IV. Escaping

After the incident from the Betas' room, I made sure not to make any more mistakes. My body healed. I made sure to stay away from anyone while I cleaned and scrubbed. I didn't want another beating and to risk not being able to run away.

To my surprise, Alpha Max left me alone these past five days. He has been busy organizing his birthday party. As a result, he didn't even look at me when I crossed paths with him in the Pack House.

Tonight is the night of the Full Moon – the night I am going to escape. I am very nervous, but I try to appear calm. No one must suspect that I want to run away. If Alpha Max even suspects what I am planning to do and that Ana is helping me, not even the Goddess will help us escape his anger.

I am in the kitchen, waiting to start taking the food out. Fuck, I am so hungry that my mouth waters at the sight of the food. It will be pure torture smelling all the food and not eating anything. And if I don't eat, I don't know how I will have the energy to get away from here.

"You look like you are ready to pass out," Alpha Max says when he enters the kitchen. "I can't have you ruining my night. You can have some bread and cheese, but that's all."

"T-thank y-you, A-Alpha," I say with relief.

Mrs. Radu brings me some bread and cheese, and when Alpha Max is gone, she gives me a piece of meat and stays with me until I eat everything.

"Are you feeling better?" Mrs. Radu asks me.

The food helps, and soon I feel better.

"Yes. Thank you! You are always trying to give me food when no one is seeing."

"My sweet boy. The only regret I have is that Alpha Max caught you many times."

I shake my head, "It does not matter. You are always here to nurse me back to health."

"I wish I didn't have to nurse you back to health every time the Alpha beats until you can't get out of bed. My greatest wish is to see you were free and happy. Promise me you will take care, always."

I guess she knows what I plan to do tonight. Most likely, Ana told Mr. Mrs. Radu everything. Or maybe the three of them came up with the plan. I nod.

"Good. Now let us serve the food. Take great care, don't make any mistakes," Mrs. Radu tells me.

"I won't. I will be extra careful."

With great care, I take the food out and make sure never to touch anyone, never to look anyone in the eyes, especially Alpha Max. I know the rule by now: a slave must never look into his master's eyes. Only Ana and her parents let me look into their eyes, and even with them, I do it when no one is looking.

When the food is gone, I bring the plates into the kitchen and wash them. And wait. When Mr. and Mrs. Radu take the cake out, I know it is time to slip away. When I am certain no one is paying attention to me, I sneak away through the back door.

I walk silently across the backyard, up to the stables, but I don't go in. From time to time, I stop to listen. What if someone from the Pack House goes outside and sees me sneaking around? I only hear laughter and pack members congratulating Alpha Max on his birthday. When no one is yelling after me, I keep walking, moving silent as a grave. I walk a little further, I stop once more and listen. My heart is pounding so fast I am afraid Alpha Max will hear it and come running after me.

Next to the dogs' kennels, I see a silhouette. My heart starts pounding fast. Did I make it so far only to be caught when I am so close to freedom? I freeze on the spot, and I wait for whoever it is to accuse me of trying to run away. When the person moves, I realize it is Ana. I relax. I walk next to her.

"I couldn't let you leave without saying goodbye," she says and hugs me. "As soon as possible, I will come to look for you."

"No. You can't. He will know you helped me. And when he finds you, he will hurt you. So promise me you won't do anything foolish."

Ana remains silent. Damn, she is so stubborn.

"Ana?"

"Fine. I promise. But how will I know you are safe?"

"I will tell your cousin to contact you and give you news about me."

"Alright," she says.

"I have to go," I say.

"See you when we meet again," she says with a sad voice.

After another hug, I start walking, and soon as I am close to the forest, my feet start running. I see the tree I am looking for, that has a big hollow. Ana used to hide books for me in the hollow of this tree. I would read them anytime I could and put them back. Fortunately, no one discovered our hiding spot.

I put my hand in the hollow and feel the fabric of a backpack, and I take it out. I put it across on my back and resumed running.

Once I am far from the pack, I rest for a bit and look in the backpack: new clothes and money, a letter and a map, a bottle of water, and some food that I decided to save for later.

I take a sip of water while I open the letter. It has instructions for me – where and when I have to meet with Bogdan, Ana's cousin.

On the map, Ana marked for me the path I had to follow. I am not very good at reading maps, but my instinct tells me to go left. I follow the way to my left and run as fast as my legs carry me.