5. Her Escape

By the sixth day, I had learned how to use silence as a weapon. I stopped arguing with Nolan or Vespera. Stopped my snapbacks.

It was hard, but the trick was to bite my tongue or inner cheek so hard that it bled; the physical pain would numb the emotional ones, and that would stop me from speaking back.

Each time Nolan visited, which he's been doing frequently. I no longer met his eyes, always lowered my gaze in faux respect. I abused the show of grief, let them pity me.

It didn't take long for him to notice that I had given up. He came in the evening, checking on me the way one checks on a possession after a storm. I was seated by the window, hands folded in my lap, staring at nothing.

“You haven't eaten much," he said.

“I'm not hungry," I replied softly. He studied me, wary, and I felt it. I almost even laughed at how comical it was. Then I turned, slow and careful, and let my eyes fill with so much regret, but not enough to seem hysterical.

“I'm just thinking,” I said. "I shouldn't have been bad to you and spoken the way I did.” The words tasted like ash on my tongue, but they delivered what I was expecting. Nolan exhaled slightly, his shoulders easing.

He crossed the room, close enough that I could smell him. He always liked being near when he thought he'd won.

“You're finally seeing the reason," he said.

I nodded. “I want peace for all of us."

He held my hands and guided me up, lifting my chin with two fingers to force my gaze up, and I let him. Let him see what he wanted—me, broken and accepted.

“Good," he nodded. “This would be easier if you cooperated." He leaned forward and pressed his lips against the corners of mine in a lingering kiss. I stiffened. It took every shred of restraint in me not to recoil… or bite his lip off, but after that, things changed.

He was sold. Not dramatically, though; he was too careful for that. But the guards no longer stood directly at my door, but they were there.

I was allowed to walk the eastern corridor again and even join them for dinners, supervised. At least enough freedom to breathe, and enough rope to hang myself—if I were foolish.

But that snake, Vespera. She noticed something was up. She watched me at meals with narrowed eyes, noting my quiet compliance and careful smiles. 

When I congratulated her on the feast preparations, her expression flickered from surprise to suspicion.

“You're taking this… well.” She said lightly.

"I'm tired of fighting,” I replied. "I don't have the strength for it anymore. And that was partly true, but at night I watched and counted the patrol guards.

What the maid said was true, and it made my chest pound. By the time the feast arrived, I knew exactly how long I'd have to disappear, but when Nolan announced I'd be attending by his side as Luna, publicly. I was shocked.

This would put a dent in my plans. The news spread fast, and whispers followed me through the corridors—shock, curiosity, and disbelief.

The Luna reemerging, but I didn't care. I was spiraling inside, panic blooming as I thought I wouldn't have enough time to escape if I were with Nolan. I bit my fingers, my mind not currently present.

~

The Grand Feast was everything it was meant to be. Blinding, deafening, and overwhelming. This was far bigger than the ones we've held. Chandeliers burned with mage-light.

Tables groaned under the weight of diverse foods. Alphas from distant packs filled the hall, their scents clashing until the air itself felt thick.

I wore silver for the event. Nolan chose it himself. With matching jewelry. My hair was up in a tight bun, but baby hairs framed my oval face.

“You still represent stability," he murmured as he led me inside. “Remember that."

I smiled sweetly. “Of course."

The music increased; glasses clinked in celebration. I moved when he moved, laughed when it was required, and nodded at dignitaries whose names I'd once memorized.

But inside, my heart pounded so loudly I was certain someone would hear it. I caught sight of Vespera's glittering form nearby, radiant with a watchful glare thrown my way.

Her eyes lingered on Nolan's arm, which was wrapped around mine whenever she could manage it without drawing comment. She didn't trust my submission. Oh well, it sucks. I rolled my eyes mentally. 

When the third toast began, attention shifted toward the council elders, and Nolan leaned forward to speak. I stepped back carefully. 

One step at a time, grateful that no one noticed. Not at first. The guests turned as a struggle broke out between two Alphas as they argued over trade routes.

Servants and guards rushed over, and chaos bloomed beautifully. I guess the moon goddess was on my side tonight.

I slipped behind a tapestry, heart beating so loudly in my throat, and pressed into the narrow servant passage I hadn't walked since my first year as Luna. 

Dust coated my palms and the side of my gown. My breath came fast and shallow as I ran; my heels were a hindrance, so I took them off. Throwing it at the corner before sprinting properly.

My body groaned in protest as I gathered the skirts of my gown in my hands. Footsteps echoed ahead of me, and I saw a guard who rounded the corner.

Our eyes met, and recognition flashed across his face; then he hesitated, just a second, and that was all I needed. I bolted. I didn't have any specific place to go, but I just needed to leave. 

So I ran like my life depended on it. It actually did. The night air was cold, filling my lungs as I exhaled and inhaled sharply, and I burst through the outer gate.

Pain flared through me as a piece of iron sticking out of it tore my arm. My foot struck a rock, sending me crashing to the ground. But I didn't stop; I couldn't afford that.

I stood, my palms and knees throbbing as I continued, dashing into the woods just behind the estate.

At this point, I was practically heaving; my abdomen flared with intense pain and discomfort. I just had to ignore it; just a little further and I'd be out of Darkmoon for good. The border loomed ahead, trees twisting and casting shadows from the moon that shone brightly, lighting up my path. I told you the goddess was with me...

Or so I thought. I stepped on a broken branch, a piece of wood piercing my foot as it sent jolts of pain up my legs.

“Fuck!" A yelp escaped my lips as I fell, cradling my bleeding foot, and just then, I noticed a patch of blood on my gown, and my thighs felt icky. I raised my gown slowly, my fingers trembling as I caught sight of what my inner thighs looked like.

“No no no no…” I whispered to no one. My body was shaking in fear and confusion. I was bleeding. Not just from my feet, knees, or palms. This wasn't from the fall, either. I knew my body too well for that. 

Tears streamed down my face as my head throbbed. But just then, I heard the blaring sound of the pack's emergency siren. They know I escaped.

That alone filled me with the little strength and urgency I needed. I stood with shaky legs, limping towards the edge of the pack.

I crossed it and into the next pack's land. Not bothering if I was trespassing. I just needed to… my vision blurred a little as I started feeling lightheaded from too much blood lost.

“Just a little more…” I whispered, then the world tilted, and my body caved, hitting the ground with a loud thud.

I collapsed just beyond the line, my breath tearing haggardly from my chest and vision blurring. I didn't know whose land I'd collapsed on, only that I could never go back.

Behind me, I heard a rustle and footsteps. This was it. Thick darkness swam ahead of me as I slowly slipped into unconsciousness.

I guess my freedom was short-lived.