Chapter 3

Bianca’s Point of View

When I get back to my room, my mother and Emily are already there, waiting for me exactly as planned.

To anyone watching, it looks normal Two women helping a daughter prepare for the upcoming festival, but I know the truth.

The moment the door closes behind me, my chest tightens again.

“Okay, we don't have a lot of time, so listen carefully.”

My mother says quietly, her voice firm but controlled and I nod my head.

“You will come with us to the festival. You will smile politely, greet people, and act like everything is fine. You can't panic, or let anything slip. We can't have any questions.”

She says and Emily nods her head as she moves closer to me.

“Exactly, you just need to play along.”

“Yes, and when the festival picks up around nine o’clock, you will excuse yourself. You’ll say that you’re not feeling well.”

My mother continues and I swallow hard.

“And what about Damon?”

“I’ll handle your brother, and your father. I’ll keep them occupied so you can get out.”

She says without hesitation before she turns to look at Emily.

“While we are at the festival, you will come back here, and you will pack Bianca two bags. One with her necessities and some clothes, and one with supplies.”

She says and Emily immediately nods her head.

“I have already started to make a list.”

She says and my mother nods.

“Good. I will link you as soon as Bianca leaves the festival. You will meet her at the southern border, near the river. At the large rocks where the children usually play.”

She says and my heart begins to pound.

“The border guards...”

I begin, but my mother cuts me off.

“They change shifts at nine-thirty. That gives you a few minutes to cross the border and get into the river. It's a narrow time window, but it will be enough for you to get away.”

She says firmly. I stare at her for a few second before I shake my head, and take a step back.

“I can’t let you do this. If they find out...if Damon realizes that you helped me....”

I repeat again, but my mother grabs my shoulders, and I stop.

“Bianca, calm down.”

My mother says sharply and I swallow hard.

“I know the consequences, and so does Emily. And we are still helping you, because we want to.”

She says firmly. Emily meets my eyes and nods her head.

“Your mother’s right. I won’t let him sell you. Not to him. Not to anyone.”

She says and my throat tightens slightly again.

“You’ll both be punished when he finds out.”

“And you will be destroyed if you stay. That is not an option.”

Emily say, her voice soft but firm.

I look between them, my vision blurring slightly.

“I don’t deserve this.”

I murmur, shaking my head.

My mother steps forward and takes my face in her hands.

“You deserve more than this pack. More than your brother. More than me.”

I breathe in shakily.

“I swear… someday I will come back for you. Both of you.”

I say, my voice shaky and she smiles softly at me.

“Just promise me something first.”

She says and I quickly nod my head.

“Anything.”

“Run. Run as far as you can, and don’t stop until you are nowhere near this pack. Try to reach a human town close to another territory.”

She says and I nod my head.

“I promise.”

I say, my throat feeling tight. My mother gives me a small smile and nods her head.

She steps back, clapping her hands together.

“Good. Now let’s get you ready for the festival.”

She says and I take a shaky breath before slowly nodding my head.

---

Fifteen minutes later, my mother and I stand downstairs next my brother and father, pretending to be the perfect Alpha family.

I plaster a smile onto my face and I keep my head slightly bowed, just enough to look obedient.

My brother and father greet the elders, laugh loudly, and boast about the upcoming blood moon festivities.

I nod my head and answer when spoken to, and I smile when it is expected of me, but inside, I count down every second.

Nine o’clock feels both too close and impossibly far away at the same time.

And the closer it gets to nine, the more I struggle to hide the tension rising inside of me.

My heart won’t slow down, my palms are damp and my skin feels tight and clammy.

“What is wrong with you?”

Damon’s voice snaps quietly next me when a group of elders move away from us.

I stiffen immediately and swallow hard.

"Nothing..."

I say but his eyes narrow at me.

“Your heart is racing, and your skin is clammy.”

He snarls at me and I swallow again.

“I... I’m sorry. I just... I don’t feel very well.”

I say, my voice shaking and he recoils from me, instantly stepping back from me like I might infect him just by standing next to him.

“Then why are you here, you stupid imbecile? Are you trying to infect the entire pack?”

He hisses at me, but before I can speak, my mother steps in between us.

“It’s my fault. I insisted that she attended tonights festivities.”

She says calmly and Damon sneers at her.

"You are becoming careless.”

My mother swallows and bows her head slightly.

“I apologize.”

She says before she turns to look at me and she grips my shoulders gently.

“Why don’t you go back to your room?”

She says gently and I hesitate for a second as my chest tightens.

"I will come check on you later."

My mother says firmly this time and I swallow hard before slowly nodding my head.

“Yes, Mother.”

I whisper before I step forward suddenly and I hug her, holding on tighter than I ever have before.

She stiffens for half a second, before she wraps her arms around me and she hugs me back just as tightly.

“Go... Now.”

She murmurs softly. I nod my head and pull back, forcing myself not to cry. She gives me a small, sad smile and I swallow hard before I turn and walk away without looking back.

I quickly make my way back towards the pack house, greeting pack members along the way, still playing my part. Once I get close to the pack house I look around me to make sure that no one sees me before I take a sharp turn and head south into the forest.

I quickly make my way to the river and Emily is waiting exactly where my mother said she would be.

“Did anyone see you?”

She asks me immediately and I shake my head.

"No, I made sure."

I say and she nods her head.

"Good. Are you ready?"

She asks and I nod my head even though my hands are trembling.

"Yes."

“Give me your dress.”

She says and I pull it over my head quickly. She stuffs it into a bag and hands me a loose shirt.

“Put this on.”

She says and I quickly pull it over my head.

She opens the backpack and pulls out a small bottle.

“This it to mask your scent. I'll spray the bag, but the river will help cover your scent if they decide to follow you, but use the spray as soon as you can. There is another bottle in your bag as well to help you hide until you are far away. There is also a phone. It is untraceable. Text us when you are safe.”

She keeps talking, fast and controlled.

“There is also money, food, and supplies for a few days. Don’t linger anywhere too long.”

She says and I nod my head, swallowing hard.

“Thank you. I don’t know how I will ever repay you.”

I say, my voice thick with emotion.

She shakes her head.

“You don’t need to.”

“You are risking everything to help me.”

I say and she meets my gaze with a small smile.

“You are my sister, Bianca, maybe not by blood, but you are the closest thing I have to one, and I would do anything for you. You know that.”

She says and I swallow again.

“I will come back.”

I promise but she shakes her head again.

“Don’t. Not for me. Live your life. Find your mate. Be free.”

She says quickly before she pulls me into a tight hug.

After a few seconds she steps back abruptly.

“Go. Now. You don’t have any more time to waste. Take off the shirt and I will stuff it into the bag. Then I will throw the bag to you once you are on the other side of the river. Shift and swim.”

She says firmly and I nod my head before pulling off the shirt. I shift without hesitation and plunge into the river.

The water is cold, but I don’t slow down.

I reach the opposite bank and I shake myself before looking over at Emily.

“Are you ready?”

Emily calls out softly and I nod my head.

She throws the bag and I catch it easily.

“Good luck, Bianca. May the Moon Goddess protect you.”

She says quietly. I dip my head once in thanks.

Then I turn, and I run.

As fast and as far as I can.