Page 37 of His Found Lycan Luna

Thankfully, the kitchen staff have left to enjoy their own meals, leaving me free to slip out through the back door into the laundry room.

Ignoring the towering shelves and giant washers and dryers that surround me, I make a beeline for the back door. With the key in hand, I insert it into the lock and turn it with a mixture of fear and hope.

A sigh of relief escapes me as the door swings open, revealing a world beyond the confines of the castle. Soon I will be free, I just need to get to that bridge.

Stepping outside, I feel the wind pick up slightly, rustling the leaves on the trees surrounding the place, and the sky darkening from the approaching storm, so far the sky remains free from heavy clouds. But I can smell the rain in the air, making everything feel heavier. I slip out, careful to close the door quietly behind me, and seek shelter under the protective canopy of the fruit trees as I try to make my way to the river at the back of the kingdom grounds.

Using them as cover, I race along the row of trees, pausing occasionally to ensure no guards are watching before continuing my mad dash. I maneuver over the hill and through the graveyard, my heart pounding, until I reach the river that slivers along the back of the castle grounds. Peering back at the castle, I don’t see guards moving from their posts or sense any issues, and I let out a breath of relief.

Heading west, I start jogging, keeping my body low to avoid detection. With each step, I feel a sense of liberation building within me. I can’t believe I am breaking free from the suffocating confines of the castle and from the oppressive bond that has tormented me for far too long now.

The thought of a future filled with endless possibilities brings a smile to my face, even as my tired legs protest. Finally, I am going to be free, free of the castle, my mate, and free of the bond.

No more of the king silently sitting in my room and making the bond wreak havoc, no more of his scent tormenting me. Excitement bubbles in me as I think of my future possibilities. It will be just me and Abbie again, and, of course, her mate. But I can survive anything as long as I have her by my side.

By the time I reach the halfway point, darkness has enveloped the sky completely. Glancing down at the watch Abbie had given me tightly clasped in my hand, I check the time once more. She instructed me to run straight and follow the river, yet there is no sign of a bridge or any roads up ahead.

The storm overheard is moving in, and it seems like I’m attempting the impossible. Is Abbie sure of the directions? Or is it simply further than I thought?

Coming to a halt, I bend over, resting my hands on my knees as I struggle to catch my breath. Nearly half an hour of relentless running has taken its toll on my weary body. The chill of the night air sends shivers down my spine, and as the moon’s feeble light is swallowed by the encroaching clouds, a sense of anxiety settles over me. I don’t like the dark, and the shadows creeping nearer from the trees have my anxiety levels rising.

My teeth throb from breathing against the cool wind and the strain of exertion, and my legs scream in protest, but I push myself to continue, knowing this is my only chance at escaping. Determined to find the spot Abbie has described, I strain my eyes, searching for any sign of it in the darkness. Fear gnaws at me as I stand alone in the inky blackness, unable to shift and relying solely on my humansenses. The scent of rain hangs heavy in the air, adding to my growing unease as it starts drowning out other scents.

Every noise, every snap of a twig, sends my head spinning in all directions. Slowing my pace slightly, I squint into the distance, straining to make out any sign of the bridge Abbie’s mate had mentioned.

It is at that very moment that distant howls reach my ears, carried on the wind from the direction of the castle which sends my heart into a frenzied flutter.He knows.

My heart skips a beat at the sound of the howls, as the guards communicate with each other. They sound from every direction and I know I’m running out of time. The hairs on the back of my neck standing on end. The howls resonate with a haunting familiarity. A chill runs through my veins as I realize those howls belong to the wolves who guard the castle grounds.

Fear grips me with an iron fist, my mind racing to find a way out of this predicament but the only one I can see is finding that bridge.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Forcing my legs to move, I start running. My heart thumps erratically, and I take off before hearing one howl so loud and angry it can only be the king. Panic seizes me, and I glance ahead, knowing that being by the water, I am far too exposed. With that knowledge, I take off for the tree line, deciding to stay as near to the edge of the forest as possible, so I don’t get lost. I also won’t be spotted out in the open of the clear space running alongside the river.

Adrenaline courses through me as I take off, praying I make it to the bridge. Tears burn my eyes as the wind whips my face, making it sting. The sounds of running through the forest send fear coursing through me. What took me half an hour to run through, they cover in a matter of minutes. I can hear them in the woods gaining on me. I glance behind me only to look ahead and I skid across the ground, coming to a halt. My feet skid across the loose rocks and leaves making me fall on my side when a huge black Lycan with impenetrable eyes flashes between the trees in front of me.

“No,” I gasp, knowing he’s found me. Knowing I can’t escape his Lycan.

He prowls through the trees toward me. His growl sounds menacing, furious, as I scramble backward, trying to get to my feet. However, the leaves and damp earth make the ground slippery as I hear the crunch of twigs beneath him.

“You were warned,” he growls angrily, and I shake my head.

Kyron’s fur is so dark, it has a blue hue to it under the moonlight filtering through the trees. He stalks closer to me, growling, his teeth sharp and gleaming, chilling my bones as he stalks closer. His chest rises and falls heavily with his burning anger, and his aura is suffocating. His claws slash down a nearby tree when he stops, tilting his head.

“Don’t,” he warns, anticipating what I am about to do. But my mind doesn’t listen.

My scream hurts my own ears when he suddenly runs at me, as my feet finally get leverage on the ground. I sprint off, only to get about five steps when his weight hits my back, shoving me forward into the dirt. The air in my lungs completely leaves me in a huff as I hit the ground. His weight never lands on top of me, yet I feel the rumble of his growl against my back, his clawed hands on either side of my face.

Fear momentarily paralyzes me, and I can feel the fur on his legs brush against mine as he traps me beneath him, caging me in.

The crunch of twigs makes me look up to see Damian step out of the trees in just a pair of shorts. Worry etches into his facial features as he stares at me pinned beneath the king. I want to yell out to him for help, but my voice is suddenly mute with the fear wrapping around me.

“Leave us,” the king commands him.

“No, please,” I beg my voice a whisper in the breeze that goes unheard. My eyes meet Damian’s fleetingly before he disappears within the trees, leaving me with Kyson. His chest rumbles with his growl against my back, and he buries his nose in my neck, making me whimper.

Tears stream down my cheeks as I try to claw my way out fromunder him, only for him to press his chest firmly against my back, forcing me to the ground. His teeth nip my shoulder, making me cry out when I try to move.

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