Chapter 2: The Failed Escape

Violet

My mother doesn't follow me immediately, and I'm grateful for that. I need a moment to calm down before I say something I'll regret. Unfortunately, no matter how hard I try, I can't stop thinking about what she told me.

Alpha Darius wants to marry me.

The same bastard who destroyed our pack, imprisoned my father, and forced us to hide in these miserable caves now expects me to become his wife. He's twenty-seven years old, surrounded by mistresses, and powerful enough to choose practically any woman he wants. So why the hell does he have to choose me?

"Violet?"

I close my eyes when I hear my mother's voice behind me.

"Mom, please. I already told you I'm not marrying him."

"I know, sweetheart. But we need to think about what happens next."

I turn to face her.

"What happens next is that we find another way to rescue Dad."

"And how exactly are we supposed to do that?"

I open my mouth, but no answer comes out.

My mother looks exhausted. Her eyes are swollen from crying, and the sight makes me feel terrible. I know she's not responsible for any of this, but I can't bring myself to accept the future Darius has decided for me.

"We don't have enough warriors to fight another war," she continues. "We barely have enough food to survive another week. I don't know what else to do."

"Then let me think of something!"

"Violet..."

"Please, Mom. Just give me some time."

She studies my face for a moment before nodding.

"All right. But promise me you won't do anything reckless."

I look away.

"I just want to be alone."

She kisses my forehead and leaves me sitting on the old blanket where I've been sleeping for the past two weeks.

I hate seeing her so defeated. Before the invasion, my mother was always smiling, constantly finding something to complain about whenever I left my clothes scattered around my bedroom. Now she spends her days worrying about whether we'll have enough food for dinner.

And my father is still locked in Darius's dungeon.

I lie down and stare at the damp ceiling of the cave, listening to the quiet conversations around me. Every time I close my eyes, I imagine myself standing beside that monster, wearing a wedding dress while he claims me as his wife.

Absolutely not.

I can't let that happen.

Hours pass before the cave finally grows quiet. Most of the survivors are asleep, including my mother, who's curled up beneath a thin blanket near the wall.

That's when I make my decision.

I'm leaving.

I know it sounds reckless, but there's another pack beyond the mountains. My father mentioned them several times before the war. I don't know much about their Alpha, but perhaps he'll be willing to shelter me or help us fight Darius.

It's a desperate plan, but staying here waiting to be handed over to that bastard feels even worse.

I quietly grab my small bag and stuff a few clothes inside. Then I take two pieces of bread left over from dinner and wrap them in a piece of cloth.

Before leaving, I look at my mother.

For a moment, I almost wake her up.

I want to tell her where I'm going. I want to promise I'll find help and return for her and my father. But I know she'll try to stop me, and I can't risk losing my courage.

"I'm sorry, Mom," I whisper.

Then I slip out of the cave.

The cold night air hits my face, making me shiver beneath my thin dress. The forest is almost completely dark, with only the moonlight filtering through the trees. I hurry along the narrow path, trying to avoid the roots and loose stones scattered across the ground.

Every little sound makes me nervous.

I haven't traveled this far from our hiding place since the invasion, and the possibility of running into Darius's warriors terrifies me.

After walking for several minutes, I stop beside a large tree and listen carefully.

Nothing.

Good.

If I shift into my wolf form, I'll be able to cover much more ground before sunrise. My wolf has always been faster than my human body, and I desperately need that advantage tonight.

I put my bag down and prepare to shift.

Then a branch snaps behind me.

I freeze.

"Hello?"

No answer.

My heart begins pounding as I turn toward the darkness.

"Is someone there?"

For a moment, I hear nothing but the wind moving through the leaves.

Then another branch breaks.

Closer this time.

A strange scent reaches my nose, making every muscle in my body tense.

Wolves.

Unfamiliar wolves.

Shit!

I grab my bag and run.

Branches scrape against my arms as I race between the trees, desperately searching for a way out. Behind me, heavy footsteps crash through the undergrowth.

Someone is chasing me.

My wolf urges me to shift, but before I can find enough space, a massive figure steps directly into my path.

"Where do you think you're going, little princess?"

I scream and stumble backward.

The man is enormous, with dark clothes and the unmistakable scent of Darius's pack.

I turn to run in another direction, but a second warrior emerges from behind a tree.

"Leave me alone!"

"Alpha Darius sent us to collect you," the first man says.

My blood runs cold.

