Chapter 3: The Desperate Escape

Olivia's POV.

My head was spinning, my heart ricocheting against my chest as I ran. I was leaving the pack. I know Damien asked me to stay... And he was the Alpha, no one was supposed to disobey him, but I've had enough of him. Between disobeying his treacherous ass and killing my baby, I chose the former.

I kept going forward, deeper into the forest. My feet pounded the forest floor, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I ran with every single strength I possessed. The trees blurred together, their branches whipping past my face like skeletal fingers. I didn't dare look back, fearing what I might see.

Damien's words echoed in my mind: "You will stay at the safe house outside the palace tonight." But I knew I couldn't stay, not after what he’d asked me to do. He didn't want the pregnancy, and I knew why. As the Alpha, having a child with me would ruin his reputation and compromise his position.

But I couldn't bring myself to get rid of the baby, no matter how hard he'd tried to convince me. I couldn’t deny the fact that this child was part of my future.

As I ran, the forest seemed to grow denser, the shadows deepening into dark, menacing pools. My legs ached with every step. I stumbled, and stumbled again, my foot catching on a hidden root, but I managed to catch myself before I fell.

I was weak and needed rest, but time wasn’t at my side. Each second that passed would bring me closer to Damien. I knew I had to keep moving, no matter how exhausted I was.

Suddenly, I felt the ground tremble beneath my feet, and I heard the sound of footsteps, hushed voices carried on the wind. My heart skipped a beat as I realized I wasn't alone; I was being followed.

I tried to keep calm and remain as quiet as I could, but I was already too sweaty, my scent all over the place. The men tracking me would have no trouble following my trail.

At this point, I knew it was over if I didn't do something quickly or find a way out. I began to panic, my heart racing at a fast speed, my eyes scanning the forest for a possible escape route, but I found none.

Just as I thought I'd managed to shake off my pursuers, I bumped into a solid wall of muscle. Damien's face loomed before me, his eyes blazing with fury.

"How did you...?" I began, trying to catch my breathe.

Damien's eyes narrowed. "You really thought you could outrun me, Olivia? You're not even a match for my weakest pack member."

"How did you find me?" I asked still in shock, trying to struggle against his grip.

Damien gave out a wicked smile. "Did you think you could escape from me? I know these trees like the back of my hand. And I knew you'd try to run. You're so predictable." He said full of confidence.”

"But how did you know which way I'd go?" I pressed further still in shock.

Damien chuckled. "You only know one escape route, Olivia. And I knew you'd follow that. As the Alpha, I have access to all the hidden paths. I took a shortcut and intercepted you. It was easy."

I tried to struggle again, but he held me firm. He grabbed me forcefully, his fingers digging deep into my arms. I groaned from the pain as I was forcefully dragged back. The men arrived, their faces expressionless.

"Take her to the safe house," Damien ordered, his voice cold and detached.

The men nodded, their eyes flicking to my struggling form before they reached out to grab me. Damien handed me over to them, not wanting to look me in the eyes as I pleaded, wailing, and crying aloud.

"Please, Damien, let me go," I begged, screaming and hoping he would hear my plead. "I'll never appear in front of you again. I promise."

But Damien's face remained unyielding. "You will do as you're told," he said, his voice without any pity.

My struggles grew weaker as the men dragged me back to the safe house. I was tired, in pain, and needed rest, but not here. I was thrown into the safe house, the door locked behind me. I collapsed onto the floor, my body shaking with sobs.

As the night wore on, I cried myself to sleep, my mind racing with the thoughts of how I would escape and won’t be caught.