Chapter 4

Escape or Alliance

Lena lay awake in the small room they gave her and stared at the ceiling made of wood. The jail was better than the dungeon, but it was still a prison. Damian gave her some time to decide, but she already knew she could not stay. Now she would be stuck in a new way if she agreed to his plan. She would be tied to the Alpha and his war. If she said no, he would never let her go.

There must be a different way.

She had a lot of ideas, and each one was more risky than the last. It was not easy to get out of Shadowmoor. It was a fortress surrounded by dangerous land and guarded by trained soldiers. But she had learned how to get out of tough spots before.

She sat up when there was a light knock on the door. As he leaned against the doorway with his arms crossed, Elliot smiled at her.

He said, "You look like an animal in a cage."

Lena's eyes got narrow. "What do you want from me?"

"I might want to help you."

She laughed. "Why would you do that?"

He cocked his head. "Because I do not trust Damian to make the right choice about you." “Because I like things to stay interesting.”

Lena looked at him. It was clear that Elliot was smart, cunning, and in some ways dangerous. But his eyes also held something else: a challenge or even a chance.

With care, she asked, "Interesting how?"

He laughed. "I know where the troop changes are weak." Going through the west side gives you a better chance of getting past the guards.

Lena's heart beat faster. That was it. A real chance.

She worked hard to hold out doubts. "What do you get from this?"

Elliot just shrugged. "Mainly entertainment." "Maybe a favour later."

That was not clear, but she had no other choice. She had to join Damian's war if she stayed. She might be able to get her rights back if she left.

She let out ah. "Okay. Tell me when.

Elliot's smile got bigger. "Midnight. "Do not be late."

It was not long before midnight.

Lena walked through the halls quietly. The sound of her feet on the wooden floors made them sound soft. It kept going through her mind that Elliot had told her to go down the servants' hallway, through the kitchen, and past the west exit. Every thirty minutes, a new guard took over. She could sneak out without being seen if she planned it well.

Her heart beat fast as she neared the last turn. She could almost taste freedom.

Then she felt it: a change in the air and someone following her.

It was too late when she spun. In the dim light, a strong hand gripped her wrist and golden eyes looked at her.

Damian.

His hold was strong and would not let go. "Heading somewhere?"

Lena’s pulse roared in her ears. He would not move, even though she pulled on her arm. "Let me go."

His eyes got darker. "You were not going to accept my offer, were you?"

“I don’t owe you anything,” Lena said.

His jaw got tight. “Maybe not. But you’re my mate.”

Lena clenched her teeth. “That doesn’t mean I belong to you.”

They both kept quiet for a moment. The silence stretched between them, thick with unsaid words.

Then Damian’s grip relaxed. Just enough for Lena to jerk away.

She turned to run, but his voice stopped her cold.

“Do you think they’ll let you live out there?”

She froze.

Damian’s tone was calm, but the weight behind it was obvious. “The rogue packs are chasing anyone they see as a threat. And a wolf who’s tied to me? They’ll tear you apart.”

Lena took a deep breath. He wasn’t wrong. Rogue packs were ruthless, and without an alliance, she was defenceless.

Damian stepped closer. "You do have a choice, even though you think you don't."

She turned to face him, and her chest was quickly going up and down. "Then what choice is that?"

His golden eyes locked onto hers. "Remain. Fight with me."

Lena took a deep breath. It was not an order. It was not a request. It was a deal. One she did not expect.

Her goal had always been to be free. But as she stood in front of him, she wondered if running was the best thing to do.

And for the first time, she thought about it.

Lena stood by the training grounds the next morning with her arms crossed and watched the warriors fight. Officially, she had not agreed to stay. She had not run either, though.

Elliott showed up next to her with his usual smirk on his face. "So, no midnight escape?"

She gave him a mean look. "Your plan was bad."

He laughed. "Or perhaps you became aware that you belong here."

Lena laughed it off, but doubt was eating her away. Did she belong here?

Damian's voice could be heard all over the grounds before she could answer. "Lena."

When she turned around, he was standing a few feet away with his arms crossed and no expression on his face. "Come with me."

Lena hesitated, then went after him.

They walked along in silence until they got to the edge of the forest. There, the tall pines were whispering in the wind. Damian spoke up at last. "You are strong, but you do not trust anyone. You will die for that."

She put her arms together. "You will die faster if you trust the wrong people."

He had the faintest hint of a smirk on his lips. "Fair point."

It was very tense between them as they stood there in silence. Damian finally let out a breath. "I know what it is like to keep yourself alive. To think you would be better off by yourself. But sometimes, picking a side means picking a way to stay alive."

The look he gave her made her heart race. "Do you want me to stand with you?"

His golden eyes burned into hers. "I believe you are already."

Lena did not answer. Because, deep down, she feared he might be right.​