Chapter 106: Chapter 106

Miatta

By the time I returned to the path, I was exhausted from running all the way. My lungs were screaming at me for exercising that hard and I had to stop myself twice from falling on my face. I was still far from the secret passage and I pushed on, using my honed abilities anywhere the moonlight could not reveal to me. My conscience stabbed at me with every step I took and I starved it by thinking less of what I had done and more on what I was about to do. I would be home sooner than I ever anticipated since arriving at Red Bone Pack and I wasn't going to let my nosy, star-stricken wolf ruin it for me.

Suddenly, I heard a mild rustling of leaves from somewhere behind me and I froze in place. My mind raced to conclusion that perhaps Lucas had not been sleeping after all and had trailed behind me. I gulped through a tight throat and held my breath, crouching into a squat. Whoever it was, I was determined not to be discovered. The footsteps drew closer and I peeped from where I was partially hidden by a tree. Wolves could sense fear and since lycans were even more evolved, perhaps the newcomer could sniff out my location just as Lucas had earlier done. That knowledge only increased my apprehension and I wished I could disappear into thin air like a Fae spirit. They were nasty creatures but their ability was quite crafty and useful to me at the moment.

At last, I saw two shadows pull out from underneath an umbrella tree. It was the Lycan King and Athena, the latter holding up the shreds of her clothing. She had a frown on her face and was cursing at him angrily.

“You didn’t have to rip my dress apart, Ryon, you horny bastard!”

“I'm sorry, Athena. I have been apologizing for a while now. What else do you want me to say?” He sounded tired and upset at her behaviour. He was no longer the terrible Lycan Alpha but a man trying to please his woman after a probable hour of love-making. Athena looked back at him and stood in all her glory, her dark eyes eating him up viciously.

“Is that all you have to say? Is the healer of Red Bone Pack supposed to return to her abode half-naked? I warned you to take it easy, Ryon but you never listen.”

He sighed and walked close to her, wrapping his hands around her waist. “I'm sorry, Athena. I'm so, so sorry. I'm sorry for ripping your beautiful dress but you know you drive me off the tangent. The moon added to the frenzy as well as your irresistible essence, my love.” She slapped at his hands but a smile had displayed the frown.

“You only say that because I allowed you have your way this time. Next week, you will learn to grovel.”

They moved away, preoccupied in their love bubble to notice me watching them. I was shocked to my bones and it enabled me to keep silent. I had thought Athena was in enemity with the Alpha but I had been far from the truth. They were lovers, it seemed and I wasn't sure if Addy was aware. Once they were out of my sight, I continued my journey to the passage. The king's secret love affair would have to wait till I was in a better state of mind. Arriving at the secret passage finally, no one was there. I had no means of communicating with Addy and had to wait for a minute.

“Miatta?” a scared whisper uttered my name and I whipped around to see Ramona standing all alone, her eyes large in fear. Addy was nowhere in sight and my hopes of escape seemed to diminish. I had hoped she would come with us, instead of sending Ramona alone.

“Ramona, where is Addy? Where are you here all by yourself?”

My question seemed to confuse her and she replied in a small voice: “Addy is not coming. It’s just you and I.”

I turned around, staring at the passage. Shards of moonlight littered along its path and it looked like it led to a magical land. The grass there was lower, trampled by the feet that may have gone there before us. Addy did not want to leave her homeland, of course, but she wanted Ramona to be safe, away from the labours of slavery. It was a sacrifice that not everyone could carry out.

“Is something the matter, Miatta? Are we really leaving?”

I could hear the excitement in her voice and the light dancing in her eyes. To her, we were already outside Red Bone Pack, headed towards our freedom. “Yes, we are, with or without Addy. Step off the path; someone might see you. It’s the full moon and a lot of wolves are wild.”

The obedient shifter moved off the path, standing rather close to me. I held her hand and together, we made our way out the passage. The walls were not a barrier and soon, we were on the outskirts of the pack territory. I felt like shaking my fist at them, my heart trumpeting in victory. Ramona was in tears, her palms wiping at her eyes emotionally.

“I can't believe it. I didn't believe it when Addy told me but standing here, I can already feel at peace. I can't wait to see my parents again, to feel the love of my pack. I can't wait to find my mate and start a new life together. Thank you, Miatta.”

She hugged me tightly, sucking the window out of my lungs. I patted her back to get her off me and she obliged eventually, sniffing back phlegm. We continued through the forest, holding each other's hands. I couldn't help thinking of her last sentence though. Ramona wanted to find her mate and have a new beginning while I was leaving mine behind. As much as I hated my life as a slave, Lucas made my days brighter and my nights warmer. My wolf wept at the thought of losing him and my heart broke a thousand times. When he would wake up, he would find no one beside him and we would be packs apart. I missed my pack but I would miss him more. I helped Ramona over a small hill and leapt off it myself. The ground was a pile of gravels and the weeds were itchy and rough. The moon guided us on our journey, shining her light as if she was encouraging us to keep strong. In my haste to get away before our absence was missed, the skirt of my dress got caught against a sharp rock. I dragged it roughly but instead, the rock ripped it in half, destroying its beauty.

I subconsciously gasped and picked up the shreds, a croak eliciting from my throat. Lucas had given me that dress and I had ruined it without a thought. I had ripped his gift and I had thrown his love back in his face. I was making the biggest mistake of my life by abandoning the love of my life for a journey I may not survive. I did not realize I had stopped moving until Ramona touched my back subtly.

“I feel like something is wrong, Miatta. Are you unsure of the way out of the woods?”

I honestly did not know where I was going so Ramona was partially right but the way I was feeling had to do with more than misdirection.

“Ramona, I cannot go on with you. I have to go back.”