Chapter 2

Scarlett’s POV

I was still pacing round the room when I had a weird idea. I am the look alike of my mom, her literal spitting image, and that was one of the only reasons I believe that she's my mother. I initially thought she was just a surrogate that was forced to adopt me. That thought still stands.

“Scarlett, think about this!” I said to myself, walking round the room, kicking whatever I could kick, and breaking whatever I could break. Being the calm daughter was putting me in a lot of trouble.

I immersed myself in a bowl of confidence, grabbed my shoes, and got dressed in my gym clothes, and I made my way to the living room. Matthew and Arya had already gone to bed, so it was easier for me.

At least, that was what I thought until her cold voice made me weak in the knees.

“Going somewhere?” She asked. I couldn't tell exactly where she was, but I couldn't even turn to look. My heart thumped fast, and I felt a terrible headache.

I sharply turned back, and our eyes met.

“Thought to go for a run since I can't sleep.” I responded flatly, trying to steady my heartbeat. She could always tell whenever I was lying.

She looked at me as if to break me, and I knew it was over for me when she folded her arms.

“Don't make noise, and don't wake Matthew.” She muttered, leaving like she was never there.

My breath shuddered as I released the tension I had held within me for the duration of the conversation.

My heart beat louder. I had one chance. If I got caught, I’d never see freedom again.

I tried to maintain my cool, walking rather than even tiptoeing to show confidence. Matthew's and Arya's voices kept screaming in my head.

There's no way in the seven heavens that I'll marry Timber North.

In the garage, I scanned the cars. Most were flashy and loud. Then my eyes landed on the black SUV Arya always used. Perfect. Tinted windows. Quiet engine. The keys were still in the small glass case on the wall. I didn’t waste time. I grabbed them and slid into the front seat.

I took a second to calm down as I thought about my next biggest problems again, the guards.

There were always two guards posted by the front gate, and they were trained to stop anyone without permission. But they had one weakness which is my mother. Everyone's weakness is the great Arya Kraven.

I rolled down the window and pulled my hood low, covering most of my face. From the shadows, and in her car, I looked just like her. My heart was pounding.

As I rolled toward the gate, one of the guards stepped forward. He squinted, looking unsure.

“Good evening, ma’am,” he said. “Going out so late?”

I nodded stiffly and forced my voice low so I'd not be caught. “Just a quick ride. Clear the air.” I turned away quickly like Arya always did when she didn’t want questions.

“Do you need an escort?”

“Have I ever needed one?” I gently snapped like she did.

He hesitated, then stepped back. “Understood, Lady Arya. Safe ride.”

The gate groaned open, and I drove through, trying not to floor the pedal just yet. Once I was out of sight, I hit the gas. The SUV roared to life, and I was flying down the gravel road, heading toward the highway. I had done it.

Or at least almost. I caught the red flash in my rearview mirror too late, a bike. One of the guards must’ve gotten suspicious. Maybe he saw something. Maybe he just didn’t trust how fast I left.

He was gaining fast on me. My hands gripped the wheel tighter. The road curved up ahead, and I took it without slowing. The tires screeched, and my heart was thumping pretty fast. The bike kept coming at me.

I glanced around and saw a side path, a muddy trail leading to the woods. Without thinking, I swerved into it. The SUV bounced hard, spraying mud everywhere. I heard the bike try to follow.

I kept going, dodging trees, praying the tires wouldn’t get stuck. A sharp bend came up. I turned fast, sending the SUV into a hard drift. Behind me, the bike wasn’t so lucky. I heard the crash. His bike had collapsed, and he released a loud groan.

I didn’t stop to look back. I kept driving, and I stopped when I had gotten close to the city. I ditched the car to keep them off my trail even if it was for a bit, to lead them elsewhere.

The quickest way to get back to the Academy right now was to run. I hurriedly shifted into my wolf, and I made the run for it. I hated the fact that I had to run. I hated that idea that I couldn't feel safe in my own house, with what's supposed to be my family.

I got back to the academy, and I slipped in through the side doors where the female wolves would sneak out to see their boyfriends at night.

Soon, I found myself in Michelle's room.

“Took you long enough.” Michelle rolled her eyes, holding up a towel. I shifted back to my wolf, and she covered my naked body with the towel.

“Escaping from that house was difficult, and I'm sure that they're searching for me right now.” I sighed, pacing round the room feeling scared. “Very soon, this place would be flooded with them.”

I was panting really hard, but Michelle made me sit. She kept patting my back until I was better.

“What's your plan, Michelle?” I panicked. “If it's not airtight, I'm marrying that old king.”

“I won't sit and watch you get deflowered by an old man.” Michelle rolled her eyes. “It has to be someone agile. Some tall random guy that'd take your breath away.”

“Can we just focus on getting me somewhere else rather than getting me disvirgined?” I asked, feeling a little irritated.

“Okay, so there's someone in Clawstone, his name is Seth, and he should have resumed, but he doesn't want to. His parents think he has, but he's off somewhere, having fun with a guy that I know nothing of.” Michelle said.

“Okay? What does that have to do with me?” I asked.

“The one place that no one would be willing to check for you, or even think you'd be at is where you'd be.” She said, and I perfectly understood what she was trying to talk about.

“So, you're saying that…”

“Are you ready to be a boy, Scarlett?”