The Failed Escape

The cold reality of my decision set in the moment I reached my bedroom. My hands shook as I pulled my battered duffel bag from beneath the bed. Every second counted now. I had my bag ready with the little things I planned to take along with me. I shoved in a few sets of sturdy clothes, a spare pair of shoes, and whatever cash I had saved over the years. No useless trinkets. No heavy memories. Just the bare essentials for survival.

I crept down the hallway to the kitchen. The house was dead quiet. Ma Corinne was out, which was a blessing. I grabbed a pen and a scrap of paper from the counter. My handwriting was jagged, betraying my racing pulse.

*I’ll be gone for a while, make sure to take good care of yourself. I will always love you. Cassia ♡x*

I hung the note on the fridge with a dull magnet. I stared at the words for a fleeting second before forcing myself to turn away. It was a good thing she wasn't around. I couldn't handle the emotions that were sure to follow her finding out I was leaving.

Next step. The border.

I slipped out the back door, hugging the shadows of the tree line. I was putting my load at a hidden corner of the border, a place I was sure no one was going to see it. A place where the scent of my clothes could be hidden. The night air was thick, carrying the distant murmurs of the pack. Making sure that no one was watching, I dropped to my knees near a patch of thorny bushes. I clawed at the loose dirt and dead leaves until I formed a shallow trench. I buried the bag deep, patting the earth down firmly.

I smoothed the dirt over, running back to the house, my lungs burning. It had to be perfect. A little slip up and I was sure I was going to die in this pack. At precisely 11:48 PM, I needed to cross that border. No more, no less. Anything other than the stipulated time would be doom. That was the exact time they did change shifts.

I walked back to the house, the nerves eating me up.

I blew out a large amount of air through my mouth. The last time I did things hastily, I got caught. But this time? I was precise. I was desperate for everything to work out just fine.

I paced up and down the room, the nerves not allowing me to think straight. The wooden floorboards creaked under my boots.

*Knock knock.*

The door swung open revealing Sabrina. I nearly cussed out. I had forgotten to lock the door behind me. That was really stupid. Imagine if she had walked in on me packing? My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird.

"Are... you okay?" she asked, looking at me skeptically.

"Why wouldn't I be?" My voice came out overly high pitched. I bit my inner lip, tasting a faint hint of copper.

"I don't know, you look kind of pale." She stepped inside the room, closing the door behind her. "Are you feeling pains again? Do you need—"

"Sabrina!"

She seemed taken aback by the way I reacted, so I reined in my emotions a whole lot. Forcing my shoulders to drop, I took a step back. "I'm fine, okay? Just some school issues here and there, and that's it."

She seemed to understand where I was coming from. She couldn't know the truth. I mean, we attended the same school.

"I'm sorry," she said, looking sad. "I wish I could make them stop, but unfortunately no. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you today."

I almost rolled my eyes at that. There was literally nothing she could do, even if she was at my side. The only thing being at my side could do was get her dragged into the heat of what I was facing. It would just paint a target on her back.

"Forget it, what's done is done. You came to see me?"

"Yes, I came to check up on you, and it's time for dinner."

I smiled at her, shaking my head no. I couldn't risk it. I could eat and feel heavy, falling asleep. I could also stay out late missing my opportunity. The best I could do is stay right here.

"I don't think I can eat there," I told her. "Things are not really different from school at the pack, you know."

And that was true. It was the same set of kids who talked smack about me in the school hallways that said the same things at the pack. It was just under a different setting.

"Oh, I didn't realize. I'll grab our food then, I'll eat here with you." She smiled, rushing towards the door.

"No!" I screamed in panic.

That seemed to have shaken her because she immediately looked back to face me. I let out a breath to show that I was tired.

"Look, Brina, I know you care, but I am drained, mentally and physically. I just... I just need to be alone and be in the right headspace right now," I said, putting on a good show of emotions.

I really hoped this explanation was enough. I needed to keep her off my back till after I crossed through the pack border. If she stayed, the entire plan would crumble.

She opened her mouth several times before she finally spoke. "I'm sorry." She looked guilty. "I just haven't seen much of you lately and I thought that maybe..." She shook her head. "I'm sorry. I'll come back in the morning."

I could see through the smile. She was hurt. Sabrina wasn't the type that liked being excluded from things, and she loved to help any way she could, so I knew this was definitely a blow for her.

"Thank you." I ignored her emotions and closed the door. Not even waiting for her to leave first.

I leaned against the wood, sliding down until I hit the floor. I looked at the clock and sighed.

"A few more hours," I whispered to myself.

***

This was it. It was only a few minutes to the time.

I started to walk quietly. It made it less suspicious. It wasn't odd for someone to want to take a walk around this time. I kept my head down, making my way through the dim paths of the territory. I even greeted a few people, despite the nasty looks they were giving me.

I quickened my steps as the time grew closer. I was slightly out of breath at this point. Swiftly, I reached the thorny bushes, dug up the bag, and continued. I slung the heavy strap over my shoulder.

This was it. I could smell it. Freedom.

I was finally going to be free from the humiliation. The pain. Everything. I was going to start a new life away from the torment of these wolves.

The borders, just as I expected, were clear of anybody. 11:48 PM. The guards were gone. There was nothing standing between me and freedom.

I quickened my pace, or at least tried to. I was starting to run out of breath. My boots pounded against the grass. I could feel the invisible thread that bound me to the pack start to stretch thin. Just a few more yards.

"CASSIA!!"

The hairs on my body stood on end. No, this couldn't be. I was too discreet. There isn't a way he would have known.

"Come back here. Right now!!"

I could feel Torin's rage all the way from here. I calmed myself. He was too far away. There was no way he could catch up with me before I crossed the line. I skipped my way quickly, pushing my legs to their absolute limit, sprinting toward the trees until...

The air was knocked out of my lungs in an instant.

A massive weight slammed into my side. The ground came closer to my face. It felt, for me, like the whole world was happening in slow motion. I hit the dirt hard, my bag flying from my grasp.

I turned over from the impact, gasping for air. It was Silas. I would know his massive timber wolf anywhere. He stood over me, his fangs bared in a low snarl.

He shifted in front of me stark naked. It bothered me a bit. Wolves generally were comfortable with nudity, but not when someone's cock and balls were dangling right in my face. The sight jarred me as I struggled to catch my breath.

I stood up quickly, the world looking a little blurry. My chest heaved as I tried to escape him. I spun around, ready to make a mad dash for the woods again.

But something sharp pierced into my side from the back.

A needle.

Someone else was behind me. It caused my neck to sting, a sudden, fiery burn flooding my veins. It knocked me out, not even giving me enough time to react to the pain. My legs gave out beneath me, and the dark forest faded into pitch black.