Chapter 6 Desperate Flight

Lyra POV

"We need to protect our pup," my wolf snarled.

"I know," I whispered, rising shakily to my feet. "We need to leave. Now."

The words Dominic had spoken just minutes ago echoed in my mind with cruel clarity. Breeding vessel. That's all I was to him—a convenient womb to carry children his precious Isabella couldn't bear. The thought of my child being taken from me, raised by that unconscious woman and the man who had betrayed me so completely, sent a surge of primal rage through my body.

I moved to the window, peering cautiously through the curtains toward the pack grounds below. My heart sank as I spotted Marcus sitting on a bench in the common area, his gaze methodically sweeping across the compound.

"Shit," I hissed, ducking back. "The surveillance has already started."

"He can't watch forever," my wolf reasoned. "He'll need to rest eventually."

I nodded. Dominic was likely spending the night with Isabella in that cabin, which meant only Marcus stood between me and freedom. I'd wait for nightfall, for the moment his guard dropped, then I'd run.

With this decision made, I curled up on my bed, forcing myself to rest while my mind raced with escape plans. Where would I go? Who could I trust? The questions swirled like autumn leaves in a storm, but one thing remained certain—anywhere was better than here.

Night fell, but Marcus didn't. I watched from my window as he patrolled the grounds tirelessly. By dawn, I had to accept that tonight wouldn't bring my escape.

"We wait," I told my wolf. "We act normal. Lower his guard."

For the next several days, I maintained a careful routine—emerging only for meals, exchanging pleasantries with pack members, retreating to my room. My every movement was a performance: I'm not a threat. I'm not planning anything.

The next day, a beacon of hope arrived in my email inbox. My human friend had sent a message with an attachment.

"Facial recognition picked this up from traffic cameras near Blaine," his message read. "Thought you should see it."

I opened the attached photo with trembling fingers. The image was grainy, captured through a fast-food restaurant window near what looked like a gas station. But the profile of the man inside was unmistakable—Jason. My brother was alive.

The location tag put it near Blaine—nearly 320 kilometers north. No time stamp. I recalled hearing about another wolf pack in that area—the Silver Moon Pack. Whether Jason was passing through or had joined them, this was the first real lead I'd had in two years.

I knew then where I needed to go.

Four nights later, I noticed something different. Marcus wasn't at his usual post. The common area stood empty. I scanned the grounds, heart racing with possibility. This could be my only chance.

I didn't waste time packing. Anything I took would slow me down or raise suspicions. Instead, I silently descended the stairs, heart pounding with each step.

Just as I turned the handle, Marcus's voice came from beside the door, stopping me cold. "Going somewhere, Luna?"

I forced my features into a mask of innocent surprise. "Marcus! You startled me."

"It's late for a walk," he observed, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"I'm not going for a walk," I replied, thinking quickly. "Alpha sent for me. He wants me at the cabin."

Marcus's posture stiffened. "I wasn't informed."

"He said it was a private matter," I continued with a practiced smile.

His brow furrowed with indecision. I could almost see the conflict playing across his features—follow Dominic's orders to watch me, or respect the Alpha's supposed summons.

"I can escort you," he offered, his tone making it clear this wasn't really a suggestion.

I shook my head. "That won't be necessary. Alpha specifically emphasized this was a private matter."

After a moment of hesitation, Marcus nodded and stepped aside, though his eyes never left me as I walked through the door.

I moved purposefully toward the forest path that led to Isabella's cabin. Only when I was certain I'd disappeared from his view did I veer sharply left, breaking into a sprint through the underbrush.

"Hurry," my wolf urged. "He might mindlink with Dominic to confirm your story."

I ran harder, pushing my human form to its limits. I couldn't risk shifting—pregnant wolves couldn't shift without endangering their pups—so I relied on pure human endurance.

When I finally broke through the treeline onto the main road, I was gasping for breath. I paused only long enough to orient myself north before continuing along the highway's shoulder, thumb extended hopefully toward passing headlights.

Ten minutes later, a semi-truck slowed beside me. The driver rolled down his window.

"Need a ride, miss?" he asked.

"Yes, please," I replied. "I'm trying to get to my sick aunt in Blaine."

He smiled, gesturing to the passenger door. "Hop in."

As the truck rumbled north on the highway, I watched the landscape blur past my window. With each mile, the mate bond stretched thinner, a physical ache in my chest that I forced myself to ignore.

By evening, the truck pulled into a gas station. Through the windshield, I recognized the backdrop from Jason's photo—the same fast-food place with its oversized logo.

"I think I'll stretch my legs here," I told the driver. "Thank you for bringing me this far."

Inside the restaurant, I ordered coffee and a small meal, conserving what little cash I had.

After a few bites, I pulled out the phone with my brother's picture and approached the bartender, a middle-aged woman with tired eyes.

"Excuse me," I said, sliding the phone across the counter. "Have you seen this man? He might have been here recently."

She squinted at the image. "Sorry. Don't recognize him. We get a lot of folks passing through." She handed the phone back with an apologetic smile. "Hope you find who you're looking for."

I returned to my booth, disappointment settling heavy in my chest.

Lost in thought, I didn't notice the man approaching until he stood directly before my table. His uniform and badge marked him as local law enforcement, but something in his posture told me he wasn't entirely human.

"You're not from around here, are you?" he asked quietly. "A lone wolf?"

My heart stuttered. "I'm just passing through," I replied cautiously.

A small smile played at his lips. "Relax, kid. The pack in this area has an arrangement with local law enforcement. You look like you could use some help."

I hesitated, then decided to take a chance. "I'm looking for a place... the Silver Moon Pack territory?"

His eyes widened slightly, and he glanced around to ensure no one was listening.

"That's near the Canadian border," he said carefully. "Why do you want to find them?"

"Personal reasons," I replied simply.

He nodded, scribbling something on a napkin. "Good luck," he said, sliding it across the table. "Be careful on the northern roads."

As he walked away, I watched him immediately pull out his phone and make a brief call. Anxiety crawled up my spine—had I just revealed too much? Should I leave immediately? But exhaustion and hunger kept me anchored to my seat, finishing my meal to gather strength for whatever came next.

Half an hour later, as I finished my meal and prepared to continue my journey, the door chimed.

Just then, an intoxicating scent washed over me.

Snow cedar mixed with blackberry.

With my back to the door, I sensed a tall, powerful male presence standing behind me, his shadow falling across my table.

"You've been asking about my pack?" The deep voice carried the distinct authority of an Alpha.