CHAPTER ONE

'I have to get out of this pack now,' Chanda panicked as she closed the door to Velkan’s Study. Creeping silently downstairs, she searched for guards, as they were always patrolling the hallway. Yes, Velkan always made sure his wing of the pack house was heavily guarded, even from his beta, Aiden. Probably making sure nobody would discover his plans.

Aiden, she thought, she needed to tell him what she had seen, but she also needed to get out now.

This was her only chance.

“Chanda.” A voice called her name and she jumped in fear.

“Ohh, pray the gods, you scared me, Mariam.” She scolded the little servant who stood, staring at her.

“Why are you peeping? are you looking for someone?” Mariam asked.

“No, I am not. Return to your work station.” She scolded her.

“Yes, ma.” Mariam replied and walked away. Chanda didn’t like yelling, especially at the young servants, but she didn’t need any distractions now. She was pretty sure Velkan had seen her and she needed to get out.

Ever since Velkan had chased her from the Luna’s Chamber to the Servant Quarters, Chanda had learnt every secret passage in the mansion. She just needed to get to the kitchen, there was a back door that led to the back gate and was free from guards, from there she was good as gone.

Once she got to the Montana pack, she would show them the papers she had stolen from the study, and tell them what Velkan was planning, then they will take her back with open arms, calling her a hero. Maybe then, Mia will forgive her and even thank her for saving her from the Horrible Lycan King, Velkan Goda.

Chanda got to the kitchen but the main cook, Boris was there. “There is my favorite Omega turned Luna turned Omega again.” He winked at her.

Everybody just seemed to be everywhere today, she thought, I can’t let him know I’m trying to escape.

“That’s me.” Chanda forced a smile. “Boris, what are you making?”

“Your favorite actually, Bread.” He said laughing.  Chanda smiled easily now. Boris was the only other male wolf she was comfortable with, aside for Aiden, since she was forced to marry that monster, Velkan.

She was sad to leave him but this had to happen.

“Boris, I forgot to tell you, Lupe was looking for you.”

“What does that old witch want now?” He scowled.

“Better go find out now, before you get us both in trouble.” Chanda pushed him to the door. “Don’t worry,” she said when Boris looked back at the bread in the oven. “I would watch it for you. I promise.” She locked the door behind him.

It was now or never.

She opened the secret door and ran for her life. She kept falling, mostly from not eating much, but she was determined. She was almost at the mansion’s fence, when someone flashed a light on her face.

“Chanda. Is that you?”

No, she couldn’t be stopped now.  Not when she was almost free. If she was taken back, Velkan would definitely kill her now. She said a quick prayer to the Moon Goddess and jumped on the wall.

“Chanda.” The voice came closer. “it’s me, Aiden. Stop, you are going to hurt yourself.” He ran to her and carried her down. “Pray to the gods, you are light.”

“Aiden, Oh, Aiden. Bless the Moon Goddess. It’s you.” She held unto him while he stroked her back.

“Now, tell me why you wanted to jump over the wall.” Aiden asked.

She suddenly remembered what she was doing. “Aiden, we have to go now. Right now. We can’t waste no time.” She tugged on his shirt.

“Did Velkan scare you again? I told you he is just bark.” Aiden teased her.

“No, you don’t understand. He has plans. Evil plans.” She said while looking around, scared and shaking.

“Chanda, listen to me. Calm down.” Aiden stroked his hands down her arm. “Just breathe and talk slowly.”

“He wants to destroy everything. He is evil, Aiden. Evil." Chanda said slowly, trying to make him understand, they weren't safe.

“What are you talking about?”

“It's the truth." She brought the files and showed him. "It's all in there. I took this from his office."

“I knew something was missing.” Aiden murmured and got up, walking away from her.

“Aiden, are you listening? We have to go.”

“I knew I saw someone go into the study. You know, Chanda.” He turned to her now. “I have always told you, warned you in fact to keep your head down and don’t go looking for trouble. But you never listen.”

“Aiden?” Chanda was confused.

He folded the file in to his jacket and smiled at her. “Chanda, dear. The world isn’t as beautiful as you want it to be. One would think by now, you would have learnt to not trust anybody.”

“Aiden, what are you saying?” She was getting scared. “We have to go, Aiden.”

“By the gods, you are so stupid. It’s you who has to go.” He screamed at her. “I thought you were going to be of use to me later, that’s why I begged Velkan to not kill you earlier, … but I guess not. It’s a shame that I would have to do it now by myself, because I can’t have you running off, and exposing our plan now, can I?”

Chanda started to cry. No, not Aiden, she had trusted him.

“For old times’ sake, I am going to give you a head start.” His fangs showed when he smiled now. “A little chance for you to think you might escape. He whispered, “RUN.”

Chanda was frozen, her body so shocked she couldn’t move.

“Ohh, guess you don’t want that chance. Hmm, not surprised though. You were always weak.” Aiden started to transform to his wolf.

As if she just realized what was happening, Chanda ran.

 Aiden chased her, howling.

She ran for the kitchen door but before she could make it, Aiden caught up with her. He dragged her with his teeth to a cliff at the other side of the house, not stopping until he got to the edge.  He pinned her to the ground and changed back to his human form.

“I was going to tear you to pieces, but they will know a wolf killed you. So, this way is better, everyone would think you killed yourself. Velkan would be so happy.”

“Help, anybody help.” She screamed. Aiden smacked her on the face.

“Stop it. No one can hear you.”

Chanda looked at him now, tears filling her eyes. “Aiden, please don’t. Please don’t kill me. Please.” She cried.

“I have to or Velkan would be so mad I let you go. You understand right?” He smiled. Chanda had always loved his smile, but now it was the scariest thing to her ever.

"I remember the first time I saw you, Velkan had made you cry. You look so beautiful when you cry.” His eyes were cold. “That’s the image I will remember you by. My beautiful crying Omega.”

He kissed her on the lips and threw her off the cliff.