*Fernanda's POV**
I wiped my sweaty hands on my apron. There was a lot to do today and it wasn't over yet. Every single day was exhausting and I worked to my bones.The official announcement was yet to be made but I had something bigger to look forward to. I have been enduring everything while waiting patiently for this very day.Today, I would put an end to my suffering and become free. It wouldn't be easy, but I was prepared. I have waited 12 years for this day.I picked up a towel and cleaned my face. I was drenched in sweat. The heat from the fire made it unbearable and standing in front of it for a full day made it like being in hell.The Omegas were of great help as they served the dishes while I remained in the kitchen, attending to other things. At this point I was done cooking, as I was the head chef.We have been busy, tediously preparing for this party. I could feel my energy draining as I have not slept a wink since last night. I had not even eaten anything as I was forbidden to eat from the meal I prepared. "It ends after tonight ", I assure myself.The laughter of the guests could be heard from the kitchen. They must be having the time of their lives. From the sounds of the cars piling up, I could tell that influential people from other packs were present here." I should have been there, not here working as a slave", I began to think. But what's done is done, I just need to escape this hellhole as soon as possible.I was also forbidden from going to the field where the party is being held. A group of girls who went to serve the dishes came back in giggling."Have you seen Alpha Sergio? I'll sacrifice my virginity just to have a closer look at his face" Sophia, an Omega, said while grinning.Fantasizing about a man, was something I had no time for. I alone can help myself. And besides it was men who put me in this hopeless situation. The pain within my legs throbbed. " I'm never trusting any man", I muttered to myself as a tear dropped from my eye."Come Helen, I'm done with the last batch" I beckoned to Helen. As she disappeared with the desserts along with Sophia, I heaved a sigh of relief. I was so done with this place.I took one final look around the kitchen. I had no fun memories to cling onto. I do no want to remember this place or the pain I went through. "I want to leave this place. Help me, take me anywhere safe" I said a silent prayer.As I took off my apron and was about to head to my room, someone stopped me. I turned around, it was Hilda. I didn't tell her anything but I know that she was aware of what I was trying to do.Fear engulfed me, if she doesn't let me go I will never get another chance. And, if I am caught the Alpha will have my head. But she knew what pain I had gone through, she would understand.She gently squeezed my hand and pointed at the door which leads to the garden. "There are guards at the back door. Go through the garden. Next to the bed of daisies, there's an opening. Make sure you make it out alive."I smiled and gave her a hug. I went to my room. The little space that was given to me. Here I lay on the cold floor, hungry and soaked in tears.In less then a minute I was back from my room. I didn't have much with me, just a hood and a little sling bag.I walked quietly to the garden, not expecting to find anyone there. Everyone was gathered at the back of the house, where the party was being held.Right next to the bed of daisies grew fresh strawberries. I was the one who planted them. I bent down to pick some for the road. I could use a little something to ease my hunger."Well, I don't know but what you're doing right now looks like theft to me", I heard a mysterious voice say from behind me.Someone is here. Who is it? The voice didn't sound familiar, but if it is a friend of Damian's then this is the end of the road for me. Whoever this was, should clearly be at the party not here."Well, only a bad guy will leave such a fancy party to hide here in the dark" I replied cockily. I placed my hands over my mouth immediately.Why was I being rude when I could be in danger? Did leaving the kitchen make me outspoken, I rarely said a word while I was enslaved. Or is this my true personality?"You must not know who I am." He said approaching me. It was dark so I couldn't see his face. I assumed he was one of Damian's friends, who were all jerks by the way. I didn't have time for this, so I began thinking of what next to do.He stopped right in front of me. Without thinking, my body moved. In one swift movement my legs connected to his groin. He tried to block it, but he wasn't fast enough. So it seemed."That was not nice, Berries ", he said, grabbing my hands. Berries? Nice of him to give me a nickname in this situation.As his hands touched mine, fear engulfed me. Memories of how I was abused by Damian came rushing in. I became scared of him, at the same time I felt like I shouldn't be."No, not again." I said while sobbing quietly. He immediately let go of me."I didn't mean to scare you, I'm sorry", he said.Seizing this opportunity, I balled my hands it a fist and using all my energy I landed a blow across his face. He staggered backwards, falling into the bushes. Since I'm not physically strong, he just has to be a weakling.I crept over him, heading towards the little opening in the wall. After successfully crossing over, I let out a sigh of relief.This must be what it feels like to be free. I’d never been free. I’ve never inhaled air that was this fresh for the past 12 years.I stared ahead of me and saw nothing. No kitchen. No Alpha Drexler. No Damian. None of the people who made me sorrowful. Just the woods in a dark forest.A cigarette butt landed before me. Trouble. I can sense trouble. Someone else was out here smoking.I started walking towards the woods and then I heard it. An all too familiar voice coming from somewhere in the woods. "What do you think you're doing, slave?"Aiden. What is he doing out here? This is all shades of bad. I didn't even have time to think. Why does it have to be him, if all persons? Suddenly I wished I was still with that stranger. "Come over here" he said. I didn't want to to this. We were the only ones here and I knew what he would do to me if I got closer. I didn't want to relive that pain over again."I- " I tried talking but the words weren't coming out from my mouth. I was starting to panic. This was not good."I know what you're trying to do. To escape, right? What would the Alpha do to you when you get caught? You already know the answer to that" he said with a smirk. At this point I had just two options now. To escape successfully or be damned forever. I knew what I had to do, I just didn't know if I could do it.** Sergio's POV ***Before They Met*Jake. He could be such a pain in the ass. I could be such a pain in the ass. At times I wonder how I'm able to put up with him. I was sure that he was getting cozy with a
*Sergio's POV*“O-over here p-please.”Berries! She must be the one. Only my mate or a member of my pack would be able to call out to me easily. She needed my help. I headed towards the direction where the call came from. I mindlinked Jake to get the car ready. He'd better get that message early, I thought to myself. I stepped on something yucky. It was red. Could it be blood? Looking closer, I discovered that it was a strawberry. There were no strawberries being grown in this part of the woods. I remembered her picking strawberries before disappearing.The scent was too familiar. Berries. She's out here somewhere. Was she a spy or a rogue? Or was she being attacked by one? Well, I'd have to get to her so I can find out. Thanks to my great senses, I could feel two people close to me even when I was afar. One's breathing was jagged, seems wounded. I got closer to them.One shifted to it's wolf form, it must have heard me coming. Once I was in clear sight, I saw Berries badly wounded.
