CHAPTER 52: AM I IN TROUBLE?

I managed to slip back into my room without anyone seeing me. Alpha Dawn was a rogue. A former rogue, one of the worst, who had done God knows what to claim his title.

The memory of his hot, possessive kiss, the one I had actually returned, humiliatingly, sent a fresh rush of nausea through me. I was a fool. A willing participant in my own capture. If what Celeste said about was true...

And Luna Odessa. Luna Odessa had also said something similar.

I kicked off my shoes and practically collapsed onto the edge of my bed. My mind was a chaotic space for shame, fear, and that confusing, traitorous spark of attraction that refused to die. Yes, that attraction that has always stopped me from doing the needful and just running away.

Every time I thought of Dawn, my body remembered the exquisite pressure, the scent of his power, the thrill of being pinned and claimed. It was disgusting, and yet, it was my truth.

A rogue. A ticking time bomb. Celeste’s had said in my ears. If he was that dangerous, then the playful cuffs and the passionate humping had a part in it. It had a meaning. Or maybe he was passing a message that I was trapped by him? Truthfully, none of it made sense. Why would he tell me to be his sub and I listen to him, without knowing what it meant. All I knew was that he does crazy things to me like handcuffing me and I have to say a safe word if I needed him to stop pressuring me.

He wasn’t falling for me; he was just setting a deeper trap, I concluded.

I ran my hands through my hair, pressing my palms against my temples as if I could physically squeeze the fear out. "What am I going to do?" I whispered to the empty room. "I’m trapped."

"You are not trapped, Bambi."

The voice was soft, clear, and resonant, like a single, pure note struck on a deep bell. It wasn’t spoken aloud, but it was so vivid, so real, that I nearly jumped off the bed. My heart did a clumsy flip in my chest.

Freya.

"Freya?" My voice was barely a breath.

It was her—my wolf, my other half, Freya. She is a magnificent, sleek wolf of shadow and silver, her eyes a amber color.

"Yes, Bambi. I am here." Her presence was like a balm. I hadn’t felt her this close, this clear, like ever.

"Oh, Freya," I say, "I’ve missed you so much. I... I was starting to think I was imagining you." I scrambled further onto the bed, curling my legs up, needing the comfort of her presence. "Why don’t you come out more often? I feel so alone without you."

Freya slowly lowered her great head, her amber eyes locking onto mine. "I wish I could, Bambi. I truly do. You are my other heart. But I cannot remain in the same close space as Alpha Dawn."

My momentary joy disappeared that minute, replaced by a knot of dread. "What? Why not? He’s the Alpha. You should feel... safe near him."

"Safe?" Freya’s voice was a guttural snarl. "There is no safety with that wolf, Bambi. His power is a cage, and his mind is a blade. I feel him near you, he is a constant, invasive presence, and it sends a sickness through my soul. I will not settle in his shadow."

"But he hasn’t hurt me," I argued, my defense sounding weak even to my own ears, even after what Celeste had said.

"He’s... possessive, yes, and controlling, but he hasn’t physically hurt me. He gave me this." I involuntarily touched the spot on my wrist where the cuff had been.

Freya took a step closer in my mind’s eye, her image growing even larger, more dominant. "Did you truly believe that power he gave you was for your advantage, Bambi? Did you think the Alpha of this Pack, the ruthless rogue Celeste spoke of, would simply hand over a piece of his power for nothing? He plans to use you. Every single fiber of that power is a leash. It ties you to him, makes you a beacon for his control, a weapon for his needs."

My blood ran cold. It wasn’t just Celeste. Even my own wolf, my most primal self, was terrified of him. "He’s not to be trusted," I breathed, "He’s dangerous."

"He is the most dangerous wolf you have ever met, Bambi. You must get away from him. That power he gave you, it’s not yours to keep. It’s his claim on you. You need to sever that tie, or you will become nothing more than a puppet on his string."

"How? How do I get rid of it?" I pleaded, hope mixing with panic.

"You must seek out Calandra," Freya instructed, her voice urgent. "The witch who confirmed your strange power that day. She understands this kind of magic. She is the only one who can safely remove it and break the bond he has formed through it."

