Chapter 7

The packhouse was quiet that evening, the kind of silence that crawled under your skin. I stood near the window in the small room Tina had helped me hide in, clutching the straps of my bag tightly. Outside, the world looked peaceful, but I knew it was only a facade.

Tina entered, her face pale. “Tesla,” she whispered, shutting the door quickly behind her. “He knows. Henry’s ordered for you to be stopped.”

I froze, my chest tightening. “What?”

“He’s sent warriors to patrol the borders. He doesn’t want you to leave.” Her voice cracked as she spoke, anger flashing in her eyes.

I set my bag down, my mind racing. “Why? He doesn’t care about me. He made that clear.”

Tina hesitated, then said, “He doesn’t care about you, Tesla. But he cares about the child.”

Her words hit me like a blow to the stomach. I sank into the nearest chair, my hands shaking. “No. No, he doesn’t get to decide now, not after everything.”

“We need to move fast,” Tina said, urgency creeping into her tone. “There’s still a chance if we leave through the eastern route. I’ve scouted it—it’s lightly guarded. But we have to go now.”

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “Let’s go.”

We slipped out of the packhouse under the cover of darkness, moving quickly but carefully. Tina led the way. I stayed close behind, clutching my bag and trying to quiet the sound of my breathing.

As we neared the eastern border, I allowed myself a small flicker of hope. Maybe we could make it out. Maybe I could finally be free.

Then, out of nowhere, a figure stepped into our path.

“Stop right there,” a deep voice commanded.

My heart sank as more warriors emerged from the shadows, surrounding us. I instinctively stepped back, my hand protectively resting on my stomach.

“Tina, run,” I whispered, but she shook her head, her eyes blazing with defiance.

One of the warriors stepped forward, his expression grim. “Tesla, Alpha Henry has ordered us to bring you back. Don’t make this harder than it needs to be.”

I clenched my fists, anger bubbling beneath the surface. “I’m not going back. He doesn’t own me. You can’t force me.”

The warrior’s face softened, just for a moment. “It’s not about you. It’s the child. He won’t let his heir leave.”

The warriors closed in, their movements slow but deliberate, as if they didn’t want to startle me into doing something reckless. My mind raced, searching for an escape, but their formation left no gaps.

“Step back!” Tina snapped, her voice fierce. She grabbed a branch from the ground, wielding it like a weapon.

The warriors exchanged glances, their eyes narrowing. “Don’t make us hurt you, Tina,” one warned.

Tina didn’t flinch. “You’ll have to kill me before you touch her.”

“Tina, stop!” I pleaded, my voice trembling. My hand instinctively pressed against my stomach, protecting the life inside me.

The lead warrior sighed, his expression hardening. “Enough of this.” He gave a curt nod, and two warriors lunged.

Tina swung the branch, catching one of them in the arm, but the other grabbed her, forcing her to the ground. She screamed, thrashing against his grip, but they pinned her easily.

“No!” I cried, stepping forward, but the lead warrior raised a hand, stopping me in my tracks.

“Tesla, don’t make this worse. You’re coming with us, one way or another,” he said, his voice devoid of emotion.

“I’m not going back,” I spat, my voice shaking with rage and fear. “He doesn’t own me or my child.”

The warrior’s eyes flickered, his expression unreadable. “That’s not your choice anymore.”

Before I could respond, a sharp pain exploded at the back of my head. My vision blurred as I stumbled, the world spinning around me.

“Tina!” I tried to call out, but my voice was weak.