THE LYCAN KING’S BRIDE

CHAPTER 5: ESCAPE

FLORIDA'S POV

"She's nothing but a slave," King Asher gnarled, his voice cold and hard. "After she bears my child, I'll have no further use for her. I will have her disposed of.”

"But my lord —” One of his friends protested.

“Enough!” King Asher growled thunderously, that I almost jumped out of my skin.

“There’s no but— Knight. My word is final and that's it! You are my best friend and I believe you understand better,” He rumbled.

I could picture his eyes flashing with anger, and I slowly moved away from the door. My body was shaking with dread.

My heart sank as I listened to King Asher’s ruthless words. He saw me as nothing more than a vessel for his child, a means to an end. And once I had served my purpose, he would discard me like trash.

I felt sick to my stomach, my entire body trembling with apprehension.

I won't let him use me just like that!

I am someone with feelings, and I won't have him take away my baby from me!

I have to run far away from him, even if it's with the last drop of my blood.

Suddenly, a fire burned within me, a surge of determination to escape this forsaken place.

I would not be used and then scrapped, I would and must find a way out.

And with that, I head back to my room.

I held back my tears, refusing to give in to the sadness and fear that threatened to overwhelm me.

I knew I had to be strong, to be brave for me and my unborn pup.

I had to find a way out of this situation, no matter the cost.

And so I waited, biding my time.

The sun sank below the horizon, and the shadows of night began to fall.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come as I made sure I had packed my clothes and other necessary things.

I will go to the city and start a new life afresh, away from this misery.

All of a sudden, I heard a knock on the door and I quickly hid the clothes before the person could enter the room.

It was one of the pack maids, and the maid took a step back, clearly surprised by my reaction.

“What were you doing?” She asked suspiciously.

“N-nothing,” I forced a smile.

“Whatever,” she rolled her eyes, “The king has requested your presence at dinner.”

“What! The king?” I was shocked.

King Derek Asher has never requested me to join him at the dining before. Not like I expected him to since I was nothing more than a slave to him.

I hesitated, unsure of what to do.

Should I follow the maid? Or should I run, escape while I still had the chance?

“You better be fast before the king loses it,” the maid glared at me wickedly before she left.

I simply ignored her nuisance behavior and then focused on what was on the ground.

If I were to act rashly, I knew that the guards would catch me, and the punishment would be severe.

I knew I had no choice but to go to the dining room, but I didn't feel like…

Somehow, I felt a jumble of emotions —fear, hope, confusion, and a tiny bit of excitement.

Why was the Lycan King asking for me now, after what he had said earlier?

Was it a trap? Or was it an opportunity?

I knew I had to tread carefully, no matter what. I could not afford to make a misstep.

I took a deep breath, grabbed my clothes again, and steeled myself for what was to come.

I had made my choice, I had to escape.

Cautiously, I stepped out of my room, glancing around carefully before I crept out of the castle.

I was cautious, not to be seen by a soul. I slinked through the pack, avoiding the eyes of any wolves I encountered.

I was quiet as a mouse, using every bit of stealth I possessed as I made my path.

After I'd made it to the border, I didn't stop but continued until I was out of the Darkmoon territory.

I breathed out in relief, halted to catch my breath as I glanced backward.

My last memory was strangely filled with images of Derek Asher, my mate, who was ready to discard me without a second thought.

Closing my eyes as my tears slipped out of my eyes, I cleaned my tears and started my journey.

********

LYCAN DEREK'S POV

While the maids were serving the meal at the long large table, I clenched my fist on the table, my anger bubbling to the surface.

I could sense the fear percolating from the pack maids, they knew I was on the brink.

Catherine should be here. How dare she be late to my table?

She's just a slave, nothing more.

She should be grateful I still kept her alive!

But even as I thought these things, I knew they weren't true. I had glimpsed something more in her, something that drew me in. But that was impossible —I was a king, and she was a mere slave. It could never be.

I despised her a lot, even if she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen or the smoothest skin I’d ever touched.

I only wanted her to birth my pup, and nothing more.

A guard ran to me, bowed, and made known that the Royal physician wanted to see me.

I wasn't in the mood, but then I felt it might be something important so I permitted him.

The royal physician walked into the dining hall, his head bowed as he moved closer to me.

"My Lord!” the physician began, bowing low. “I seek your audience."

“Pray tell,” I said lazily, but my eyes were filled with darkness.

“I remember you told me to let you know if the Miss is expectant. I had observed, and confirmed my lord that —she is with a pup."

“What!” My pupils dilated coldly, my fisted hand loosened at the news.

I was shocked and I could feel the world spin around in my eyes, but I had to fight to keep my composure.

A pup? An heir? Finally, I was going to be a father and I will have a successor!

But why didn't Catherine tell me?

What a foolish woman!

Did she dare to keep that secret from me? What is she scheming?

All of a sudden, the ringing of the pack bell startled me out of my thoughts, and I turned to see the guards rush in, their faces drawn and anxious.

I rose to my feet, and everyone lowered their heads in fear.

“What is it?" I demanded.

"Your Majesty," the lead guard said, his voice shaking. "We have reason to believe that Catherina has escaped from the pack."

“What!” I growled, and my thunderous voice echoed in the four corners of the large hall.

SHE ESCAPED?!!!

Everyone immediately fell on their knees, with their body shaking in terror.

Catherina had escaped, and she ran away with my heir?!

“Find her!” I thundered and instantly everyone fled out of the hall except the Royal physician.

“Make sure you find her and don't come back without her!” I yelled at the shivering idiots.

I became gloomy, I held the table for support as I felt devastated.

She left me, and she ran away with my unborn baby.

I was already losing my mind, I was going crazy.

“I can't let her leave, I must find her and get her to stay with me!"