Chapter 2

~Anwen’s POV

I wanted to scream. I wanted to burst through the barn doors and demand to know how two people could be so cruel after everything I had sacrificed for them. But I pressed both hands over my mouth, forcing the scream back down my throat as Kael and Seraphina walked out.

The door creaked again as they both stepped back inside. My heart nearly stopped. I hurriedly closed my eyes and lay still, pretending to be asleep.

"Leave the food there," Kael said from the doorway. "When she wakes up, she should eat."

I heard Seraphina drop the plate onto the floor beside the wall. The sound made me flinch, but I forced myself not to move.

"She can eat or starve," he muttered. "It makes no difference to me."

"Just make sure she stays alive until we decide what to do with her."

Their footsteps faded, followed by the heavy creak of the barn door. I remained still. One minute passed, and then another. I listened carefully, straining to hear even the faintest sound outside. When I was finally certain they were gone, I opened my eyes and started crying.

I cried so hard that my chest hurt, but I dared not let the sound escape my lips. I buried my face in my hands, trembling beneath the thin blanket that barely protected me from the cold.

I had given them everything they asked of me. I had surrendered my body, my dignity, and the little hope I had left because I believed their promises. 

How foolish I had been.

A movement inside my stomach pulled my attention away from my misery.

My baby kicked, and I froze, then slowly lowered my hands to my belly. "Hey, little one," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I'm sorry."

Another kick answered me.

Seven months; I was seven months pregnant, and I had nothing to offer my child except a filthy barn, a starving body, and enemies who wanted us both buried.

I looked toward the door.

Would my baby ever see the sun? Would I ever hold my child in my arms without fearing someone would snatch them away? Would my baby ever know what it felt like to be loved?

I didn't have the answers. But I knew one thing: I couldn't die here, not like this, not before my child had a chance to live.

I wiped my face with the back of my hand and forced myself to sit up. My legs trembled as I pushed the blanket aside. The movement sent a sharp ache through my lower back, reminding me how heavy my stomach had become.

Then I saw the food. The plate sat beside the wall, its contents covered in dirt and looking as disgusting as every meal they had thrown at me since locking me away. A foul smell rose from it, and I stared at it, my stomach twisted.

With the little strength I had left, I grabbed the plate and hurled it against the wall. The food splattered across the dirty floor, and the sharp sound echoed through the barn.

"You're monsters!" I screamed, tears pouring down my face. "Both of you!"

The anger lasted only a moment, as a sudden, painful kick struck my belly. I gasped and staggered backward, clutching my stomach as pain shot through me. I sank to my knees, terrified that I had hurt my baby.

"No, no, please," I whispered, rocking slightly. I waited, barely breathing, and then another small movement brushed against my palm. When the pain eased, I slowly lifted my head. Then, I heard thunder roar outside, making me jump. I slowly went to the door and peeped through a small gap. The sky was dark, and strong winds blew through the trees. It looked like a heavy storm was about to hit. Then, heavy raindrops began striking the roof.

Perhaps, I mean, maybe this was the chance I needed to escape. The guards would be distracted by the weather. The darkness would hide me. If I could get past the barn and reach the forest, I might find a road, a village, or someone willing to help me.

It was a terrible plan. I was weak, heavily pregnant, and had no idea where I would go, but staying meant death.

I struggled to my feet and crossed the barn, examining the door. It was secured from the outside, just as it always had been. I searched the walls, desperate to find another way out, until my fingers brushed against a loose wooden plank near the back. I pulled at it, and it shifted.

My heart began to race. I worked at the plank until there was enough space for me to squeeze through. The splintered wood scraped my arms, and I had to bite my lip to keep from crying out. When I finally got out, cold rain struck my face, and for one precious moment, I stood beneath the open sky and breathed.

Freedom at last.

It was so close I could almost believe it. Then a voice rang out from somewhere beyond the barn.

"She is getting away!"

My blood turned to ice, and I hurried toward the trees, one hand gripping my stomach and the other holding my dress above the mud. The rain grew heavier, blurring the path ahead. Thunder rolled overhead as I stumbled through the darkness, struggling to keep my balance.

Behind me, someone shouted. "She's escaped!"

A bell rang through the pack grounds, and I ran faster.

My lungs burned, my legs ached, and every step sent pain through my back, but I couldn't stop.

Branches scratched my face as I pushed through the forest. The rain soaked my clothes, and mud sucked at my feet. More shouts rose behind me, followed by the pounding of boots.

I knew what would happen if they caught me. Then, I stumbled over a root and fell hard onto my hands and knees. I screamed out in pain, but I stood up again, fighting the dizziness threatening to overwhelm me. 

Then a familiar voice cut through the storm. "Anwen!"

It was Kael. I turned just long enough to see torches flickering between the trees. He was leading the pursuit himself. I forced my exhausted body forward, desperate to put more distance between us, but the forest began to thin. The ground became sloppy, and I didn't realize where I was until I broke through the last line of trees.

I was on a cliff.

The ocean raged beneath me, and the waves crashed against the rocks. I stepped back, but there was nowhere left to run.

Then, I heard footsteps behind me. Kael appeared with several guards, their weapons ready.

I fell to my knees. “Please, Your Majesty, don't kill me.” I raised my shaking hands, tears running down my face.

“I'll leave the pack and disappear forever. I'll never tell anyone what happened or tell my child who his father is.” I looked at him desperately, hoping he would believe me.

Kael stared at me without saying a word. For a moment, his expression softened, and I thought he might let me go.

Then Seraphina stepped forward, her eyes fixed on my swollen belly.

“Are you really going to let her live?” she asked angrily. She turned to Kael, waiting for his answer.

He remained silent.

“Give me the bow.” Seraphina reached for the weapon in his hand.

“Seraphina, don't,” Kael warned, but she snatched the bow from him.

“She and that child are a threat to our family. I won't let them destroy our future.” She pulled the arrow back and aimed it at me.

“No, please!” I covered my belly with both hands. “At least spare my baby!”

She only stared at me for a moment before releasing the arrow. I looked down and saw the arrow buried in my body. My foot slipped, and the ground crumbled beneath me. I reached out, trying to grab something, but there was nothing within reach.

I fell from the cliff, screaming as the wind rushed past me.

Please, Moon Goddess, save my baby.

Then everything went black.