Cornered

Lily locked the door behind her, her chest rising and falling in quick, shallow breaths as she pressed her back against the door.

Her heart pounded, echoing in her ears as she tried to calm herself. 

She could barely believe what she’d done—walking away from the ceremony, defying everyone’s expectations. But it had been a brief moment of empowerment, now replaced by a creeping fear that made her feel as if the walls were closing in around her.

The knocks at the door began softly at first, then quickly grew into a persistent, demanding pounding. 

“Lily!” her mother’s voice called. “Open this door right now!”

Lily swallowed, her hands trembling as she struggled to maintain her composure. 

She couldn’t face them, not after the scene she’d caused. She’d thought she could hold her ground, but now, alone in her room with nothing but her thoughts and fears, doubt began to creep in. 

The weight of everyone’s hatred, the resentment of the entire pack, felt heavier than ever. 

“Lily!” Her mother’s voice sharpened. “This is no time for childish games. You have responsibilities, do you understand me?”

Lily pressed her eyes shut, wishing desperately for a way out.

“Open the door!” her mother’s voice shouted again, sharper this time. “Don’t make this worse, Lily!”

She backed further into the room, ignoring her mother's voice.

A thought flickered through her mind—she could run. There was still a window in her room. Maybe if she was careful, she could—

Suddenly, a loud crash landed through the door, the wood falling as two figures forced their way inside. 

Lucas and Liam stood in the doorway, their eyes blazing with anger. 

Lily’s heart sank; she had known this confrontation was inevitable, but she hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.

Lucas’s eyes narrowed as he stepped forward, his voice filled with fury. 

“Are you out of your mind, Lily? Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

Lily clenched her fists, her voice coming out unsteady but defiant. 

“I can’t go through with this. I never wanted any of it. I won’t be forced into a life that isn’t mine.”

Liam scoffed, crossing his arms. 

“You embarrassed us in front of the entire pack,” he said coldly. “Do you know how that makes us look? How it makes our family look?”

Lily felt a surge of anger rise within her, momentarily overcoming her fear. 

“Maybe you should have thought about that before making me your mate against my will,” she snapped. “I’m not some puppet for you to control.”

Lucas’s jaw tightened, his gaze darkening as he stepped closer. 

“That’s enough, Lily. Whether you like it or not, this is happening. You’re bound to us by the Moon Goddess’s will. You don’t have a choice in this.”

Lily shook her head, her voice trembling. 

“I don’t care about the Moon Goddess’s will, or any of this. You can’t make me stay here, and you certainly can’t force me into a bond I want no part of.”

Liam’s patience snapped, his eyes flashing as he took another step forward. 

“Fine. If you won’t come willingly, then we’ll drag you there ourselves.”

Lily’s eyes widened, her pulse quickening. She looked between the two of them, realizing with a sickening dread that they weren’t bluffing. 

They were fully prepared to carry out their threat, to make sure she had no escape.

“You…you wouldn’t,” she stammered, though the desperation in her voice betrayed her uncertainty.

Lucas’s gaze held no sympathy.

“Try us.”

For a moment, Lily was frozen, trapped between her fear and her pride. 

She didn’t want to give in, but she knew that if they chose to drag her to that ceremony, there was little she could do to stop them. 

She bit her lip, fighting the wave of hopelessness that washed over her. 

She was about to speak, to make one last attempt at pleading with them, when a guard appeared in the doorway.

“Liam,” the guard said, casting a wary glance at Lily. “Your father has requested your presence. It’s urgent.”

Liam frowned, exchanging a quick look with Lucas. 

For a moment, both seemed distracted, their anger momentarily pushed aside by whatever new issue had arisen. 

Lucas turned to Lily, his expression hard. 

“Don’t think this is over. We’ll deal with you when we get back.”

With that, both brothers left, leaving her alone in the room once more. 

Lily sank down onto the edge of her bed, her heart still pounding.

For a few precious moments, she was alone, her thoughts her own. 

She glanced around her room, her eyes drifting to the window. It was a fleeting thought, but the idea of escaping, of leaving everything behind and disappearing into the night, tempted her more than ever. 

Her hand reached up to her lips, fingers brushing against the spot where her skin still pained from Lucas’s harsh grip. 

She didn’t want this life, this cage they were forcing upon her.

And yet, even as she considered it, she knew how difficult it would be to escape. Every inch of the pack grounds was guarded, every exit watched. 

Her every move would be scrutinized the moment she left this room. They would never let her go so easily.

But that didn’t mean she couldn’t try.

She was alone, truly alone, and the oppressive weight of her situation settled over her.

She closed her eyes, taking a shaky breath as she tried to collect her thoughts. 

What could she do? How could she possibly find a way out of this mess?

Her mind was filled with desperation, a series of thoughts and half-formed plans that all ended in the same place—captivity, entrapment. 

But as the moments ticked by, a flicker of determination sparked within her. She couldn’t give up, not yet.

Slowly, she stood, her gaze hardening as she walked to the window. 

She pressed her hand against the glass, feeling the cool surface beneath her fingertips. 

She might not have a clear plan, but she had her will, her defiance. And that, she realized, was something they couldn’t take from her.