The Alpha's Unwanted Mate

Chapter 3: The Escape

The prison bars melted like wax. Aria stared at her hands in shock. Black fire was dripping from her fingertips. The curse was changing her.

“Run,” a guard whispered. “The Alpha’s wolves are coming.”

Aria didn’t think twice. She bolted through the forest, bare feet cutting on stones. Behind her, she heard Damien’s roar shake the trees. “ARIA!”

His voice wasn’t angry anymore. It was desperate.

She ran for hours until she collapsed near a river. Her wolf was too new, too weak. Blood dripped from her nose.

“Pathetic,” Damien said behind her. He looked down at her, but didn’t touch. His golden eyes were burning. “You think you can escape a bond? You’re marked by me, omega.”

Aria laughed weakly, blood on her lips. “Marked by a coward who rejected his mate.” She stood up, shaking. “I’d rather die in these woods than live in your palace.”

For a second, something broke in Damien’s face. He stepped closer. “The curse… it’s killing you. Come back with me.”

Aria met his eyes. “No.” Then she jumped into the raging river.

The last thing she heard was Damien screaming her name before the water swallowed her.

He didn’t know… omega wolves could breathe underwater.