Run, Valtira, Run..

Valtira

“Where are you taking me to?” I struggled against the soldiers’ iron grip as their fingers dug painfully into my arms.

They did not answer. And I felt the coldness in their silence even more than their touch as they yanked me forward through endless dark hallways. Duskborne Palace must be filled with them. I’ve lost count of how many hallways we’ve gone past by now.

I thrashed again, trying to break free, but their hold was unyielding.

Time dragged as we moved, and each step felt heavier than the last. After what must have been about forty minutes, we finally stopped before a massive door.

One soldier dug into his pocket, pulled out a key, and then unlocked it. The door swung open with a bang, and instantly, a wave of rich fragrance filled my nostrils. It wrapped around me like invisible hands, and smelled intoxicating, like honey laced with smoke.

I hated to admit it, but it drew me in and made my head spin.

The chamber was lavish and the golden furniture gleamed under soft light. This was nothing like our pack. Alpha Zarek is indeed wealthier, grander, and more powerful than my father could ever dream of being.

“Wait here till the Alpha comes!”

They shoved me inside, and the door slammed shut behind me. I stumbled, then rushed to it. My heart, pounding like crazy as I hit the door with both my fists.

“Let me out!” I cried.

Silence answered me. Silence and the fast echoes of my own ragged breathing.

When he asked them to lock me up, I had expected the dirtiest of dungeons, like the one back at home where I had spent many nights and days in. And it definitely didn't look as beautiful as this.

Defeated, I sank onto the edge of the bed. My weight dipped into the mattress, and the pressure of it crushed something inside me. I buried my face in my hands and the tears spilled over, hot and relentless. My sobs made my shoulders bend over shaking furiously.

I’d been holding it all in and now it simply devoured me.

I am nothing now but a slave. I may have clung to my dreams as long as I wanted to but there it was. The truth.

My father had sold me like garbage. His own daughter. His fucking flesh and blood!

All I ever wanted was to be loved by my family and fulfil my dreams.

But now, it is all gone.

Now, I’m chained to a cruel Alpha who wanted nothing more than to force me into bearing his child. Children I wasn't even ready to have.

I crawled onto the bed and curled into myself. My soul felt crushed, my chest turned hollow as the tears continued to wet the sheets.

All the time I’d spent in the field training till I bled suddenly felt like ages ago. Like a dream I had only imagined.

It felt as if my life didn't matter anymore. As if I was born only to be thrown away.

I choked on a sob, holding it back as fury tainted my vision.

Wait till the alpha comes? And do what? Have his way with me?

My brain scrambled as I sprang upright. No. I cannot allow that. Never!

There’s only one way out. I have to escape.

I have to run from this pack. I cannot stay here another minute!

My resolution spun into a quick resolve as I dug my fingers into a fistful of the bed sheet.

And when I do escape, I will make sure my father pays. He’ll pay this Alpha dearly for selling me off. I hope he accuses him of selling me only to take me back. That way he would be pushed to his limits.

Perhaps he can trade Martina instead. The wicked thought filtered through my mind and I bolted to my feet.

Looking around the room, I scanned through my options.

The door must be heavily guarded. I could never break through.

“The window!” Xia's voice leaped through my desperation, sharply.

I spun around quickly, my face lighting up as I noticed the window. Way to go Xia.

I raced toward it, and an instant bolt of relief rushed through me when I saw that it was not a tower drop. For the first time in days, my heart pounded with renewed hope.

This is my chance.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Xia’s voice whispered again, a little restless in my head.

I froze. My mind blanked as I wondered if she sensed something below the building. “Why?”

“Because it’s dangerous.” She purred. “You don’t know what that Alpha is capable of. He’s far more dangerous than he appears”

I scoffed loudly. Then gripped the edge of the window till my knuckles turned white.

“Then it's a good thing we shouldn't fucking care, Xia. Not if he is ready to turn us into baby-pumping machines. Besides, if we don’t jump, we’ll never be free. We’ll remain slaves to Zarek.”

A cruel fate awaits me if I do not escape from here.

It’s either I take the leap, or I’m nothing.

I glanced down one last time. My heart hammered loud against my ribcage. Then I climbed onto the ledge and threw myself out.

The landing was hard and so fucking brutal.

Pain shot through my ankle, sharper than I’d calculated it would. The drop was higher than it looked, but I didn't bother to pause or think as I pushed past the pain and started to run.

The cold night air raced along with me, hitting me hard as I kept running. I darted along the walls, disoriented.

I turned around a corner and nearly crashed into a group of soldiers. My heart lurched into my throat. I pressed flat against the wall and held my breath.

Moon Goddess… please. Don’t let them catch my scent.

Minutes crawled by like hours but luckily, they did not notice me. My chest ached until I finally slipped past them. Then relief struck when I spotted the gate in the distance.

But then, I caught sight of the two guards posted firmly in front and my heart sank like stone.

How will I ever get past them?

Desperation clawed at me, until movement caught my eyes. A small group of soldiers approached on horseback and the guards moved to unlatch the gate and let them through.

I darted forward, slipping into the narrow gap between them and hid in the shuffle of hooves and bodies.

My pulse screamed in my ears for my unusual bravery. I held still until we were far away from the gate, then I carefully dropped and started to walk fast. I didn't even know where I was going, only that my feet must keep moving. The forest blurred, and my lungs burned from all the running.

At last, after what felt like forever, a flicker of light greeted me. I stumbled into a clearing, where a small village lay. Children laughed as they raced past, chasing each other through the dirt paths. Their joy echoed into the night.

For the first time in years, I smiled.

Their lives were peaceful and simple. It's the kind of life I had always wanted, and why I strived so much for leadership. To bring peace to my people.

Jealousy pricked at me, but more than that, longing.

I was so caught in the moment that I didn't notice the woman until she was standing right in front of me.

Her big brown eyes were kind and her voice sounded soft and warm when she spoke.

“Dear, are you all right?”

“I… I—” The words faltered. My body betrayed me as my knees suddenly buckled and my vision blurred.

I swayed, unable to fight the darkness rushing in.

The world tilted as I collapsed.

~

I blinked slowly, my vision was still hazy. My head felt heavy, but slowly I managed to push myself upright and glanced around the unfamiliar room.

The walls were wooden. There was a faint smell of herbs, and a blanket draped over me.

“Where… where am I?” I whispered, barely recognizing my voice.

“You were saved by me.” A voice answered.

My gaze sharpened through the blur, and I saw her. The same woman who had approached me in the village before everything went dark. She stepped closer, her eyes locking onto mine with unsettling intensity.

“Girl,” she started, her tone filled with suspicion. “You look new. You don’t belong to this pack.” She lowered her voice, leaning in as though the shadows themselves might be listening. “Tell me, you’re not from the royals, are you?”

The way she spat the word royals made her face twist with sudden disgust.

My heart skipped. “What… what do you mean?” I asked carefully.

Her gaze hardened on mine. “I hope you are not connected to Alpha Zarek.”