Chapter 5

_Astrid’s POV_

The door shut behind Zade with a firm click after he placed me on my bed and left me alone.

Alone, humiliated, and still feeling the lingering heat that refused to leave my body all because of the drink Zarek made me consume.

I collapsed onto the cold floor, pressing my cheek against the wooden surface in hopes that it would cool my burning skin. It didn’t.

My heart still pounded in my chest, my emotions swirling between frustration, humiliation, and something dangerously close to despair.

I couldn’t stay here.

Not for another hour.

Not for another minute.

I didn’t care if this Packhouse was filled with powerful werewolves who could probably sniff out a mosquito at twenty paces. I didn’t care if the person who “bought”—ugh, the word made me sick—was an Alpha who thought he owned me now.

I wasn’t staying.

I wasn’t going to be some pet they dragged around at their convenience.

I pushed myself up and took in my room—a pathetic excuse for a guest chamber. I was pretty sure the only reason they hadn’t thrown me in the actual dungeons was that they wanted to dress me up for their amusement first.

Enough.

I scanned the room for an escape route, my head still pounding.

The window? No. I wasn’t an acrobat. Breaking my legs mid-escape wouldn’t exactly help my cause, plus I was drunk.

The vents?

Sigh, there wasn't any vent in my room.

That left only one option—the door.

I padded toward it cautiously, my heart thumping against my ribs as I wrapped my fingers around the handle.

Locked.

Of course.

Zade might have saved me from being harrassed, it didn't mean his brother didn't own me now. He might have done it because he thought someone else might come in to take advantage of me.

I let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing my temples. Think, Astrid.

Then I remembered—the maid.

She had been in earlier, bringing me this ridiculous excuse for a dress. And she hadn’t locked the door behind her. Which meant—

I glanced at the hinges.

The key was outside.

Zade had used this chance to lock me in since the key was out there.

I let out a slow breath. “Alright. I can work with this.”

I pressed my ear to the door, listening for any movement. Silence.

Slowly, I knocked. Lightly. Carefully.

Nothing.

Perfect.

I felt my hair, searching for something to pick at the lock with. My hair pin.

Would it work? No idea. Did I know what I was doing? Absolutely not. In my drunken state, I was such a joke.

My hair fell in big curls around me, bunching around my waist.

I wiggled the pin around, biting my lip in concentration.

Five seconds.

Ten seconds.

Click.

I nearly screamed in excitement.

I gripped the handle and twisted. Unlocked.

I pulled the door open just a fraction, peering out into the hallway. Empty.

I slipped out, shutting the door behind me as quietly as I could.

Now, time to get the hell out of here.

I tiptoed down the hall sluggishly, shaking my head continuously to clear the drink from my eyes.

I laughed at myself mentally remembering the situation I was in.

Just a girl in a scandalously short dress, sneaking out of the Packhouse of two dangerously powerful Alpha twins.

I reached the staircase and peered down. The coast was clear.

This is going too well, I thought nervously.

I hurried down the other steps that had a door I didn't quite know where it was leaving me to.

The front door was extremly risky, but I had overheard one of the guards earlier mentioning that the back entrance near the kitchen led to a side gate.

That was my way out.

I tiptoed past the main hall, nearly tripping over my own feet as I reached the kitchen. The small lighting made it harder to navigate, but I could see the exit just a few feet away.

My hands were sweaty as I reached for the door handle—

A voice behind me made me freeze.

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

I turned way too fast, my face stretching into what I hoped was an innocent expression. They had seen me get drunk earlier, or so I thought.y

A large werewolf guard stood near the pantry, something in his hands, staring at me like I had grown an extra head.

Oh goddess.

Think, Astrid. Think.

I widened my eyes, clutching my stomach. “Oh, thank the Moon Goddess! You’re here!”

The guard blinked. “Uh… what?”

I doubled over dramatically. “I… I was trying to find water. I feel so lightheaded—” I hiccupped for effect, swaying slightly on my feet.

The guard looked at me suspiciously. “You don’t smell drunk.”

“Well, Alpha Zarek made me drink wine belonging to werewolves.” I reminded him. “Now I’m so drunk. So, so drunk. And thirsty too. Please help me.”

He smirked, taking a step closer. “Oh, the beautiful human maid after all." He began to ogle my body, licking his lips as well. “How about I let you have a taste of something better?" He added.

I took a step back.

He took another step forward.

I took another step back—and bumped into a chair, sending it crashing to the floor.

The guard narrowed his eyes.

Oh goddess, this wasn't what I wanted.

“Give me water or else… i’ll call Alpha Zade…” I threatened, although my voice quivered.

Immediately, the lust in his eyes disappeared.

“Fine.” He grumbled and turned around to get me water.

I didn’t wait to see if he was coming back.

I turned around and ran out of the place.

Finally, freedom.

The cold night air hit my skin, sending goosebumps up my arms, but I didn’t care. I was out.

Now I just had to—

A howl rang through the air.

I skidded to a stop.

Oh no.

I turned slowly to look at the Packhouse behind me, lights turning on.

They knew.

They already found out about my escape.

But how did they…..

I did the only logical thing I could do. I ran for my life.

I sprinted across the open field, my bare feet freezing against the grass. My short dress was not helping. At all.

When I felt my lungs burn out, I ducked behind a tree, panting. My heart slammed against my ribs, but I couldn’t stop now.

I just needed to make it to the—

“Going somewhere?”

A deep voice rumbled behind me.

I whirled around—and ran straight into a broad chest.

A large hand wrapped around my waist before I could bolt again.

I looked up, my breath catching.

Zade..

He smirked and lowered his face towards mine.

“You really think you can run from us, little one?”

My stomach sank.

My life was finally over.