When I arrived at the private hunting grounds, I felt the weight of the pack’s eyes on me. It wasn’t the usual gazes that they would cast on me. This time, it was different.

I wasn’t just the betrothed of Alpha Alex. Rather, I was the woman who dared to challenge his mistress, Avery. The tension in the air was palpable. Actually, I could almost feel the pack members waiting for the next move.

Avery was already standing by Alex. Her face looked very red as she held back her anger. The moment I stepped into the clearing, she shot me a glare that could melt stone.

“You’re late,” she said, her voice laced with disdain.

“I’m here, aren’t I?” I retorted, trying to keep my tone steady.

Alex chose to pretend to ignore the tension. The Alpha smiled as if he had treated me well for the past five years, approaching me. However, it made me want to laugh.

“Felicia, I’m glad you could join us. The elders have been pressuring me to make sure you’re included,” the man said.

Avery’s lip curled in annoyance when she heard it, but Alex didn’t notice. His focus was entirely on me, or rather, on keeping up appearances. Seeing it made me have enough.

“I’m sure it’s not because you want me here, Alpha. But I’m grateful for the invitation,” I said sarcastically as I forced a smile.

Avery’s eyes narrowed as she boldly said, “Well, I’m not.”

The mistress was clearly upset that her lover had included me, but Alex waved her off as he brushed her concerns aside.

“Let’s not make a scene, Avery. We’re all here to enjoy the day. The last thing I need is more pressure from the pack,” the man said.

Avery opened her mouth to argue, but the Alpha silenced her with a glance before he said, “Please, just bear with it. It’s what’s best for the pack.”

Obviously, I could see the discomfort in her eyes. Eventually, she nodded stiffly. It was clear that she was unhappy. However, she was forced to comply.

The hunting party was soon underway.

As expected, both Alex and Avery stayed close. Their laughter echoed through the trees. I felt like an outsider, a third wheel, but I refused to let it show.

However, Avery’s voice cut through my thoughts as she said, “Lady Felicia, let’s ride together.”

“Ride?” I asked her back.

The mistress coldly said, “Yes, you heard me, my lady.”

Avery’s eyes gleamed with a mixture of annoyance and amusement as she continued, “I think it’ll be good for us to bond.”

I hesitated. Avery knew my fear of water, so she might use it to her advantage. The last thing I wanted was to get stuck in a situation where I would be forced to face my fear. But I couldn’t back down with the pack watching.

“Fine. But only for a short while,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

The horses were already saddled when we arrived at the stables. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. Although I loved riding, the idea of being near water made my heart race. It had been a fear since childhood that I had never quite shaken off.

Avery’s smirk told me she knew exactly how I felt. She was enjoying this. In fact, she might enjoy it more than she should have.

“We’ll ride near the lake. It’ll be fun,” she said with her voice laced with malice.

I bit my lip, trying to hide the panic bubbling up inside me. However, I couldn’t back out without looking weak. So, I rode my horse and followed Avery as the woman led the way toward the lake.

As both of us got closer to the water, I felt my heart begin to race. The lake was beautiful, indeed. However, the memories of near-drowning when I was younger began replaying in my mind. I could feel the old fear rising within me as my body then tensed.

Avery slowed her horse as we approached the water’s edge.

“It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?” she asked innocently, but I could see the cruel gleam in her eyes.

“It is,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

She glanced at me as her smirk widened and said, “Maybe we should take a closer look.”

Before I could react, Avery spurred her horse forward. My horse followed automatically, but I tugged on the reins, trying to slow down. I wasn’t ready to get any closer to the water, but Avery wasn’t having it.

“Come on, Lady Felicia. You’re not afraid, are you?” she asked me mockingly.

“I’m not,” I said through gritted teeth, but my heart was hammering in my chest.

Without warning, Avery kicked her horse’s sides. The animal quickly took off, charging straight into the lake. I gasped, pulling hard on the reins, trying to stop my own horse. However, Avery had already forced both our horses into the water.

Immediately, The force of the water hit us. I struggled to stay on the horse’s back as it reared, the lake’s cold embrace threatening to pull me under.

“Lady Avery, stop!” I shouted, panic rising in my chest. But she only laughed.

Before I could react, her horse bucked again. Then, I was thrown from the saddle. It felt as if the world tilted when I fell into the cold, dark water.

I gasped for air as I struggled to stay afloat. The shock of the cold water quickly seized my chest. I kicked my legs, trying to swim. But my body was heavy and my panic only made it worse.

‘Help! Alex!’ I shouted through my mind-link with Alex, but I couldn’t hear him.

My vision was blurry as the water swirled around me. I couldn’t breathe, see, or think. Although I heard voices, I knew the voice wasn’t Alex’s. Avery was still laughing from the shore, her mocking voice cutting through my desperation.

“Alex, save me!” she shouted loudly.

Meanwhile, I reached out as my hands grasping for anything. However, it felt like the water was swallowing me whole.

A strong feeling of suffocation came over me, the air I breathed became thinner and thinner, and I felt like I was about to die...

Suddenly, strong hands grabbed me from behind. The person pulled me up out of the water. I gasped, choking as I was dragged to the shore.

“Lady Felicia!”

