Chapter Six

ELORA’S POV

THE next morning, I was greeted by an empty room. Maira was no longer on her bed. She probably woke up early to do her chores. 

Meanwhile, I silently thanked the goddess for this opportunity. It would be hard for me to prepare for my journey if Maira was still around. Without wasting any more time, I started packing. I couldn’t contain the happiness I was feeling. For today, I would be leaving this place, making everything that happened in the past few days nothing but unwanted memories. 

‘Are you sure you wanted to leave? Is there anything I can do or say that would change your mind?’ Arwen asked. Her face was a picture of sadness.

I shook my head and continued packing my things. “Start forgetting him, Arwen. He’s not worth it.”

When I was done packing, I tiptoed near the door. As I pressed my ears to the hard, wooden door, I heard some footsteps on the other side. The earthy, manly smell indicated that the guards assigned to watch over me were just standing by. 

My face turned into a frown. The door was not an option now. 

Fisting my hand, I looked around to find another escape route. My face lit up when my eyes found the unguarded window and I peeped through it.  It was only then that I realized that I was on the fourth floor of this building. 

Oh, shit. It was too high to jump even for a werewolf like me. If I were to shift, it would definitely draw some attention.

‘So, what now?’ I asked myself.

It was then that I noticed a window to the room below ours. Judging by its position, it would be easy for me to reach it should I still follow this route. I could only hope that the room adjacent to it would be empty or else, I would be caught. And yet, it was a risk worth taking, as I was certainly out of options. 

I scanned the room for a thing that could support my weight. It was then that I found a rope sitting quietly in a corner. I immediately grabbed it, tied it to my waist, and attached it to one of the legs of my bed. After securing everything, I looked at our quarters one last time before jumping out of the window stealthily. 

Luckily, the window below our room was opened. As soon as I entered the empty room, the addicting smell of Alpha Dominic welcomed me. It stunned me for a moment before asking Arwen. “I wonder why the Alpha King’s smell was all over this place.”

‘What’s left to wonder? This is his castle, remember?’

“Hmmm...right,” I responded. 

I scanned the neatly arranged books and files, careful not to make any sound. If the Alpha King comes here very often, I would not risk getting caught for sure. 

I gathered enough courage to walk around, trying to check for a possible exit that I could use. I was scanning through the left corner when I noticed a wooden door. My face lit up. Perhaps this was the exit I was desperately looking for. 

‘Are you sure about this, Elora?’ Arwen asked when I touched the knob.

“I didn’t have much choice, do I?” I took a deep breath, ready to face whatever thing was waiting on the other side. So, I pushed the door carefully. But nothing prepared me for the sight that welcomed me.

Seated in the middle of the mysterious room was a silver cage. But what was utterly terrifying was the crimson-red liquid that covered the whole thing. 

Blood. Wolf blood, to be exact. 

‘It’s the blood of our mate,’ Arwen mumbled, completely lost.

“I… I know,” confirming her suspicion after inhaling the scent a couple of times. 

The room was eerie and dark and I wouldn’t want to know what horror lies deep within these walls. Even without touching the silver cage, I could sense its dire effect on me. Having it near me made me really uncomfortable. I wonder how Alpha Dominic’s blood ended up on its surface.

Could it be that he was hurting himself?

But, why? That didn’t make sense!

‘I wish I could answer that, Elora,’ Arwen uttered. It was at this time that I remembered the burned marks on his palm. 

Did he get those marks from this cage? If so, why did he let himself be confined to it? He is the most powerful alpha on the continent. Had he gone totally stupid for letting himself hurt? 

Ah, questions…so many questions lingering inside my head. But I shouldn’t concern myself with this anymore. I would let the heartless alpha deal with his own shit. After all, I will be out of this pack in no time.

‘Are we going to leave even after seeing that cage, Elora? What if…’ Arwen’s wolf eyes looked begging.

“He’s fine, Arwen. I don’t think he needed us by his side. Have you forgotten about her slut, Ashley?” I scowled, irritated by her constant side comments convincing me to stay.

I was a few steps away from getting my freedom back when I heard some footsteps from the corridor. Judging by its sound, the footsteps belong to more than one person. A spike of fear emerged from me.  

Shit… This isn’t good.

My heart pounded wildly as I carefully scooched myself at the back of one of the bookshelves. I covered my mouth, careful not to make a sound. I could only hope that the smell of the old books and files was enough to cover my scent. If not, it would be my end. 

“I have so many things to deal with.” The deep, familiar voice of the Alpha King echoed in the secret room. Suddenly, I felt the urge to run into his arms and throw him a hug but I controlled myself. “Tell me, Alpha. What is it that you wanted to talk about that you requested a private conversation with me?” 

“Forgive me, your grace, but I need your help,” the other man answered.

Shit! I recognized that voice. That’s…That’s…

‘Elora, it’s him…’

Beads of sweat started to form on my forehead. My body started to burn in rage, remembering the man responsible for my parent's death. My eyes began to warm, as tears started to stream down my face. 

Three years had passed but the image of that horrible man still lingered in my head vividly. The devil from my nightmares had returned. 

Because the man talking to my mate was none other than my cunning uncle, Lucian Knightlock!