Chapter 5 NO. 5

Autumn's POV

I noticed it the moment I woke up. Something was different.

The Alphas still acted like they were above me. They still gave orders, still watched me like I was something they needed to control. But it wasn't the same as before.

They weren't cruel.

Not like I remembered.

I wasn't thrown into a cold, dark cell for breathing the wrong way. I wasn't slapped across the face for speaking too loudly. No one grabbed my hair and dragged me across the floor just because they could.

They gave orders, and I obeyed. But their words weren't filled with malice. Their eyes didn't hold the same disgust I had been used to.

It confused me.

At first, I thought it was a trick. Some twisted game. A way to lower my guard before they truly showed their fangs.

But they didn't. Days passed, and nothing changed. They kept their distance. They didn't punish me for small mistakes. They didn't laugh when I flinched.

It made me sick.

Because I remembered.

I remembered how different it had been before.

"Look at you." The voice from my past whispered in my mind, smooth and amused. "Crawling like a dog. Are you even worth killing?"

"She's nothing." Another voice. Laughter. "Let her starve a little longer."

"Pathetic." A hand grabbing my chin, forcing me to look up. "Say something, Autumn. Beg."

I could still feel the bruises. Still hear my own ragged breathing as I fought to stay awake in the cold, my body trembling from hunger.

Had they always been this way? Had I simply refused to see it?

Or was something different now?

And if it was different... why?

I didn't think about it for long.

There was no point in planning too much. This place was too guarded, too controlled. If I hesitated, I would never go through with it.

So, I moved fast.

I took what little I could-an old cloak, a few scraps of food, a small knife I had hidden in my sleeve. It wasn't much, but it was enough.

The halls were silent as I slipped through them. The air was cold, the scent of the forest beyond the walls sharp in my nose.

Freedom was close. I could taste it.

One step at a time.

I made it past the inner quarters. I just needed to reach the outer gates.

Then, a voice shattered the silence.

"Going somewhere?"

I froze.

A shiver ran down my spine as I turned slowly, my grip tightening around the knife in my sleeve.

Alpha Adonis stood a few feet away.

He wasn't tense. He wasn't furious.

But his presence alone was enough to make my breath hitch.

I clenched my jaw, refusing to answer.

His gaze flickered to my hand, where I gripped the hidden blade. "Are you going to fight me?"

I didn't respond.

A slow breath left him. He didn't sound amused. If anything, he sounded... tired. "You wouldn't win."

I knew that.

But I took a step back anyway, my mind racing. If I ran now, would I make it? Would he chase me?

His voice turned serious. "Don't."

I hated how easily he saw through me.

His eyes darkened. "You can't leave."

My heart pounded. I forced myself to stand straighter, lifting my chin. "I'll try again."

A flicker of irritation crossed his face. "Then I'll catch you again."

"And I'll keep running."

His jaw tightened. "You don't understand, do you?"

I crossed my arms. "I don't care."

Something in his expression shifted. His frustration was obvious, but beneath it, there was something else. Something unreadable.

He sighed, rubbing his temple. "I'm warning you. Don't try this again."

I scoffed. "Or what? You'll punish me?"

His gaze locked onto mine. "No." His voice was quieter this time. "But you won't like what happens."

That made me pause.

There was no threat in his tone. No promise of pain.

Just certainty.

I didn't understand it, but I refused to show weakness.

"I don't care," I said again.

His exhale was sharp, his frustration bleeding into every movement as he turned and walked away.

I watched him go, feeling something strange settle in my chest.

I had expected anger. Punishment. Something cruel.

But instead, I had irritated him.

And somehow, that felt like a small victory.

Even if I had failed to escape, I had still gotten under his skin.

And for now, that was enough.

If they think they are going to ruin my plans in this life, they are wrong. I will do whatever I can to get away from them.

I'm not doing all the nonsense I did in my past life and make the same mistake again.

The moment I stepped into the main hall, I felt it.

Eyes on me.

Watching. Waiting.

I didn't need to look to know who it was.

Agatha.

She stood across the corridor, her arms crossed, her sharp gaze burning into me like a blade against my skin.

