Page 13 of Chased By My Grumpy Alpha
“Isn’t it?” He leans forward, his tone turning vicious. “How much do we spend on your pathetic little cottage? On the minimal food allowance? On tolerating your existence when any sensible alpha would have put you out of your misery years ago?”
I swallow, my careful composure cracking. “I’ve gone into those woods when no one else would—”
“Because you’re expendable.” The words are like a slap in my face. “If something kills you out there, it’s no great loss. That’s the only reason we send you.”
The silence that follows is deafening.
“Now, you’re doing me the favor of removing yourself voluntarily,” he continues, sounding cheerful now. “Saves me the trouble of finding a more permanent solution.”
I blink, then turn to leave.
“End of the week,” he adds as I reach for the door handle.
The threat in his voice is unmistakable. I walk out of his office with my head high, past Henrik and George, who smirk as if they know exactly what transpired in there, through the pack hall, and into the evening air.
My hands don’t start shaking until I’m halfway home.
Five days. I have five days to escape before Alpha Gareth decides I’m too much trouble to let me live.
Five days before he changes his mind about letting me leave voluntarily.
Forty-eight hours pass in a blur of packing and planning. I don’t have many belongings—a few changes of clothes, my mother’s journal, some basic supplies, and the small stash of coins I’ve managed to save. Everything fits into one worn travelbag, which somehow makes leaving feel both easier and more depressing.
Luna follows me everywhere, as if she senses something is changing. She has never liked being left alone, but now she practically glues herself to my side, her amber eyes watchful and worried. I prepare some dried beef for her, as I’ll be bringing her with me. She rarely leaves my cottage, but I’m not leaving her behind.
I spend most of my time in the forest, gathering herbs for the journey ahead. Andrew won’t return from Millbrook for another three days, but I can wait for him in the human town. The thought of seeing his face when I tell him “yes” makes my heart flutter with hope. But more than anything, it is the idea of gaining my freedom that has me floating on cloud nine.
However, things very rarely go my way, and I should have anticipated that they wouldn’t.
I’m returning from the Wyvern Woods, my basket heavy with medicinal plants, when I see the folded paper tucked under my door. Frowning, I pick it up and enter my home. After setting down the basket on the coffee table, I unfold the message. Daciana’s hurried handwriting is unmistakable.
Leave. Now. Don’t ask questions. Just go.
My blood turns cold. Daciana never leaves notes for me; she comes in person, barging through my door like she owns the place. For her to risk putting something in writing...
“What the hell?” I whisper, reading her words again. The ink looks fresh, like she wrote them recently.
Luna meows anxiously at my feet. I scoop her up, my mind racing. Leave now? But I still have three days before Gareth’s deadline. What is going on?
I decide I’m not going to wait around to find out.
I swiftly empty the herbs into a sack and put Luna in the basket. After rushing to the bedroom, I’ve just picked up my bagwhen a sharp knock at my front door makes me jump. Three loud, authoritative raps that make my stomach drop.
“Astra Lakan. Open up.”
I recognize Henrik’s voice. My hands shake as I fold Daciana’s note and shove it deep into my pocket.
“What do you want?” I call back, trying to sound unruffled.
“Alpha Gareth wants to see you! Open the door before we break it down!”
I look around my cottage wildly. Should I run? Where would I go? It’s no use. They’d track me down.
“I’m coming,” I say, setting down my bag. But even as I say it, dread pools in my stomach like ice water.
I open the door to see George and Henrik standing there, their expressions dark. I don’t even get to step outside before they grab me by the front of my shirt and pull me out.
“What are you—Get off me! Let me go! I can walk!”
