Chapter 29
Astrid's POV
Kaeleen's question hung in the air, thick with unspoken anxieties. "Do you have any ideas?" he'd asked, his eyes searching mine. How could we slip away from Leon's grasp without him even suspecting a thing? It felt impossible, like trying to outrun a shadow.
My mind raced, sifting through memories of the pack lands, searching for a loophole, a hidden path, anything that could give us an edge. I knew this territory better than anyone, every twist and turn, every hidden hollow. There had to be something.
"There's a way," I said slowly, my voice barely above a whisper. "A path…it's old, overgrown. I don't think anyone uses it anymore."
Rebecca leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with interest. "Where does it lead?"
"It cuts through the western edge of the territory," I explained. "It's rough, and it'll take longer, but it avoids the main roads and the patrol routes."
Alex frowned. "How sure are you that it's safe? We can't afford to run into any trouble."
"It's been years since I've been there," I admitted. "But I remember it being secluded. Leon would never expect us to go that way."
Kaeleen nodded, his expression thoughtful. "It's worth a shot. It's better than nothing. We'll leave at dawn, before anyone is awake."
"But people would talk if they don't see us the next morning." Alex pointed out.
"We need to put on a show. We need them to know that we are leaving the pack. If we use this route then none would see us and it'll raise questions." Kaeleen added with a nod.
"But we leave at dawn. How is anyone going to see us?" Rebecca asked with a frown.
"People will be awake, Rebecca. The gates will be operated. Someone will be awake, perhaps the Luna to see us off." Alex replied to her.
"So we need to put on a show?" She asked.
"Yes. Perhaps, Astrid will have to wait for us somewhere instead?" Alex asked me.
My heart skipped a beat. The plan was changing, adapting. I understood the need for it, the logic behind it. It wasn't ideal, but it wasn't a disaster either. We were still leaving, still escaping.
"Where would she wait?" Rebecca asked, her voice steady.
"There's a small clearing about a mile from the main gate," I said, eyes locking with Kaeleen. "It's hidden from the road, but it's easy to find. I'll meet you guys there as soon as I can."
"I don't like this but I understand it." Rebecca said, voicing my exact thoughts.
The rest of the night was spent finalizing the details of our revised plan. We decided that Kaeleen and Rebecca would leave the pack house at dawn. The meeting they had all come for was over. Some packs had even left yesterday so no one would suspect a thing. Alex would bring a vehicle to take all of them and they'd meet me at the clearing. I would slip out of the pack house unnoticed, using a different exit, and make my way to the clearing on my own. It was a simple plan and I hoped it all went accordingly.
As dawn approached, I felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins. I dressed quickly, pulling on a pair of dark jeans and a hooded sweatshirt. I packed a small bag with the most important things to me. My sketchbook for one. I gazed at the other things, I really had nothing of attachment in this pack.
I took one last look around the room, a wave of determination washing over me. I had spent so many years in this place, enduring so much pain and suffering. Now, I was finally leaving it behind, embarking on a new chapter of my life.
"Be safe." Kaeleen said to me.
"You too." I told him with a nod.
I slipped out of the room and made my way to the back exit, my heart pounding in my chest with every step. The hallways were deserted, the pack house still shrouded in darkness. I reached the door and paused, taking a deep breath to steel my nerves.
Then, I opened the door and stepped out into the cool morning air.
The forest was alive with the sounds of nature. Birds chirped merrily in the trees, and a gentle breeze rustled through the leaves. The air was crisp and clean, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth.
I took a deep breath, savoring the moment. This was it. This was the beginning of my new life.
I set off towards the clearing, following a narrow path that wound through the trees. The path was uneven and overgrown, but I didn't mind. I was focused on the task ahead, on reaching the clearing and meeting up with Kaeleen, Alex and Rebecca.
As I walked, I remained alert, scanning my surroundings for any signs of danger. I knew that Leon wouldn't let me go easily. He would do everything in his power to stop me.
I quickened my pace, my heart pounding in my chest. I had to get to the clearing before he found me.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I reached the clearing. It was a small, secluded space, surrounded by trees and hidden from the road. I breathed a sigh of relief. I made it.
I found a spot near a fallen log and waited, my eyes scanning the surrounding forest. The minutes ticked by slowly, each one feeling like an hour. The sun climbed higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the clearing.
Where were they? What was taking them so long?
I remained calm, reminding myself that they would be here soon.
Just as I was starting to feel impatient, I heard a rustling in the bushes. I tensed, my senses on high alert. Kaeleen emerged and j breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm so glad you're safe." He said with a small smile.
"Me too."
He took my hand and led me towards the car where Rebecca beamed at me but just before I could step in, I heard something. Kaeleen heard it too. He turned and released a low threatening growl.
"Oops." The person said as she came out with a laugh.
"Clara?" I asked with a frown.
She looked drunk. I moved towards her but Kaeleen held me back.
"She's not alone." He said to me,
I frowned and observed. Truthfully, she wasn't alone. Someone else emerged and my blood ran cold at the person before me. No. This wasn't the plan. This was not what was supposed to happen.
"Kaeleen." He said, his voice dripping with venom.
"Leon." Kaeleen replied.
"Here to say goodbye?" He asked with a smile.
Leon scoffed. "I can't just let you go without saying goodbye right?" He asked Kaeleen.
"Thank you but I'm not a child who would miss their parents if they didn't say goodbye." Kaeleen said to him.
"I never knew I was a parent now." Leon said with a laugh.
But like a switch had been pulled, his smile disappeared. "You have something of mine." Leon said.
"I didn't steal your toys." Kaeleen replied to him.
He knew exactly what Leon was talking about but he was pretending not to know. I had to give it to Kaeleen though. Leon's name was feared in the werewolf community and Kaeleen was speaking to him like he could be nothing more than a speck of dust on his shirt. Something he could give away at any given time. It took courage and a great deal of confidence to do what Kaeleen was doing and I respected him for that.
"Hmm." Leon said as if in deep thought.
"If you consider her a toy, then, that's what she is." He said to her,
"Barbie?" Kaeleen asked. "I never knew you had one." He said feigning ignorance.
Leon bristled at his words. "You know exactly what I'm talking about. Give me back what's mine." He growled.
"But I never took anything of yours." Kaeleen replied to him.
"Do not think you can step out of my pack with what belongs to me."
Kaeleen released an exasperated sigh. "For the last time, I didn't take anything of yours. At least, none that I can remember."
"Is this what we're going to do?" Leon asked him.
"What?" Kaeleen asked him.
"Pretend like you have no idea what I'm talking about. Is that what we are going to do? From my knowledge you don't have much time to waste here, defending someone who isn't worth it." Leon said to Kaeleen.
Kaeleen growled. His body was tight with anger and he looked like he was a few minutes from destroying Leon. I tried to understand what Leon was talking about. Had he done something to Kaeleen's pack? Was that why he was so confident?
"She is worth every fucking thing in this planet. And the worthless one is standing before me." Kaeleen replied to him.
Leon waved him off then turned to me, his hands wrapped around Clara's throat, choking her. My heart dropped.
"What are you doing?" I asked him.
He smiled cruelly. "What do you think I'm doing?"
"Hel..help me." Clara cried out as she tugged at his hands.
I couldn't watch her cry for help and not do anything. Not again.
"Let her go." I said to Leon.
"Oh I will, only on one condition…,"