Chapter Two.
1035 Words
Chapter Two.
Jolene's POV.
The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.
My heavy dress pooled around my feet, and the gold embroidery shone. It was beautiful, crafted with care by the best seamstresses in the pack. But to me, it was nothing more than a shackle at this point. I kicked it aside, standing in my underwear.
I had to move quickly. My father wouldn't check on me again, but my attendants would. And if they found me like this, there would be no more chances. Just punishment.
I knelt beside the wooden chest I had hidden at the back of my closet. My hands shook as I lifted the lid, revealing the simple clothes folded inside. Dark brown trousers, a plain shirt, and a thick cloak. All nothing that would draw attention. They weren't mine, not originally. They belonged to Silas.
Silas.
My late twin brother.
My heart bled as I ran my fingers over the fabric, remembering the last time I saw him. He had been smiling, teasing me about something ridiculous. I could still hear his laugh, light and full of life. But that was before everything changed. Before he died. Before my father sealed my fate.
I shook my head, pushing the memories away. There was no time for grief right now. I grabbed the clothes and pulled them on, ignoring how loose they felt on my smaller body. They would have fit Silas perfectly. I tightened the belt around my waist and reached for the knife I had hidden beneath the chest's false bottom.
It wasn't more than just a simple blade with a worn leather handle, but it was better than nothing. I tucked it into my belt before turning to the final step.
My hair.
I stared at the long braid draped over my shoulder, the strands a deep black. My father always said it was my best feature, the mark of a proper Luna. Funny, I thought those were courage, strength, and kindness. Bastian had even commented on it the first time we met, reaching out to touch it without my permission. What a rude man.
I wouldn't let them recognise me, so this had to go too.
With a deep breath, I grabbed the knife and sawed through the thick braid. The strands fell away, slipping through my fingers like dead leaves. I didn't stop until my hair was jagged and uneven, barely reaching my chin. My scalp felt lighter, freer. I looked so different.
I wasn't Jolene anymore. I was now Silas Shining.
I wiped my hands on my clothes and took one last look around the room. The dress, the jewelry, the luxurious bed. All of that belonged to a life I was leaving behind. I wouldn't miss it.
I moved to the hidden passage in my closet, feeling my heart beating fast against my chest. The wooden panel slid open silently, revealing the narrow tunnel behind it.
My father didn't know that this existed. No one did except for Silas and me. We used to sneak out as children, daring each other to see how far we could go without getting caught.
I hesitated. Was I making the right decision? I had never done something like this before. Plus, I hadn't used this place since he died.
I was afraid, but I went inside, closing the panel behind me. The tunnel was dark, the air thick with dust and the scent of old wood. I kept my hands on the walls, using my memory to guide me forward. If I was careful, I could make it past the outer patrols before anyone would notice that I was gone.
But being careful wouldn't be enough. I had to be fast.
I reached the tunnel's end and pressed my ear against the exit. No voices, no footsteps. Good. I pushed the panel open and slipped into the cool night air.
The wind carried the smell of food and smoke, the sounds of celebration still ringing from the main hall. I stayed low, scanning the area for any obstacles. The guards would be near the borders, watching for outside threats. They wouldn't expect someone trying to escape from within.
I moved quickly, keeping to the shadows. I slipped between the buildings, heading for the tree line. Hopefully the money I had would be enough for what I had to do. And I could only hope that my plan would work well.
Then I heard them.
Footsteps.
I froze, pressing myself against the rough wooden wall of the armory. Two guards were walking past, their voices low.
"Did you see the Alpha? He looks like he's already had too much to drink." One of them muttered.
The other chuckled.
"Let him enjoy himself. After tonight, he'll have a Luna to deal with."
A pit formed in my stomach.
"Think she'll behave? She might not like him."
"She has no choice. No one refuses the Alpha and lives."
Their laughter faded as they walked away, but my body remained stiff. My fists clenched, nails digging into my palms.
They thought I was weak. That I would bow my head and accept this fate.
Well, they were wrong.
I forced myself to move, slipping past the armory and toward the trees. My boots barely made a sound against the grass as I reached the edge of the forest.
Then, I heard a howl so loud it was splitting.
My breath hitched. That was a patrol signal. Someone had noticed something.
I ran.
I had no idea where I was running to exactly, all I knew was that I couldn't stay here any longer.
I could hear them now. Voices shouting, orders being given.
They knew!
I took a head jump into the forest, rubbing as if my life depended on it. There was no way I'd come back.
Because I would rather die in these woods than spend another second living a life that wasn't mine. Which was ironic to say, but at least I chose this.
"Find Miss Shining! Whoever it is that took her must be put to death immediately!" Was the last thing I heard on the city's megaphones before I ran off.
- Writer
