"Me? Married?" I stuttered, still trying to process his words.
"Arrangements have begun. I need to strengthen my alliance with the pack of Eirengale." My father announced coldly.
"But alpha, she's still undergoing her training to unlock her abilit…"
"The training ends now. Instead, train her for marriage." My father dismissed Jada as she tried to intervene. He exited the room without saying anything else.
I look at Jada and my mother and burst into tears, covering my face with my palm. Jada came to my side, allowing me to bury my face in her chest. "It's going to be okay." She whispered.
"Is this how I'll be married, like an exchange?" I sobbed, my voice breaking down as I cried. "Mom, you're in support of this?" I turned to look at her, unable to believe my plight.
"Marriage is not bad dear. It's going to be a double celebration, your 21st birthday and wedding on the same day."
"In three days!" I shouted as I processed her words. "I'm getting married on my birthday which is in three days?"
"I think you should wear the red fabric." She said, ignoring me as she brought the cloth closer to my body. "It suits your skin."
My mother left the room, leaving me alone with Jada. My chest kept rising and falling and I refused to be comforted.
"You're going to get a severe headache if you keep crying non stop." Jada placed a palm over my forehead which was burning.
"The marriage may not be so bad." She tried to comfort me. I shot her a hard glare, feeling hurt by her words.
"I didn't mean it that way. I wish I could do something to help." She shrugged her shoulders before cleaning the streaks of tears from my face.
"Wait here. I'll get you water to drink, after we can talk." She said before leaving me alone in the room. I resumed another round of crying.
I heard a familiar voice whistle at the entrance and I turned to see Sasha standing there. She was my adopted sister. Why don't they marry her off instead? I hissed as I cupped my face with my palm.
"I heard you're getting married." She sat on the table in front of me, swinging her legs in an annoying manner.
"I know you're here to laugh at me and be happy that you're not the one. Just leave." I snapped, hiding my face in my hand.
"I actually have news about your arranged suitor. I know him." She announced, running her hand along her veil.
"Most of his former wives and mates are dead. I don't advise you to marry him."
I raised my tear soaked face. "What do you mean?"
"He's cursed and cruel. Run away." Sasha advised. I stared at her as she warned me. "Or you can stay and die like the others."
"You don't know anything, just shut up." I snapped, knowing that Sasha never helped if she won't benefit.
"It seems like you prefer to suffer. I can help you to escape." She smirked, standing up from the table to move around the room.
I scoffed and refused to offer a reply. The idea of escaping was something I wanted to do since my parent's announcement, but I doubted if I could do it. My mind wasn't really comfortable with Sasha's escape offer.
"Not interested?" She shrugged her shoulders and walked towards the door, abandoning me in the room.
I watched her figure retreat towards the door. I didn't want this marriage. I'll escape if I have the chance.
"Wait!" I called out, causing her to turn towards me. "Is your plan safe?" I asked in a low tone.
Before she could reply, Jada entered the room with a glass of water in her hand.
"We meet at night." Sasha said, only moving her lips so that Jada couldn't hear the words.
As Sasha left the room, I tried to pay attention to Jada's words. It seemed like she was advising me to stick to my parent's decision. But my mind was torn, Sasha had offered a way out, but I still wondered if it was the best option.
Later that day, Sasha and I discussed the escape plan. It was to be executed at night. I took a deep breath as I crawled into bed, waiting for nightfall.
I got out as bed as Sasha entered my room, speaking in a hushed voice.
"Remember what I told you. The man who would help you leave is waiting outside the packhouse." She held a backpack and packed some of my items into it. "These should sustain you for a while. I'll visit you later."
I looked at her as she handed the bag to me and pulled her into an embrace. "Thank you for being there for me, even though you're still an annoying jerk." I sniffed, refusing to let her go.
"Anything for you. We're still sisters even though we fight." She pulled out a map from underneath her dress. "If you get lost, this is a map to Caspar." She folded it into my bag.
"You have to leave now, I'll distract the guards and I won't tell anyone where you went."
I nodded my head, knowing that time wasn't waiting for us. We had waited till night to execute the plan and we had to do it right.
I quickly changed from my night clothes and wore something that could sustain me for the night. My veil was wrapped around my face with only my eyes being visible. The bag rested on my shoulders. I turned to Sasha who gave me an encouraging nod before I tiptoed out of the room.
The plan was simple—blend with the other werewolves who were going out for a night hunt.
I stopped at the entrance to where the guards stood and my heart started racing. I pulled my veil to shield more of my face as I prayed silently that they wouldn't recognize me.
"You." One of the guards called out as I stood in front of the door. "What's with the bag?" He asked as he raised an eyebrow.
My palms started sweating as I couldn't think of an answer. "It's ummm. It's…" I stammered as beads of sweat formed around my forehead.