Chapter 60: Running
Raven
By the time I got back to my sleeping place, most people had already settled in for the night. Still, no matter how much I tried to sleep, I couldn’t.
I could feel the slight swell of my stomach and knew that I was already more than a month pregnant, going on two.
Gessia could decide that she was done with her preparations tomorrow. Moreover, there was nothing in the pack for me but pain and suffering.
Loel and Xarna made it bearable, but what did that matter when Rex could control me like a slave and there was nothing I could do to change that?
I was bound to his will, and the only thing that could save me was distance.
If I run far enough into the human lands, then I’ll be fine, I thought to myself, aware that the child was bound to be born human and wouldn’t shift until at least six to ten years.
I had time.
Scrambling off the bed, my heart pounding loudly in my chest, I pulled off the clothes covering the straw bed and grabbed the four potions, stashing them in the pockets of my dress.
I took a small bag and packed a few pieces of food and fruits I had been storing, nothing more. Some water too, before slinging the bag over my shoulder.
My heart raced so loudly it echoed in my head. Everything was eerily quiet as I prepared to leave.
I couldn’t wait until sunrise, but at the same time, heading into the forest at night was asking to be eaten by the creatures that roamed it.
I couldn’t cross the river, which meant my only choice was to pass the guards on duty without being spotted. Hopefully, one of them would be too sleepy to stay alert.
I waited longer until it was nearing sunrise. I could smell the morning air before finally heading out.
Moving as fast as I could, I picked up a bucket, pretending to be heading toward the river as I walked as quietly as possible.
I was surprised to find no one on my way as I moved toward the river and past it, only to hear voices ahead.
"Gosh! Once the sun rises, we can sleep. We might as well slack off a little," a loud, grumpy voice said.
"...moreover, the area we cover is close to the river. Intruders or wild animals don’t like such muddy ground," the other added.
I could barely see in the dark, not enough to make out their faces, but they were loud enough.
They were playing some kind of wooden board game, rolling small balls and making bets.
It was popular enough that I recognized it.
Slowly, I backed away as quietly as I could, aware that their senses could pick up even the smallest disturbance.
I wasn’t too worried. I was part of the pack, and my scent wouldn’t seem strange.
Carefully, I moved toward the path they were supposed to be guarding.
It was muddy and slightly uphill. I dragged myself over it, not caring about the mud in the slightest.
It was difficult, but it didn’t take long before I reached the top.
I was already gasping for air, but I didn’t dare take one of the potions. Not yet.
The sky was beginning to clear, and fear settled in. It wouldn’t be long before they noticed I was gone.
The moment I reached the top, I started running.
I wanted to get as far away from the pack as possible, consequences be damned. I knew the punishment for desertion was death.
At that point, I would rather die than stay.
I ran faster through shrubs and branches, my boots taking most of the damage.
Still, my lungs burned.
Eventually, I took one of the potions, disappointed in myself, taking a sip of water before continuing.
This time, I ran at a steadier pace, paying attention to every sound around me.
I still had a long way to go, but the farther I went, the more worried I became.
I was a slow runner, and with werewolf speed, catching up to me would be easy.
I needed to find a human village.
At least the mud covering me would help mask my scent.
For a moment, I stopped to catch my breath, surprised when tears began to slip down my face. I wiped them away with my dirty sleeve.
I was covered in mud from head to toe. My lungs felt like they were on fire.
Yet as I looked around at the trees, the roots, the wild grass, this was the freest I had ever felt in my entire life.
That realization brought even more tears.
I looked around, knowing that once I reached a human village, I would be safe, blending in with them.
No one would try to control me.
No one would lock me away "for my own good" like my mother.
No one would ignore me like I was nothing, like my father and siblings.
No one would try to use me like the alphas.
Yes, I had made a mistake, and it got his mother killed.
But did that mean I deserved to suffer for the rest of my life?
Had I not suffered enough?
My vision blurred as tears filled my eyes, but I wiped them away and kept running.
I wanted to go farther before taking the second potion.
I had left a note by my door saying I didn’t want to be disturbed for breakfast. I hoped it would buy me enough time.
I kept running, wishing I had proper clothes like the men, something easier to move in.
My dress snagged on a root and tore slightly. I looked down, planning to rip the rest of it off for easier movement.
Then I froze.
A low growl echoed through the air.
It was loud. Or maybe it only felt that way because it was close.
Too close.
Regret hit me instantly.
The one thing I had forgotten to take.
A weapon.
Not to fight the creatures or the werewolves who might come after me. I was too weak for that.
But it would have made things easier.
More believable.
When I pressed a dagger to my throat and swore I would rather die than go back.
