The Flight of the Coveted Luna : The Scion Book 2

Chapter 3

Aoife

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“Don’t even think that way,” Niamh barked. “This is the critical time; we need to think of a way out. Soon we will be trapped.”

She was right; whatever I decided to do at that time would seal my fate. The cage door was closing. But, what options did I have? As far as I could see, there was only one way out. I just had to leave. If I went rogue and made sure they couldn’t find me, there wouldn’t be much they could do.

Going rogue wouldn’t be easy. Werewolves were meant to live in packs, to support each other. I wasn’t even a strong she-wolf but the alternative didn’t bear thinking of. I would have to take my chances.

“We can do it,” Niamh said. “We are making the right choice; I can feel it.”

The weight on my chest lifted a little, and I could breathe better. There wasn’t any point in trying to analyze the situation anymore. I hadn’t counted on the Luna and the New Alpha getting involved. The more I delayed, the harder it would be to leave undetected.

I jumped up and threw open my closet doors, grabbing an oversized backpack and stuffing essentials in as quickly as possible. I wouldn’t be able to take much, but it wouldn’t matter if I were caught. I’d have to get whatever I was missing on the way.

I grabbed the wad of cash stuck deep in my underwear drawer, a warm jacket, a scarf, and a knitted hat. The cold would work in my favor, allowing me to wrap most of my face and hair. Niamh paced, alert and watching keenly, senses strained to pick up anything around us.

My parents would, no doubt, be discussing my bad attitude and would most likely leave me alone for the evening. I’d have a reasonable head-start if they only noticed my absence in the morning. They were downstairs.

I thought of Ciara. She was my only friend, and despite our problems, she was the only one I didn’t really want to leave. She was the only one I would miss. I picked up my phone and wrote her a quick text.

Ciara,

I’m leaving. My family wants me to be Brin’s chosen mate and I just can’t do it. I’m sorry I can’t even say goodbye in person.

I love you,

Aoife

I dropped the phone on the bed; I wouldn’t be able to take it with me. On second thought, I shoved it under the mattress, out of sight.

I pried the window open slowly, apprehensive; my heart raced. I hated conflict. Why couldn’t they just let me be?

Just as I lifted my foot to the windowsill, the muted sound of my ring tone came from the bed. s**t. That had to be Ciara. I hesitated. I could leave it to ring, but my parents might hear it and would Ciara show up at my house if I didn’t answer?

I rushed over and dug the phone out, answering as quickly as possible.

“Yes?” I said in the flattest tone I could manage.

“Aoife. Thank God. What’s going on? You can’t leave; are you crazy?” Ciara whisper-shouted.

“I don’t have a choice,” I said quickly, pacing nervously. I needed to go. “They want me to accept Brin as my chosen mate, except it’s not really a choice.”

“Oh, Aoife. I know you wanted to wait for your fated mate, but would being our Luna be so bad?” she asked quietly.

“Brin is a chauvanistic pig. I can’t go from this oppressive house to his. I just can’t. I’ve been patient for years, waiting for a better life, waiting to be able to be myself, not who everyone else wants me to be.”

“But… aren’t you scared? Where will you go? It’s dangerous for a she-wolf to be on her own,” Ciara said, her tone heavy with concern. I knew she was just looking out for me but I really needed to go; I didn’t have the time to discuss options.

“Being Brin’s mate is like a death sentence. I would be breathing, walking, and talking but my soul would be crushed. From my perspective, my chances are better out on my own, at least then I’d have a chance at a happy life,” I insisted. “I’m sorry Ciara, I really have to go now. Don’t worry about me; I’ll be fine. I’ll call you when I settle somewhere. I love you.”

I ended the call before she could answer and delay me any further. I put the phone back under the mattress and took a last look at my bedroom, my old life. It was time to find a new one, the life I wanted. I climbed out the window, doing my best not to fall but also not to make any noise.

Finally, I dropped to the ground with a soft thud and didn’t waste a second. I walked toward the small stand of trees beyond the cluster of houses, trying to keep my body language relaxed when all I really wanted to do was sprint toward my freedom. I could move through the trees at a much faster pace. I was bursting with nervous energy; I knew how much was riding on this one act of defiance.

