My Escape

*Annabella's POV*

I lay curled up in the fetal position as the sun rose and fell. I didn’t care to eat or drink. I had no appetite. My heart only ached for what I no longer had. I was merely the shell of who I used to be. Even my wolf could no longer bear the pain, it broke her, and I had to endure her howling in pain and whining as she searched for the will to carry on. But unfortunately, she couldn’t find it. And suddenly, her voice ceased altogether leaving a void to fill my aching soul. I was now left mourning the loss of my mate and my wolf.... I guess even always had an expiration date. The lifeless body of my mate haunted my dreams, making a nightmare of our short-lived memories. I didn’t think things possibly could get any worse, until... I heard a knock.

It had been the first sort of contract anyone was attempting to make with me since the night of my mate's death.

"I'm expecting you to be downstairs in 5 minutes!" Dad's voice thundered from the other side of the door. He wasn't interested in my response because his footsteps faded in the distance right after he spoke. It was a demand not up for debate and fearing the consequences, I dragged my weak, tired, sleep-deprived, pain-ridden body out of bed. I didn’t bother to change or fix my appearance, I simply went as I was down the stairs to meet my father.

"Have a seat." He motioned to the chair opposite where he and Mom sat.

I took a seat not in the mood for an argument as I turned my attention to their emotionless faces.

"Alpha Ruso is returning to Plymouth tomorrow for the wedding. The wedding begins at 9 so I expect that you'll be dressed and ready by 8."

I opened my mouth to object, I couldn't possibly fathom giving my broken heart to another. My mate was irreplaceable. We had only just met but for the first time since I could remember, I truly felt loved. I could never love another, especially one so ruthless as Alpha Ruso who didn't value the concept of love.

Clearly, my parents didn't care about me. I wasn’t even sure if they knew or recognized I was without my wolf, but even if they knew, would they care?

However, before I could utter a word, Dad cut me off.

"You're getting married tomorrow, end of discussion!"

Discussion? I thought that involved hearing from both sides. If anything, this was a one-sided conversation. I would hardly consider this a discussion.

Both he and Mom then stood simultaneously and walked off, showing no remorse or sympathy for the pain I felt or the tears that rolled down their daughter's face. Then again, what was I expecting? Dad killed my mate knowing full well it could have killed me. He doesn't care about me. When would I learn that?

I sluggishly crawl back to my room with heavy, haggard steps, my vision blurry and my mind fogged with the decisions laid out before me.

Either submit and live out my life under a new monster or run.

I was willing to take my chances and run away. Hopefully, I'd actually get away this time. I hadn’t unpacked my back from last time and though I hadn't gotten the chance to add more food supplies, I'd make do with what I had, I wasn’t about to get caught this time. I wasn’t about to jeopardize my future freedom and happiness– if any awaited.

I needed to get away from here as soon as now.

At the crack of midnight, I readied myself, I wouldn't run away just yet because I'd be easily caught. I'm sure Dad had his men on keener lookout, expecting that I would attempt to run away again. But I already had it planned out. It would be when everyone least suspected it. It would be when the Alpha was here and the church was filling. It would be when the people were most distracted— at the height of it all— that's when I'd make my move. I had it all figured out.

I rummaged through my drawer for a piece of paper and a pen; then angling myself so that the moonlight aided with my wolfless vision, I put pen to paper. My parents didn't deserve a note from me but I wanted to use the opportunity to write down and leave for them, all that I wanted to say but never could.

Starting with 'I Hate You Both.' I could never tell them so to their faces, I feared losing my life too much, but now that I'd be gone, what was the harm in finally expressing myself?

'I wish you both would rot in hell as the devil dances upon your ashes.'

My mind was in a dark place and each word showed it.

'Every child deserves to have parents but not all parents deserve to have children. Neither of you deserved me. Margaret... I once overheard you telling David you should have swallowed me. I'm no fool, I know what you meant and David, I once heard you asking her why she just didn't get rid of me when she had the chance. I've allowed you both to break me until my voice was silenced, but no more. I, Annabella Cindy Forde, hear by reject Plymouth as my pack."

I don't think that's how rejection of a pack worked and I'd probably still be bound to them but at least now they knew how I felt about them and this pack that never loved me. It's a shame that my first glimpse of love came from a rogue, one taken from me far too soon.

