Back in Zayd's room, Lilith was done feeding, and now the only sound filling the space was the scratch of a pen moving across paper as Zayd worked at his desk.
She stood at the bed pole, arms bound to it. For someone who had just fed her, he certainly wasn't acting like it meant anything. She had almost believed they were having a rare, soft moment, until he tied her there, forcing her to stand.
"It's late. Can I go back to my room?" She asked, but he didn't respond. She let out a groan of frustration, shifting against the cuffs that held her in place.
"After tomorrow, there will be an important meeting here in the pack house. Do not leave my room unless I summon you through Ben," he said, finally setting down his pen and turning to face her.
"Your room? I could be in mine. Why do I have to stay here?" She shot back.
"My mother won't be attending the meeting," he replied, and she didn't need further explanation. Margaret wouldn't hesitate to take his absence as an opportunity, and Zayd wouldn't be able to leave the meeting to protect her. Then again, she planned to escape that day. Margaret would be the least of her worries.
"I can handle myself. You don't need to worry about me," she said, standing her ground. He didn't respond, only studied her in silence with those eyes, dark, unreadable, and intense enough to make her throat tighten.
"Fine. You have until after the meeting to decide on a date. I won't be marrying you, so there won't be a ceremony. You will be my wife in name only…and only until you conceive. So, try to get pregnant on our first night," he said coldly, and her heart slammed against her chest. Pregnancy? That would be her reality if she failed to run on the D-day. Carrying his child? Over her dead body.
"Alright," she muttered, and he stood, walking over to her. Without another word, he looked down at the cuffs and released her.
"Do not leave your room on that day. Leave," he ordered. She nodded quickly and left the room without hesitation.
Out in the hallway, she glanced down at herself, mumbling under her breath and cursing quietly. If any maid saw her like this, wearing only a shirt, naked beneath, rumors would catch fire. Keeping low, she slipped away from his door and made her way back to the room he had assigned her.
Thankfully, it seemed someone had warned the staff to keep their distance, she didn't come across a single soul. Once back in her room, she locked the door behind her, went straight to the closet, and pulled out a nightgown. Dressed at last, she exhaled in relief and made her way to the bed, collapsing onto it with a soft, contented moan. It felt good to finally be alone, in her own space.
As she shifted on the mattress, a sudden wave of memory slammed into her, forcing a sharp cry from her lips. "Ahh!" She gasped, clutching her head as pain flared. A voice echoed inside her skull, 'It is you.' Then, silence… leaving her with a piercing headache and a lingering sense of dread.
"Noo!" She groaned, twisting on the bed as her chest rose and fell with ragged breaths. The pounding in her skull began to slow, easing up just enough for her to breathe. Once the pain subsided, she pushed herself upright and sat still, sucking in deep breaths while scanning the room. But there was nothing, just silence, and stillness.
"Who's there?!" She shouted, eyes darting frantically across the room. But it didn't feel like someone had spoken to her. It felt more like the voice had echoed from within her own head. She remembered seeing a face, at least, she thought she did. But the details slipped through her memory like smoke. Wait… what face?
Could this be the result of staying too long in a place she was never meant to be? Maybe her mind was finally beginning to fracture. Clinging to that explanation, she forced herself to lie back down, pulling the covers over herself as if they could shield her from the madness clawing at her mind. She shut her eyes tight and comforted herself to sleep.
D-Day.
The pack house was alive with noise and movement. From her room, Lilith could hear it all, footsteps echoing in the hallways, voices rising and falling, the distant hum of arriving guests. She stood by the window, watching the crowd gather below. Her heart beat faster, not with fear, but with anticipation. Today was the day. Her escape.
Still, Elijah's words haunted her. She couldn't forget how easily Zayd had tracked her the first time, how he had come alone, as if he knew exactly where she would be. He had never once asked how she escaped. Not once. Why? Anyone else would have been curious. But Zayd wasn't just anyone. He was a lycan, with senses far sharper than any human's. Maybe he didn't need to ask. Maybe he already knew everything.
But something felt off. Her escape this time was so smooth and so perfect that she was beginning to question it herself. What did Elijah mean when he said Zayd would never let her go? Was there something she didn't understand? Was it simply about the heir, or was it something deeper?
The more she tried to piece it together, the more lost she felt. She shook her head and let out a breath, brushing aside the doubt. This wasn't the time to think. This was the time to act. And if she got caught, she wouldn't hesitate to plunge a dagger into his chest before she allowed herself to be dragged back.
"It's time," a voice said suddenly from the window, making Lilith flinch. She whipped around, heart slamming in her chest, only to see Ava crouched there, calm as ever.
"Use the door next time," Lilith muttered, clutching her chest to slow her pulse.
"There won't be a next time… hopefully." Ava's voice was low, serious. "Get to the lower quarters. I will sneak you out through the back, the path the maids use. No one will question you if you take that route. But once you are past the gates, don't stop. Don't look back. No matter what happens. Run like hell. You only have an hour. Make it out of town if you can." Her tone left no room for doubt, and Lilith nodded, again and again. She was ready. More than ready. She felt like a soldier bracing for war.
"Okay. See you there," Lilith said, turning to leave. But Ava grabbed her wrist, stopping her. Lilith turned with a raised brow.
"You will need this," Ava said, pulling out a bundle of coins and handing them over. The gesture made Lilith's heart swell.
"I am starting to believe you don't actually hate me," Lilith said, her voice softer than before.
"I still hate you," Ava replied flatly, earning a smile from her.
"Now go," Ava ordered.