Chapter 3 Fleeting Freedom

(Migumi’s POV)

“I moved our bags and stuff to a new base after my brother ordered his guards to search my place. He’s starting to suspect me. We have to make sure our plan will work out this time—” Tara paused when she saw me slowing down behind her. I was gathering support from a tree, pressing my bandage tight to prevent the blood from leaking. “A—Are you okay?” she worriedly asked, rushing back to me.

Tara and I made it out of the dungeon successfully. Now, we have to make it through this forest undetected.

We planned this escape for weeks. We just had to wait for the perfect moment to execute our plan. Now, with the King’s festival keeping everyone distracted, we only have one shot at this.

“We can stop for a moment to replace your bandages—” I forced myself to stand before she could finish what she was saying.

“I—I’m okay. We have to keep moving,” I urged, my voice barely a whisper. “They’ll be after us soon.”

Tara looked at me worriedly.

“B—But…”

I pushed myself forward, staggering through the underbrush. Tara put my arm on her shoulder to and we both rushed within the towering trees. Each movement sends a jolt of pain on my abdomen but I can't stop…

I’m not going back to that place.

After almost a torturous hour of limping through the dark forest, we have finally reached our destination. An abandoned small cabin in the middle of nowhere. “Here, drink some water!” Tara said, opening a bottle of water for me. I drank deeply, finally relieving my parched throat.

As I drank, Tara busily checked all the luggage and supplies. “We’re heading straight to the border. The guards changed their shifts at midnight—that's our window. A boat will be waiting for us to ferry you to safety…” she said, her voice resolute like she had planned everything already. But my mind stopped thinking at the latter part of what she said.

“F—Ferry me to safety? Alone? You're not coming with me?” I worriedly asked.

Tara paused to glance at me. She heaved a deep sigh, her hands reaching out to grasp mine in a tight reassuring grip.

“I can't come with you,” she said softly, her voice tinged with regret. “It's easier for them to track me down because I’m one of them. The last thing I want to happen is for them to capture you again because of me.” Tears started to fill my eyes.

All this plan and escape is for me to leave alone? How am I supposed to survive?

“N—No… I can't leave you here. They will kill you. Let's just go back if this is how it’s going to end—” She squeezed my hands.

“Hey! This isn't the last time that we’ll see each other, okay? I’ll find you on the other side. Just promise me that you’ll survive.”

She wiped the tears streaming down my cheeks.

“But what if Alpha Cyrus punished you?” Tara shook her head and smiled.

“He won't hurt me. I’m still his sister. Every bad guy needs a little bitchy sister to stab them at the back, right?” she joked, an attempt to lift up the increasing heavy atmosphere.

Tara pulled me into a hug.

“I'm so grateful that I met you, Migumi. You were like a real sister to me. My brother is sure to be a douchebag for mistreating you. I swear if he wasn't my brother, I don't know what I’d do to him,” she ranted on top of my head. “You didn't deserve what you had to go through…”

She pulled away, holding my shoulder, and looking at me with determination in her eyes.

“Start a new life away from this place. Find your mate. Live happily. And when the time is right, we shall see each other again.”

A faint smile curved on my lips. I could never thank the heavens enough for finding me a friend like her in a place where I thought I’d die alone.

I wouldn't have made it there if it wasn't for her.

It kills me that I have to leave her but I don't want to put all our efforts to waste.

I must live so we can see again.

And with that, Tara picked up the bags, lending me her hand. “To a new beginning…” she smiled. I stared at her hand for a moment before finally reaching out to hold hers.

“To a new beginning.”

*****

Tara carefully peeked from the bushes where we are currently hiding. In front of us is the massive gate of the pack that leads to our way out.

I scanned my eyes in the dark forest, watching from any possible danger. We’ve been waiting here patiently for the guards to leave. I’m trying my best to stay awake. I shouldn't have drank that painkiller I found in our stuff. It makes me drowsy.

“They're changing shifts!” she vigilantly announced. “Hurry!”

My eyes opened instantly. Tara picked me up on the ground, dragging me desperately to the gate. I fought against the jolting pain and ran for my life. But as we were just about to reach the gates, a gut-wrenching shout shattered the silence.

“STOP THERE!!!”

I frightenedly looked at the armed guard.

“Stay where you are. Hands off the gate,” the guard demanded.

I firmly squeezed her hand.

“Let’s go!” I panicked, pulling her to run but my eyes widened when she let go of my hand. I looked at her with surprise. “Tara…” She gave me a faint smile.

“This is where we part ways, Migumi.”

I cryingly shook my head, looking at the arriving guards who were drawn by the noise. I don't think I can leave her. NOT LIKE THIS!

I—I can't…

One of the guards transformed into his wolf form, preparing to attack me. I stepped back in horror as he rushed towards me.

But just before his claws were about to reach me, Tara appeared in front of me to give the attacking werewolf a powerful blow, sending him flying to the other side. She nervously turned her head to look at me. “RUN! As Alpha’s sister, they won't harm me. You must escape!” she desperately blurted.

More guards came, sending a surge of panic in my veins. Tara shifted into her wolf form, ready to protect no matter the cost.

Driven by survival instincts, I found myself passing the border and running through the forest. My heart was crying as I pushed myself to run faster.

Focus…

You can't let Tara’s sacrifice be in vain.

“Ahhh!” I screamed as pain shot through my ankle after I tripped on a protruding root. I forced myself to stand up, biting back a cry, to run again.

I can't stop.

I have to keep going.

I got slower because of my sprained ankle.

I can almost hear the guards dashing through the trees behind me.

Please, grant me strength to escape, Moon Goddess!

I can't let them catch me. Help, someone please help me.

Save me…

With tears stinging my eyes, I ran through the big forest hastily, fearing for my life. The only thing I can think about is starting a new beginning just like what I have promised to T—

“Ah!” I gasped after colliding into a hard object. I was about to pull away when a pair of arms held me in place.

That's when I realized that the object I had collided on wasn't an object but a… man.

With panicking eyes, I lifted my eyes to look at the face of the man. My lips parted at the beautiful sight before me. His eyes are fierce, blue like the ocean, staring back at me. He opens his lips, revealing his calm and commanding voice.

“What happened?” he asked, a hint of worry in his deep voice.

My chest started pounding crazily. It almost feels like it’s coming out of my chest. I feel a strange connection between us. It was as if we had known each other for a lifetime.

What is this feeling?

I winced when the man lifted his hand to caress my face. His touch sent a jolt of electricity through my body.

I found myself lost in his eyes.

Who is this man?

Why do I feel safe in his arms?

“Migumi…” His tone tinged with a mixture of disbelief and relief. I weakly met his gaze, feeling the security of his voice. He caressed my cheeks gently like he was afraid he’d break me.

“You're my mate.”