*Aiden's POV*I hid in the woods a little longer. Who was that wolf?Was it a rogue? What was it doing out there? I had never seen a wolf so intimidating. When I stared into its eyes, I knew I'd end up dead if I charged forward. Must be a high ranking wolf from another pack, or a really powerful rogue.As I walked past the spot where I left the slave, I saw no traces of her. I wondered if the big black wolf got rid of her.Frankly I didn't care at all. She could go to hell. I just needed to return to safely. Sneaking back into the building, I unshifted. Thankfully my hair was long enough to cover the scar she left me with."Bitch!" , I spat under my breath. She should thank that wolf. If I had my way with her, she would have begged me to kill her instead.I didn’t like events like this. With Damian and my sister being at the spot light, it felt like I was third wheeling or something.I headed to the backyard to see everyone gathered together. Oh, the announcement. I’m late, I’m sure m
**Fernanda's POV**I opened my eyes. Everything was quite blurry. The ray of the sun hit my eyes so I had to shut it immediately. I moved my hands. I was on something soft, something fluffy. I didn't want to ever stand up. It was so comfortable. After a while I opened my eyes again. Where am I? Did I get caught? What is this place? My head hurt while trying to recall what happened that night. For how long have I been out? I asked myself. I looked around the room, it's the most beautiful room I've ever been in. The color of the wall was cream. The furniture was dark grey with a golden accent. Everything here exuded wealth. The owner must be very powerful. Maybe an Alpha.I was dying of thirst and I decided to make my way to where the aroma of food was emanating from. Perhaps there would be water there too. I thought to myself. I tired standing several times but I kept falling back to the bed due to the immense pain in my stomach, which was caused by Aiden I’d I can remember, before t
I mustered up some courage and said, "Sure… I can walk. Just help me stand up a bit." He flashed a smirk that made me feel both uneasy and intrigued at the same time. I wondered what he was planning to do, but before I could finish asking, he lifted me up in a bridal style with his strong arms. My heart skipped a beat, partly from the sudden movement and partly from the closeness we were now sharing."I've got you," he said reassuringly, his voice sending shivers down my spine. I wrapped my arms around his neck to steady myself, my cheeks turning slightly red at the proximity of our bodies. Despite the situation, there was an odd sense of comfort in his embrace, as if I could trust him with everything.As he carried me, I couldn't help but take in more of his features. His scent was intoxicating, a mix of grapes and hyacinths, and it felt like home. I found myself getting lost in his captivating green eyes, trying to decipher the emotions they held. There was something mysterious about
"What makes me your Luna, Sergio?" I asked, setting down my utensil on the plate and placing my folded hands on the table. I needed answers, and I wasn't going to back down."Wait, you seriously don't feel it?" he asked, raising his left eyebrow in curiosity. "Feel what? I don't feel nothing, bro," I replied, trying to maintain a casual demeanor despite the confusion swirling inside me."Wait, are you for real right now? You seriously don't feel the mate pull? Like you don't perceive any strong scent around me which makes you wet and a bit aroused?" he questioned, looking genuinely perplexed by my response. His words caught me off guard, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and amusement at the situation.At this point, I knew I needed to clear the air once and for all about my stance on him and men in general. I couldn't let him continue with any misconceptions. "Okay, I want you to understand something, Sergio," I began, taking a deep breath. "I lost my wolf the day aft
"We have rested enough, and we don't have much time to delay our plans," Sergio began, his voice steady and determined. "We need to start gathering intel through some of their allies, but we have to move fast before we become wanted."I nodded in agreement, knowing that every second wasted could be the difference between success and failure. "I understand, Sergio. We need to strike while we have the element of surprise."Sergio turned his attention to me, his eyes holding a mixture of concern and resolve. "Fernanda, I'm sure you know you are probably wanted, and they are searching for you," he said gently. "You don't need to tag along with Jake and me. When we need you, we'll let you know."I felt a surge of frustration rising within me. I couldn't simply sit back and let others take charge of seeking justice for the years of torment I endured. "Sergio, you can't just leave me out of this whole operation," I interjected firmly. "If there's anyone who deserves to have Alpha Draxler's he
His words offered some comfort amidst the storm of emotions swirling within me. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "Where do we even begin?" I questioned, feeling a mix of eagerness and trepidation.Sergio's expression turned determined. "We'll start by reaching out to a potential ally, Alpha Charles," he explained. "He's the Alpha of the Red Fang Pack, and I met him at the party. He also felt that something was off with the Midnight Shadow Pack."I nodded, feeling a glimmer of hope. "And what's the plan?" I asked, eager to take action and uncover the truth."We'll head to the Red Fang Pack in about an hour," Sergio said. "But you and Jake will have to wait from a distance. In case Alpha Charles is an ally of Alpha Draxler and I get captured, you guys will still somehow make it out safely."The idea of waiting behind made me feel uneasy, but I understood the need for caution. "Alright," I said, trying to sound confident. "But please be careful, Sergio. I don't want us to f