Chapter 3 3

Moonlight bathed the forest in a soft silver glow, highlighting the shifting shadows as Alina moved through the thick underbrush. The air smelled of damp earth and pine, her breaths steady despite the storm brewing inside her.

A branch snapped somewhere behind her. She spun around, her heart pounding against her ribs.

Cole leaned casually against a tree, arms crossed over his chest. "You're terrible at sneaking out," he murmured, a smirk tugging at his lips.

A scowl formed on hers. "I wasn't sneaking."

"Sure looked like it." He pushed off the tree and closed the distance between them in slow, deliberate strides. "Tell me, Princess, where exactly were you planning to go?"

A part of her wanted to tell him to stop calling her that, but another part-one she wasn't ready to confront-liked the way it sounded in his voice. "Away," she muttered.

Cole let out a soft chuckle. "Brilliant plan. Run straight into the woods with no supplies, no plan, and a pack of wolves that would hunt you down before sunrise." His expression sobered. "Not to mention your father would rip apart anyone who helped you."

A lump formed in her throat, but she swallowed it down. "I can't just stand there and let him decide my fate. He wants to hand me over like some bargaining chip."

"You're an Alpha's daughter," Cole said, his voice softer now. "That's what you were raised for, wasn't it?"

Her fingers curled into fists. "That doesn't mean I have to accept it."

A moment of silence passed between them before Cole sighed. "Then let's make a deal."

Her eyes narrowed. "What kind of deal?"

"You want to escape your father's control. I need something in return."

Suspicion prickled at her. "What do you need?"

"I want my freedom," Cole said, his expression unreadable. "Not just from the Blackwood Pack, but from the bounty your father has on my head. If I help you, you use your influence to ensure I walk away from this alive."

Alina hesitated. This was dangerous. Helping a rogue was already an act of defiance, but negotiating for his protection? If her father ever found out, the consequences would be brutal.

Yet, when she looked at Cole, she saw a man who refused to be bound by anyone's rules. And for the first time in her life, she saw a way out-a path that wasn't carved by someone else's expectations.

"Deal," she said, extending her hand.

Cole didn't move right away. His gaze searched hers, looking for hesitation. Finding none, he grasped her hand, his grip warm and firm. "Then let's get started."

The wind howled through the treetops, carrying the distant howls of patrolling wolves. Every crunch of leaves beneath their boots sent Alina's pulse racing, but Cole moved through the forest like he was born to it, his footsteps silent, his breathing steady.

"First rule of running," he murmured, glancing over his shoulder at her. "Stay light on your feet. You step like a noble at a ballroom."

A glare burned in her expression. "Excuse me for not being raised in the wild."

Cole smirked. "You'll learn."

They pressed forward, slipping through the thick foliage as they edged closer to the outer borders of Blackwood territory. The scent markers were strong, warning any rogue to stay away.

Cole stopped suddenly, holding up a hand. Alina skidded to a halt beside him, her body tense. "What?" she whispered.

"Patrol's coming," he muttered. "Two, maybe three wolves."

Her pulse hammered. "We can't go back."

"Didn't plan to." Cole crouched low, his eyes scanning the terrain. "There's a creek about fifty yards west. The water will mask our scent."

Alina followed his lead, moving swiftly behind him. The sound of approaching footsteps grew louder. If they were caught now, she would have no way to explain why she was sneaking past the borders with a rogue.

The rush of water became clearer as they reached the creek. Cole waded in first, motioning for her to follow. The icy water soaked through her boots, but she bit back a gasp and kept moving.

The patrol's voices grew clearer.

"Alpha said to watch the west border closely. No one gets in or out without clearance."

"Like anyone would be dumb enough to try sneaking past tonight." A chuckle followed. "You really think Alina will go through with the wedding?"

Her jaw clenched.

"If she's smart, she will. No way out of it unless she wants her father's wrath."

The voices faded as the patrol moved away. Only then did Alina exhale.

Cole gave her a knowing look. "Still think you could've done this alone?"

She huffed. "Don't get cocky."

He only grinned. "Come on, Princess. We're not safe yet."

By the time they reached an abandoned cabin deep in the woods, exhaustion weighed heavy on Alina's limbs. Cole pushed the door open, the hinges creaking in protest. The inside was small but serviceable-a worn couch, a makeshift fireplace, and a battered table with a single chair.

"It's not a palace," he said, shrugging. "But it'll do."

Alina sank onto the couch, her body aching. "How long do we stay here?"

"Long enough to make a plan."

A shiver ran through her. "And then?"

Cole leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Then we decide how far you're willing to go to take control of your own life."

This wasn't just about running. It was about fighting for something she had never been allowed to have-freedom.