The Princess' Mark

I bit my bottom lip, my leg was bouncing up and down as I watched Luca from the corner of my eye. What was he still doing here anyway? Fridays were nights he chose to meet up with her. Yet here he was, standing in the doorway, his sharp blue eyes scanning the room like he was searching for something. Or maybe… someone. I knew he wanted me to know he was in control. I swallowed my nerves and plastered on a fake smile, just as I always did. He turned, meeting my gaze, and his lips curled into a soft smile—one that used to make my stomach flutter. But now it only makes my stomach uneasy. Luca walked over and brushed my hair back as he placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. “I’ll see you later, don’t go anywhere,” he murmured softly, his hot breath fanning my face. I forced a chuckle to cover up the nerves, “Where else would I go? You are my family and I wouldn’t ever think of it.” Luca looked at me longer than usual, as if he was trying to read my mind. Then he sighed and rolled up his sleeves. “Good.” If I still had that part of me that was madly in love, I would have found the gesture kind of hot, but I was past that point. But I have to admit that the blue dress shirt he wore with a vest on top of his black pants. He looked like he had just walked out of a magazine, and he was definitely every woman’s dream with those dazzling blue eyes that made you feel seen and special. “See you then,” I said, still going along with the happy and giddy facade. “Enjoy your night and don’t worry about me, I have this to keep me company,” I said as I picked up the book in front of me. He sighed as his features softened, “I wish you could come with me.” Liar. I knew he was going to meet up with her like he did every night, with Fridays being the ones he shamelessly lied about it. “I wish I could too,” I lied back. “But I don’t want to cramp your night.” He looked at me one last time before turning and leaving. I held my breath and listened. Then- the sound of the engine sounded. I sprung to my feet and pulled out a duffle bag, then began packing. I was through my toiletries when I heard the sound of an engine outside and my insides tightened. Quickly, I rushed to the window and saw Luca’s car approaching from the distance and I cursed. He should be back this early. I looked at my duffle bag and sighed, I had to leave everything if I wanted to get out. I rushed to the bathroom, grabbing the small blue vial from its hiding place in the cabinet. The liquid inside shimmered faintly under the light of the bathroom. I wasn’t sure if it would work, but she had promised that once I took it, no wolf would be able to track me. I took one last look at the place I had called home for all my life before everything became too much before I unpopped the cap from the vial and downed the contents. “Kys.” I popped the cap and downed the contents in one gulp. A bitter, icy sensation burned down my throat. I heard Luca call out in a sickeningly sweet voice, then his voice boomed loud. “Where the hell is she?” I stood there, hidden in the shadows of the trees, listening to him yelling orders to his men to find me. Then I started running. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me, regretting the fact that I had left my shoes behind in a rush to get away. I started hearing footsteps not too far behind me and I cursed. I shouldn’t have waited until I got the chance, crap. I couldn’t go back there. Tears pricked the corners of my eyes as I imagined what he would do to me once he found me. Crap, crap, crap. The cold night air cut against my skin, but I barely felt it. My heartbeat thundered in my ears as I ran, my breath ragged, my legs burning. Every instinct screamed at me to keep moving, to not look back. If I slowed down even a little, if I hesitated for even a split second,he would catch me and take me back to that hellhole. Branches slashed against my arms as I pushed through the dense forest, ignoring the stinging pain I felt inside. My bare feet pounded against the earth, leaving faint traces of blood where the jagged terrain cut deep into my skin. I bit my tongue, refusing to cry. I had to push through. But I didn’t stop. I didn’t cry. I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t cry. The scent of Nightclaw warriors was still thick in the air, but their footsteps were growing distant the harder I ran. I had lost them. For now. I think. But I still had my guard up. Her words flashed through my head. A sharp pain shot through my ribs as I pushed forward, my body threatening to give out. But I forced myself to keep going. I was so close to the border—so close to freedom. I had no idea how long I had been running for, but I knew I wasn’t anywhere further from his territory. Then, suddenly, I felt it. A powerful presence. A shift in the air. A musky scent filled my lungs. I could feel eyes following my every movement and panic filled me. Was I still being hunted? How did he find me? She told me it would work and no one would be able to sense me. She lied to me like everyone else had in my life. I skidded to a halt just before crashing into something—no, someone. A towering figure stood before me, blocking my path. I swallowed hard, feeling all the blood rush out of me. My heart slammed against my ribs - hard. An Alpha. Not Luca. But just as dangerous. If not more powerful than Luca. The air around him crackled with dominance, sending shivers down my spine. His sharp, calculating gaze locked onto me piercing deep into my soul, taking in my bruises, my torn clothes, the blood staining my hands. He was assessing me. Judging. Deciding. But all I could see were grey eyes watching me. Waiting for me to make a move. And at that moment, I realized I had just run straight into enemy territory. And I saw my life flash across my eyes at that moment.