Chapter 3

I was dressed up in my black hood, which I wore over my favorite round neckline gown that stopped right above my knees. It was my only gown without any torn parts but was quite oversized around the chest region, so the long jacket will do well to cover that. I had no good clothes anymore, as they had been either burned or thrown away by the Luna.

According to her, I was a slave so I should look like one-tattered and haggard. All the clothes I brought from my parent's house were all gone and replaced by different kinds of old and badly sewn clothes that she brought for me.

As I stood in front of the mirror, I felt frustrated, and a wave of defeat rushed through me like a wave. Anger pumped in my heart, and my legs both became weak and jelly. My reflection was far from a pleasant sight, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say I was an eyesore.

My skin hadn't been taken care of, so they almost looked pale and dead. The bones around my shoulders and jaw were all poking out of my tiny skin, giving out the clear reality of how wretched I was.

Not even my hair could make me a little bit admirable. I tried packing them and arranging them into something a little bit pretty, but they kept falling out of place, all frizzy and unkempt, with the curls so uneven.

A frustrating hiss escaped my lips as I pulled up the hood cap over my face, making sure it covered my head and cast a shadow over my face.

"Why are you suddenly so concerned about your look? You have tears rolling down your cheeks already, Hun?" My wolf pointed out in a surprising tone, and I quickly wiped my eyes, sniffing and letting out a shrug as I turned over to the exit door.

"You said we might meet our mate, and I believed what you said even when it seemed very impossible and stupid to think of, but what if you are actually right and he smells us and finds out we are his mate? Won't he reject us? Without being told, anyone who sees me will know I am a poor piece of trash who isn't even a complete werewolf. He won't like me." I breathed, hanging my head low.

"Your mate will love you even if you look like a mad woman. You are like a diamond covered in dirt. Remember how charming you were. Nothing changed. That beauty is still there, I swear!" Sienna, my wolf, soothed, and I felt like she sparked a light inside me.

"Really?" I beamed.

"Oh, yes, baby girl. Well, we might not even meet any mate out there, but the most important thing is to have a taste of freedom!" She squealed, and I laughed happily.

Just as I opened the door of my room, fear drifted in. The thought of being caught filled the back of my head, and the terror of what would happen next loomed around me like a cloud of fog.

I stepped out and shut the door, swallowing the lumps in my throat as I gave rapt attention to my surroundings. I was going to sneak out through the backyard, which has no bodyguards since it was abandoned.

I peeked around the corner, checking to make sure the coast was clear. The hallway was silent and empty, but I knew better than to let my guard down. I had to be careful and stealthy if I was going to make it out of this building undetected.

With each step, I moved cautiously, trying my best to remain as silent as possible. My mind raced, thinking of all the worst-case scenarios—being caught and the consequences that would follow.

Just as I climbed down the stairs to the second floor, heading for the next staircase, which would take me to the first floor that leads to the backdoor, I realized I was stupid to make this decision.

I stood frozen in place at the top of the steps, my heart pounding in my chest. Every nerve in my body was on edge, and I could feel sweat trickling down my back.

Up to three hefty men were there, dressed in their black suits and trousers with dark glasses. I had seen them in action before, so ruthless and unforgiving.

They stood like statues in front of the door that led to the Alpha's library along the hallway. I just needed them to be occupied by something so I could make my way to the hallways, which were at the corner.

I tried to calm myself down, to take deep breaths and steady my nerves, but the fear was just too strong.

"Hey." Someone called out from behind, and I almost slumped, my heart almost falling out as I cringed and gasped in fright.

I turned and saw that it was the maid I had issues with earlier. The one who fed my food to the dogs.

"What are you doing here, dressing like that? You're feeling cold, suddenly?" She gave me a suspicious look, grazing her eyes up and down my body.

"Yes, I am feeling cold. Do you have any problem with that? And... what's up with those ceramic jar and cups you broke?" I smirked, and she hissed at me.

"What cup?" She seethed with a grimace on her face, and I squinted at her before letting out a short laugh.

"Are you actually asking me that?" I whispered, tauntingly and she took another deep breath, struggling as she walked closer.

"You can keep a secret, can't you?" She grumbled, sneering at me.

"Yes, but not a secret from my enemy. I'm waiting for the alpha and Luna to be done with their endless meeting, so I'll report you." I snickered, and she grunted, ruffling her hair with her fingers.

"Please. The Luna dislikes me so much and will really beat me harder for this. I came here to beg you to help me take the baton, like, please, tell her that you did it. I will pay...." She stuttered, flustered and hopeless. I was never going to agree at first, but I needed her help now if I wanted to leave here.

"No long talks. Get me out of here, and when I come back, I will claim to be the one who did it." I said, not realizing the big risk I was taking.

She gasped in surprise, giving me the "I don't believe you" stare.

"You're trying to run? We know that isn't possible. You....can't go anywhere unnoticed, and the boundary will detect.."

"I'm not running, parrot. Let me just enjoy a few moments of freedom out there." I cut in.

"It's your choice, though. Are you in?" I added, and she nodded immediately.

"But...."

"No But..." I hushed her.

"I don't trust you." She whined.

"Are you such a dumbass? What do I need your trust for?!" I rolled my eyes and was about to head back when she grabbed my hand.

"I'll help you sneak out, but first remove that jacket and hand it to me. We are walking out like normal girls on duty. Since you're with me, they won't suspect you. I'll lead you to the backyard, and from there, you leave. I hope you're ready for whatever consequences you..."

" Stop talking and have it, please!" I chirped happily and stuffed the jacket in her hand, not interested in hearing whatever she was saying.

She folded the cloth in her arms and then motioned for me to follow her, and just as she had foretold, the bodyguards only gave us a little glance and looked away when they saw her.

She actually led me smoothly to the backdoor, and I was just trying so hard to push back the grins that threatened to spread all over my face. My heart was thumping in so much joy, the kind I had never felt since my mother died. It was like a wave coursing through my entire being.

"Take your hoodie; you can go, and make sure you come back earlier and unnoticed, or else, you will have yourself to blame for what comes next!" She warned me harshly and flung the jacket at me before walking away almost immediately.

I didn't think twice before dashing out wildly like a goat that had been tethered all its life and was finally set free.

All that clouded my mind was the overwhelming feeling of running along the woods and visiting my favorite stream once again, enjoying the cool warmth of nature just like before, and most importantly, meeting my sweetheart.

Mate... Kisses. lol