Chp 5

Astrid POV

The cold wind slammed against my face the moment I hit the ground. Pain shot through my ankle, but I forced myself up immediately, stumbling away from the palace walls before anyone noticed my escape.

My heart pounded violently inside my chest. What was I doing?Running?, Again…A part of me wanted to laugh.

In my previous life, I spent years trapped inside a golden cage called marriage.

And now, only hours before marrying the most feared man in the kingdom. I was climbing walls like a criminal.

The servant cloak hung loosely over my body while my expensive blue dress remained hidden beneath it. I quickly pulled the hood lower over my face before moving through the dark streets.

The further I went from the palace, the colder the city became.

Luxury disappeared and the clean stone roads turned rough. The bright lanterns faded into dim candlelight. Drunken voices echoed from nearby taverns while suspicious eyes followed every step I took.

I swallowed nervously, I had never walked alone through the lower districts before.

In my previous life, Astrid Ravenwood was protected constantly, always guarded, watched and controlled but now…I was completely alone.

A strange freedom came with that realization. For the first time in years, nobody knew where I was.

Nobody expected anything from me.

There was no Caspian, no Nora and no fate, it was just me.

My lips almost curled into a smile… Until rough fingers suddenly grabbed my arm.

I gasped sharply.

“Well, well,” a deep voice chuckled beside me. “What’s a pretty little thing to do alone at night?”

Fear shot through me instantly.

Three large rogue wolves surrounded me from both sides of the alley.

Their clothes were filthy, their eyes were dangerous. The smell of alcohol and blood clung to them heavily.

I immediately tried pulling away. “Let go of me.”

One of them laughed. “She’s got spirit.”

“Look at her hands,” another muttered while gripping my wrist tighter. “Too soft to be a servant.”

My heartbeat quickened.

Damn it.

The third rogue stepped closer before pulling back part of my hood slightly.

Even in the darkness, I saw the hunger in his eyes.

“She’ll sell for a fortune.”

Ice flooded my veins.

No.

No, no….I twisted violently and slammed my elbow into the nearest man.

He cursed loudly and for one brief second, I managed to break free before another rogue grabbed me from behind.

Pain exploded across my back as I was shoved harshly against the wall.

“Stupid bitch,” he snarled.

Fear clawed at my chest as panic finally began taking over.

I fought desperately, but I was no match for them.

Not like this and not alone.

“Please!!” A slap cut off my words.

My vision blurred.

Then darkness covered my head as they shoved a cloth over my face, the world became muffled.

I felt them dragging me somewhere while laughter echoed around me.

“You’ll make us rich tonight.”

My stomach twisted violently, the ride felt endless. By the time the cloth was finally removed, my wrists were burning and my head spun painfully.

Music blasted through the building around me.

Loud laughter, there was smoke everywhere and alcohol. Half-dressed women moved between tables filled with dangerous-looking wolves gambling and drinking.

My chest tightened instantly.

A brothel.

One of the rogues shoved me forward roughly.

“Move.”

Fear settled deep inside my bones as I stumbled through the crowded underground den.

No one even looked surprised to see me there.

As if girls being dragged in crying was normal.

The rogues eventually stopped before a large black door guarded by two men.

One of them knocked twice before opening it.

“Boss,” the rogue called out smugly. “We found something interesting.”

Without warning, they shoved me inside.

I lost balance and fell hard onto the floor.

The door slammed shut behind me.

Silence, there was complete silence.

My shaky breathing echoed through the dark room while smoke filled the air heavily.

Slowly…

I lifted my head.

A man sat lazily on a chair near the window.

One leg crossed over the other.

Black gloves covered his hands while smoke curled from the cigar resting between his fingers.

A dark wolf mask hid the upper half of his face but even while sitting, he looked terrifying.The room itself felt dangerous around him.

My breathing became uneven.

The masked man finally turned his head slightly toward me.

And for the first time, I saw his eyes.

It was cold, sharp and predatory, like a wolf silently watching prey bleed.

My instincts screamed at me to run.

But his deep voice stopped me before I could even move.

“Who,” he asked calmly, “are you?”