Chapter 5

Anna's POV

My steps echoed through the hallways as I walked on. Each step I took felt as though I was moving towards an ultimatum, a deadline. 

I finally arrived at the door of the study, panting hard. I could feel my wolf rearing its head in apprehension, matching mine. I raised a hand to knock on the door—

And that was when I heard Alpha Jasper's voice.

"Why are you here?" He asked. His voice was sharp, curt, leaving no room for questions.

"I heard you were taking another woman as your Luna." Came a female voice that made me stop in my tracks.

As I pressed my ear against the door, straining to hear every word of the conversation inside Alpha Jasper's study, a flood of emotions washed over me. My heart pounded with a mix of curiosity and dread, my breath caught in my throat.

"And how is that your problem?"

I paused. Who was he speaking with?

"It is my problem! Why her, Alpha Jasper?" The female's voice questioned, dripping with resentment and jealousy. "Why did you choose her over me?"

There was an incj of impatience in Alpha Jasper's response. "Relax, Serena. I simply gave the elders what they wanted. Anna is nothing but a means to an end!"

Serena's name sent a shiver down my spine. Who was she to Alpha Jasper, and why did her presence fill me with a sudden sense of unease?

Serena pressed on, her voice laced with frustration. "What do you mean, 'what they wanted'? Do you love her or not? Tell me if you love her."

"You do not need to know whether I harbour feelings for her or not!" Alpha Jasper's reply pierced through me like a knife. "All you need to know is that I have always wanted you, Serena. You know that."

There was a pause, and then the Alpha growled dangerously. "Do not make this an issue, Serena."

Tears pricked at my eyes as I listened to their conversation, feeling the weight of Alpha Jasper's betrayal crushing down on me. He had never spoken to me with such tenderness and affection. At that moment, I felt like I was nothing more than a pawn to be used by him.

Serena's voice wavered with disbelief. "But why, Jasper? Why throw away our years together as friends and betrothed, just for a girl who is unknown and unrecognized? For a girl you barely knew until....what, a month ago?"

"Anna is nothing!" Alpha Jasper retorted. "She will never be anything! She is nothing but vermin of the lowest order, and she is only here to give me a heir and nothing else!"

In that moment, as the truth crashed down on me like a relentless wave, I felt a surge of bitterness wash over me. How could I have been so naive? How could I have allowed myself to believe that I could ever be more than just a tool for Alpha Jasper?

Clutching my belly, I staggered backwards. I had given him everything—my body, my love, my loyalty—only to realize that I was nothing more than a means to an end for him. The realization was a bitter pill to swallow, a very clear reminder of my insignificance in his eyes.

How silly of me! For a brief moment, I had allowed myself to hope, to dream of a future where I could be more than just a breeding machine. 

It was now or never. 

I had to leave the pack.

Sharply, I turned and walked away from the door, the sound of my footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. Behind me, I could sense the maids trying to follow, their footsteps quickening to keep pace with mine.

With a cold edge to my voice, I turned to them. "Do not follow me."

"But Luna..." One of the maids stepped forward. "We have to be with you—"

My patience snapped, and I roared in anger. "Leave me!" I bellowed, my voice reverberating off the walls. "I said, leave me!"

With a final glare at them, I turned and stormed away, leaving the maids standing frozen in the hallway behind me.

I reached my room's door and pushed it open, stepping inside before allowing the tears to finally spill from my eyes. The weight of everything—the betrayal, the hopelessness, the realization of my worthlessness—crashed down on me all at once, overwhelming me with a flood of emotion.

I cried for what felt like an eternity, letting the tears wash away the pain and the anger, letting them cleanse my soul of the despair that threatened to consume me. And then, with shaky hands, I wiped my face dry, determination flickering in my eyes despite the lingering ache in my heart.

I packed my bags hastily, my heart pounding with nervous anticipation as I prepared to make my escape. After enduring a whole month of nothing but serving Alpha Jasper's desires, I had learned every nook and cranny of the pack house like the back of my hand. I knew every shortcut, every hidden passage, and every secret route.

With a sense of determination burning in my chest, I made my way through the dimly lit corridors, my footsteps silent as I moved with purpose. I navigated the familiar twists and turns until I reached the kitchens, where I knew the entrance to an underground tunnel was concealed.

Taking a deep breath, I walked through the tunnels and came out on the other side, which opened into the forest.

Then I ran.

On and on and on, till I wasn't sure where I was going anymore. My heart pounded in my chest as I raced through the dense forest. My breath coming in ragged gasps as I pushed myself to put as much distance between myself and Alpha Jasper's pack as possible. 

But as I ran, my foot caught on a tangle of vines hidden in the undergrowth, sending me sprawling to the forest floor with a sharp cry of pain. I felt the impact reverberate through my body as my head collided with the hard earth, stars exploding behind my eyelids as darkness engulfed my vision.

The darkness that covered me was soft and quiet.

********

I opened my eyes and squinted hard; the sunlight was slanting straight into my face. With a laborious groan, I sat up and rubbed my sore head.

I lowered my hand and caught the sight of blood, staining my fingers crimson. But that was not the most appalling part.

I became more aware of my surroundings, and I glanced up to take a look. My vision swam for a moment, but rising to my feet gave me a better view of my surroundings.

And my eyes widened with horror as one phrase slipped from my lips.

"Oh, Goddess!"