007.

Cassie.

The morning sun was soft but unforgiving. I sat on the edge of my bed, holding Cam close as he drifted back to sleep after his early morning feed. 

Watching his peaceful little face felt like torture because all I could think of was how I’d failed him—how I’d stayed here too long, long enough for his life to be threatened in such a manner. I traced a finger along his tiny cheek, his skin so soft, so pure.

Gently, I put him down in his cot and moved to the small vanity mirror, staring at my tattered reflection. I looked a mess, and I sure felt like it.

My hand drifted to the bruises Selena left on me that night, her words still echoing in my mind like poison.

"Forty-eight hours. That’s all you get. If I so much as see you in this pack after forty-eight hours, I don’t know what’ll happen to that bastard son of yours.”

There’d been no mistaking the hate in her eyes. I couldn’t unsee it, and I couldn’t unhear those words. She meant every bit of her threat. She was relentless. And now, so was my resolve to leave this place. To take Cam and never look back.

A sigh escaped my lips as I applied numbing cream to my face

For a moment, I thought of telling Axel about Selena’s threat. But… who was I kidding? Axel wouldn’t take my side. He’d tell me I was overreacting, that I was imagining things and I couldn’t take that risk. 

So I stayed hidden. It had been well over the forty-eight hours I was given, but I made sure to stay hidden in that time, locked away, shutting out the world beyond my bedroom door as I worked out a plan. 

Rita would bring up my meals each day, her irritation clear in the way she set the tray down without a word, barely even glancing my way. I knew she was frustrated. She didn’t understand why I was isolating myself and I didn’t have the energy to explain.

But tonight, as she brought my dinner, her frustration finally boiled over.

“This is the last time I’m bringing food up here, Cassie.” She plunked the tray down on the small table by the window, her usual frown replaced by a full-on glare. “I’m not your personal maid, and whatever it is you’re hiding from, you need to deal with it. I can’t keep doing this,” she spat.

I managed a small, tight smile. She had no idea it was the last time she’d need to bring me anything. “I’m sorry, Rita, really,” I murmured, but she didn’t respond.

As she turned to go, her gaze drifted toward the partially open carry-on bag by my bed, already half-filled with Camden’s things and a few essentials. She paused, eyes narrowing in suspicion.

“Going somewhere?” Her voice was casual, but her gaze was sharp like she could see through the lie I hadn’t even told yet.

My heart skipped, but I forced a light laugh, “No, just sorting through things. I plan on giving them out,”

She looked at me a moment longer, her frown intensifying. She didn’t believe me.

“Let me know when you’re ready, I might have someone interested in baby clothes.” 

I nodded, watching her disappear down the hall, and only then did I let out a shaky breath. The bag was ready. Camden was ready. I was ready.

When night finally fell, I moved in the shadows, slipping through the empty hallways, Camden tucked safely in my arms. Every step was a heartbeat of fear, every soft creak of the floorboards a jolt of panic. 

But I pressed on, keeping my gaze focused ahead, not daring to look back at the place I’d once called home.

We were so close to the gates that I could taste the cool night air, and smell the freedom that lay beyond the walls. But as I approached, my path was cut off by two guards who emerged from the darkness, their expressions unreadable. I froze, clutching Camden a little tighter, and immediately I knew that Rita told on me.

“Please,” I whispered, barely able to find my voice. “Please, let me go. I don’t want any trouble.”

One of them exchanged a glance with the other, and something unspoken passed between them before he stepped closer.

“We have our orders, Cassie. You’re not allowed to leave the pack.”

A sick feeling spread through my chest, and I took a few shaky steps back until I hit a wall. I turned around immediately, only to find Axel staring down at me, anger blazing in his eyes, and beside him, wearing a mask of innocent concern, was Selena. The sight of her made my blood run cold.

Axel’s gaze on me was sharp and assessing as he took in my dark clothes, the bag slung over my shoulder, and the look of defiance I couldn’t quite hide.

“What do you think you’re doing, Cassie?” His voice was thunderous, accusing, and detached, which made my pulse quicken with fear.

I opened my mouth to answer, but the words wouldn’t come. I knew that no matter what I said, it wouldn’t matter. Not to him. Not now.

His stare deepened, and he took a step closer, lowering his voice, “I asked you a question.”

“I’m taking Selena’s advice,” I finally forced out, my voice shaking, “She told me to leave the pack or she’d harm Cam.”

Selena’s face twisted in what could only be described as theatrical heartbreak. She clutched a hand to her chest, and the tears fell almost too perfectly. 

“What are you talking about? I never did,” she whispered, her voice thick with manufactured hurt, “Axel… all I’ve ever wanted was to help Cassie and you know it.”

Axel’s gaze flicked between the two of us, and I could see the storm brewing behind his eyes, his jaw tightening. And just like that, I knew which way he would turn.

“Take her back to her room,” he finally said, his voice flat as he looked away, “And lock the door.”

The guards moved toward me without hesitation. They didn’t care about my protests or the way I clutched Camden tighter to my chest. I didn’t fight, though—I knew it would only make things worse. He knew I was telling the truth, but he couldn’t be caught taking my side.

Tears fell down my face in streams as the guards took me up to my room, practically throwing me in, and when the door closed behind me, trapping me back inside the very room I’d tried to escape from, I sank to the floor, feeling the weight of my failure press down on me.

I’d been so close… so close to finally leaving, to starting over with Camden, and now I was back with no way out.

Minutes passed, stretching into an hour, maybe two. I could feel my hope slipping away with every second that ticked by, the walls closing in around me. I pressed Camden close, letting his steady breathing calm the wild rhythm of my heart when the door clicked and was pulled open, then Axel stepped in.

“What has gotten into you?” he asked immdiately his eyes met mine.

“I don’t belong here, and neither does Cam,” I told him truthfully.

“How dare you say that? Cam is also my son!” he yelled.

“But you sat there and listened as your mate proposed I leave the pack,” my voice shook with each word. I wanted to sound firm, to stand my ground, just like he was doing, but I couldn’t.

“She beat me up and threatened to harm Cam. Just let us go so you can have your perfect family. Please,” I pleaded, but Axel’s face hardened.

“You’re not going anywhere with my child, Cassie. If you want to leave, be my fucking guest, but you’re not taking my son with you!”

I parted my lips to respond but a loud crash echoed through the pack house, shaking the very foundation beneath my feet.