Escape.

Rose’s POV

I gasped for air as I woke up, scrambling for something on the table.

I needed to get away. I needed…

I reached out for something I didn't know of, only to find warm silky fabric in my grasp.

What?

Finally, I breathed in slowly and deeply, trying to put my thoughts in check. The deep red silk duvet I realized I was under mocked me.

Once I was more clear minded, I looked around and one thing became evident.

I was in a room. One which wasn't mine.

Luxurious was too small a word to call the room. The lights shone bright, illuminating the lavish decor. The curtains framed the large windows, and I could easily tell that it was expensive.

Where was I?

That was when it all came back to me. Rael in my house. The car ride. The…

Tendrils of fear rose up in me as I recalled it clearly. The wolves, those gnashing beasts with metallic claws. Worse of this nightmare?

Rael was one of them.

The memory of seeing him transforming into a wolf came up again, and I couldn't have borne it. Even if I tried to convince myself that it wasn't real? The memory that was burned into my mind betrayed me otherwise.

I wished I had stayed passed out. At least, then I wouldn't have had to face all of this.

‘No.’ I whispered to myself .

I could leave. I would find my way out of this place and away from Rael.

What was he then? What sort of thing turned into that beast?

I couldn't remember what to call it, but only one name stood out.

Monster.

That was what he was. I couldn't trust him anymore than I could trust those other beasts. And child or not, I didn't want anything to do with him anymore.

That was why I needed to escape as soon as possible.

Sitting up straight, I slowly took a step down on the floor as quietly as I could. Carefully opening the room door, I took a peek outside, only to watch in awe.

Multitudes of people flitted around, wearing similarly blue clothes. It was as though they were servants. I gasped as from a distance, surrounding the large door I believed was the exit, a pair of guards stood. This wasn't a normal house. Even from the size of it, I knew it was a mansion.

I slowly stepped out in disbelief, looking around to make sure I wasn't seeing things.

It felt like a scene out of a movie, but I took a deep breath. I had to focus.

“Excuse me,” I called out nervously to the first person that passed. The young man wearing the same blue clothes stopped and bowed slightly to me.

“I'm sorry, but where am I?" I asked as politely as I could whilst not trying to go into shock.

He gave me a small smile in return.

“Master Rael brought you here. He said we should take care of you until he arrives.” He said.

Master Rael? It didn't take me long before I understood who he was talking about.

‘Who was he?’ I finally mustered the question in my head. I had been so taken with his appearance and the turmoil of my pregnancy that I had gone along with him without knowing anything of him. All I had was the feeling that I could trust him, especially after he had promised to take responsibility.

But after this night, everything had turned on its head and I was too afraid to bear it.

“Where is Rael?” I asked the man.

He bowed slightly again before speaking.

“Master is currently still out of the house. I am not sure when he will be back.” His tone sounded almost apologetic.

I kept my face straight throughout, not letting anything show. But deep inside, those words brought tendrils of something to me.

Joy. Hope.

Rael wasn't in the mansion, which meant that I could escape.

I nodded towards him.

“Thank you,” I said, watching as he did the same in return before leaving. The moment I was left alone, the plan began to form in my mind.

I had made a multitude of bad choices before, the most impactful being the moment I slept with him, but this time I had to take a stand for myself. I wasn't going to stay with a beast. I wanted nothing to do with a monster like that.

But there were so many people all around - likely his servants. If they saw me acting strange or outright trying to escape, they could report to him before I could do anything.

I had to play my cards right and act carefully during this crucial time. If I could somehow fool them.

My heart thumped hard and fast in my chest as I moved slowly down the stairs, approaching the large door I was sure was the exit.

When the guards stopped me, I did my best to not let my nerves show, instead offering a sweet smile that didn't match my panic.

“May I explore the house?” I asked with a tilt of my head, trying to exude innocence so they wouldn't know anything was up.

I watched as the men hesitated, looking at each other in silent communication I couldn't comprehend before looking back at me.

“You may do as you wish until Master Rael comes back. But be careful to not go too far in the woods.” One of them finally said, opening the door.

‘We'll see about that.’ I thought to myself, maintaining my smile as he passed me none-wiser about what I wanted to do.

As they closed the doors behind me, I was met with nothing but darkness illuminated by the full moon to show a beautiful garden. There were no noises around, and no people in sight.

This was my chance!

Immediately, I took my belongings out from where I dropped them down the window beforehand, and began racing forward into the darkness.

I was free!

Within the woods, I searched for the roads.

Once I got through the woods, surely I would see a car.

The deeper I went however, the more the trees shielded the sky until darkness was all I could see.

I pushed forward through the dark, my phone’s being the sole light leading me. The woods seemed endless

As I walked, a sharp crack made me pause.

No. It was likely some wind. I tried to assure myself, despite the panic rising.

I moved faster until from far too close, I heard it.

A growl.

Fear crawled up my throat immediately, making me stop in my tracks.

Out of the shadows came a wolf. No, not just one, I realized as another growl came from beside me. I pointed my torch to see the second wolf emerge. They were two.

Their metal claws glinted dangerously in the light, making my breath hitch. How on earth was I going to escape?.

My breaths went faster, heart racing in panic. I took a step back, and another.

I searched for every possible avenue. Surely there was a way I could escape.

But the more I searched, the slimmer my hopes got. I couldn't outrun them, not even if I ran fast enough. I had strayed so far away from the mansion that I could no longer see it. I couldn't even trace my way back in the light.

I was doomed. A lamb who had brought herself to slaughter, helpless to be saved.

I only managed to scream out before they pounced.

“Somebody help me!”