# Elaine pov
The forest was alive with sounds—branches crackling underfoot, the rustle of leaves stirred by the wind, the distant calls of nocturnal creatures. My heart pounded in rhythm with the frantic beat of my footsteps. Each inhalation burned, my lungs protesting the exertion, but I couldn't stop. No!!. Not when freedom was so close.
I had spent my entire life bounded by chains, some visible, others buried deep within my soul. Being an Omega in the Moon Shade Pack meant living as little more than a shadow, my worth determined by what I could provide, my identity erased by the whims of an Alpha who saw me as just a commodity. But tonight, I had taken my first step toward reclaiming what was stolen from me. Tonight, I stood up for myself.
My wolf had emerged in a surge of desperation and instinct, her presence both exhilarating and terrifying. She was strong—stronger than I had ever imagined. She had guided me through the chaos of the pack grounds, her speed and agility unmatched by the wolves sent to hunt me. I owed my escape to her, but the triumph was bittersweet.
The pain of the shift still lingered, sharp and unpleasant. My muscles ached, my mind swirled with exhaustion, and a gnawing fear clawed at my resolve. I hadn't planned for this—hadn't truly believed I would succeed. And now, as the cold night pressed against my skin, the magnitude of what I had done settled over me like a suffocating weight.
I slowed my pace, my legs trembling as I sought refuge beneath a canopy of ancient trees. The forest stretched endlessly around me, a labyrinth of shadows and secrets. It was both a sanctuary and a prison.
"What now?" I whispered, my voice trembling.
My wolf stirred, her presence a comforting warmth. We survive, she replied, her tone firm and resolute.
Survive. It sounded so simple, yet every instinct told me survival would come at a cost. Alpha Dennis wouldn't let this slide. His pride and control wouldn't allow it. He would hunt me relentlessly, not because he cared, but because my defiancethreatened his power.
A sudden snap of a twig jolted me from my thoughts. I spun around, my heartbeat becoming uneven as my eyes darted around through the darkness. My wolf bristled, her energy surging as she prepared for a fight.
Calm, she urged. We're alone—for now.
I released a shaky breath, my body trembling as the adrenaline began to ebb. I needed to keep moving, to put more distance between myself and the pack. But where would I go? The world outside the Moon Shade Pack was unknown, a vast and dangerous expanse that didn't promise an ounce of safety.
My hands tightened around the small satchel I had managed to grab before fleeing. Its contents were meager: a change of clothes, a few scraps of bread, and a small flask of water. They wouldn't last long. I needed to find something---or someone.
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Hours passed, the night stretching endlessly as I pushed myself forward. The forest began to shift with the dawn, shadows retreating as the first rays of sunlight filtered through the canopy. Exhaustion weighed heavy on me, but I couldn't afford to stop for long.
I found a small clearing and sank to the ground, leaning against the trunk of a tree. My wolf growled softly, urging me to stay alert, but my body rebelled.
"Just a moment," I murmured, my voice barely audible.
Sleep tugged at the edges of my consciousness, but the sound of approaching footsteps snapped me awake. My heart leaped into my throat as I scrambled to my feet, scanning the forest for the source of the noise.
A group of figures emerged from the trees, their forms silhouetted against the morning light. Panic surged as I crouched low, pressing myself into the undergrowth.
They were wolves—I could smell it. Their presence was dominant and powerful, each step calculated. My pulse quickened as one of them paused, his head tilting as if catching a scent.
"Alpha Lucas," one of them said, his voice low. "There's something here."
The name struck me like a thunderclap, and my heart skipped a beat. Alpha Lucas. The stories about him were whispered throughout the packs—a fierce leader, unrelenting in battle. If he was here, I was in more danger than I realized.
The man stepped closer, his piercing green eyes scanning the area. I held my breath, willing myself to blend into the shadows.
And then, his gaze locked onto mine.
For a moment, neither of us moved. His eyes widened slightly, and I felt the strangest pull, like a thread binding us together. My wolf stirred, her energy surging with recognition.
Mate, she whispered, the word reverberating through my mind like a song.
I froze, my mind struggling to process what she had just said. No. That's impossible. My mate—Alpha Dennis—never acknowledged me.
Lucas took a step forward, his expression unreadable. "Who are you?" he asked, his voice deep and commanding.
I didn't respond, every fiber of my being screaming at me to run. But my legs refused to move, pinned by the weight of his gaze.
"You're hurt," he said, his tone softening as his eyes traveled over me. "Let me help you."
His words took me by surprise, cutting through my panic. Help? No one had ever offered me kindness before, least of all an Alpha,and Alpha Lucas of all people?????
I shook my head, forcing myself to speak. "I don't need your help."
He frowned, his green eyes narrowing. "You're alone. Injured. If I leave you here, you won't last the night."
The truth in his words stung, but I refused to show weakness. "I'll manage."
His gaze lingered on me, and I could sense the wheels turning in his mind. Finally, he took a step back, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender.
"Very well," he said, though his tone suggested he wasn't convinced. "But my offer stands."
He turned to leave, and for a moment, relief flooded through me. But then he paused, glancing over his shoulder.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Elaine," I replied before I could stop myself.
He nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. "Elaine. I'm Alpha Lucas. If you ever change your mind, my pack isn't far from here."
With that, he disappeared into the trees, leaving me alone once more.
I sank to the ground, my mind racing. The pull I had felt—the bond—it couldn't be real. Could it?
My wolf growled softly, her voice laced with certainty. He is ours.
"No," I whispered, clutching my knees to my chest. "I can't go through this again."
But deep down, a part of me wondered if The moon Goddess has given me a second chance.
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