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After the herbalist informed about my pregnant status, I decided to go to the nearby clinic to be sure I was truly pregnant.

The big stone walls of the castle felt like they were closing in on me as I got back with different thoughts clouding my head.

I could feel the eyes of my three step-siblings as they stared at me from across the huge hall as I walked in. I knew one of them would ask where I had been.

Sure enough, as I reached the top of the stairs, my step brother’s voice called out to me at the same time, their voices sharp and accusing.

“where have you been?"

I took a deep breath and turned to face the three of them, getting ready for the argument that would no doubt ensue.

But before I could say anything, my step brother eyes saw the crumpled piece of paper I was holding in my hand. I tried to hide it behind my back, but he was too quick.

With a swift move, he walked up to me, snatched the paper from my hand and unfolded it.

My insides twisted with dread as I witnessed their eyes devouring the contents of that paper. It revealed the result of a pregnancy test.

My stepsister's lips curled into a wicked grin as she raised her gaze to meet mine, her eyes alight with malicious delight.

"Well, well, well," she taunted with a sneer. "Look who has been sleeping around with different men and pretending to be innocent? I knew it, you’re just a cheap slut hiding under the image of an innocent maid.”

My step brother moved closer to me dragging me by the arm towards him.

“Who is the father you bitch?” He yelled, I bent my head, my eyes on my worn out shoes and refused to say a word.

When they saw that I wasn’t saying anything they laughed and cackled in delight. Their loud laughter bounced off the walls. Hearing them laugh felt like my heart was being stabbed by hot knives.

Lily gave me a nasty look , she made me feel very uncomfortable and worthless. Then she said cruel words that I'll never forget.

"You're just a cheap whore! A poor one who can't even keep her mate! I will quickly tell the pack members about this. And I'll for sure tell the Lycan King.” she threatened, enjoying my current state of despair.

My heart pounded in my chest as Lily's threat hung in the air. Telling the Lycan King about my condition would surely worsen the whole situation for me,

How would they react when they find out the king was the father of my unborn child? I had to get out of there before she made good on her promise.

"Please..." I begged, voice trembling. "Don't tell the King. I'll leave the castle grounds, you'll never have to see me again. Just give me a chance to escape."

Lily's cruel smile only widened at my plea. "And what fun would that be? No, I think the King deserves to know what a whore you truly are."

The weight of their harsh words felt like a heavy weight pressing down on my shoulders.

Before I could gather my courage to respond, I noticed the Lycan King himself striding towards us, his piercing gaze taking in the scene.

It seemed my stepsister's loud voice had disturbed his rest. I knew facing him in this state, with the shameful news of my pregnancy, would be disastrous.

Without a word, I turned and fled to my chamber, tears streaming down my face.

I collapsed onto my bed, body wracked with sobs. Part of me feared one of my stepfamily would come question me, but the night passed in sorrowful solitude as I robotically packed my things. I eventually cried myself into an uneasy slumber.

I awoke with a start sometime after midnight, moonlight filtering through my window. The moon's gentle glow called to me.

"Dear moon goddess, grant me your guidance," I whispered.

Fear and the need to protect myself made me feel a rush of energy. I quickly got up, picked my meager belongings I had deemed useful and ran down the nearest hallway, not caring where I went, as long as it was away from them.

Everyone was supposed to be asleep by now.

Suddenly, the distinct sound of footsteps resonated through the corridor, piercing through the silence.

My breath hitched, and I froze in my tracks, straining my ears to decipher the origin of the sound.

I immediately hid in a corner as I caught sight of two members of the pack. They looked tired, and seemed like they were retreating from their patrol to go get some sleep as they walked past me.

As they passed, I held my breath, praying to the moon goddess that they wouldn't detect my presence.

My mind raced with imagined scenarios - would they catch me? But all those fears dissolved in the air when their voices continued to fade into the distance.

Relief washed over me as I allowed myself a moment, my legs trembled from the strain of staying still for so long.

Slowly, I allowed my breathing to return to normal, trying to steady the erratic beats of my heart.

Gathering my wits, I took a cautious step forward, peering around to make sure they were truly gone.

A sigh of relief escaped my lips when I confirmed that I was safe, at least for the time being.

I don't know how long I sprinted through all the hallways and stairs, but eventually I burst through a side door and made it outside to the gardens in the moonlight.

My chest was heaving as I frantically looked around for any sign anyone was chasing me.

That's when I noticed the trees lining the outer castle walls. If I could climb up one and make it over the top...

Not wasting any more time, I dashed towards the tree line, silently praying I could make it over before being caught.

My head was spinning badly, but I wasn’t sure what the cause was. but I did not let that stop me from the task at hand- running away.

Digging my fingers into the twisted bark, I started to climb, every muscle straining with the effort. I couldn't let myself look down, or the dizzying height might make me freeze in fear.

“Just keep moving, keep moving...”I whispered, encouraging myself.

Finally, I pulled myself up to straddle a high branch, level with the top of the stone wall.

The forest stretched out in front of me on the other side, the promise of escape was so close. I just had to jump...

A booming voice shattered my focus. "Who is there?!”

“I said, who is there?” The voice echoed again