Chapter 7

AVA

I watched Cane walk away, feeling a pang of sadness in my chest. Despite his rough exterior, I had seen a glimmer of kindness in his eyes, and a part of me had hoped that he might be different.

But I knew better than to trust anyone too quickly. I had always wanted to feel a connection with my mate, to feel loved and cherished.

But I would never settle for being second best, for being someone's mistress or plaything.

As I turned to leave, I heard the voices of the guards who had been chasing me from my pack. My heart sank, and I felt a surge of fear.

I had almost forgotten that I was in trouble, that Liz had ordered my capture and return. I knew I couldn't go back there, not now, not ever.

I quickly scanned my surroundings, looking for a way to escape. The village was bustling with activity, and I knew I could easily get lost in the crowd.

But I also knew that the guards would be relentless, that they would stop at nothing to capture me.

I spotted a small alleyway between two buildings and made a split-second decision to dart into it. My heart was racing as I ran, my senses on high alert.

I could hear the guards shouting and chasing after me, their footsteps pounding the ground.

I ran as fast as I could, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I didn't dare look back, fearing what I might see. I knew I had to keep moving, to find a safe place to hide.

As I ran, I stumbled upon a small door hidden behind a stack of crates. It was slightly ajar, and I pushed it open, slipping inside just as the guards rounded the corner.

I held my breath, listening as they searched for me, their voices growing fainter with each passing moment.

I let out a sigh of relief as I realized I was safe, for the moment. But I knew it wouldn't last. The guards would keep searching, and I needed to find a way to protect myself.

I looked around, taking in my surroundings. I was in a small storage room, dimly lit and musty. But it was quiet, and for now, it was safe.

I leaned against the wall, trying to catch my breath. What was I going to do? I couldn't stay here forever, but I had nowhere else to go.

And then, I heard a faint noise coming from the corner of the room. It sounded like footsteps, light and stealthy. My heart skipped a beat as I wondered who - or what - was making the noise.

I tried to run, but it was too late. A guard had already seen me, and they quickly caught up with me, grabbing me with rough hands.

I struggled and kicked, but it was no use. They were too strong, and I was dragged back to the pack, my heart heavy with fear.

As we approached the pack's territory, I could feel the anger and hostility emanating from the others. I knew I was in for a rough time.

Liz, was waiting for me, her eyes blazing with fury.

"So, you thought you could escape," she sneered, her voice dripping with venom. "You thought you could leave us and live your own life. But you're ours, Ava. And you'll pay for your disobedience."

The pack began to gather around, their faces twisted with anger and resentment. Some of them threw things at me, rocks and sticks, while others hurled insults and cruel words.

I felt my wolf stirring, angry and protective, but I tried to keep it contained.

"You're a traitor," one of them shouted. "You're a shame to our pack."

"You're nothing but a worthless rogue," another one spat.

I stood tall, trying to face their anger with dignity, but it was hard. The words cut deep, and I could feel my wolf's anger growing. I knew I had to be careful, or I might lose control and shift.

Liz stepped forward, her eyes glinting with malice. "You're going to pay for what you did, Ava. You're going to pay dearly."

I knew I was in for a world of hurt, and I steeled myself for what was to come. But I refused to back down, refused to show them my fear.

The pack's anger and hostility continued to build, and I knew I had to find a way to calm the situation before it escalated further but before I could think of anything, I was dragged to the pack's council of elders meeting, my heart heavy with worry.

As I entered the circle of elders, I saw the piercing gaze of my stepmother. Their eyes were cold and calculating, filled with a triumphant gleam that made my stomach turn.

My father, the beta, stepped out from among the crowd, his face twisted in a snarl. His eyes blazed with hatred, and I felt sadness and betrayal.

He raised his hand, and I flinched, expecting the blow. It came swiftly, a stinging slap that sent my head spinning.

"You're a disgrace," he spat, his voice venomous. "You're a shame to my family, no… you are not even my family."

He hit me again and again, each blow landing with precision and force. I tried to defend myself, but I was dragged away from him, held firmly by the guards.

The elders began to deliberate, their voices murmuring in the background. I knew I wasn't getting a fair trial.

They had already made up their minds, and I was just a pawn in their game.

Finally, the lead elder spoke, his voice booming across the gathering. "Ava, you are hereby sentenced to jail for assaulting and attempting to kill your sister. You are a danger to our pack, and you must be punished."

The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices chanting "Jail! Jail! Jail!"

Some even shouted that I deserved worse, that I should be banished or killed.

I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized the true extent of their hatred.

As I looked up, I saw my stepmother and sister smiling, their faces radiant with triumph.

Tears rolled down my eyes as I realized I was truly alone in the world. I had no one to turn to, no one to protect me. I was at the mercy of the pack, and they had sentenced me to a fate worse than death.

The guards dragged me away, throwing me into a dark, damp cell.

I lay on the cold floor, my heart heavy with despair. I knew I would never be free, that I would never be able to escape the pack's cruelty.

As the days passed, I lost count of time. The darkness was suffocating, and I felt myself losing hope.

I began to plot my escape.