ESCAPE

ESCAPE

WILLOW'S POV

My heart is racing as I pack my bags, throwing clothes and supplies into my backpack with shaky hands. I can hear the sounds of my pack howling in the distance, and I know that I have to move quickly if I want to escape unnoticed.

My father, the alpha of Prime Pack, has committed too many atrocities for me to stay here any longer. He has killed innocent humans, tortured other shifters, and ruled with an iron fist. I can't take it anymore, it is either I escape or become caught in my father's destructiveness.

I take one last look around my room, trying to memorize every detail before I leave. I know that I'll never be able to come back here again.

I take a deep breath and sling my backpack over my shoulder. It's now or never. I open my window and climb out onto the roof, trying to be as quiet as possible.

But just as I'm about to jump down, I hear footsteps behind me. I turn around to see my best friend, Jake, standing there, his expression torn between concern and determination.

"I'm coming with you," he says firmly, holding out his own backpack.

I hesitate for a moment, knowing that he could get in serious trouble for leaving the pack without permission. But I also know that I can't do this alone.

"Okay," I say finally, taking his backpack and slinging it over my other shoulder.

Together, we make our way across the rooftops, jumping from building to building with the ease of years of practice. We can hear the pack howling in the distance, getting closer and closer.

We run faster, our hearts pounding in our chests as we race toward the edge of town. We can't stop now. We have to keep going.

Finally, we reach the forest, and we plunge into the thick underbrush, trying to put as much distance between the pack and us as possible. We keep running, our legs burning with exertion. My heart is pounding as I run through the forest, my backpack bouncing against my back. I can hear the sounds of my pack howling in the distance, but I know that I have to keep going. I can't let them catch me.

I glance over my shoulder and see Jack struggling to keep up. He's a good friend, but he's not as fast as I am. I slow down a bit, waiting for him to catch up.

"Come on, we have to keep going!" I shout, my voice is hoarse from the exertion.

But just as we round the bend in the trail, we come face to face with a group of my father's warriors. They're all armed with spears and daggers, and they're blocking our way.

I try to dodge past them, but one of them grabs me by the arm, pulling me to a stop. I struggle to break free, but I'm outnumbered and outmatched.

"Where do you think you're going?" one of them sneers, his eyes flashing with anger.

"I...I have to go," I stammer, trying to come up with a convincing excuse.

But they're not buying it. They know that I'm running away from my pack, and they're not about to let me go without a fight.

Suddenly, I hear a commotion behind me, and I turn to see Jack sprinting away, his backpack bouncing wildly as he disappears into the trees.

"Get him!" one of my warriors yells, and several of them take off after him.

I'm left alone, surrounded by my angry warriors. I know that I'm in trouble, but I refuse to go down without a fight.

I struggle against them, but there are too many of them. They overpower me, pinning me to the ground with their spears and daggers.

I close my eyes, bracing myself for the worst. But then, I hear a voice.

"Stop!" it says, firm and commanding.

I look up to see my father, the alpha of Prime Pack, striding towards us. He's flanked by several of his most trusted lieutenants, and they all look serious and stern.

"What is going on here?" my father demands, his eyes scanning the group.

One of the warriors steps forward, explaining the situation. My father listens carefully, his expression unreadable.

Finally, he turns to me.

"Willow, you know the rules of our pack. Running away is not allowed," he says, his voice cold and hard.

I try to protest, but he cuts me off.

"But...I am willing to give you another chance. Come back to the pack, and we will discuss your punishment later."

I hesitate for a moment, torn between my desire for freedom and my loyalty to my pack. But then I remember all of the atrocities that my father has committed, and I know that I can't go back.

"I'm sorry, Father," I say, my voice steady. "I can't go back. Not after everything that has happened."

My father's expression darkens, and I know that I've made a huge mistake.

"Take her away," he orders, and his warriors drag me to my feet, their eyes cold and unforgiving.

I struggle against them, but it's no use. I'm caught, and there's no way out.

As the warriors drag me to my feet, I can feel their eyes on me, their expressions cold and unforgiving. I know that I've made a grave mistake by trying to run away, but I can't go back now, not after everything that has happened.

My father glares at me, his eyes dark and stormy. "You have disappointed me, Willow," he says, his voice low and menacing.

I don't respond, knowing that anything I say will only make things worse. Instead, I keep my head down and try to prepare myself for whatever punishment awaits me.

My father turns to his lieutenants, his expression grim. "Take her to the dungeon," he says. "We'll deal with her later."

The lieutenants nod, and the warriors drag me away, their grips tight and unrelenting. I struggle against them, but they're too strong.

As we make our way to the dungeon, I can feel my heart sinking. I know that I'm in for a long and painful punishment, and I'm not sure how much more I can take.

When we reach the dungeon, the warriors throw me into a dark, damp cell, slamming the door shut behind me. I'm alone now, with nothing but my thoughts to keep me company.

I sink to the ground, my knees shaking with fear and exhaustion. How did everything go so wrong? All I wanted was to escape from my pack and my father's tyranny, but now I'm trapped here, alone and afraid.

Hours pass, and I lose track of time. I'm hungry, thirsty, and exhausted, but I can't sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I see the faces of the warriors, their eyes cold and unforgiving.

Finally, the door creaks open, and one of my father's lieutenants enters the cell. He's holding a whip, and I know what's about to happen.

He advances towards me, the whip coiled in his hand. "Your father has ordered me to punish you," he says, his voice cold and emotionless.

I try to plead with him, but he's not listening. He lashes out with the whip, and I feel the searing pain as it strikes my back.

“You are such a weakling, running away from your pack. You are not your father's daughter.” he mocks me

I agree with him.

Again and again, he strikes me, until I can't take it anymore. I'm sobbing now, my body wracked with pain and fear.

Finally, he stops, and I'm left alone again, my back raw and bleeding. I curl up on the ground, tears streaming down my face. How did everything go so wrong? All I wanted was to be free, but now I'm trapped in a nightmare from which there seems to be no escape.