Aria’s POV
I stayed in the darkness for what felt like an eternity. Time lost all meaning as I huddled on the cold floor, the weight of my situation crashing down on me. The pain from Logan’s beating throbbed in my side, and hunger gnawed at my insides, but the thought of my son kept me from surrendering to despair.
I had to escape. I had to find my son and find a way out of this nightmare-for Edward, for myself.
Finally, I couldn’t bear it any longer. I scrambled to my feet, ignoring the pain that shot through my side. I scanned the room, considering my options. The door was out of the question. Logan might have positioned guards there, and even if he hadn’t, the lock was too solid to break through.
My eyes settled on the window. It was my only hope.
But it was locked, and I knew I wasn’t strong enough in my human form to force it open. I would have to tap into something deeper, something primal. I’d never morphed into my wolf before. The power had always laid beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment, but fear and my situation had kept me from embracing it. Now, I had no choice.
I closed my eyes and centered myself, reaching deep within to connect with the part of me that was more than human. I focused on the wildness that had always been there, lurking just beneath the surface, and I felt it stir. A low growl escaped my lips as I felt my muscles tense and my bones begin to shift.
The pain was intense like my body was being torn apart from the inside, but I pushed through it. My breathing grew ragged as fur erupted from my skin, and my senses heightened. I could hear the faintest rustle of fabric in the darkness, and the tiniest creak of the wooden floorboards beneath my feet. My vision sharpened, colors becoming more vivid, and I could smell everything-the dampness of the room, the lingering scent of Logan’s rage, the faint trace of my son’s scent on my clothes.
Finally, the transformation was completed, and I stood on four legs, my wolf fully awakened. I felt powerful, more powerful than I ever had in my life. The fear that had once held me back melted away, replaced by a fierce determination to survive.
I turned my attention to the window. With a roar of strength, I lunged at it, my claws scraping against the wood as I forced it open. The lock gave way under the pressure, and the window creaked open. I could feel the cool night air brush against my fur, and I knew this was my chance.
I glanced down and saw the ground was at least ten feet below me. But in my beastly form, the height didn’t intimidate me. My wolf’s muscles coiled with readiness, and without hesitation, I leaped out of the window, landing softly on the ground. The forest’s cool night air welcomed me, but I couldn’t stop. Not yet.
I needed to find Edward.
I darted through the shadows, my paws making little sounds on the earth below. The darkness cloaked me as I moved swiftly, silently, from window to window, searching for my son’s nursery. Each time I peered inside, my heart pounded, fearful of what I might or might not find. I could sense the faint presence of those inside-the pack members, oblivious to my desperation as they slept soundly.
Finally, I found the window I was looking for. I peered through the glass and saw Erinne sleeping beside little Edward, her body curled protectively around him. Relief washed over me, and I shifted back into my human form, my body aching from the sudden transition. I had to be quiet-one wrong move and it would all be over.
I knocked gently on the window, hoping it was just enough to wake Erinne without startling her. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open in confusion. When she saw me, her eyes widened, and she scrambled to the window, opening it quickly.
“Lady Aria? What-how did you-” she began, her voice thick with sleep and shock.
“There’s no time to explain,” I whispered urgently. “I’m escaping, and I need Edward. Now.”
Erinne hesitated for only a moment, then nodded. She quickly swaddled Edward in warm clothes to keep out the cold. My heart raced as I watched her, every second feeling like an eternity. When she handed him to me through the window, a wave of emotion threatened to overwhelm me. He was so small, so innocent, and now his life depended on my ability to keep him safe.
Edward began to cry, his tiny wails piercing the night air. I shushed him gently, holding him close to my chest. “Shh, it’s okay, baby. Mommy’s here.”
“Where will you go?” Erinne asked, her voice trembling with worry.
“Alpha Denderick’s pack,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “It’s the only place I can go.”
Erinne’s eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly masked it. “Be careful, Lady Aria. And please… keep Edward safe.”
“I will. But you must promise me something, Erinne,” I said, looking her straight in the eyes. “You must never tell anyone about this. Not even a hint.”
She nodded. “I promise, Lady Aria. My lips are forever sealed.”
“Thank you,” I whispered. I hesitated for a moment, then leaned forward and kissed her cheek. “Goodbye, Erinne.”
A shadow crossed her face, and she nodded once. “Goodbye, Lady Aria.”
With Edward securely in my arms, I turned and disappeared into the night. The darkness swallowed me whole, as I ran as fast as I could away from the nightmare I had been trapped in.
I ran towards the dense forest, and a few minutes later, I broke through it. The branches clawed at my clothes, tearing at my skin, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop.
Edward was pressed tightly against my chest, his warmth giving me the strength to keep going. My breath came in ragged gasps, my legs trembling with exhaustion, but I forced myself forward.
Finally, I reached the border of the pack’s territory. I stumbled to a halt and leaned heavily against a tree, my lungs burning as I tried to catch my breath. The night was oppressively silent, broken only by the sound of my labored breathing and Edward’s soft whimpers. My body ached all over, and I felt like I could collapse at any moment.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed my arm from behind. I whirled around, panic surging through me. In the dim light, I saw a dark figure looming over me, a cloak obscuring his face, a torch in his hand. Terror gripped me, and I opened my mouth to scream, but before I could, the figure clamped a hand over my mouth, silencing me.
I struggled, my heart pounding, but then the figure threw back his cloak, revealing his face in the flickering light.
My eyes widened at his reveal. It was him again.