I forced myself to breathe slowly; I was almost there. Relief flooded over me as I stepped into the tree line. I let out a huge sigh, unaware that I’d been holding my breath. My muscles relaxed.

I picked up the pace and made my way through as quietly as possible. My mind raced with possibilities. Where would I go? Follow the forest, but to get to the easiest area to leave the pack lands, I’d have to pass the lake. I shuddered. I never went too close to it if I could help it. I knew the creature only haunted my dreams, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that being close to so much water would end badly for me.

Either I faced my fear of water, or I faced a meaningless life. The life I wanted was on the other side of my comfort zone. I headed toward the lake and my freedom.

I steeled myself as I first glimpsed the deep blue water through the trees. My heart beat rapidly, pumping as if it wanted to leave my chest. I controlled my breathing; I could do it. I could get past it and leave the damned packlands. I kept my eyes trained on the trees beyond the lake; I was so close. I kept walking until I crashed into a rigid body that hadn’t been there a second ago.

“I knew I’d find you here,” Brin growled, gripping my arm tightly. “I don’t think you understand your options, Darling. You will be my Luna, whether you like it or not. Don’t test me, Aoife; I don’t think you’ll enjoy going that route.”

Brin’s intense look narrowed as he spoke, as if he was focusing his will onto me, daring me to defy him. I took a deep breath; this was the worst place to face him. I had to split my attention between the lake and him. Still, I only had one shot. I had to get out of the pack no matter what.

‘No,” Niamh and I said in unison. “No, I’m leaving. I will not be your mate,” I shouted. Trying to pry my arm from his painful grip.

He turned and started dragging me back into the forest as I did my best to fight him off.

“This won’t be a problem much longer,” he said, his tone determined as if he had made up his mind. I choked as I heard his next words. “I’ll just mark you right now. Once it’s done, there’s no going back.”

No. No. No.

Niamh roared in my mind and pushed to take over and fight, but fighting physically would be futile. I needed to think of a way out before we went back into the trees. That was probably where he was planning to mark me. I couldn’t let that happen.

I bucked against him as hard as I could, throwing my entire body weight behind it. Brin turned around in annoyance, but his eyes widened as he spotted something behind us.

The smell of rotting fish whirled by me, and my stomach knotted with revulsion and pure, unadulterated fear. I had a sense of deja vu.

Oh, Gods. I turned my head slowly and came face to face with my eternal nightmare. The creature was enormous, its iridescent green and blue scales shimmering in the cold air and its razor-sharp fangs dripping with menace. Its murky green eyes glowed faintly, and I was surprised to find intelligence there. The creature was evil and smart; I was doomed.

“s**t,” Brin cursed and tightened his hold on my arm, his fingers digging into my skin painfully. “Let’s go,” he said, starting to drag me away.

No, I couldn’t go with him either. I started hyperventilating, and my heart stopped as the monster roared. Sharp pains pierced my eardrums.

No. No. I would rather die. I made my choice. I would make my stand here and face both nightmares, come what may. If I couldn’t choose the way I lived, I would choose the way I died. I would spend my last moments on my own terms.

I felt Niamh push to take over, but I resisted. I needed to do this myself, or the fear would always follow me, and when I couldn’t run anymore, it would swallow me whole.

I grabbed onto a youngish tree, my hand able to wrap around the trunk, and yanked my arm from his grip.

“I’m not going with you,” I screamed. A wave of hot fury washed over me, my and Niamh’s combined emotions. My cheeks burned, my heart rate skyrocketed, and my breath came in shallow gasps.

For the second time that evening, Brin’s eyes widened in shock, but this time, he wasn’t looking behind me. This time he was looking straight at me, except his eyes weren’t focused on my face. I looked down at my body; it was gone, disappeared. I lifted an arm, a hand, and put it in front of my face. I couldn’t see it. I was invisible? I looked back at Brin, his face morphing from a look of utter shock to a cold, calculating expression, his fists clenching.

“Niamh, what’s happening to me?” I screamed in my mind.

A split second later, I felt a tug at my body, and in a blink, I was somewhere else. Somewhere I’d never been before.