Ayesha sat quietly with a gentle smile on her lips, watching Lyra eagerly eat as if she had been starving for days. "Slow down, Lyra, or you'll get indigestion," she whispered softly, slicing more meat to place on Lyra's plate.
"I can't help it, Aunt. I'm so hungry," Lyra muttered through a full mouth. "We barely ate while running."
Ayesha chuckled softly. "I told you not to talk with your mouth full."
Lyra nodded exaggeratedly and chewed dramatically, trying to show her obedience.
Ayesha's smile lingered, but a familiar ache grew tighter in her chest. Lyra had lost her mother at birth. Marie, Levi's mate, had died during childbirth. Since then, Ayesha had become more than an aunt… she was a caretaker, protector, and almost like a second mother.
Memories of Levi pierced her like a blade.
He joined Ronan's warriors after their parents died in an ambush seven years ago. He is strong, steady, and kind. Five years ago, Levi came back with a woman, Marie, Lyra's mother.
Levi loved Marie deeply, but their happiness was fleeting. Marie passed away giving birth to Lyra, and Levi never fully healed from the loss. Now, both are gone, leaving Ayesha to protect what is left.
"Aunt, are we safe now?" Lyra's gentle voice interrupted her focus. "No more running?" Ayesha looked into those wide, innocent eyes.
She hesitated briefly before offering the only reassurance she could. "I don't know, dear," she replied quietly, "but I will do everything possible to keep us safe."
Her gaze shifted to the window, where she saw Alaric outside, talking with his men. The inn where they stayed was well-guarded, enclosed on all sides.
Ayesha frowned as she remembered how the Alpha King had offered her protection in return for a price.
Herself.
He wanted her because she was his mate. Not her loyalty. Not her heart. Just her body.
The mate pull was strong… too strong. She never truly believed she would feel the pull, since she was wolfless.
Ayesha exhaled loudly, her chest feeling heavy with confusion and anger. The idea of being tied to the man who killed her brother was almost unthinkable. She was overwhelmed by grief and loss.
Although she lacked full knowledge of the situation, Ronan and all witnesses concurred: the Alpha King caused Levi's death. In his last moments, her brother spoke just one name… Alaric Thorne.
Her fists clenched tightly as she recalled her earlier confrontation with Alaric, accusing him of Levi's murder, which he didn't deny. Her jaw tightened, and her heartbeat quickened.
She whispered, "There must be another way."
They had to leave because she doubted Alaric's true intentions. Regardless of whether he was her mate or could provide protection, he was the man her brother had named in his final moments.
They only needed to reach the borders. If they made it to the docks, they could catch a ship and begin a new life on another continent... away from the packs, the Alphas, Ronan, Luciana, and even Alaric.
*****
After careful thought, Ayesha made her decision… she would not accept the Alpha King's offer. She believed, with every fiber of her being, that she and Lyra could escape this life, escape everything.
She was done being used. All she wanted now was freedom… for herself, and for the child she swore to protect.
By midnight, the tavern was silent. She moved quietly, her heartbeat pounding in her ears as she wrapped Lyra in a cloak and gently lifted her into her arms. The child was still sleeping soundly.
There were no guards in the area, and surprisingly, Alaric hadn't returned since their brief, tense conversation. Now was her chance.
She slipped out through the back door, holding Lyra close as the shadows of the forest swallowed them whole. Her wolf senses sharpened, guiding her along narrow, less-traveled paths, instinctively steering her away from patrol routes.
[I know you're reckless, but I never thought you'd be this stupid,] the feminine voice in her head muttered.
[Your body is still adjusting. And just so you know, you don't even fully know how to shift into my form yet. You still have a lot to learn.]
Ayesha remained silent.
She was still not used to having someone else inside her head, even if it was her inner wolf.
Still, the wolf had a point. But…
[The Alpha King is our mate.]
[He'll protect you because it's his instinct to do so. You should've just stayed with him.] The voice gave an annoyed huff, but Ayesha stayed quiet.
The docks weren't far now.
If she could only reach that place, find a ship or any vessel headed to another continent, then perhaps she and Lyra could begin anew. Somewhere unknown to others. Somewhere safe.
They reached a clearing just past the main road leading toward the docks. The scent of salt and wood smoke hung thick in the air. They were so close.
"Aunt… are we running again?" Lyra murmured sleepily in her ear, starting to stir.
Ayesha kissed her temple and whispered, "Shh, dear. We're almost there."
As her foot touched the gravel path leading to the docks, a rustling noise suddenly broke the silence. She froze, whirled around, but it was too late. A strong hand clamped down on her shoulder and yanked her back.
Ayesha twitched, ready to fight, her instincts erupting, but she was caught. Held by a strength that matched her own. Luciana. Ayesha's stomach turned.
Luciana stood there, calm and smug, her hand still gripping Ayesha's shoulder. "Going somewhere, whore?" she sneered.
Behind her, warriors emerged from the shadows, fanning out to encircle them. Each wore the Silver Claw insignia. There was no mistaking who they served.
Luciana clapped her hands once and gave a mocking smile. "Well, well… I'm impressed. Who would've thought you'd make it this far?"
Ayesha's jaw tightened. "You… How did you find us?" she breathed.
She had been sure Alaric's protection would keep Luciana at bay. Surely Luciana wouldn't dare follow her this far, especially not under the Alpha King's watch.
But Luciana's smile only widened. "The Alpha King's group wasn't as impenetrable as he thought." Her eyes gleamed with venom. "And you? You did me a favor, sneaking off like a little rat. Made you easier to catch."