Runaway Luna

The night air was cold and thick as I was led from the pack house to the garage where Alpha Dorian waited for me. I walked in complete silence with my heart beating restlessly against my ribcage. The summon was unexpected but I already had an idea what it was about. My hand instinctively rubbed my tummy as he came into view. He approached me with a blank expression but it softened as he squatted down to rub and peck my tummy. “Get in,” he ordered and I obeyed without a second thought. The car ride was dead silent. Apart from the driver, it was me, Dorian and his beta who treated me like I didn’t exist. He only acknowledges me when he is asked to bring me to a certain location. No one in this pack acknowledges me as their Luna, if I was to drop dead one day, they probably wouldn't notice. We reached our destination which was a clearing in the woods. I stared out the window confused but I dare not question him. “Let’s go,” he exited the car and his beta c****d his brow waiting for me to follow suit. I sent him a little glare before following Dorian out. “Give me your hand” He took my left hand in his and put a strange handmade charm around it before leading me to the edge of some trees. A chill ran down my spine as we somehow fazed through the large trees to a stony pathway leading to a cottage. He led me inside the building where a green witch was found going through some scrolls. She was an elderly woman with silver-streaked hair. She took one glance at us before returning to her previous action. “You’re two minutes late,” she said flatly. Dorian let go of my hand and stood tall and impatient. “Is it ready?” She gave a single nod and moved over to the other side of the room to rummage through some of her potions. I swallowed hard, I knew exactly why he brought me here. He wants to know the gender of our unborn child. He can’t wait to get his son- his heir, so he can groom him to be exactly like him. What worries me is the possibility of getting a girl, he won’t even spare her a glance, he only sees us females as breeders. Worst case scenario he gives her away to another Alpha to form pack connections. “Come,” she waved me over and I slowly walked to her side. “Drink this,” she handed me a vial with mysterious liquid contents. “What’s in this? It won’t harm my baby right?” “Shut up and drink it!” he half-yelled at me and I had no other choice. The witch looked somewhat sympathetic towards me and her features soften. “It won’t harm him or her… in a few minutes you should feel pressed to use the toilet. If your urine is yellowish, it’s a girl, if it’s green, it’s a boy” I nodded my head and handed the empty bottle back to her. I don’t even know which one to hope for, their lives will be miserable either way. “What I want is an heir. I have no need for a female,” he spat while shrugging his shoulders like that’s a normal thing to say. “What happens if it’s a girl?,” the witch asked. “Then you will give her something to fix it,” his voice was calm, almost detached. “Something to end it so I can try again for a son” My eyes nearly popped out of its socket as he ended that sentence. My baby, if it’s a girl he will kill her? The child I had barely begun to love? As if sensing the fear in my face. “Oh come on, we will try again. I won’t wait nine months for you to give birth to a mistake” My breath got caught in my throat. The life I felt fluttering in me is nothing but an obstacle to him. The witch hesitated, her gaze flickering to mine. “Alpha-” “You will do as I command,” he interrupted, his voice sharp as steel. The witch clenched her jaw but nodded. She gestured for me to follow her into an inner room. She gave me a little cup for me to use and turned away. I headed into the toilet praying to the goddess to give me a son. I lifted the cup to see as soon as I was done and barely muffled back a sob. It was yellow. With tears in my eyes, I returned to the witch and handed the cup to her. She squeezed her eyes shut when she saw the color and looked at me sadly. In a desperate voice I whispered. “Help me please,” I pleaded with my eyes while clenching her clothes. She met my gaze, something unreadable in her expression. Then slowly, she pressed two vials into my palm. “Drink this now and when you see a window you run as fast as you can,” I nodded my head quickly. “The second one, drink it once you’ve reached somewhere safe. “What’s taking so long!” Dorian yelled from the other side of the door. She slipped out of the room and I took the first vial immediately. It tasted like ass but I’d do anything to protect my baby. “Where is she? And what color is it?” he asked impatiently seeing as I didn’t come out. “Give her a minute, she’s adjusting her clothes. And as for this, we need to wait a few minutes for it to be clearly revealed,” she said, trying to buy me time. I knew I didn’t have long, I doubt I’ll be able to outrun him, if only there was- *Hoot hoot* I turned around and saw an owl sitting on a window frame. It wasn’t there before. I didn’t think she meant an actual window. The next moment was a blur. I ran as fast as my two legs could carry me. I didn’t want to risk drawing attention to myself so I just went on foot until I reached the highway. Conveniently a truck was passing by and I flagged it down. “What’s a young lady like you doing standing next to the woods? It’s dangerous at this time,” he offered for me to join him as he drove into town and I followed him without a second thought. I opened the second vial and drank it in one go. Immediately the skin in the crook of my neck sizzled, almost a burning feeling. I couldn’t help but to bend forward and hiss in pain. “Are you okay lady? Do you need to go to a hospital?” after a few moments the pain started to vanish and along with it, my bond with Dorian. For the first time in years, I was free. Or so I thought.