Chapter 5 The runaway bride

Melody's POV

For the first time in my life, I was afraid of him. Not because he threatened me but because he desired me.

It wasn't the kind of desire that made you feel beautiful or cherished. This was more like possession. A hunger that has nothing to do with love but control.

I struggled and shoved at his chest. "Let me go, you coward!" I hissed, my heart pounding in my chest, I wanted to fight but I was so weak, Sirena has been silent after last night, almost distant as if she didn't exist.

The more I struggled, the tighter his grip.

He pressed his lips against mine stopped me from screaming, even if I screamed, no one can save me from him- He held my hands with one of his hands and the other hand slid down, grabbing my ass and pressing it against his groin-rough, possessive, like I was already his. I could feel the big bulge down there, struggling to break free.

"Anthony-please stop-!" I muttered as he licked my lips making me wet down there.

But the more, I begged the more he wanted me. And I was melting like butter, I doubt if I could resist him if he goes further.

My nipples were so hard pressing against his chest and he left my ass and grabbed my breast, rubbing my hard nipples through the clothes.

I didn't know when I let out a moan "Anthony Don't!! Stop!!

Like one possessed, breathing heavily, he pulled at my clothes, trying to rip it.

And then-

BANG.

The door to the hallway flew open.

A guard stepped in, startled. His eyes widened as he took in the scene.

"S-sorry, sir," he stammered, quickly lowering his gaze.

Anthony loosened his grip. Then his voice thundered through the hallway.

"GET OUT!"

The guard stumbled out. The door slammed behind him.

That second of distraction was all I needed.

His grip loosened-just enough.

I pushed him back and ran down the corridor, breathing fast. I Passed the wide living room, past the confused guards, toward the only thing that mattered in that moment:

The gate.

But it was locked.

Of course. Of course it was locked.

I turned around, my chest heaving-

And he was there right behind me. Walking towards me like he wants to complete what he started.

But this time, he looked calm. Too calm.

He raised his hand without a word.

"Open the gate," he commanded.

The guards exchanged glances, but obeyed.

Then he stepped closer, dropped his voice low enough that it crawled under my skin.

"Get yourself ready. My maids and some guards will come tomorrow evening to take you to the bridal chambers in preparation for our wedding the day after. As it should be- three days after the wine tasting for the alpha while seven days after for every other member of the pack."

I walked out in silence. My legs were numb and my mouth dry. My body trembling. I passed the council hall, past the main entrance gate of the pack house. I didn't stop until I reached the playground outside the estate wall. I collapsed on one of the wooden chairs and stared into the empty field, struggling to catch my breath.

The breeze blew over me, but even the cold air couldn't erase his touch from my skin.

What just happened in there?

That must be hate disguised as passion.

"And why I'm I even wet for him" I scolded myself.

"Get a grip on yourself Mel, he only sees you as a thing" I advised myself as hot tears down my cheek.

---

After what felt like an hour, I wiped my tears. I couldn't continue wallowing in self-pity; it wasn't going to change a thing, I needed to go home and figure out something.

But I couldn't go home, not after everything that had happened.

I didn't want to go home.

I hate that I'm fighting with grandpa.

It hurts seeing him this mad at me.

I only wished he would understand me and see beyond Anthony's mask.

The only person who understands me now is Linda.

I walked to her gate- for the second time today. This time, it was open. I slipped inside quietly.

She was in the yard, pulling her clothes from the line. When she saw me, she quickly dropped the clothes on the sofa inside their living room and ran out to meet me.

"Mel?" she rushed to me. "Melody, you look pale-what did he say to you? Did he hurt you?"

She touched my arms, gently, searching for bruises. Then she got mad as she saw the cut on my lips where Anthony bite me while kissing me roughly but I felt too embarrassed to share it with anyone.

I shook my head. "I just want to sleep." I whispered, barely audible.

From behind us, her younger brother Dave-more like my little brother-poked his head out the door. grinning. "Well, well, well. Her Majesty, our Luna, graces us with her presence."

"Not now Dave-get inside," Linda shouted at him.

His smile faded. He hadn't meant any harm. But I wasn't in the mood for jokes. My life was too serious for jokes

Linda led me to her room. I curled up on the bed, burying myself in the scent of the clean sheets.

