7

《 Aurora's pov 》

The packhouse was awfully quiet even though it was already past midnight. It was very strange. Usually, there would be the howl of a patrolling wolf outside every five minutes. But tonight, it was complete silence.

I turned over in my makeshift bed. It was very cold tonight. It didn't help that I had water spilled over my body earlier. Even though I had a warm shower a few minutes ago, it didn't quite help my case.

I fisted my hands together and brought them to my mouth to blow. It was a miracle I wasn't dead yet or had gotten frostbite.

I groan lowly when I fisted my throbbing hand too tightly. I should've really begged Gomery to allow me to pick some herbs to create a healing balm. I was afraid the color of my hand would stay so red.

"Maybe it would've been better if I was dead," I whispered but my heart leaped when I heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Whoever it was, sounded in a hurry.

Maybe it was Gomery, she did look like she wasn't satisfied with my punishment tonight. Maybe she came back to give me more.

The thought had my heart quickening and my bones turning cold. I didn't want to feel the pain tonight, my throbbing hand was enough for me to bear.

I held my breath when my door is thrust open and the silhouette of someone familiar enters the cramped small space. This is when I wished I had those senses like the wolves.

From what I could tell, the person was certainly female. And as they neared the breath I had been holding lets out as Cassandra's face pops into my vision.

"Cas- " I started but she cuts me off quickly while looking behind her.

"No time to talk, we need to get you out of here, now." She whispers in a rushed tone that spiked my fear.

I force myself to sit up, wincing when she grips my badly throbbing hand. She snaps her head down to my hand and sniffs. "What did they do to you?" She growls, the gold in her eyes flickering in the dark.

" It doesn't hurt that bad." I lied. I had unwrapped the wet cloth I had on since the Luna was repulsed by the sight of it.

Snarling Cas fought to control her wolf. "Ro, calm down," I whispered. I didn't want Cas to get into trouble for the sake of me.

"We need to go now Aurora," Ro demanded, her eyes growing golden until it suddenly diminishes.

I'm confused by her urgency. "Did something happen to Ama?" I whispered in fright and let her help me rise to my feet.

"No. I will explain on the way. But for now, keep your voice low and walk as quickly as you can." Cas whispered and pulls me out of my room.

"I don't understand," I whispered looking around the empty halls. The entire place was dead silent. Unusual. I know for certain there are mated couples who love to mate at this time and disturb others' sleep.

She rushes me downstairs and I fought to keep up with her rushing footsteps. "Cas what's going on?!" I urged her to answer me.

Since Cassandra and her parents were deemed the omegas of the pack, they were not allowed to sleep inside the walls of the packhouse. They were allowed to come in and do chores, eat dinner but that was about it.

So seeing her so late here was raising alarming questions in my head. The entire day she had been acting strange. And she hadn't shown up for dinner tonight too.

"Cas please tell me what's going on?" I pleaded as she quickly led me to the back door.

"It's time for you to be free Aurora. They'll kill you if you don't get out of here." Cas rushes out and stops to pick up a small little backpack. Even though it was small, it looked like it was filled with many things.

"I know there is more to say Cas. I can handle it, please tell me." I begged, looking over my shoulder in fright that one of the wolves would see us.

She was pulling me towards the back woods. The very woods the wolves have always tried to avoid.

Looking at me over her shoulder then the huge packhouse behind me, Cas finally told me everything. "I overheard Alpha Raphael talking with Luna Lisa. She can't bore a child for him Aurora. They were going to use you. He was going to force his seed inside you."

I can't remember what came first if it was nausea or stilling fear. Either way, I knew that I was doomed. I could feel the blood leaving my face and the pounding of my heart which was agonizing.

"We need to go right now if you want a chance to escape. The Valerian root doesn't last long on wolves but it will give you enough time to escape the territory." Cas urges as she pulls my numb body towards the thick foliage.

"That's why you were acting this way earlier," I whispered, finally understanding why she didn't come for dinner. The broth was dosed with a sleeping aid. It was a good thing Gomery hadn't left the scraps for me, or I would be one of the sleeping ones too.

Cas nodded, kicking up her speed with a sprint I fought to keep up with. Even though she was an omega, she was rather quick on her feet. "I can't stay there and watch them kill you Aurora. You don't deserve what he's trying to bestow on you."

Suddenly halting beside a huge pine tree she turns to face me breathlessly. But under the soft glow of the crescent moon that shot through the branches, I noticed her gleaming sad eyes. She was about to cry and I wasn't far behind her.

"This is where I stop Aurora. I can't go with you. I need to be there for my father in case-

She swallowed the painful whisper that tore my heart. I nodded in understanding and sniffled with emotional pain.

"I can't leave you here alone Cas. They'll punish you for helping me." My voice is broken with tears of sadness.

She sighs shakily, looking at the path towards the packhouse. "I'll shower as soon as I get back to ward off your scent."

I shook my head. "That will not help you. They know we are friends and will torture you about my whereabouts." I cried. I didn't want to leave her here alone to suffer the same fate as I. These wolves were ruffles and untamed with hatred.

"Listen to me Rora," Cas's fingers held the sides of my face. "I have survived seventeen years, I can survive plenty more. You should know it'll take a lot to break this omega." She laughs with a watery smile.

"Hey don't worry about me okay? I promise to not give up, but you must promise me that you too, won't." Pulling away from me she smiles. "You never know, down the road, I might join you wherever you are."

I nodded, smiling. This was painful. The thought of leaving her here alone was painful. Removing the bag off her shoulder, she hands it to me. "I packed some of my clothes in there and some girly essentials. Made sure to put a few of those sneaker bars you love so much."

Smiling gratefully, I choked up a sob. "Don't cry Aurora, this isn't goodbye forever." She promised, sighing as she turns around to face the thick foliage. I had no idea where to go, or how to avoid stumbling on Alpha Xavier territory. I didn't want to die by his hands after hearing how brutal he killed rogues. I wasn't a wolf but I was sure he'd not spare me regardless of my specie.

"Take this and don't look back. I've been trying to get information on Alpha Xavier territory and overheard my father talking about taking the left course to avoid stumbling on his territory. Not sure if it's right but you could at least give it a chance." She whispered, pointing to the left.

"You're wrong." A masculine voice made both Cas and I gasp in shock and fear.