CHAPTER TWENTY- TWO

--Alyssa--

It was already morning, and I had woken up at 2 a.m. to see if I could run away again, but what I saw shocked me. There was a guard stationed in front of my bedroom door and another beside my window. My heart sank as I realized escape was impossible.

I had cried the entire night, leaving my eyes puffy and red. My tears were a mixture of frustration and helplessness. I had told Grandma not to come into my room again, so she had retreated to her own room, respecting my wish for solitude. This isolation, though self-imposed, only added to my sense of despair.

It was now time to go, and the bags I had packed were being held by one of the Alpha King's maids. She had arrived early in the morning, introducing herself with a politeness that felt out of place given the circumstances. Her presence was a stark reminder of my lack of control over my own life. I was furious, but I kept my calm, knowing that anger would do nothing to change my situation.

Outside, people were milling abou