the summer heat. The dress flowed down to my ankles, swaying gently with the breeze that came in from the open window.

My dark, curly hair was pulled back in a simple braid that rested over my shoulder. The sun cast a warm glow on my lightly tanned skin, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment at that moment.

As I stood there, lost in thought, a sudden knock at the door broke my reverie. I turned to see a maid standing there, a look of urgency on her face. "Miss, the Alpha King requests your presence in his chambers immediately," she said, bowing her head.

I hesitated for a moment, feeling somewhat self-conscious in my current attire. He had always wanted me to be dressed scantily when I appeared in front of him, making it easier for me to be breeded. "Does he want me to change?" I asked, looking down at my dress.

The maid looked me up and down and then smiled reassuringly. "You look just fine like that, Miss. The Alpha King will not mind," she replied.

With a deep breath, I followed the maid out of the room and towards the Alpha King's chambers, wondering what could be so urgent that he needed me right away.

On a normal basis, as he did every two weeks, he would give me a chance to dress up, clean, refresh, and put on makeup. This was something all new.

As I walked into his chambers I found him standing at the window. Enjoying the sunset as I was before, his back facing me and his arms crossed. He didn't tie his hair up today and they fell completely on his face. His looks were entrancing. Calling him handsome would just be an understatement.

Sometimes, I could not help but imagine how our baby would look like.

"You called for me, your majesty?" I asked, bringing my head down to look at the ground.

"Yes, I did." He said without turning back.

"Would you like me to undress?" I asked as if I was asking for chicken and soup.

It was the normal thing. When I hadn't gotten used to this, even though he never did hit me. He would change to his wolf and growl at me. The look in his eyes is enough to put me in my place.

"No," He tucked his hands into the pocket of his trousers. "I would be leaving the house for three days. I hope you remember my rules?"

"Of course. I do"

How could I ever forget? I should never leave my room unless summoned by him. Smile at the guards. Misbehave or even try to escape from his estate. It seems easy, doesn't it?

Living in an extravagant room, getting dressed, cleaned, made beautiful by maids, no scarcity of food, always entertained by books or listening to the maids talk about what's happening in the outside world.

It does seem beautiful on the inside but it was just a pretty prison. One that cages you mentally and emotionally. I was nothing but his slave. Nothing better.

And nothing hurts more than when the person doing this to me is my mate. My soulmate, given to me by the moon goddess.

Every day he comes inside me, every day I feel that goddamn electricity running through my veins. His touch. His smell. Everything, I crave to truly put my mark on him but he doesn't see it. He doesn't want me as an emotional support. Just a slave and that was it.

He then turned to me and held my arm. His hold was a little too tight for me to handle. I tried to remove my hand from his, but his strength was greater than mine.

"Remember, Amara. Remember who you are and once you do something out of the norm, you are a goner. You are mine," As Lucian stared into my eyes, I noticed a subtle shift in the color of his irises.

The once piercing green had now transformed into a deep, mesmerizing shade of golden brown like the sun setting on a warm summer day. It was as if his wolf was coming to the surface, taking control of his body and mind. I could feel the intensity of his gaze, the weight of his dominance, and for a moment, I felt powerless under his hold. It was both exhilarating and terrifying, a potent mixture of desire and fear that left me breathless.

I took a deep breath and bowed my head, saying through clenched teeth, "I understand your majesty. I know my duties."

With that he let her hand go.

"You may leave." He said, turning back to the window.

I bowed one last time and scurried out of his chambers. My wrist was still tingling from his touch. My wolf wanted to be in his arms right now. To cuddle, to feel.

But that man is as cold as ice, so cold that he doesn't realize that I am his mate and I stood before him.

Back in my bedroom, I sat cross-legged, as that fiery-haired maid tood before me, massaging my feet.

"Today marks the third month that I haven't seen a blood stain on your bedsheets, Amara. A sign that you must be pregnant. Aren't you sure you should inform the king and get you a doctor? You don't know if it's healthy that the king touches you in this stage, my dear" The woman, Elsie, was a middle-aged woman. The first maid I saw when I arrived at this estate.

Elsie has been by my side since. And I trusted her more than anyone. She only took care of my bed sheets after I had told her that I did not want the other maids to inform Lucian after I got pregnant because I had a plan.

"There is no need for that, Elsie. And for the other thing? Is it ready?" I said in a low voice.

Elsie nodded. "Yes. It is. You would have to dress like a maid to escape the estate. Once Lucian leaves, I could distract the guards while you make your way with the other maids to be marketed. Just remember once you are out, switch into your Werewolf form and run south. Through the woods. Just go south and eventually, you would get a nightshade pack. Ask for Georgia. She would assist you and help you. She is my cousin and a sweet soul"

I nodded. "Thank you Elsie for this. But...I hope nothing bad is going to happen to you once I am gone?"

Elsie chuckled. "Worry about yourself, honey. I have known Lucian since he was a child. He has lost his track after past traumas. He is a good kid, though he doesn't seem like that now"

I shrugged. "I would never know. I would like to leave tonight. As soon as he is gone, I should be gone too. Would take him a long time before he would come back and realize I am gone. Within three days, I am sure I would have gotten to Georgia"

Elsie nodded. "You are right," Elsie removed her hands from my feet. "But may I ask sweetheart, why do you want to leave? Any girl would be happy to be in your position."

I relaxed back on the cushion of the sofa I was seated on. "Any girl that doesn't have empathy for their child. Once Lucian found out about this child, he would keep me more secluded. Once the child is given birth to, I am discarded. I have nothing to support me with. No family. Just shane to my name. And my child, I know it would be trained...but I just can't, Elsie. Lucian treats me like a pet. I...can't just relax. I can't just keep on feeling like a used toy. And my child to...be..." I choked on my tears. "Just look at it from my point of view Elsie. It's not easy"

Elsie nodded, patting my shoulders. "I understand sweetheart. You leave tonight. Just be careful. It's not just you anymore, it's you and your child"

****

Two months of preparation for this day.

The day I finally stepped foot on the soil once again and it worked perfectly. The moment I was out of the estate gate, I sneaked away from the other maids and walked into the forest, taking the mask off my face.

I looked out at the dark horizon.

It was a risky thought. I could have waited till morning before doing this but it's a little bit late to say sorry. I looked back at the estate behind me before turning and walking down the pathway of the forest.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, feeling the familiar tingling sensation all over my body. My muscles twitched and convulsed as my bones cracked and shifted, reshaping into a new form. Fur sprouted all over my skin, and my fingers and toes curled into paws as my nails turned into sharp claws.

As the transformation was completed, I opened my eyes and looked around, taking in my surroundings with new senses. The forest was no longer dark and blurry, but bright and vivid, every leaf and twig and pebble in sharp focus. I could smell the damp earth, the scent of pine trees, and the faint trace of prey.

With a powerful leap, I took off into the night, my paws hitting the ground with a steady rhythm. The wind blew through my fur, and I felt the rush of freedom that only came with running in my wolf form. My heart beat fast, and my breath came in short pants as I picked up speed, my body a blur of motion in the moonlight.

As I ran through the forest, my senses on high alert, I felt a presence following me. I couldn't see anyone, but my instincts told me that someone was there.

As I continued running, I heard the sound of a bow being drawn and an arrow whistling through the air. It missed me by inches, lodging itself into a tree trunk.

I spun around, ready to face my attacker, but I saw no one. Suddenly, a voice came from behind me, sending shivers down my spine.

"Well, well, well, look what we got here," the voice said, dripping with sarcasm.