"A witch? Will she even help me? She looked so... guarded."

"She will ask for a price. A difficult one. But listen to me, Bambi, and listen well: you must do everything in your capability to grant her request. Whatever she asks, it is your only ticket out. It is the only way to get free from Dawn. It is your salvation."

Freya’s form began to fade. The warmth of her presence diminished, leaving me chilled. "Go now. Do not delay. And be discreet. Dawn’s eyes are everywhere. Promise me, Bambi. Promise you will go."

"I promise, Freya. I promise."

The silence returned, but it wasn’t empty this time. Freya was gone, but her words were still burning within my soul. Go now.

I threw off the covers and sprang to my feet. There was no time to waste, no time for fear or doubt. The Alpha’s obsession had been dangerous before, but now I knew the truth: it was a matter of life or death, freedom or eternal servitude...

The first step was getting out of the Pack House unnoticed. I moved to my door, quietly testing the handle. The hallway was dark and silent. I slipped out.

I avoided the elevator and made it down the main staircase and to a side exit without encountering a soul. I breathed a sigh of relief as I stepped out onto the cool, damp grass of the courtyard.

My heart hammered as I headed toward the dense woods at the edge of the Pack territory. Just as I reached the line of trees, my movements halted.

A figure was standing a short distance away, silhouetted in the low light coming from the windows of the Alpha’s wing. It was Alpha Dawn, speaking quietly with another, taller figure, his back to me. Even from this distance, the power radiating from his broad shoulders and commanding posture was undeniable. I instantly ducked behind a large ornamental hedge, my body pressed flat against the stone wall.

I held my breath, listening to the murmur of their voices, praying the wind wouldn’t carry my scent to his sensitive nose. He was too close. Way too close. I needed to move, now.

Finally, I reached the darkness of the trees. I didn’t slow down until I was deep within the woods, forcing myself to run toward my destination: the Omega quarters, the old, small cottages nestled in a secluded area of the territory.

I eventually emerged near a cluster of ancient oak trees that overlooked the quarters. I crouched behind the thick trunk of the largest one. Nothing had changed. The cottages were lit by soft yellow lamps, and a few Omegas were still out, chatting on porches or strolling in and out, looking to be at peace.

I scanned the faces, looking for the one person I needed to see most. Then I saw her. Rachel, a girl with kind eyes and a disposition, was laughing with another Omega by the main path.

I kept my voice low, a barely audible hiss. "Rachel!"

Her head snapped up, her laughter dying. Her eyes, wide with surprise, scanned the woods where I stayed perched.

"Here! Behind the big tree!" I hissed again.

Rachel’s eyes finally landed on me. Her mouth dropped open in shock, and she quickly glanced around to see if anyone else was looking. She then scurried over to the woods.

"Bambi? I... I thought you left the Pack! What are you doing here?" she whispered.

I grabbed her wrist and pulled her to safety behind the oak. "Don’t you dare tell anyone I’m here!" I warned, my voice firm. "We don’t have time. I need you to do something for me. I need to see Sable. Can you get her for me? Bring her here, now. Tell her it’s me, and it’s urgent."

Rachel nodded, still dazed, and scurried off. It felt like an eternity before she returned, bringing Sable with her. Rachel gave me a concerned glance, and then, recognizing the need for privacy, walked away to keep watch by the edge of the woods.

Sable stood before me. Her posture was stiff, her expression guarded and cold.

"Bambi," she said, her voice flat and devoid of the warmth I remembered. "I’m surprised to see you. I heard... things. That you were busy with the Alpha." Her eyes were narrowed.

Her coldness stung, but I pushed the feeling down. I needed her. I took a quick step forward and pulled her into a tight, desperate hug, inhaling the familiar scent of her laundry soap and the soft, woodsy smell of the Omegas’ quarters. "Oh, Sable, I’m so happy to see you again," I murmured, squeezing her tight before letting go.

I took her shoulders, forcing her to look into my eyes. "Listen to me. I’m in trouble. More trouble than you can imagine. I need your help to escape Alpha Dawn."