She had seen everything.

She had seen the way the Alpha let me go without punishment. She had seen how he didn't even raise his voice. And she hated it.

Good.

I kept walking, pretending not to notice her. But I knew Agatha. If she was angry, she wouldn't stay quiet for long.

And I was right.

I had barely reached the other side of the hallway when I heard her heels click against the stone floor-fast, angry steps.

Then, a hand grabbed my arm.

"What the hell was that?" Agatha hissed.

I yanked my arm free, tilting my head slightly. "What was what?"

Her face twisted in anger. "Don't play dumb, Autumn. I saw everything. Why are they suddenly going easy on you?"

There it was. The jealousy. The frustration. The burning need for an answer.

I smiled. Slowly.

"Maybe they finally see who the real problem is."

Agatha's expression darkened. "You little-"

Her hand shot up, fast and sharp, aiming for my face.

But I was done. Done being the one who took the hits.

I caught her wrist and, without hesitation, I slapped her.

Hard.

The sharp sound echoed through the hallway.

Agatha stumbled back, her eyes wide with shock.

I watched her, my fingers tingling, my breath steady. I had never fought back before. Not like this.

It felt good.

So, so good.

I remembered a different slap.

A different moment.

"You dare talk back to me?" A voice, cruel and sharp, had filled the cold room.

I had been on my knees, my cheek stinging from the force of the hit.

"She still thinks she's worth something." Another voice, amused this time. Laughter. "Should we remind her?"

They had. Again. And again. And again.

I had stayed down. I had always stayed down.

But not anymore.

Now, looking at the shock on her face brings me so much joy.

Agatha's shock melted into rage.

She opened her mouth, probably to scream, probably to tell everyone that I was the monster now.

But I didn't let her.

I slapped her again. And then once more, harder this time.

I wanted everyone to see.

Her gasp filled the hallway, her body shaking with fury and humiliation.

I waited.

Waited for someone to shout at me.

Waited for someone to grab me, throw me to the floor like before.

Waited for the punishment.

Then, I heard footsteps.

I turned my head slightly.

And there they were.

The three Alphas.

Watching.

Their faces were unreadable, their gazes heavy.

Agatha turned to them, her expression full of fake innocence. She expected them to scold me. To punish me.

Just like they always did.

But they didn't.

Adonis sighed, rubbing his temple like he was exhausted. "Autumn, go back to your room."

I blinked. "What?"

He crossed his arms. "Now."

"Wait a minute. This timing is completely wrong, don't you think?" I fired, unable to take the shock.

"Exactly!" Agatha was supporting me this time because it wasn't supposed to be like that.

Knox shook his head, "Barbie, you should just be obedient and go to your room."

What the hell is going on with them and why are they being so weird?

I grabbed Agatha by her hair, "I'm treating her like this and you don't want to stand up for her?

Agatha winced in pain, "Help me! She's pulling out my hair!"

Yes! Cry more! This way, I can get them angry and I'll be able to leave this place as soon as I want.

I kept smiling at them evilly and waiting for them to give me the instruction that I would be sent away but something seems wrong. This is not right at all!

Things are not supposed to be like this and I don't know why they are not reacting!

"Let her go Autumn!" Dante scolded me and that made me so happy.

"I'm not going to let her go and I'm not going to my room! If you are so mad at me, then banish me from this pack!" I suggested stubbornly.

Agata looked at me on able to speak. I guess she didn't expect that what she has been using to threaten me for a very long time is now what I desired the most.

"You should think twice because that is never going to happen." Dante said, pulling Agatha from me.

"WHAT?" Agatha and I exclaimed.

Finally, we agree on something and things are not going the way we want? Should I just ask for a collaboration from her so that this can work out?

"Go to your home Autumn, we are not going to argue with you. We will talk about this later." He finally said softly.

I stared at them, confused.

Where was the anger? The threats? The punishment?

I had given them the perfect excuse to remind me of my place. I had hit Agatha. They always defended her. Always.

But now... they just wanted me to leave?

Agatha looked just as confused as I felt.

Something was wrong.

Something had changed.

And I had no idea why.