Chapter 005

Valerie’s POV

A few minutes passed. Alpha Xavier didn’t respond. He simply stared at me, his expression blank and unreadable. Then a soft chuckle escaped his lips as he shook his head in disapproval.

“I can’t,” he said quietly. “You know what Alpha Sebastian is capable of if he finds out you eloped. I don’t want this to start a war at least not because of a woman.”

My lips trembled as I bit down hard, fighting the tears burning my eyes. My vision blurred anyway as the tears gathered.

“Please,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “I don’t want to die here. Please help me. I promise I won’t be a burden to you.”

All I could do was hope, pray that he would save me from this hell. He fell silent, deep in thought. For a moment, confusion flickered in his eyes. I could tell he was torn considering it.

“I’ll help you,” he finally said. “But you must keep your promise.”

Relief crashed over me like a wave. A weak smile touched my lips as the tears I’d fought so hard to hold back spilled freely. Alpha Xavier stepped closer and gently wiped them away.

“You don’t need to cry, Valerie.” He paused, then grabbed my hand firmly. 

“Come. We need to leave now.”I jumped out of the bed, but dizziness hit me instantly. My knees nearly gave out, and I had to grip the bed for support. After catching my breath, I followed closely behind him.

As we slipped out of the clinic, I realized none of the guards were around. Slowly, cautiously, we moved down the hallway, our gazes shifting left and right. Alpha Xavier held my hand tightly, and for the first time in a long while, I felt safe.

We finally reached his chambers. He glanced around one last time to make sure no one was watching before shutting the door. I watched him scan the room, but before he could speak, a knock echoed through the air, My hands began to tremble.

Alpha Xavier pointed to a wooden box, signaling me to hide. Without hesitation, I climbed inside, carefully closing the lid. My heart pounded as darkness swallowed me.

Then I heard his voice, Cold. Familiar, Alpha Sebastian.

“Who were you talking to?” he asked, scanning the room,Alpha Xavier said nothing.

“As much as we’re in your pack mansion,” Alpha Xavier replied calmly, “you should learn to knock before entering. It would save you from unnecessary embarrassment, Sebastian.”The tension between them was suffocating. I pressed my hand over my mouth, terrified he would hear my breathing. I prayed silently that he wouldn’t find me.

I didn’t know how long I stayed in that box, but suddenly, I heard the door slam shut.

I let out a shaky breath of relief and reached to open the lid only to hear footsteps. Two guards entered the room. Panic surged through me as the lid was shut again.

Cold sweat covered my skin. The box was tight and uncomfortable. My legs were numb, my body aching. But if this pain was the price of freedom, I was willing to pay it.

“Be careful,” Alpha Xavier muttered. “I don’t want to ruin the gift I brought for my mother.”The guards lifted the box, struggling under its weight. I could hear their heavy breathing as they carried me away.

Suddenly, the box was dropped.

A sharp pain shot through my back, stealing my breath. I wanted to scream—but I didn’t. I bit my lip hard, tasting blood. Freedom demanded silence. Freedom demanded pain.

Just as the box was about to be loaded into a carriage, someone called out to Alpha Xavier,My heart stopped.

“My lord,” a guard said, “I’ve been ordered to search every item leaving this pack.”

Tears streamed down my face. I knew this was the end.

“Are you accusing me of theft?” Alpha Xavier growled. “Or suggesting I would steal from my own pack?”

The guard froze, then quickly bowed. “Forgive me, Alpha.”

He apologized and walked away.

I stayed still in the darkness, my body shaking, but for the first time, hope flickered inside me.

Soon after, I felt the wooden box being lifted into the carriage. The horses neighed, and the wheels creaked as we began to move. Only then did I release the breath I had been holding.

I didn’t know how long I stayed inside that dark box, minutes, hours, maybe even days. Time had lost all meaning. Suddenly, the carriage came to a halt. The lid of the box opened, and I felt a hand gently stroke my cheek.

I jolted awake as pain shot through my back.“You’re safe now.”

His words shattered me. Tears filled my eyes as I slowly climbed out of the box. Every joint in my body screamed in pain, my legs weak and trembling, but I forced myself to ignore it. As I stepped out of the carriage and lifted my gaze to the open sky, my strength failed me.

My knees gave out,I stared at the sun, its warmth washing over my face, and I broke down completely. This was the freedom I had dreamed of. The freedom I had prayed for. At last, it was mine freedom from chains, from pain, from slavery.

Tears streamed endlessly down my face as I bent down, picked up a handful of sand, and closed my eyes. I inhaled deeply, as if trying to breathe freedom into my soul.

“Freedom… at last,” I whispered, my voice weak but full of truth.

I had escaped the grip of Alpha Sebastian, Helen, and even my own parents. Now, I would begin again with a clean slate. I would write my own fate,and one day, I would take my revenge on those who broke me.