Chapter six
Diana
The night of the Full Moon Festival was today, and as the festivities raged on, I found myself alone in the shadows of the mansion. The atmosphere was alive with laughter, music, and the bright flickering lights from the courtyard. It was a night meant for celebration, a night when the pack came together in unity. But for me, it was the night I had been dreading and preparing for.
It was time for me to leave. Run. Knowing what Dante had in store for me, I knew I wasn't safe and I knew I couldn't tell him about the pregnancy, I had to find a way to leave and the festival was the perfect distraction, no one would notice my absence until it was too late. At least for them not me.
The mansion felt suffocating, the walls pressing in on me with every passing second. Dante and Lilian were at the center of it all, the Alpha and his favored mate, leading the celebrations with an air of dominance that made my chest tighten. I was invisible to them now, and that was fine by me. They were distracted, wrapped up in their own world, and this was my chance to slip away, unnoticed.
I had been planning this escape for days after I overheard them, every detail mapped out in my mind. The path was clear: I would slip through the back door, blend into the garden’s shadows, and make my way to the woods. From there, I would disappear into the night, away from the life that had been forced on me. Away from Dante, away from the pack, away from the life that had never truly been mine.
Tonight, the weight of my decision bore down on me more than I had anticipated. As I stood in my room, the quiet of the house pressing in, the sounds of the distant festival reached me. It was impossible to ignore the sharp contrast between the revelry and the quiet solitude of my mind. It was the perfect moment. But the reality of what I was about to do hit me in waves.
This wasn’t just an escape from Dante. It was an escape from everything—every lie, every moment of cruelty, every whisper of betrayal. It was a chance to get my life back, escape being treated like an object and stop living in my sister's shadow. But at what cost? I knew they would look for me and come after me but for now that didn't matter. But I couldn’t stay.
I couldn’t live another day under Dante’s maltreatment, aside the fact he was planning my . I had to be strong. For myself, for my future.
Taking a deep breath, I walked towards the window, shifting the curtain slightly till I could see all was going on down there. The festival had started and the whole place was buzzing with music and laughter of the guests, they were begining to get. It was the perfect distraction. I couldn’t let this opportunity slip away.
I glanced over at my bag, I sat by the end of my bed. I had packed lightly, it wasn't like I was traveling anyway. I packed something to eat, a little money I had stolen while planing and a small knife incase anyone or anything got in my way and also a couple of clothes which weren't really necessary. There was no room for anything else. I was ok the run, I had to be fast and swift, carrying more than this would weigh me down and make me slow. I started to anxious, I could hear my own heartbeat beating rapidly.
Without another thought, I held the bag in my left hand, preparing to leave. This was it. I stood by door, took a deep sigh. The door felt like a doorway between my future and my current life. I hesitated for a moment, listening. The house was quiet. There was no one in the hallway. No one would notice me leaving. Not yet.
I pushed the door open as it creaked loudly but luckily there was sno one around to lay enough attention to me. I stepped out, my heart thudding in my chest. The passage where my room was on was empty, the scented candles filled the air and the warm light from the candles were the only light in there. It low-key felt like a prison. I walked gently trying not to make any sound as much as I could.
I was going to make it. I just had to stay calm.
The back door was only a stone throw away, booked by huge curtain. The guards would all be at the front and the maids at the party doing their job. This was the moment I had prepared for. I pushed the big door with al my strength hoping it wasn't locked, and luckily it was not. I walked into the garden in the cold.
The garden lay before me, the moon was so bright it felt like it shone only in the garden. I could finally inhale a natural smell of flowers and not candles. I sighed in relief. The mansion felt so far away now, almost unreal. I had done it. I was free.
I kept moving, making my way through the garden, my feet light on the grass. I knew I couldn’t waste any time. The festival had gotten louder, indicating more guests had arrived. I had to leave before anyone found out I wasn't in my room or walked into me out here. I crouched while walking in the garden and walking in the shadows where there was no light. Once I was outside the estate, I would be safe—at least for a while.
My hand shook as I reached for the gate’s latch. It was cold to my hands, I looked around one last time. I had to be sure. There was no room for mistakes now. The noise from the festival could hardly be heard from here, it was almost quiet, the only thing I could hear was my heart beat.
I pulled the gate open, the creak of the hinges loud in the otherwise still air. It didn’t matter. No one was around. I walked through the gate, leaving the mansion for good. I wasn't sure where I was headed but I was definitely not going back. There was no safety left for me there.
The forest loomed ahead, it was dark and scary. But what choice did I have? There was no turning back now. I continued ahead as dru branches scratched my skin. I didn’t look back. I couldn’t afford to. The further I went, the safer I would be.
The hours dragged on as I walked through. I was already tired and my body was aching, there were little cuts on my skin from dry branches. My legs were slightly swollen but I couldn't stop. I had no idea where I was going. I couldn’t afford to. I needed to get as far as no one could find me even if they notice my absence.
By the time it was dawn I was completely tired. I just wanted to take a break and relax from the pain my body was feeling. But I couldn’t stop. Not yet. I had no choice but to keep going. The village was ahead, small and quiet, nestled between the trees. It wasn’t much, but it was far enough away from the mansion. I could blend in, find work, and start over. I could disappear.
As I approached the village, I was a little scared, I didn't know what I was walking Into. It felt strange, like stepping into a new world. I was finally free though, no one could hurt me anymore or turn me into their personal slave. My baby was safe too even though I didn't know what next, I was glad.
I reached the edge of the village, the buildings were little and cozy and the light of dawn made everywhere look like a fairytale, I wondered if it were humans or werewolves that owned it. No one had seen me yet. I drew I deep breathe before taking my next step. But something in me told me to stay cautious. I was not going to reveal anything of my past, I might as well use a fake name so I won't be traced.
The village seemed quiet, peaceful. It was exactly what I needed. I kept my head down as I walked past the first few houses, keeping to the shadows. This wasn’t home, but it would have to do. Something felt off, there was no one around, I could not catch anyone's smell which was odd. I somehow sensed danger but I guess I was just being paranoid after all I have been through and what it took to run from there.
I had no idea what the future would bring, but I knew one thing for sure: I was never going back.