Chapter 4

ISADORA POV

Slowly opening my eyes to a sight of unfamiliar surroundings, my eyes spinning, slowly regained focus. I was lying on a soft bed in what seemed to be a cozy cabin. Confusion and disorientation clouded my mind as I tried to piece together how in hell I had ended up here.

"Where am I?" I mumbled, my voice weak from exhaustion, as I struggled to get into a sitting position.

A young woman with wild, chestnut hair and sharp, curious eyes walked in front of me. She had a kind face, but there was a hint of mystery and resilience about her. "You're safe," she said, offering me a reassuring smile. "I found you unconscious in the woods, and I brought you here to rest properly."

"Who are you?" I asked, my memory slowly returning. "And how did you find me?"

"My name is Lisa," she answered, sitting down beside the bed. "I live alone in the woods, and I happened to come across you while I hunted for meat. When I saw you were pregnant and unconscious, I couldn't leave you there. It looked like you needed help."

Gratitude washed over me as I realized how fortunate I was to have encountered someone like Lisa. "Thank you," I said, my voice filled with emotion. "You saved my life."

Lisa shrugged, trying to downplay her actions. "It was the right thing to do. Besides, I don't get to meet many people out here, especially pregnant ones," she said with a hint of humor.

As I took in my surroundings, I noticed the rustic charm of the cabin, the smell of freshly cut wood, and the warmth of a crackling fireplace. It felt comforting, like a haven in the midst of the wilderness.

"My name is Isadora."

Just before I could complete the statement, the door creaked open. As a strange man walked into the room, I could sense something was off. His eyes locked onto mine, and a chill ran down my spine. I didn't know who he was, but the look on his face told me he recognized me.

As the strange man walked into the room, I could feel a sense of unease settling in. He seemed familiar to Lisa, and it quickly became evident that he was her boyfriend. But what caught my attention was the shock on his face as he laid eyes on me.

"Lisa, who is she?" he asked, his voice a mixture of shock and excitement.

Lisa looked between the man and me, her eyes wide with surprise. "Her name is Isadora," she replied cautiously. "I found her in the woods, and she needed help."

The man's grin widened, revealing a cunning glint in his eyes. "Isadora, huh?" he mused. "Well, well, well. It seems we've stumbled upon quite the fortune here, Lisa."

"What's going on?" I asked, my voice trembling with fear and uncertainty.

Lisa's boyfriend recovered from his initial surprise and looked at me with a mix of greed and excitement. "You're the one they're looking for," he said, his voice dripping with smug satisfaction. "The one with the bounty on her head. Isadora, the Luna of the Aeloria, the one pregnant for Alpha Eamon."

I felt a knot form in my stomach as I realized that my identity had been exposed. How did he know this much about me—it's not like I'm a celebrity or something? I thought panic was setting in.

Lisa's eyes widened in disbelief, and she turned to me with a mixture of shock and betrayal. "Is this true?" she asked, her voice shaky.

I nodded, unable to find the words to explain myself. "I... I had to leave," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I couldn't stay there anymore; it's bad for my mental health."

Lisa's boyfriend smirked, clearly reveling in the fortune that had seemingly fallen into his lap. "Think about it, Lisa," he said, trying to convince her. "We could return her to the castle and claim the reward. It's a fortune beyond our wildest dreams, one hundred golden bars."

Lisa looked torn, unsure of what to do. The temptation of wealth and a life of luxury must have been overwhelming. But I couldn't let her betray me, not after the trust and friendship we just started building.

"Please, Lisa," I begged, my eyes pleading with her. "You don't understand what's at stake. If they find me, not only will they take my baby when he's born, but I'll also lose my life. You can't turn me in."

Lisa looked torn, her emotions warring within her. But then, to my relief, she shook her head and stepped away from her boyfriend. "I can't do it," she said, her voice determined. "Isadora seems like a good person; she could be our friend, and I won't betray her."

Her boyfriend's face contorted with anger, but Lisa stood her ground. "You don't get it, Lisa," he growled. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We could be set for life; all that fortune would turn a tramp like you into a princess faster than you can say flip."

But Lisa ignored his pleas, turning to me with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Isadora. I won't tell anyone where you are. You can trust me."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I hugged her tightly, overwhelmed by her loyalty and kindness. "Thank you," I whispered. "You have no idea what this means to me."

As Lisa's boyfriend stormed off, leaving us behind, I couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and trepidation. The danger wasn't over yet. Eamon was still searching for me, and I knew that with a reward that generous, many would be out there to find me too.

"Thank you, Lisa," I said, my voice filled with gratitude as I held her hand tightly. "You saved me again."

"Isadora!" Eamon's voice shockingly echoed through the trees, filled with urgency and desperation. "Where are you? Please, come back!"

The sound of Eamon's voice calling my name sent shivers down my spine, sending my heartbeat flying like it was picked up by a whirlwind. He was close—too close for comfort—and panic threatened to overwhelm me.

"We need to keep moving," Lisa urged, her voice steady as she handed me a dark coat. To help conceal my identity, I looked like a sorcerer. She guided me through an underground path leading us far away from the cabin. "This is a secret passage, Isadora. We have to put as much distance between us and him as possible."

I nodded, my breaths coming out in ragged gasps as we pushed forward. The branches scratched at my skin, and the forest seemed to close in around us, but I didn't dare slow down. I knew that Eamon's men were searching for me too, and if they found me, there would be no escaping his grasp.

"Isadora! Come back home! I would never hurt you!" Eamon's voice called out again, but this time there was an edge of desperation in his tone.

I stumbled, the weight of his words pulling at my heart. I wanted to believe him and trust that he still loved me, but the memory of his heartless words was too fresh in my mind. I couldn't let myself be swayed by false promises, not when my life and the life of our child were at stake.

"We can't stop, Isadora," Lisa said firmly, her hand on my arm, pulling me back into focus. "We have to keep going."

With renewed determination and Lisa's arm supporting me, I pushed away the doubts and fears clouding my mind. I had to trust Lisa and her instincts, knowing that she was my lifeline in this moment of turmoil.

As we continued to run, Lisa led me through dense underbrush and hidden trails, expertly navigating the wilderness. Her skills as a rogue were impressive, and I found myself grateful for her presence.

"Keep going, Isadora; be strong; you can do this!" Lisa urged, and as we pushed forward, our breaths came in ragged gasps. "We'll find a safe place to rest soon."

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of running, Lisa led us to a hidden alcove, shielded by thick foliage. We huddled together, hidden from sight, as we caught our breaths.

"Do you think we lost him?" I asked, my voice trembling with uncertainty.

"I'm not sure," Lisa replied, her eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of pursuit. "But we're safe for now. We'll rest here and figure out our next move."

As I sat there, the reality of our situation sank in. I was on the run from the man I once loved, my life in danger, and my future uncertain. But I was also surrounded by unexpected allies, like Lisa, who had shown me kindness and loyalty in the face of danger.

"We'll get through this," Lisa said, offering me a reassuring smile. "Together."