Alpha Dustin

Chapter 2 - The Escape

MARAH

"God, please don't let them catch me," I muttered under my breath, my voice barely a whisper in the still night air. Each step felt like a desperate plea for survival, a silent prayer for mercy.

My heart pounded in my chest as I ran through the darkness, my feet pounding against the cold, hard ground. Fear gripped me like a vice, squeezing the air from my lungs with every panicked breath. I glanced over my shoulder, my eyes wide with terror, expecting to see them closing in on me.

I had been running for what felt like hours, my legs burning with exhaustion, my body pushed to its limits. But still, I didn't dare stop. Not when my life was on the line.

My mind raced with memories of what had brought me to this point. The betrayal of Trent and the pack, the cruel words and rejection echoing in my ears. The desperate flight from the only home I had ever known, the fear and uncertainty gnawing at my soul with each passing moment.

As I stumbled through the darkness, my thoughts were interrupted by the sound of voices up ahead. My heart leaped into my throat as I realized I was not alone. I slowed my pace, my footsteps faltering as I approached cautiously, my senses on high alert.

Through the shadows, I could see them—a group of men, their figures looming large and menacing in the dim light. My stomach churned with fear as I recognized them for what they were—dangerous, predatory.

I knew instinctively that they were up to no good, that they spelled trouble for anyone unfortunate enough to cross their path. And yet, despite the warning bells ringing in my head, I couldn't bring myself to turn back. I was too afraid, too desperate to escape.

Before I could react, they were upon me, their hands grabbing at my arms, my hair, my clothes. I struggled against them, my heart pounding with a mixture of fear and fury. But it was no use. They were too strong, too determined to capture their prey.

I screamed, the sound echoing through the night, but it went unheard. They dragged me towards their waiting vehicle, their laughter echoing in my ears like a cruel taunt.

As I struggled against their grasp, my mind raced with horrifying thoughts. I remembered snippets of their conversation, their leering words sending shivers down my spine. They talked about selling me as a slave, about how I would fetch a high price for my youth or my strength.

As they threw me into the back of the car, I fought with all my strength, my nails clawing at their faces, my fists pounding against their chests. But they only laughed, their faces twisted with amusement as they pinned me down, their hands groping and grabbing at my body.

I felt a surge of panic rising within me, threatening to overwhelm me with its intensity. I was trapped, at the mercy of these monsters who saw me as nothing more than a prize to be claimed.

In that moment of despair, I whispered a silent prayer to whatever higher power might be listening. "Please," I begged, my voice barely more than a whisper. "Please, help me."

And then, as if in answer to my plea, something inside me shifted. A fierce determination surged through my veins, banishing the paralyzing fear that had gripped me moments before. With a sudden burst of strength, I pushed against my captors with all my might, sending them stumbling backward in surprise.

For a brief moment, I was free.

Without hesitation, I scrambled to my feet and bolted from the car, my heart pounding in my chest, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I could hear the shouts of my captors behind me, their angry voices echoing in the night, but I paid them no heed. All that mattered was escape.

I ran as if my life depended on it, my feet pounding against the hard pavement, my muscles burning with exertion. The darkness seemed to stretch on forever, the night air filled with the sound of my frantic footsteps.

And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, my desperate flight was interrupted by the blinding glare of headlights bearing down on me. I barely had time to register the danger before the car screeched to a halt, the sound of tires squealing against asphalt filling the night air.

Instinctively, I threw up my hands to shield myself from the impending impact, bracing for the searing pain that was sure to follow. But to my astonishment, it never came. I cautiously lowered my hands, blinking against the bright light of the car's headlights. My heart hammered in my chest as I stared at the vehicle before me, my mind struggling to make sense of what had just happened.

Overwhelmed by the rush of adrenaline and relief, I sank to the ground, my legs suddenly feeling like jelly beneath me. I sat there, stunned and disoriented, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions coursing through me.

Before I could gather my wits, the door of the car swung open, and a tall figure stepped out from the driver's seat. The brightness of the headlights made it difficult to see his face clearly, but I could tell he was a man, his silhouette outlined against the glow of the car.

As he approached, I braced myself for the worst, expecting anger or suspicion. But to my surprise, he spoke with a voice filled with concern. "Are you okay?" he asked, his tone gentle and reassuring.

I scrambled to my feet, my legs trembling with exhaustion and fear. Without hesitation, I reached out and grabbed onto his leg, my fingers digging into his pants fabric as if clinging to a lifeline.

"Help me," I pleaded, my voice trembling with emotion. "Please, I need your help."

Before he could respond, another man emerged from the car, his presence casting a shadow over the scene. His voice was cold and authoritative as he addressed the first man, whom he called Shane.

"What is it, Shane?" he demanded, his tone brusque and commanding.

Shane hesitated for a moment, his gaze flickering between me and the other man. "I don't know, Alpha," he began. “This woman-" but I cut him off before he could finish.

Desperate and frantic, I rushed over to the other man, grabbing onto his leg just as I had done with Shane. Tears streamed down my cheeks as I poured out my story, my words tumbling out in a jumbled rush of fear and desperation.

"There were men," I gasped between sobs. "They wanted to sell me as a slave. I ran, but I have nowhere to go. Please, you have to help me."

As I spoke, I stole a glance at the man who had been addressed as Alpha, trying to discern his expression through the haze of tears blurring my vision. He stood before me, tall and imposing, his features obscured by the harsh glare of the headlights. Despite the dim lighting, I could sense the strength and authority radiating from him, a silent reminder of his position of power.

But his face remained unreadable, his expression stoic and impassive. I felt a pang of despair as I realized that he probably wouldn't save me, that I was nothing more than a nuisance to him.

And then, to my surprise, he spoke, his voice cutting through the darkness like a ray of light. "What will you give in return?"

I blinked in confusion, taken aback by the unexpected question. What could I possibly offer him in exchange for my salvation? I had no money to speak of, and judging by the sleek exterior of the car, it was clear that he was a man of wealth and means.

But before I could formulate a response, the words spilled from my lips in a desperate rush. "I'll work for you," I blurted out, my voice trembling with emotion. "I'll be your maid, I'll do anything you ask. Just please, help me."

The man chuckled at my offer, his laughter echoing in the night air. "So you would go from running away from becoming a slave to willingly becoming a maid?" he mused, amusement evident in his voice.

I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment at his words, my head hanging in shame. But even as I berated myself for my audacity, a small glimmer of hope flickered within me. If agreeing to become his maid was what it took to earn his help, then so be it.

"Fine," he said, his tone firm but not unkind. "You'll be my maid."