The Alpha King’s Runaway Contracted Luna

Chapter 5: Deception and Escape

(Freya's POV)

My heart raced, fear for myself and my unborn pups overwhelming me. But as Fenris took another step towards me, something strange happened. His eyes, which had been glowing red with Alpha power, flickered. A look of confusion passed over his face, quickly replaced by a grimace of pain.

I felt it too – a tugging sensation deep in my chest, as if something was fighting against Fenris's words. Our partial bond, I realized. The wolf side of him was rebelling against the idea of rejecting his mate and pups.

Fenris stumbled, his transformation beginning involuntarily. Fur sprouted along his arms, his teeth elongating into fangs. The pack gasped, many backing away in fear. It was unheard of for an Alpha to lose control like this.

Taking advantage of his momentary weakness, I gathered every ounce of strength I had left. I thought of the old wolf's teachings, of the power that flowed through my veins – not just from the Moonwhisper line, but from the ancient magics we had tapped into during the conception ritual.

With a cry that was part desperation and part defiance, I pushed back against Fenris's Alpha command. Power surged through me, raw and untamed. The runic circle at my feet began to glow, responding to my unleashed energy.

Fenris's hold on me shattered, and I rose to my feet, my own eyes now glowing with an inner light. The pack's collective intake of breath was audible in the sudden silence.

"I am not your enemy, Fenris," I said, my voice steadier than I felt. "And I am not a pawn to be used and discarded. I came here against my will, but I have tried to make the best of an impossible situation. If you would just listen—"

But my words were cut short as the backlash of my magical outburst hit me like a physical blow. The room spun, darkness creeping in at the edges of my vision. The last thing I saw before losing consciousness was Fenris's face, a complex mix of emotions warring in his eyes.

I awoke to the sterile smell of the pack's healing den, my body aching as if I'd gone ten rounds with a bear. As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I became aware of two things: the constant presence of guards outside my door, and the worried face of the pack healer hovering over me.

"Easy now," she murmured, helping me sit up. "You've been through quite an ordeal."

I winced, one hand moving protectively to my stomach. "The pups—"

"Are fine, for now," the healer assured me, though her expression remained grave. "But I won't lie to you, Freya. The interrupted ritual, combined with the magical backlash... it's put your pregnancy at risk. You'll need to be very careful from here on out."

I nodded, trying to process this new information through the fog of exhaustion that seemed to permeate my very bones. "What happens now?" I asked, dreading the answer.

The healer sighed, glancing towards the door where the shadows of the guards were visible. "I'm afraid you're to be kept here under observation. Alpha's orders. No visitors, no communication with the outside world."

My heart sank. I was a prisoner, then. Cut off from any potential allies, from any chance of explaining myself to Fenris or uncovering more about the plot against him.

As if reading my thoughts, the healer leaned in close, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Be careful, child. The pack is in turmoil, and there are those who would use this situation to their advantage. Trust no one."

With that ominous warning, she left, the door closing behind her with a sense of finality that made my chest tighten.

Days passed in a haze of monotony and anxiety. I was allowed short, supervised walks to keep my strength up, but otherwise, I was confined to the small room that had become both my sanctuary and my prison.

It was during one of these restless nights, when sleep eluded me and worry gnawed at my insides, that I heard it – voices drifting through the ventilation shaft, just barely audible.

"—can't risk letting her carry to term," a male voice was saying. I recognized it as belonging to Fenris's Beta, a wolf named Marcus who had always regarded me with thinly veiled hostility.

"Agreed," came the reply, and my blood ran cold as I recognized Luna Fanny's crisp tones. "The pups are too great a threat to our plans. We'll have to arrange an... accident. Something that can't be traced back to us."

I pressed my hand to my mouth, stifling a gasp of horror. They were planning to kill my babies – Fenris's heirs. The very thought made me feel ill.

"What about Fenris?" Marcus asked. "He may be angry with the girl now, but if anything happens to his pups..."

"Leave Fenris to me," Fanny said, her voice cold and determined. "He'll be too consumed by his own inner turmoil to question things too closely. And once the threat is eliminated, we can move forward with finding him a more... suitable mate."

Their voices gradually faded as they departed, and I sat in the darkness, my mind racing. I knew I was in danger, but this... this was beyond my imagination. Why did Luna abandon my child again? Was it the pressure of my bloodline? Or my children...

As the first light of dawn began to filter through the small window of my room,I felt the rhythmic movement of my abdomen, a fetal movement, my children responding to me.

Let them think me weak, isolated, and defeated. I would show them just how dangerous a cornered wolf could be.

The healing den had become my prison, a place where every shadow seemed to hide a threat to my unborn pups. I lay on the narrow bed, one hand resting protectively over my stomach, my mind racing with plans and fears.

Freya, Sage's voice echoed in my mind, startling me. You must find a way to retreat into the forest. It's not safe for you there.

I sat up, my heart pounding. "But how?" I whispered aloud, forgetting momentarily that I could communicate with her mentally. "I'm under constant guard."

Use the skills I've taught you, came the reply. Trust in your instincts and the power of nature. The forest will aid you if you ask.

Before I could ponder Sage's advice further, the door to my room creaked open.A disgusting face appeared before my eyes again.

"Hello, Freya," Loki said, his voice dripping with false sweetness. "Long time no see."

I stared at him, disbelief and anger warring within me. "What are you doing here?"

He slipped into the room, closing the door behind him. "Can't an old friend pay a visit? I heard about your... situation. Quite the scandal, really."

"We're not friends," I spat. "Get out before I call the guards."

Loki's smile didn't waver. "Oh, come now. Is that any way to treat someone who might have valuable information for you?" He leaned closer, his eyes gleaming. "I know things about Fenris, about what's really going on here. Things that could help you."

Despite myself, I felt a flicker of interest. "What kind of things?"

"Ah, ah," he tutted. "Information doesn't come free, sweetheart. But I'm sure we could come to some kind of... arrangement." His gaze raked over me, lingering on my swollen belly. "If you... please me, I might be persuaded to share Fenris's secrets. Heh, I didn't expect your chest to be so beautiful now."

Disgust rose in my throat. "You're despicable," I hissed. "I wouldn't touch you if my life depended on it."

Loki's expression darkened. "Don't be so hasty. You're in a precarious position, Freya. No allies, no power. I'm offering you a lifeline."His hand reached towards my body.