I laid back down, tucking the paper under my pillow as I stared up at the dark ceiling, just thinking about how differently things would be for me. Sure, I'd have to start afresh and learn the ropes of my new life, but at least I'd be free from this godawful place.

Without a wolf, I should hopefully be able to blend in with the human, but their territory was a far way off, it'd probably take me several days. I needed to get some rest. I slowly closed my eyes as a faint smile formed on my lips.

Soon I'd be free.

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*Alpha Ruso's POV*

"She's in this pack, our mate... I smell her." Kiro howled in delight as we stood outside of the car. "We need to go back and find her, now."

"Kiro, I'm not sure if that's such a good idea." I confessed as the chilling memories of the past came flooding back. "We've been promised someone else. Let's just stick to that plan."

"But we'll never love her the way we'd love our mate."

His words were true, but it wasn’t a risk I was willing to take. "Kiro, things have changed. Love is no longer a priority."

"But–"

"Alpha?" Keith's voice broke me from my conversation. "Is everything alright?"

I nodded as I hopped back into the car, leaving the scent behind.

The days dragged on and I was constantly subjected to Kiro pining after a girl he had never seen or met.

"Are you ready?" My mother entered my room, smiling as she walked over to straighten the black bow tie that matched my tux. "Today's a big day, huh? A daughter-in-law and a few grandbabies." She chuckled.

I gave her a faint smile. She loved love. She was a true hopeless romantic and I probably would have been too, if I hadn't felt, firsthand, the hardship of love. I shuddered at the memory as Mom pulled me in for a hug. "Don't worry son. I'm sure she'll be different."

"I hope so." I whispered back as I finally pulled away at the sound of a honking car.

"I'm sorry I can't make it." Mom sighed as she smoothed out the wrinkles in her silver gown. She had a doctor's appointment and Dad was already downstairs ready to go.

"I'll see you went you get back with my daughter-in-law." She smiled, tip-toeing to peck my cheek before waving me goodbye.

"Ready Alpha?" Keith appeared to ask. "The vehicle is ready and waiting."

I nodded, flicking my wrist to check the time: 8:30. Hopefully she's early because I'd hate to have to wait.

We reached, and the church was packed, with people standing outside just to get a glimpse and I couldn't help but wonder if she was that well-loved or if these people were simply here to see me. Their gawking stares and ogling eyes seemed to suggest the latter.

I courteously nodded as I made my way to the front of the church. It was a 9:00 wedding. I was hoping to be up and done with it in less than 30 minutes. I stood up front with my hands clasped in front of me, waiting for her with my Beta beside me.

"She's not here." Kiro sulked. "I don't smell her." I felt his sorrow but I refused to let my thoughts return to that dark place that had taken months of therapy to pull me from.

I kept silent as he whined and whimpered. I couldn't think of that so-called mate when I was about to say I do to someone else.

"She is not hear yet." I heard someone from the front row whisper as she looked around the church. My eyes instinctively flicked up to check the clock sitting on the back of the church wall. 9:10.

Was she one of those bent on being fashionably late?

This was unacceptable. I was a man of time. Where the bloody hell was she?

"Hey, calm down." I felt Keith whisper. "Your aura is causing these people to tremble."

I hadn’t recognized I was losing control. I took a deep breath trying to compose myself.

"Don’t worry." Keith tried to help. "She should be here any minute now."

But the minutes flew by and soon ten minutes turned to thirty. Kiro was becoming restless, I was becoming impatient and irritated.

"Where's that damn Alpha!?" I gritted my teeth, asking Keith in whispered tones. It wasn’t like he would know, but I was on the brink of snapping and declaring war on this place for wasting my time.

Just then, the doors flew open, and Alpha David's panting Beta stood at the door.

He took a moment to catch his breath before he walked up the aisle towards me.

He beckoned me aside, his face fallen and I immediately knew something was up.

"Amm, I'm afraid the wedding had to be postponed." He finally spoke, briefly looking into my face to gauge my reaction.

My brows dipped with fury as a low growl rippled from my chest. "What's the meaning of this!"

"I- I'm afraid, your bride has runaway, Sir."