Chapter 5

Kamrynn

The anxiety twists deep in my stomach, an uncomfortable knot of dread that I can’t shake. My head throbs, the ache relentless. It’s almost time for Calvin to return, and the thought alone makes my entire body tense up. I’m so weak that even the weight of my bones feels unbearable. I’ve barely eaten in days—he only let me have food two days ago, leftovers I was forced to eat off the floor like some wild animal. My stomach growls, hollow and painful, but there’s nothing I can do.

I run my tongue over my dry, cracked lips and look down at myself. Tears well up in my eyes before I can stop them. I’m nothing but skin and bones now, my body covered in bruises, scars, and sores. My ribs stick out sharply from beneath the rags I’ve been forced to wear. Every part of me hurts—my arms, my legs, my back. The chains bite into my wrists and ankles, and my hands and feet have gone numb from being restrained for so long.

How did it come to this?

I used to be strong. I used to be full of life. And now I’m a shadow, a slave, barely holding on. My hands tremble as I wipe at my tears. The pain in my chest, both from the hunger and from the heartache, is overwhelming. I want to scream at the Moon Goddess, curse her for forsaking me. I’ve cursed her so many times already. Why me? Why did everything have to be taken from me? Why was Sherelle murdered? Why did I get the blame? What was my crime—falling in love with Calvin? Or just being in the wrong place at the wrong time?

I want to scream. I want justice for Sherelle. I want the real killer to be found, but I know if I stay here, I’ll die before the truth ever comes out. I have to get away, for the sake of my child, if nothing else. I won’t let Calvin kill this baby like he killed the others.

Suddenly, I hear shouting outside. A commotion. My heart skips a beat, panic rising in my throat. What’s going on? Before I can figure it out, the door bursts open, and Lysaa rushes into the room, her face pale but determined, a key clutched in her hand.

“Lysaa?” I whisper, my voice hoarse from days of silence. “What are you doing?”

“I’ve got the key,” Lysaa pants, rushing to my side. “You need to get out of here. Now.”

“What?” My heart stutters in my chest. “How did you—how did you get the key from the Alpha?”

“Don’t worry about that,” Lysaa says quickly, unlocking the chains on my wrists. “I’ve created a distraction, but we don’t have much time. You need to leave.”

As soon as the cuffs come off, my hands fall limp at my sides. The numbness gives way to sharp pins and needles as blood rushes back into my fingers, and I wince at the sensation. Lysaa unlocks my ankles next, and I try to move, but my legs don’t cooperate. They’re too weak. I haven’t walked in days.

“I can’t…” I choke, my voice trembling with panic. “Lysaa, I can’t stand.”

“Hold on,” she says, grabbing a large blanket from the corner of the room. She wraps it around my shoulders like a shawl, covering my rags. “I’ll help you.”

She lifts me off the bed, her small frame stronger than I imagined. I cling to her as she helps me to my feet, my legs wobbling beneath me. My knees buckle, but Lysaa holds me steady.

“You have to walk, Kamrynn,” she urges, her voice firm. “I know it hurts, but you have to. We don’t have time.”

I nod, swallowing back the pain. “Okay.”

We move slowly toward the door, every step sending shooting pain through my legs, but I push through it. We make our way down the hall, my heart racing as I hear the commotion growing louder outside. I glance toward the window, and through the shadows of night, I see people running, shouting orders. The Pack is in chaos.

“What did you do?” I ask, breathless from the effort of walking.

“It’s not important,” Lysaa says quickly, her eyes darting around as we move. “What’s important is that you get out. There won’t be another chance like this.”

I want to ask more, but there’s no time. She’s right. This is my only chance, and I need to take it. Still, I can’t help but worry about Lysaa. What if she gets caught? What if she’s punished for helping me?

“Lysaa,” I whisper, my voice tight with fear. “If you get in trouble because of me…”

“Don’t worry about me,” she snaps, more harshly than I’ve ever heard her speak before. “I’ll be fine. You just need to go.”

We’re almost to the exit when a figure suddenly steps into our path. One of the Pack members. My heart stops.