#Chapter Four: The Escape

Sarah‘s POV

I was thrown into my small room, which had a makeshift bed of dirty sheets. A bucket of clean water sat beside it with rags.

“Clean up,” said one of the large guards.

That was it, the flogging pushed me over the edge. I was getting out of here tonight. I had to use my remaining strength to escape. Though its effects were dwindling as my body tried to heal the majority of the wounds received from the flogging.

I tore off my clothes, now rags, and tossed them to the floor. I dipped a clean rag into the water and pressed it over my shoulder. I let out the breath I had been holding. Gently, I touched the flesh. It was raised to peeks in some places but not bleeding. I breathed a sigh of relief.

The lash wounds would be a torment, but I could manage. To regain more strength, I had no choice but to drink rat blood and fill my stomach. I went to the metal cage I kept in the corner of the room. Four rats scurried about in it. I reached in and plucked one out, sinking my teeth into its neck. I pulled out another and another. The effect was minimal, and I was still thirsty. I left one rat in the cage just in case.

I thought of Andrew's blood and how the salty taste coated my tongue. Hot and thick. I craved another drink of blood from a man who made my life a living hell. It disgusted me. I didn’t know if I cared for this vampire instinct. Yet, there had been something there in his blood, something unspoken, something forbidden. I didn’t have words for it.

Suddenly, the Head Omega, Avery, kicked open the door and threw down a black serving dress at me.

“Finish cleaning up, and put this on,” she bellowed.

I soaked the rag and washed my body quickly, then slipped the dress on. The Omega kicked me once I was in the hallway. I almost fell to the ground. Luckily, I caught myself on a nearby table.

Once I was in the ballroom, the Omega left me with one of the guards.

“Don’t lose focus. Now get to serving the guest or you’ll be sorry.”

I tucked my hair behind my ears, straightened my back, and held the tray full of drinks out to passing guests. The night dragged on and on. The stiff dress chafed my tender skin.

I felt eyes on me from across the room. It was Andrew watching me. I pulled on my dress and then bared my teeth at him, and only then did he look away. “Go find your mate, and stop staring at me,” I mumbled under my breath. The guard closest to me glanced over, and I ignored him. As the night progressed, the guard yawned several times and closed his eyes. Leaning against the wall ever so slightly. Soon, I would take my chance to escape while everyone waited for midnight, and the dimming light ceremony began.

Everyone would become still. Excited cries would go up into the air. This was a time when werewolves would become overwhelmed by a scent and follow it to their mate. As much as this was an event full of excitement. It was also a time for sorrow. Some fated mates didn’t like each other. Yet that was no concern of mine. This would be my chance to escape.

Just before midnight, the room pulsed with energy and excitement. I set the drink tray down on the table and took several steps backward, hands behind my back, looking as natural as I could. I bypassed the sleeping guard without a sound and stood next to the servant door leading to the kitchen. It would be the quickest exit out of the manor. I held my breath waiting for the light ceremony.

That was when I spotted Andrew working his way around the outside of the room. A strange look stole his sharp features. Dark brows pinched together, and his jaw was set in a grim line. The look was so intense, I shivered, and my pulse began to gallop. Did he sense I was going to run?

To my relief, Madison blocked his way and clung to him like an unhappy child. She was pouting up at him with her fluttering lashes. No doubt hoping to lure him into some sort of contract since she was not his fated mate.

Soon, the lights in the venue dimmed. I didn’t have much time, so I ran for the kitchen. It was empty. Everyone was in the ballroom or near it, waiting to see what would happen. I didn’t care. I heard cheers of delight rise into the air. Then footsteps―fast pounding footsteps. Panic-stricken, I hurled myself from the building, but not before I heard Andrew's deep voice come from the darkness behind me, say, "mate."

Ignoring it, I ran without looking back, charging full speed toward the Stormveil pack’s border. The forest was thick with trees and underbrush. I knew once I entered, it wouldn’t be easy to get through. But I had to try. The border was only a quarter mile within the forest. I could make it. Then I would be in the Starfang pack’s territory.

Behind me, wolves cried out, howling with agitation. Why had so many shifted? Was something wrong? Were we under attack?

My heart beat faster, feeling as though it would burst from my chest. I kept running.

Just as I was about to reach the forest, a large gray wolf with a sleek coat skidded to a halt in front of me and bared its teeth, blocking my path. The wolf was so close I nearly bounced off of him.

I immediately changed direction, but the wolf shifted so swiftly into a man I didn’t have time to react. I was tightly grabbed from behind. I felt as if my bones were about to be crushed. I couldn’t breathe. The man lifted me off the ground.

Andrew’s husky voice touched my ears. “You dared to escape.”

I kicked hard and bucked against his iron grip, trying to break free, but he held me tighter. His body vibrated with rage. I felt a rib snap, and fire ignited in my lungs.

He threw me to the ground. He stood naked in the moonlight, not caring if I saw him. His body violently shook. I’d never seen him so angry. But maybe it was something else. His features were tortured. His dark eyes narrowed with anger. And he grabbed his head with both hands and screamed into the night air.

"You vile, malicious, lowly vampire,” his deep voice shattered as if to pieces. He let go of his head and glared up at me, “You took my mother away and harmed my sister.”

His eyes turned amber and glowed. I could see too many emotions storming inside Andrew. I tried to crawl away from him. Those eyes meant danger. He straightened to his full height of six feet three inches and fisted his hands at his sides. The muscles in his shoulders, chest, and abs flexed intensely as he growled out the words like poison on his tongue. “You’re my mate."