Chapter Six: The Escape

“Let’s get out of this damn pack, Kiera,” Ragnar said.

“After I give my dad a befitting burial, then we get out.”

After losing my dad, I was so depressed that I couldn’t bring myself to run or go anywhere. Everything around me reminded me of him. The house felt different without his presence, and even the familiar sounds of the pack no longer brought me comfort.

I had lost the only person I thought would always be there for me.

Ragnar was the one who gave me hope when I felt like I had none left.

“Everything is going to be fine, Kiera,” he would say while patting my back whenever he found me crying.

Sometimes, I didn’t believe him, but I still held on to his words because they were the only thing keeping me together.

We had planned to sneak out of the pack tonight, before attention was drawn to me and Lycaon noticed what we were doing. I knew leaving would not be easy, especially because Lycaon had guards everywhere, but staying was even more dangerous.

Earlier in the day, I had packed enough groceries to feed the two of us for at least three or four days. The nearest pack from here would take at least three days to reach if we were fast enough in our wolf forms. We would have to run through the woods before getting there, and I didn’t know what we would encounter along the way.

There could be wild animals, rogues, or even patrol guards searching for us.

That was why I wanted to make sure we had enough food.

I packed some clothes, water, blankets, and a few other things I thought we might need. I kept checking the door every few minutes, afraid someone would walk in and catch me preparing to leave.

Every time I heard footsteps outside, my heart jumped.

I was terrified, but the thought of staying behind terrified me even more.

By noon, we were done packing, and we finally laid my dad to rest.

The burial was painful.

I stood there silently as they lowered his body into the ground. I wanted to cry, but somehow, I couldn't. Maybe I had already cried so much that there were no tears left.

I stared at the grave for a long time, unable to accept that I would never see my father again.

“Goodbye, Dad,” I whispered.

I didn't know if he could hear me, but I needed to say it anyway.

As I stood on my balcony later that day, watching the pack for what might be the last time, Ragnar came to me and hugged me from behind.

For a while, neither of us said anything.

“Are you scared?” he finally asked.

“I’m trying not to be scared, Ragnar, but to be honest, I am scared.”

He turned me around to face him.

“What if Lycaon sees us? That would be dangerous,” he said.

“I know.”

“But we have to escape and get out of here. I can’t stand the thought of Lycaon capturing you or making you his. What would become of me?”

I lowered my gaze.

“We have to escape so we can build a life together somewhere far and quiet, where there won’t be any disturbance. Just me and you, and our kids when we are blessed with them.”

His words made my heart flutter.

The thought of getting pregnant and giving birth to Ragnar’s child made me smile. I imagined him being the father and me being the mother. I imagined us having our own home, waking up beside each other every morning, and raising our children together.

For the first time in days, I felt a little happiness.

What more could I ask for?

“Let’s get out of this damn pack,” I said boldly.

Ragnar smiled.

“Have you packed all the things we would need?”

I nodded.

“Yes. Everything is ready.”

“Good.”

We interlocked our hands as I stared at our house, the house that held so many memories.

I wondered if I would ever see it again.

“I hope we won’t regret this,” I said, facing Ragnar.

He cupped my face in his hands and reassured me.

“No, Kiera. We won’t regret this. I love you.”

His words warmed my heart.

He had always known how I felt about him, but this was just another reminder of what we were to each other.

“And I love you more, Kiera,” he said.

He brought his face closer to mine, and I closed my eyes, getting ready for what was about to happen.

Gently, our lips met, and we kissed like our lives depended on it.

Yes, we had kissed before, but this one was different.

It held emotions, memories, and most importantly, love.

I held onto him tightly, almost as though letting go would mean losing him too.

For a moment, I forgot about Lycaon.

I forgot about my father.

I forgot about the pack and everything that had happened to me.

There was only Ragnar and me.

Then suddenly—

“Sorry to interrupt your great moment, but the Alpha said, Kiera, that we should bring Kiera.”

One of Lycaon’s guards stood behind us.

We quickly broke apart from the kiss as Ragnar held my hand firmly.

My heart dropped.

How had they found us?

“She is going nowhere,” Ragnar said coldly. “And anyone who wants to take her must be ready to take me down first, because I will fight with my last breath.”

I quickly moved behind Ragnar, using him as a shield of protection.

The guard looked at him without showing any fear.

“Then you should be ready to face the Alpha.”

He immediately mind-linked Lycaon. I assumed he was informing him about the situation.

Ragnar squeezed my hand.

“Get ready to run.”

Before the guard could even blink, Ragnar pulled out a small dagger and stabbed him from behind.

The blade pierced through his heart.

The guard fell forward, and I stared at him in shock.

“He might survive, but the chances are slim,” Ragnar said.

“Ragnar…”

“We don't have time.”

“Run, Kiera!” he said, holding my hand even tighter.

We ran.

I didn't look back.

We moved as quickly as we could, my heart pounding against my chest. I could hear our footsteps against the ground as we rushed toward the woods.

Behind us, I could already imagine the chaos that would follow.

Lycaon would know.

He would know that we had escaped.

He would send his guards after us.

When we finally reached the woods, we shifted into our wolf forms and ran even faster.

The cold wind hit my face as I ran beside Ragnar. The trees blurred around us, but neither of us slowed down.

I was sure Lycaon would be looking for us right now.

We had to keep running.

We had to make it out of the pack before he found us.

Because once Lycaon caught up with us, I knew there would be no escape.