Chapter 4

Athena's POV

Two months have already passed, Gia and I still haven't been able to escape. We have been carefully plotting our escape, observing the patterns of the guards, noticing they had specific routes and timings.

We had even begun to study them meticulously and had learned how to pick locks. We also observed the palace layout, memorizing secret passages and potential hiding spots.

Tonight was finally going to be our night of escape; everything had been put in place. The palace was not a safe place for young ladies like us.

I was the only one treated a little bit differently from the other girls because I was the king's sex slave. I was fed quite well and was not really overworked like the other slaves.

Alpha Sebastian had his way with me every single night. The trauma I had to face each time I lay with him caused me to cry myself to sleep every night.

To make matters worse, I was carrying his child. I noticed I had missed my period last month, and this month too it didn't come. That, and the early morning sickness I have been having, were indications that I was pregnant.

Only one thing gave me hope: I would soon escape. I would go to a faraway land where I could raise my baby with all the love and care it deserves. Everything I never got to experience as a child, I would make sure he or she never lacks any of them.

I looked at the wall clock in the room; it was already 4 pm. The time to escape was fast approaching. The Alpha king would be conducting a ritual at the lake by 8 pm, and his guards would go with him.

The palace would be left with just a few guards. Gia and I could escape through the back door unnoticed. Before the head maid and other slaves would notice our absence, we would be long gone.

I stood up from the chair and went to the mirror that hung on the wall, looking at my reflection. My skin was becoming very pale, and I was also becoming thinner. Ever since I discovered that I was pregnant, I had started watching what I eat because I didn't want anyone to notice.

The head maid has been eyeing me suspiciously these past few days. I can't afford to linger here any longer; she might catch on, especially since she is a mother herself. I placed my hand on my stomach, rubbing it gently.

A weak smile formed on my lips. Initially, I had detested the thought of carrying Sabastain's child, but now, I was gradually warming up to it. I can't wait to finally give birth to my child.

"What are you doing here, Athena?" Gia asked as she opened the door. I immediately removed my hand from my stomach. In as much as we have grown to become best friends, always looking out for each other, I couldn't bring myself to tell her about my pregnancy. It was a secret I decided to keep to myself alone.

I sighed heavily, "Nothing really, just trying to rest." I went back lazily to the chair where I was sitting earlier and sat down.

"Rest? You do know we don't rest in this house until it is nightfall?" I rolled my eyes. She walked towards me and held my hand.

"Let's go; the head maid asked me to fetch you," she dragged me up from the chair.

"What is it about this time?" I groaned.

She chuckled softly, "She has allocated tasks to everyone. You and I are to clean the courtroom, and yeah, before you say it, I know you are tired."

She tilted her head and looked at me, "Hmm, don't worry, I'll do everything; you just have to stay with me so that when she comes, you can pretend you're working." I smiled at her.

She was an absolute sweetheart, always looking out for me and trying to offer help whenever I needed it. I couldn't wait for us to leave this place tonight and go somewhere far away, somewhere we can start a new life together. Once we leave, I plan on telling her about my pregnancy.

She has shared the story of her life with me, how she was alone in this cruel world. An only child, she lost her parents to a fire incident when she was just 10 years old. Taken in by her uncle, she was eventually sold as a slave to the Alpha king. Poor Gia, we were not so different; now we have each other.

I squeezed her hand gently and whispered, "It's tonight, Gia, tonight we will finally be free." She heaved a sigh of relief, "I just can't wait, Athena."

******

At 8 pm, a few hours later, Gia and I were ready. We had packed our belongings the day before, limiting ourselves to a small bag with food and a few clothes.

Once we were certain the Alpha King and his men had departed, Gia cut the power circuit, plunging the palace into darkness.

This was my signal. Carrying the small bag, I navigated through the dark corridors, heading straight for the back door where Gia would join me.

Arriving at the back door, I waited anxiously, scanning the surroundings while evading guards heading to the power house to investigate the blackout.

Suddenly, a hand rested on my shoulder, and I tensed, feeling a chill down my spine.

"Shhhhh, it's me," Gia whispered. "I'm sorry I'm late; I had to avoid the guards." She took the bag from my hand.