Nathaniel’s voice was the only thing I could focus on as he pulled me to safety. His arms were steady around me, his body warm against mine as he lifted me to solid ground. The man saved me.

“Are you okay?” Nathaniel asked, his voice low and concerned.

I nodded, still gasping for air, as I answered, “Yeah. I ... I thought I was going to drown.”

Nathaniel looked over at Avery, who was still standing at the water’s edge, a look of disbelief on her face. Alex wasn’t anywhere close to me. In fact, the Alpha was standing close to her. That really broke my heart.

“I thought the Alpha was supposed to be watching over you,” Nathaniel muttered, his voice full of disdain.

I swallowed hard, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill.

“He chose Avery over me. Again,” I weakly said.

Nathaniel’s expression softened as he pulled me into a tight hug and told me, “Lady Felicia ... you don’t deserve this.”

“I’ve had enough, Beta. I can’t do this anymore. I’m done. We need to leave. Tonight,” I said to him weakly.

Nathaniel nodded as he said, “We will. I’ll be ready.”

I stood up, my legs shaky but determined.

“I’m done being his second choice. I’m done being the fool,” I muttered quietly.

We both turned toward the water where Avery was still standing. However, her smug smile quickly faltered as she saw the determination in my eyes. In fact, I would make sure to make her regret what she did from this moment on.

“I’m leaving, Beta. I’m leaving this pack, and I’m never looking back,” I told Nathaniel.

‘We’ll make them pay, Felicia,’ Talia said inside of me.

The days were passing slowly, but my decision was already made.

I made sure no one would notice me. Although I told myself I wouldn’t look back, a sense of dread crept over me every time I thought about leaving. I wasn’t afraid of leaving Alex. Rather, I was afraid of the unknown, of what lay ahead once I broke free.

Nathaniel had been my quiet companion in this plan. The Beta said little, but I could feel his resolve. He had been patient with me, understanding when I faltered, and supportive when I doubted myself. His presence gave me the courage to push through my fear.

I watched Alex from across the room, pretending to listen to his words as he rambled about something to me. His eyes kept darting over to Avery, who was now sitting nearby, playing the part of the delicate, frail woman in need of constant attention.

“I’m tired, Felicia,” Alex said, his voice soft.

The Alpha then asked, “Maybe you could take the night off?”

I wasn’t sure if he meant it or if he just wanted to spend more time with Avery.

But I played along as I nodded and said, “Of course. I’ll go to my room then.”

As I stood to leave, Alex seemed to notice something in my expression. His brow furrowed slightly as if something had caught his attention. However, Avery’s delicate cough broke the moment before he could say anything.

“I think I need to lie down,” she said, her voice low and trembling, making sure every word sounded like a plea for help.

Alex was instantly distracted as he rushed to her side and asked, “Are you feeling unwell, Avery? Should I call the healer?”

I had seen enough. The affection in Alex’s voice made my skin crawl. The Alpha cared for his own mistress far more than he ever cared for me, his future Luna. It was clear that no matter what I did, I would never be the one to receive his attention.

So, I turned away as I walked towards the stairs that led to my room.

As I reached Nathaniel’s door, I knocked softly.

“Lady Felicia,” Nathaniel greeted, opening the door almost instantly.

His eyes were filled with concern, but there was a sense of excitement too as if he was ready. Ready to leave.

“Everything is set?” I asked the Beta.

Nathaniel nodded, glancing down the hallway to make sure no one was listening.

The man said, “As soon as the Alpha is distracted, we leave. Are you sure about this?”

“Yes. I can’t stay here anymore, Nathaniel. I can’t keep pretending that this is my life. I’m not Alex’s second choice. I’m not a prize for him to show off when it suits him,” I told him.

Nathaniel stepped aside, letting me into his room. There was a long silence before us. Clearly, we needed to decide as soon as possible.

“Then it’s time we leave. We’ll find a place of our own, somewhere far away from all of this.” His smile was reassuring, but his eyes held something deeper—determination.

I nodded, feeling my heart race. The thought of running away made my skin prickle with both excitement and fear. I was leaving behind everything I knew. The pack, my betrothal to Alex, and the castle. But for the first time in years, I felt a spark of freedom.

We waited for hours, pretending nothing was wrong.

As the evening wore on, the sky grew darker. Through the thick windows, I could see the moon shining faintly through the clouds. The castle had quietened down. Even though I had heard the faint sound of Alex’s laughter just moments before, the noise gradually died as the night stretched on.

Both of us were ready.

With one last glance down the hallway, I crept out of the room and into the corridor. Nathaniel’s footsteps were silent as he followed behind me. We moved like shadows through the halls. After all, we had to get out of there before anyone could stop us.

It was only when we reached the back door that I allowed myself to breathe. Outside, the night air was cool and the sounds of the forest reached my ears. It felt like freedom.

“Ready?” Nathaniel asked, glancing at me.

I nodded as I answered him, “Ready.”

We stepped out into the night as we shited into our wolf forms. The path was barely visible, but Nathaniel led the way with quiet confidence. Each step felt like a step further away from the life I had known.

The cold air hit me like a wave, but I welcomed it. It was a reminder that I was alive, that I could breathe, that I was no longer bound by the expectations that had suffocated me for so long. At last, I was free.