Linda came in with warm soup, but I couldn't eat.

"I just want to be alone, Lin."

She nodded, brushing my hair away from my face.

"It's alright, Mel. Just rest. I'll be outside. We will talk when you are ready."

---

Later That Evening

I must have dozed off, because when I woke up, it was already dark. The room was quiet except for the soft sound of my crying.

Linda sat beside me.

"I guess it didn't go well with Anthony?" she asked gently.

I shook my head. "I don't know what to do anymore, Lin."

She held my hand.

"What about Grandpa?" she whispered. "What's he saying?"

"He believes Anthony," I choked. "He wants me to marry him. He thinks... he's the best for me."

Linda's jaw tightened. Then she looked at me with that fierce, protective look she always had when someone tried to hurt me.

"Then you have to leave, Mel. Before Anthony cages you forever. You have to go before tomorrow morning. Or before sunrise."

"But... Grandpa-who'll take care of him?"

She didn't hesitate.

"I will. I swear to you, I'll make sure he lacks nothing. I'll look after him. He is also my grandfather, he brought up my father after his brother my grandfather died. He will be fine, Trust me."

And I did. I always had.

Before I left, she wrapped me in the tightest hug.

She whispered "I'll always be here for you. Whether you reject Anthony... or run. I'll be here."

I didn't say a word as I left.

But by the time I stood at the tall brown gate of my own house, I already knew-

I wasn't staying.

---

Melody's POV - Just Before Sunrise

The house has been unusually quiet these days, grandpa was already in his room..

I avoided grandpa, I just couldn't face him.

I entered my room quietly

Sat at the edge of my bed and glanced through my room, I'm already missing my room, my home. This is not how I planned to leave home but I just have to go. If I stay and get hurt grandpa won't be able to survive it.

I stared at everything.

My bed. My desk. My memories.

I was already homesick-and I hadn't even left.

I grabbed my old school bag on top of my wardrobe and started stuffing it quickly but quietly

A few clothes and slippers..

My mother's locket

The photo of Mom and Dad

Then a picture of Grandpa and me

All my savings..

I switched off my phone, put it inside my bag and zipped it.

It was already 4:05 am.

I picked my bag and tiptoed into Grandpa's room.

He was sleeping, soft snores rising from his chest.

I bent down, pressed a kiss on his forehead.

"I love you, Papa," I whispered. "But I'm sorry I had to leave this way, I dropped the note I wrote under his diary on his reading table."

As I stood outside the gate, I took one last glance at our house, my home - then I was gone.

---

I passed through the orange plantation, passed the school fence then got to the seaside.

The docks was ghostly. I guess the guards were still asleep.

Well I was right and lucky, two guards were asleep inside the control booth.

I held my breath and moved past them to a cargo ship -loaded with crates and barrels of wine, oil, salt and grain.

I climbed the rusted ladder, my limbs trembling.

I looked round the deck, desperately. Then spotted it: an empty oil drum in the corner. Wide, dark, and stinking of fuel. But it was a good cover.

I crawled in and pulled the lid partly shut.

Then I waited, minutes passed maybe an hour after.

The crew members started arriving one by one.

From below, I could hear the crew preparing for departure. Yells, metals clanging, engines growling to life.

The ship shuddered as the engine groaned louder.

Then we moved.

I peeked through the little crack in the drum..

The hills, trees. My home, grandpa. Linda and Dave. My whole life.

Vanishing as the ship moved.

A pain bloomed in my chest. Sharp and strange.

---

Hours Later - The Mainland

The ship jolted to a halt.

We had arrived.

The cargo ship groaned as it docked at the mainland seaport. My body was stiff and sore from hiding in an old oil drum. I had no idea how long I was in there-hours, maybe more.

But I still didn't move.

Not yet.

I could hear the sounds above: crates being lifted, ropes thrown, footsteps.

Still too loud. Still too dangerous.

I closed my eyes and waited.

Then I heard shoutings.

Angry voices. Men arguing.

> "Alpha Anthony's orders!"

"I don't care what the

manifest say"

"We have to search the ship NOW!"

"Check everything! A runaway girl-she must be caught and returned to the alpha!"

My heart nearly stopped.

Footsteps. Heavy ones. Getting closer.

I was seconds away from freedom.

And they were coming for me.