"Give it back; let me hold it," I insisted.

"Don't worry; don't stress yourself; let's go." She held onto my hand, and together, we sprinted into the bush without glancing back. We covered as much ground as our legs could endure. After what felt like a few hours, I found myself unable to run any farther.

"Stop, stop!" I called out to Gia; she turned and saw me panting heavily, struggling to catch my breath.

"Let's go, Athena; we'll be reaching the border soon." Exhausted, I reached out to her, and she took my hand.

Suddenly, we heard footsteps approaching. My heart sank into my stomach.

"They've discovered our escape!" Gia exclaimed, scanning the woods with urgency.

"Listen to me, Athena! I sense about four guards coming our way. We can't let them catch us both. I'll distract them. I need you to run without looking back, go as far as your legs can carry you." Her fear was palpable; her hands clasping mine were as tremulous as mine.

"What about you? I can't leave you alone with them. They'll kill you if you face them alone." My voice quivered with fear, reaching a level of apprehension I had never experienced before.

"Athena! I know you're pregnant with a child. You..."

"Wait, how did you know?"

"That's not important right now. I can't let anything happen to you or the baby. I've already decided that if anything like this happened, I would sacrifice myself to save you."

"No! I can't let you do that, Gia," i cried, my voice quavering with fear.

"They are almost here, Athena. Listen to me for once. For the sake of your child, you need to leave right now. Go! I promise I will join you later," she urged as she looked around frantically.

"Make sure you join me. Keep to your promise!" My words were laced with pain as I stared at my best friend with misty eyes.

"I will. Now go!" She pushed me forward. I took to my heels, glancing back at her. The men were closing in on her. She shifted into her wolf form, ready to fight. For the very first time, I saw Gia transform into her wolf. It was white and beautiful.

I sprinted until a piercing wolf cry tore through my heart. It was Gia! I turned and witnessed her lifeless body fall to the ground.

"No!" I wailed. The men shifted their attention from her and advanced toward me.

I ran with every bit of strength i had, tears streaming down my face.

Abruptly, I stumbled over a large stone and fell to the floor. Lying there motionless, a tear trickled down my face as I shut my eyes. Will this be my end?

Suddenly, I felt a very strong ominous presence around me. It was stronger than anything I have ever felt before. I was too weak to stand, too weak to even open my eyes, I could still hear the footsteps of guards who had killed Gia approaching from behind me, at that moment, all I could do was wait for the impending death I knew was coming to finally take me to a place far from this wicked world.

Then, the strangest thing I had ever experienced happened. I heard the voice of the strange man, a voice that commanded power and respect, a voice than could make anyone rattle in fright roar just beside me, "You have trespassed into my kingdom, step back if you want to live".

At first I thought he was talking to me, but then a voice replied from behind me, "We will not leave without the girl, hand her over to us!". That was when i knew he was talking to my pursuers.

In a matter of seconds, howls and growls filled the air, then there was absolute silence.

I felt a cold hand touch my body, gradually lifting me up in a sitting position. I dragged my eyes open.

That was when I saw him!

Standing a few inches from me was the most strikingly handsome man I have ever seen, his magnetic ocean blue eyes were locked onto my brown ones. His deep set features stood out on his chiseled face, his blonde hair hung loose on his shoulder, he exuded a majestic aura of nobility.

I looked around me and saw bodies of those who had been chasing me littered everywhere, i gasped in shock as the realization dawned on me; the man in front of me killed every one of them. I shuddered in fear. Just who is this man? I wondered.

His eyes darted towards the man that held me in a sitting position, his thin lips parted and he said in the most authoritative voice I have ever heard "Carry the fair lady, let's head home".

The man did as instructed, he carried my weak body up and flung me onto his shoulders, my hands dangling behind him. I was too weak to do or say anything.

At first, all I could think of was getting as far away as possible from the cruel alpha king with my unborn child but as we went farther into the unknown land, I was overwhelmed with a feeling of dread and unease.

What if this mysterious man was more cruel than the alpha king? What if I had just left the lion's den and entered that of a fire breathing dragon?