THE PLAN

NIGHT FANGS PACK

LUMA'S POV

Reduced to less than an Omega—even though I was of Beta rank, I Luma had never felt so humiliated.

Hours of harvesting. Shielders throwing jokes about how I was a "dick eater." Then the subtle, yet noticeable, pushes from Omegas who wanted to feel superior. Each shove was a reminder: You don't belong here. You're nothing.

I kept my head down. Kept my hands moving. If I stopped, if I fought back, they'd have an excuse to hurt me more. And I couldn't risk that. Not with my pup inside me.

When the sun was high in the sky and the siren for meals announced, everyone ate.

Except me.

They stared. Waiting for my reaction. Grinning. They wanted to see me cry. They wanted to see me beg.

I didn't give them the satisfaction.

My wolf was exhausted. My pup was growing inside me, stealing what little strength I had left. I turned and headed back for the fields.

Between there, I let the tears roll down. Just a few. Just enough to release the pressure building behind my eyes. Then I wiped them away.

No more crying, I told myself. You're getting out. You have to.

Sitting under a tree, I closed my eyes. The shade was a small mercy. The dirt beneath my fingers was cool. I focused on that the only comfort I had left.

Then the scent of roasted antelope hit me.

My eyes snapped open.

My cell mate stood there, the meal wrapped in brown paper. Steam escaped from the folds. Real food. Hot food.

Taken aback, I just stared as my stomach growled loud, embarrassing, undeniable. But I didn't even know her.

"I am Noëlla. A witch. I'm hiding from my elder brother in this pack. I'm just hiding, and I'm not going to hurt you. Now that you know about me can you eat? For the sake of your pups?"

I frowned. "I thought we agreed you wouldn't read my thoughts."

"I thought so too. But how can I avoid it when you constantly doubt me?" Her voice was soft, not mocking.

I bit my lower lip. Doubt was all I had left. Trust had gotten me nowhere.

Then, hesitantly, I took the package. Carefully undid it. The smell hit me fully smoke, herbs, meat. My mouth watered.

I sniffed again, almost afraid it was a trick.

How much I had missed this scent. I hadn't eaten roasted meat since I was brought to this pack. Since before the dungeon. Since before Tristan threw me away.

"How did you get this? I thought people from the dungeon didn't get such food."

"I'm a witch. I can steal anything I want." She said it so simply, so matter-of-fact, that I almost laughed.

I had to stop my mouth from falling open. She was so direct. So unafraid.

Finally, I took the first bite.

It was amazing. Soft. Succulent. The meat practically melted on my tongue.

I ignored her stare, devouring everything. Finishing the hunger that had slowly eaten my strength over the days. My hands shook as I tore off another piece. I hadn't realized how weak I'd become until the food hit my stomach.

Once I was done, I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand. Burped. Then leaned into the tree, exhausted but full for the first time in weeks.

"I brought you this too," her voice came again.

A can of rabbit blood sat beside me. Dark red. Full. Fresh.

My gaze met hers hesitantly. Then I couldn't stop myself.

"Why are you helping me? Where did you get the can?"

Her smirk vanished. She looked away, staring at the fields.

"Why do you have to doubt everything I do? I met you. You seem like a good person. I'm willing to help. Why do you always have to push me away?"

Silence stretched between us.

"How do you know I'm a good person? Just from a word or two from the shielders?" I asked, sarcasm dripping from my voice. No one was going to manipulate me with sympathy anymore. I'd learned that lesson.

"The truth is, no shielder spoke of you. I slipped into your mind while you were asleep. I read everything."

I sat there, baffled. Exposed. I felt so naked. Every secret. Every fear. Every desperate prayer I'd whispered in the dark. She knew it all.

"So stop being so guarded. There's nothing I won't know if I want to know."

I bit my lower lip. Hard.

Then, slowly, I took the can and gulped the whole liquid. The metallic taste coated my throat. I let it settle in my stomach, warm and filling.

I continued to ignore her, staring at the horizon.

"You cannot keep ignoring me forever, Luma. Your condition is quite concerning. And as the good witch I am, I won't let you die in that cell. You need to leave. And I know how you can."

Taken aback, my gaze snapped to hers.

Why was she so direct? Why did she care?

"Are you aware that trusting you puts me in danger? If I'm caught—"

"Staying also puts you in danger. The Alpha's family isn't ready to let you live in peace." Her voice was firm. Certain.

It hit straight to my heart.

How right she was. They would never stop. Rimena would never stop. Tristan would never believe me.

"Now let's do this. Stop fighting and listen to me." She sat down cross-legged on the dirt.

I nodded, my throat tight. Maybe this was a way out. Maybe the Goddess had finally heard me.

"Your pups need you out there so they can survive. So here's what I'm proposing. My mate has been searching for me. It won't be long before he finds me."

"Your mate?" My voice was barely a whisper.

"Yes. Alpha of the Blue Moon Valley. We had some issues, and I ran away from home. But the bond will guide him here. When he finds me, I want to sneak you out."

"Sneak me out?" Hope flickered in my chest,small, fragile, terrifying.

She nodded. "But listen carefully."

I leaned in, my heart pounding.

"The moment the shielders come to our cell to drag me away, you'll know he's found me. I'll ask my mate to wait. We'll leave during the day." She paused, scanning the fields to make sure no one was listening. "By midday, our car will be passing through the farm. Two shielders know the shortcuts. They'll help you out."

"What do you want in return?" My voice was small. Almost afraid of the answer.

"Your friendship. And your loyalty."

My heart sank.

I could be a friend. But why ask for my loyalty? What did she want from me? What would I owe her?

But I had to leave this place. I could figure out the rest later.

After a moment of hesitation, I nodded.

"I'll do it."

She smiled a real smile, not mocking, not cruel. "Come. Let's get back to work."

Feeling encouraged, my heart beating faster, I stood up. My legs were weak, but my resolve was stronger than it had been in months.

The Goddess had finally given me a way out.

Could I make it?