Captured

Alima POV

I was tired of thinking. I was tired of hoping that everything would get back to normal–no. Nothing was ever going to get back to normal. And I've got just five hours left to decide whether or not I'll serve the Alpha King or rather still, leave the pack.

I was on my knees, scrubbing the cold floor of the pack house when I heard someone call my name. I looked up sluggishly to see Steph standing there, her eyes darting around nervously. Her blonde hair was tied back, and her lips were pressed into a thin line, like she was about to spill something big.

"Alima ," she whispered, squatting down to my level. “I need to tell you something.”

I paused, wiping my hands on my apron. “What is it?” I asked with the little strength in me.

She looked around again to make sure no one was listening. Her voice dropped lower as she said, “I overheard something... something important.”

"What do you mean?"

She hesitated for a moment before blurting out, “Are you the Alpha King’s mate?”

The question made my heart skip a beat. My eyes widened, but I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t. The truth was too heavy, too dangerous.

Steph didn’t wait for me to answer. “You don’t have to say anything. Your face tells me everything I need to know.”

“Steph…” My voice was barely a whisper. “How do you know?”

She leaned in closer. “I overheard Sonia—the Alpha King’s fiancée—talking to someone. They suspect you’re his mate.”

I gasped. “What?”

“She’s planning something, Alima ,” Steph continued, “You need to leave. Tonight.”

I shook my head quickly, fear spreading through my chest. “Leave? I can’t just leave, Steph. What if the Alpha finds out? What if he catches me?”

Steph grabbed my arm gently, with those brown eyes of hers pleading for me to listen to her. “I’ll help you. There’s a way out. My grandmother lives in the Moonlight Pack, two packs away from here. It’s far, but if you start now, you can get there by sunrise.”

Her words echoed in my head.

Escape!!Run.

Stephanie had been the only one who had my back here.

But how? The Alpha’s guards were everywhere, and Sonia would be watching me like a hawk. “Steph, I don’t even know where to go. How will I find your grandmother?”

She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper. “Here’s her address. Follow me. I found a pathway that will lead you out of the pack house without anyone noticing.”

I stared at her, unsure of what to do. “What if the Alpha finds out you helped me? What if Sonia—”

“Stop,” she cut me off, “Don’t worry about me. I’m good at hiding my sins.”

I swallowed hard, every part of me was already trembling. “Steph, this is dangerous. For both of us.”

She squeezed my arm. “It’s more dangerous if you stay. Sonia won’t stop until she gets rid of you. Please, Alima . Trust me.”

I bit my lip, glancing around the empty hallway. The idea of leaving the only home I’d known terrified me, but staying wasn’t safe either. The Alpha King’s presence alone had been overwhelming, and now this? I didn’t even understand why fate would make me his mate, but it didn’t matter. Not anymore.

“Okay,” I whispered, nodding my head. “I’ll go.”

Steph let out a relieved sigh and helped me to my feet. “Good. We don’t have much time. Grab whatever you need, but pack light.”

I nodded and rushed to the small storage room where I slept. There wasn’t much to take—just a worn-out cloak and a few coins I had saved. Even as my heart kept beating so fast, I tried to pack as much as I could. This was it. I was really going to leave.

When I returned, Steph was waiting for me by the back door. “Follow me,” she whispered.

We moved quickly, and she led me through a narrow passage I had never noticed before. It was dark and damp, but it was a way out.

At the edge of the pack’s territory, Steph stopped and turned to me. “This is as far as I can go. Just keep walking straight, and you’ll reach the Moon Night Pack. My grandmother will take care of you.”

I looked at her, tears welling in my eyes. “Thank you, Steph. For everything.”

She pulled me into a quick hug. “Go, Alima . Before the Alpha King comes back. And be careful.”

I nodded and stepped into the forest. The air was cold, and the path ahead was dark, but I didn’t think of looking back. I couldn’t. This was my only chance to escape, my only chance at freedom.

I started running, I prayed that fate wouldn’t betray me again.

I got to a point and started walking. The air was quiet, saving the sound of my footsteps crunching on the leaves and my heavy breathing. I tried to recall Steph's direction: "Keep walking straight. Don't stop"

But every thing about this forest screamed danger, and every sound made me jump. The cold wind was on my face, and somehow I was loving the coolness of it.

However, I thought I was safe until I heard the howls.

At first, I froze, my blood turning cold. The howls were close, too close. Then came the pounding of feet on the ground—several of them, running fast. I turned my head and saw them: Rogues. Four, maybe five, with their glowing eyes fixed on me.

Fear gripped me. I didn’t think; I just ran.

“Stop!” one of them shouted. "Stop right there!"

My heart pounded like a drum as I pushed my legs to keep running faster. Branches scratched my arms and face, the cold air burned my lungs, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop.

The Rogues were reaching me. I could hear their snarls and feel their footsteps shaking the ground behind me. One of them let out a terrifying growl.

I stumbled but caught myself, running harder. I didn’t know where I was going anymore. All I knew was that if they caught me, it was over.

“Come back here, girl!” one of them yelled.

I didn’t answer. Tears streamed down my face as I pushed through the trees, my legs screaming for rest. Then, I saw it: a hill. It was steep and rocky, but it was my only chance. I sprinted toward it, hoping to lose them.

Just as I reached the edge, I felt a hand graze my cloak, almost grabbing me. I screamed and jerked forward, my foot slipping on the loose rocks.

Time seemed to have slowed as I fell. The wind grazed my ears, and the world kept turning around me. I saw the stars above, the trees rushing past, and then—darkness.

I hit the ground hard, and everything went quiet.

I don’t know if I screamed. I don’t know if I survived. All I remember is the cold, the pain, and then... nothing.