"Well, tell him I'm not going anywhere with you!"

"That's not your decision."

He steps toward me, and I immediately back away.

"Don't touch me!"

"Come quietly, girl. It'll make things easier."

"Go to hell!"

I dart past him, but he catches my arm. Acting on instinct, I kick him hard in the leg, making him curse and release me.

For one glorious second, I think I'm going to escape.

Then something strikes my back.

A metallic chain wraps around my arms, and an unbearable burning sensation tears through my skin.

"AAAAAH!"

I collapse to my knees.

Silver!

The damn chain is made of silver!

My entire body trembles as the metal burns into my skin. I try to shift, but my wolf's presence suddenly feels distant, as though something is blocking our connection.

"GET IT OFF ME!" I scream.

"Then stop struggling!" one of the warriors snaps.

He pulls the chain tighter.

Another wave of pain shoots through my arms, and tears immediately fill my eyes.

"Please! It hurts!"

"You should've thought about that before trying to run away."

"I'm not your prisoner's daughter to drag around like an animal!"

The man crouches in front of me.

"Actually, that's exactly who you are."

I stare at him in horror.

"Please," I whisper, struggling to breathe. "I haven't done anything wrong."

"Save your tears for the Alpha."

Two warriors grab my arms and force me to stand. My legs nearly give out beneath me, but they don't seem to care.

"Walk."

"I can't!"

"Then we'll drag you."

And that's exactly what they do.

By the time we reach the road, I'm barely able to stay on my feet. Every movement makes the silver rub against my injured skin, sending sharp waves of pain through my body. I try begging them to remove the chains, but neither warrior listens.

I don't know how long the journey lasts before the enormous gates of Darius's castle finally appear ahead of us.

My stomach sinks.

The castle is even more intimidating than I imagined. Massive stone walls surround the property, and armed guards patrol every entrance. Tall towers rise above the dark rooftops, making the entire place look more like a fortress than a home.

There's no way I'll be able to escape from here.

"Move!" one of the warriors orders, shoving me forward.

I stumble.

"You don't have to push me, idiot!"

He grabs my arm so tightly that I wince.

"You'd better learn to control that tongue before speaking to our Alpha."

"And you'd better get your damn hands off me!"

The warrior laughs mockingly.

"Good luck saying that to him."

He finally releases my arm when we reach a large wooden door. Another guard approaches, exchanges a few words with my captors, and leads me down a long corridor.

I can barely concentrate on anything around me. My wrists are throbbing, my back aches from the fall, and every step makes me feel weaker.

Eventually, the guard opens a door and gestures for me to enter.

"Wait here."

I look at him furiously.

"Take these chains off!"

He glances at my injured wrists.

"The Alpha will decide that."

"What? Are you serious?"

But he simply walks out and closes the door.

"HEY!"

Nothing.

I stare at the closed door in disbelief.

Unbelievable.

I'm trapped inside a room with a desk, several chairs, and a large window overlooking the gardens. I immediately rush toward the glass, hoping to find a way out.

Unfortunately, armed guards are everywhere.

"I'm so screwed," I mutter.

I step away from the window, trying to control my breathing.

Maybe I can convince Darius to let me go. Maybe he'll understand that marrying someone who hates him is a terrible idea.

Who am I kidding?

That bastard doesn't care what I want.

Suddenly, a furious male voice explodes from somewhere beyond the door.

"DO YOU THINK I'M SOME KIND OF IDIOT?!"

I nearly jump out of my skin.

Holy Goddess!

The man is shouting so loudly that I can hear every word through the thick wooden door.

"I DON'T GIVE A DAMN WHAT YOU THOUGHT! I GAVE YOU AN ORDER!"

Someone tries to answer him, but the response is too quiet for me to understand.

A second later, something slams violently against a hard surface.

I instinctively take a step back.

That has to be Darius.

My heart begins racing.

Just a few minutes ago, I was imagining all the terrible things I would say to him. Now, hearing the fury in his voice, I can barely stop my hands from trembling.

What if he decides to punish me for running away?

What if he refuses to release me?

I cautiously approach the door, hoping to understand what's happening on the other side.

Then his voice erupts again, louder and angrier than before.

"I WON'T FUCKING REPEAT MYSELF! THE NEXT TIME YOU DISOBEY ONE OF MY ORDERS, I'LL PERSONALLY MAKE SURE YOU REGRET IT!"

I freeze.

And suddenly, I'm not so sure I want that door to open.