The forest loomed around Opal like a cage, dark and suffocating. The air was heavy, weighed down by the scent of damp earth and pine needles, but the wind was cold against her skin, a bitter reminder of her vulnerability. Her legs burned with exhaustion, every step a struggle against the pain lacing through her muscles, but she forced herself to keep moving. She couldn't stop. Not now. Not when freedom was so close.
Just a little further, she told herself, her mind replaying Ridge's words over and over like a mantra. You've got this. Stay strong.
But the shadows felt alive, whispering taunts, mocking her struggle. She could still hear the guards' cruel laughter, their disgusting words echoing in her mind. Her stomach turned, a sick knot of anger and fear tightening in her chest. How dare they talk about her like that? As if she were nothing. As if she were… property.
Opal gritted her teeth, her fingers curling into fists. She would prove them wrong. She was not weak. She was not helpless. And she would never be theirs to control.
A branch snapped somewhere behind her, the sound piercing through the darkness like a knife. Opal's heart lurched, her body freezing on instinct. She flattened herself against the trunk of a thick oak tree, her breath shallow and controlled, her senses straining to pick up any other signs of movement.
The forest was silent, but the silence was heavy, too heavy. It felt like the calm before the storm, a charged stillness that made her skin crawl. She knew they were close. Hunting her. She could feel their eyes, cold and calculating, lurking just beyond the shadows.
Move. Now.
Opal took off, her feet light and swift as she darted through the trees, her body moving with the agility of a wolf even in human form. She dodged low-hanging branches and leapt over twisted roots, her breath coming in sharp bursts. Her heartbeat roared in her ears, but she refused to let panic take over. She had to stay focused.
The terrain began to slope downward, leading into a rocky ravine choked with brambles and tangled vines. It was darker here, the moonlight barely penetrating the dense canopy overhead. Shadows danced around her, shifting with every gust of wind, and the distant howls of wolves sent chills racing down her spine.
They're getting closer.
Her foot slipped on loose gravel, and she stumbled, her hands scraping against jagged stone as she caught herself. Pain shot through her palms, warm blood trickling from the cuts, but she ignored it, forcing herself to keep moving. She couldn't afford to slow down. Not when her pursuers were this close.
Her thoughts raced, desperation clawing at her mind. How did they find me so fast? I thought I masked my scent…
But she knew the answer. They were Briarcliff wolves, trained hunters who knew this forest better than she did. And they were relentless.
A low growl echoed from the ridge above, vibrating through the air like thunder. Opal's blood ran cold. She looked up, her heart sinking as she saw a massive wolf standing on the rocky ledge, its eyes glowing with predatory hunger.
No escape. She was trapped.
The wolf leapt down, its powerful muscles rippling as it landed just a few feet away from her. It was enormous, its dark fur blending seamlessly with the shadows, its teeth gleaming white under the moonlight. Opal's body tensed, every instinct screaming at her to run, but her legs wouldn't move.
The wolf shifted, its form contorting and rippling until a man stood in its place. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his face twisted into a smug smile. Opal's stomach churned with disgust as she recognized him—the guard who had mocked her earlier, his vile words still ringing in her ears.
"Well, well," he drawled, his voice laced with condescension. "Look who thought she could run away." He took a step closer, his eyes raking over her with a predatory gleam. "You gave us quite the chase, little girl."
Opal forced herself to stand tall, her chin lifting defiantly. "Let me pass," she demanded, her voice steady despite the fear pounding in her chest.
The guard laughed, a harsh, mocking sound that made her skin crawl. "You really think you're in a position to make demands?" He reached out, his fingers brushing against her cheek. "I think you need a lesson in obedience."
Opal's body went rigid, revulsion flooding her veins. She slapped his hand away, her eyes blazing with fury. "Touch me again, and I'll break your fingers."
The guard's smile vanished, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "You've got a sharp tongue for someone so small." He grabbed her arm, his grip bruising as he yanked her closer. "But you're not as tough as you think. Out here, you're just prey."
Opal's heart pounded, her wolf stirring beneath her skin, its rage rising to the surface. She fought to stay calm, her mother's voice echoing in her mind. Control is strength. Don't give them the satisfaction of seeing you break.
She met his gaze, her voice cold as ice. "Let. Me. Go."
The guard's lips curled into a sneer. "Or what? You'll cry for your brothers? They're not here to protect you now."
His words cut deep, striking at her greatest fear. But they also ignited something inside her, a fire that burned away the cold grip of terror. Opal's eyes hardened, her jaw clenching. "I don't need them to protect me."
She moved before he could react, her body twisting as she brought her knee up, driving it into his stomach with all the strength she could muster. The guard grunted, his grip loosening as he staggered back, his face contorted in pain.
Opal didn't hesitate. She spun around, her fist connecting with his jaw in a sharp, brutal punch. His head snapped to the side, a growl escaping his lips as he stumbled. But his eyes blazed with fury, his body rippling with the beginnings of a shift.
"You little—" His voice distorted, his bones cracking as his form began to change.
Opal's blood ran cold. She couldn't fight him as a wolf. Not alone. Not without backup.
Run. Now.
She bolted, her legs pumping as she sprinted toward the ravine, her feet slipping on the uneven ground. The guard's furious howl echoed behind her, the sound sending a surge of adrenaline through her body. She didn't dare look back.
The ravine twisted and turned, the walls narrowing as she raced along the stream. Her lungs burned, her breaths coming in ragged gasps, but she kept running, her eyes fixed on the faint light up ahead. The border was close. If she could just reach it, she'd be free.
But the pounding of paws grew louder, the guard's enraged growls echoing through the narrow passage. He was gaining on her. Fast.
Panic clawed at her, threatening to overwhelm her senses, but she shoved it down, her focus sharpening. She couldn't stop. She couldn't slow down. Not now.
She burst through the mouth of the ravine, the trees thinning as she reached the clearing. Relief flooded her chest as she saw the open land beyond—the border. She was so close.
But a shadow moved in front of her, stepping out from the trees to block her path. Opal skidded to a halt, her heart plummeting as she recognized the tall, imposing figure. His eyes glowed with cruel amusement, his smile cold and merciless.
"Alpha Marcus," she whispered, dread tightening around her throat.
His smile widened, his voice a chilling promise. "Going somewhere, Opal?"
Opal's body trembled, her fists clenching at her sides. She was cornered, trapped like prey. But she would not go down without a fight.
She squared her shoulders, her eyes blazing with defiance. "I'm leaving. And you're not going to stop me."
Alpha Marcus's laughter was cold, echoing through the night. "Oh, I think I will."
Opal's heart pounded as she prepared to fight for her freedom—or die trying.