Escape

Reya’s POV 

Two years ago, I had allowed myself to foolishly believe meeting my fated mate was the best thing that could ever happen to me. I realized now; how horribly wrong I was. 

Even right now, I felt something more than the happiness that enveloped me. I felt fear. Fear for the life of my child and what might happen if anyone found out I was pregnant. I didn’t want to imagine what Chloe would do. 

She wasn’t as beautiful inside as she was outside. 

“I need to get out of here,” I said immediately it dawned on me that nowhere in this pack was safe for my child. “I need to get as far away from them as I can get.”

I turned to Helen earnestly. “Help me, Helen. This last time, please.”

Helen grabbed my weak hands gently, pulling me to my feet before wiping the sweat off my face with the sheet. She pulled a small stool out from under the bed and placed the tray of food she had brought in with her. 

“Eat.” She ordered. “There’s a herb in the jug. Make sure you don’t leave even a drop. It will help you regain all the strength you have lost. If you’re going to leave this place, you’ll need plenty of that.”

“Thank you,” I whispered and began to devour the food.

“The pack house is empty. No one is watching you or guarding this room because they’re all celebrating a party or whatever it is Lycan Tristan is doing. I’ll be back, you hear?” she said, immediately excusing herself. 

I ate quickly and drank the herb in the jug till it was empty. Helen returned just as I finished with a bag slung over her shoulders and began guiding me outside. Each step I took caused me to wince but eventually, we made it out of the pack house. 

Helen stopped, bringing me to a halt as well. “I packed these for you.” She said, handing me the bag. “They’re change of clothes and some money that will last you a few months of you spending it wisely.”

I nodded, taking the bag from her. Tears welled up in my eyes but I wiped it immediately. “Can I see him?” my eyes shifted towards the conference hall that I knew was to the right of us.

“That’s dangerous, Ray. Please –” Helen began to warn me but I cut her off. 

“Please. Let me see him choose her over me. I need this closure to let him go.” Or maybe I was just being plain stupid. 

Helen nodded. She led us to the conference hall, but not too close so somebody could catch my scent. Through one of the many windows, I sighted Lycan Tristan in the middle of kissing Chloe. Although I was far enough, I could see the affection in his eyes as he held her gaze. 

Something he could never give me. 

My heart broke again, but this time, I knew I was over him. I had a life growing inside me that was much better than him. I had a child I wanted to live for. Who I was going to love and cherish with everything inside me.

“We should go,” Helen said, pulling me in the direction we had come.

With one last look at Lycan Tristan, I let her pull me away, vowing that I would never let him hurt me again. He would never come close to me or my child. That was my promise to myself as I let Helen escort me deeper into the woods until we were finally at the border. 

“Here,” Helen said, her eyes welled up with unshed tears. “This is where I leave you. But I will see you again.” She hugged me. “Stay safe, Ray. And take good care of the little one.”

“Thanks for all that you have done for me,” I said, hugging her tightly. “We’ll see each other again, I promise.”

She smiled and turned to leave. 

My heart was heavy as I watched her as she walked away and finally disappeared between some rows of trees. I will forever be indebted to her. She helped me live and now, she was helping me escape with my child. How could I ever repay her?

I thought of my father and the fact that I may never see him again. Since Lycan Tristan was aware of his death, that only meant one thing. He was with his body. I was sure Helen would get it somehow. 

She always had a way with Lycan Tristan that I never understood. Too bad she couldn’t convince him to love me the way he was supposed to or treat me well. 

I turned and glared at the huge sign in front of me that read ‘DON’T CROSS WITHOUT PERMISSION.’

I smiled as I thought about the fact that I had every intention of crossing. Nothing could stop me now. Not even this flimsy little sign. 

I glanced back at the place I had last seen Helen and sighed. She was the only person I was going to miss in this place. I wish I could bring her with me but I knew that could never happen. As soon as I crossed these boundaries, I was going to be a rogue.

That kind of life was not for Helen. I couldn’t put her through that. The best I could do was try to survive no matter what. And make sure my child grew up well loved and cared for. 

I turned back to the boundary and took a deep breath in. my heart thundered in my chest at what I was about to do. I reminded myself the reason why my father was dead and why I was so far from what was supposed to be home. 

Placing a hand on my stomach, I took a deep breath in. “I Brianna Reya Hunter, reject you, Lycan Tristan Prince of Moon Crest Pack as my Mate and Alpha.”

Pain seared through me, but it was not as intense as I thought it was going to be. After that, I felt surprisingly light. It was though a ton of weight was just lifted off my shoulders. I no longer had the burden of our bond to weigh me down.

I breathed deeply and crossed the border with a smile on my face. Good riddance to bad rubbish. Hopefully, I would never run into Lycan Tristan or Chloe again for the rest of my life. 

As I left the only world I knew behind me, I thought about the kind of life that awaited me and my unborn child. In the excitement of the minute, I had not thought about what living as a rogue might do to me. 

But I was sure it was better than living with an Alpha – why couldn’t I remember his name? – the man my own fated mate sold me to in exchange for the love of his life. 

He had no conscience and I shouldn’t be sorry for the pain breaking our bond might bring him. Besides, I was sure he was happy with Chloe by his side. He’d barely feel anything. 

 With that thought, I locked up every emotion I ever felt for him and moved on.