Chapter 3: THE ESCAPE

Anastasia's pov

"Evelyn! Evelyn!" I called; my heart was throbbing, and I could hear it beat so loudly in my head.

I couldn't afford to lose her; she wanted me to run away, but to where exactly? Where was I supposed to go? I have basically lived my life hidden, as a maid. I've barely seen the kingdom at large. Where was I supposed to run?

"Evelyn, if you can hear me, I really need you," I called to her again. Tears started to fall freely as I said, huddled up on the cold floor. I hit my chest repeatedly, hoping the throbbing pain would stop, but it didn't. I was just rejected by my mate, and now my only companion won't respond to me.

"Run Ana, you're in danger; leave the Moongrave kingdom!" This warning echoed and I sprang up, immediately wiping my tears and grabbing whatever tangible thing I owned and shoving it into a dusty old sack at the corner of the room. I owned absolutely nothing, so packing took less time than I predicted.

My eyes were filled with both sadness and grief. I picked up the bag and slung it over my shoulder, quietly opening the door to avoid making any noise that could make me get caught. With my eyes glued to the ground, a shadow engulfed me immediately, stealing the little illumination the dainty light bulbs in my room gave me.

"And where do you think you're going, witch?" Raven screeched, and I fell to the ground. My heart beat immediately tripled.

"I don't think that's any of your business." I hissed; it was the first time I'd ever spoken to her or anyone with so much bravery. I was very proud of my untraceable source of courage.

I scrambled back to my feet and staggered for a few seconds due to my wobbly legs and the pain in my head. My droopy eyes met her fiery ones; it looked like she was going to kill me once and for all.

"You seem to have forgotten your place," she scoffed, maintaining the right amount of distance from me. " What gave you the impression that you could talk to me with such a tone?"

I stayed mute, unsure of what to say next. I just wanted to get out of there before the guards came looking for their perfect, pretty princess.

"Out of my way, Raven," I snorted, and she giggled, her eyes widening in surprise, completely shocked at my boldness.

"After attempting to steal my mate?" She began to close the distance between us. My fists and jaw tightened at the mention of the word "my mate." The only thing I could call my own was taken away, and I couldn't do anything about it.

I was running out of patience; I had to get away from the palace. I tried calling Evelyn again, but there was still no response.

"So you finally got your wolf, huh?" She paced.

"At least something good can come out of your existence," she announced. Normally, I would be pained by her choice of words, but I've heard those harsh words too many times to be bothered.

"You don't need me; you don't care if I live or die, so why not just let me leave and be out of your life completely?"

"I swear by the moon goddess and the guardians above, if you dare as much as step out that door, there would be bloodshed, and it would be yours!" She roared, her eyes glistening in the poor lighting. Shivers ran down my spine as I saw her mischievous smile.

"Do you think our parents would be happy with that?"

"Brave of you to assume that they are still your parents. After killing mom with your witchcraft? She couldn't care less about whether you live or die, and I'm sure dad has always despised you," she smirked.

My eyes watered, and soon it was a show of tears; I couldn't hold it in. My mom was the most precious thing to me; she was the only one who actually cared for me. Being accused of murdering her caused unexplainable pain.

"You would become a murderer," I sniffed.

"Well, let's see who they believe—a dead, unwanted, miserable pauper or the harmless, gentle princess." She smiled, and I shook my head as more tears fell. I could never win against her—maybe not in this world.

There was no need to stand there going back and forth with her. I took a deep breath and narrowed my eyes. She rapped on about how irrelevant I was. When I saw the chance, I seized it and bolted.

I ran like my life depended on it; in fact, it did. My heart was racing, and the growl I heard behind me made my heart drop into my stomach.

"She turned into her wolf just to catch me? Why???" I thought as I ran.

I didn't stop running out of the house into the fields; there was no one in sight, and that gave me an advantage. I kept running as fast as my legs could carry me, increasing my speed whenever it looked like she was catching up to me.

I was completely out of breath by the time I got to the border, but I couldn't stop; she was still following me. Why did she want me to stay so bad?

Out of panic, I ran into the border of the neighbouring ountry. Immediately, she halted; there was no use following me into the neighbouring country and endangering herself.

I watched her retreat, and as she did, my body began to give in to the bruises and the blood loss from all the injuries I sustained from running. My heavy eyes began to close, and I fell to the ground.

Embracing the solace I found in the darkness.

I thought I had died, but the flickering light over my head brought me back to reality. My vision zoomed in and out of focus, and I swear, I thought I was dreaming when they finally gained clarity. It was the most luxurious room I'd ever seen.