Chapter 6: Escape

Cora's POV

A few days later, Liam and my parents joined me for my first baby doctor appointment–not to support me, of course, but to make sure everything is perfect for Iris’ cure. 

I have to admit, ever since I uncovered the truth, there’s been this strange, stifling tension between us, and no one knows how to break it.

“We should have a baby shower!” Iris's excited voice echoed in the obstetrician's office. 

She was the only one unaffected by the tension in the room, and I guess that’s because she knew they all loved her so much.

“Of course we should!” Liam agrees indulgently, shooting Iris a warm smile even as it’s my baby’s silhouette glowing on the ultrasound screen. 

“That’s a wonderful idea, Iris,” my mother beams at her. 

I grit my teeth as the cool gel slides across my exposed stomach. 

No one has bothered to even ask my opinion on the matter, of course. Why would they? I’m just the one who’s pregnant, after all! 

It’s fine. To ensure a smooth escape, I’ll have to play along with whatever they plan, and a baby shower might just be the perfect opportunity. 

“That sounds lovely!” I say, forcing cheerfulness into my voice as I stare up at the screen. 

I need to get out of here. 

For both of this. 

“I’m glad you’re finally on the same page as the rest of us,” Liam says, voice steely. 

“Your child seems to be in perfect health so far,” the pack doctor cuts in. 

“I’d say you’re seven, maybe eight weeks along? Vitals are good for the both of you, development fully on track. We’ll schedule another checkup for you a couple weeks down the road, but for now, everything is perfect.” 

My parents both breathe out heavy sighs of relief and collapse into one another with tears in their eyes, while Liam and Iris exchange bright smiles. I look at the screen, brow furrowed. 

I’m glad that my baby is healthy, but it’s strange being the only one not sharing this good news with someone. 

The doctor turns off the ultrasound machine and begins wiping the gel off my stomach, and the checkup comes to an end. 

That evening, the party kicks into full swing. The pack house’s ballroom is crowded with members of both the Snowcrest and Bloodthorn packs. 

I spend the start of the evening on Liam’s arm as people I don’t recognize come up to the pair of us, offering their congratulations and reaching for my stomach even though there’s nothing to feel. I put on a real show of blinking clearly and stepping off to the side. 

After about half an hour, Liam catches on and begins to frown. 

“Are you okay?” He asks sharply. “If anything feels wrong, you should go to the doctor at once–” 

“Just feeling a bit tired,” I assure him quickly with a weak smile. “Pregnancy is taxing on the female body, you know. Would it be alright with you if I went to our bedroom to rest for a while?” 

“Whatever you need to do for the baby’s health,” Liam replies, gaze already sliding past me and fixing on Iris from the other side of the room. 

We all know this party isn’t really for me anyways. 

Without a moment’s hesitation, I quickly slip away from Liam and return to our room. I exchange my evening gown for more practical clothing, loose pants and a tunic, and cut through the front foyer before anyone can see me. 

I’m heading for the pack border, and no one is going to stop me. 

With almost everyone busy at the party, only a handful of guards are stationed at the perimeter. As I see them approaching up ahead, I shift from a frantic run to a powerful stride, doing my best to exude the authority that’s rightfully mine. 

“I am Luna Cora. I need to go to the Bloodthorn pack to retrieve something important,” I said firmly.

The guard hesitated, clearly skeptical of my request—after all, it was the middle of the night, and I was pregnant, going on a mission alone. It didn’t seem very safe.

“Luna, I think I need to confirm with Alpha—” the guard tried to explain, but I wasn’t about to give him a chance.

“Are you questioning my judgment?” I asked sharply.

Without hesitation, I straightened my posture and leaned into my authoritative presence. “As your Luna, are you planning to defy my orders?”

The guards immediately lower their heads and look away in fear, too scared to challenge me. 

I smirk as they both step aside and reveal the entrance to the Bloodthorn pack. Of course they have no choice but to let me pass. 

Just as I step across the border, though, I suddenly hear a familiar voice. 

“Cora!” 

My heart pounds in my chest — It’s Liam!

He’s discovered my escape, and he’s closing in fast. 

“Stop!” Liam orders as he chases after me. 

His voice is sharp with an authority that chills me to the bone, but I’m not stopping for him. I’m not stopping for anyone ever again. 

I’m running with every drop of strength I have in me. 

I can hear his footsteps fast behind me, though, can feel his outstretched hands reaching out to nab me. Just as his fingers are about to close around my wrist, a voice suddenly echoes through my mind. 

The Beta’s mind link. 

I glance back, catching sight of Liam’s glowing eyes in the darkness. So both of us were mind-linked, then. 

The Beta’s voice is urgent. ‘Iris just collapsed. You both need to come back immediately.’ 

As the words ring through my mind, I keep running, but steal another glance back at Liam. Our eyes lock in a silent exchange. 

For just a moment he hesitates, brow furrowing. 

And then, without another word, he turns and sprints back towards the Snowcrest pack. 

I know then–between chasing after me and returning for Iris, Liam has chosen her. 

It’s a truth I’ve still been trying to deny, but as my feet hit the ground over and over again, it keeps slamming into me. 

Liam doesn’t love me. 

It shatters my heart, but what else can I do but keep running? 

As I look around the trees, though, I realize I’ve lost my way in the woods. All I can hear is my own breathing and my heart racing in my chest. Panic sets in fast as I try to regain my bearings–until a distinct scent fills my nose. 

Pinewood. 

At once, the unfamiliar scent has me on high alert. 

Now that I’ve broken away from the past, I’m no different from a rogue. Anything unknown could mean danger. 

I tense up and look around wildly, ready for anything. 

And then, suddenly, a deep voice rumbles from the darkness ahead. 

“I’ve been waiting for you, mate!”