Freda's POV
The moment I woke up, I knew exactly where I was—the pack’s infirmary. The sterile scent of antiseptic burned my nostrils, and the dull hum of distant voices pricked at my heightened senses. My entire body ached, but one thought overpowered everything else. My baby.
My hand trembled as it slid over my stomach, feeling for any sign of movement. A wave of relief washed over me when I sensed the faint but steady life within. We were alive. Against all odds, my child and I had survived.
I exhaled shakily, forcing myself to focus. I had to get out of here. I couldn’t trust anyone in this pack—not after what they had done to me. Just as I was about to sit up, faint voices from beyond the infirmary door made me freeze.
Helen.
Sybil.
And a third voice—the doctor’s.
I stayed perfectly still, closing my eyes and straining to hear. Their words made my blood run cold.
“She should have died in that accident,” Helen hissed. “Both her and that bastard child.”
A sickening silence followed before Sybil’s voice chimed in, softer but no less cruel. “But she didn’t. So, what do we do now?”
Helen scoffed. “We eliminate the problem. She’s carrying Willard’s child, and I won’t allow it to be born. I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure my son’s future remains untainted.”
My heartbeat thundered in my ears.
“Madame Helen—” the doctor hesitated. “You’re asking me to—”
“I’m not asking,” Helen cut her off. “I’m ordering you. Find the wolfsbane. Make her drink it. And do it before she wakes up.”
I had heard enough.
Terror gripped me, but I forced myself to stay calm. If they thought I was still unconscious, I had a small window of time to escape before they carried out their plan.
The door creaked, and footsteps approached. I felt the weight of Sybil’s gaze as she leaned in.
“She should have died in the accident,” she murmured, her breath brushing against my cheek. “She’s nothing but a stain in Willard’s past.”
Helen let out a dark chuckle. “It doesn’t matter. She won’t be around much longer.”
My nails dug into my palm as I willed myself not to react. I had to wait until they left. Seconds later, Helen barked an order at the doctor. “Call me when she wakes up. This needs to be handled immediately.”
Their footsteps receded, and then the door clicked shut.
I couldn’t breathe. My pulse pounded violently as I fought back the helpless rage clawing at my chest.
I wouldn’t let them win.
I wouldn’t let them take my child from me.
I had to get out—now.
Ignoring the pain, I swung my legs over the side of the bed, biting my lip to keep from crying out. My limbs trembled as I stood, but I forced myself forward. Each step felt like walking through fire, but I didn’t stop.
Just as I reached the door, it burst open.
I stumbled back, my heart nearly stopping as I faced the last person I expected to see.
Jonas.
His expression was tense, his eyes scanning me with worry. “Freda,” he breathed, stepping forward.
My resolve broke. I launched myself into his arms, gripping his shirt tightly. “Jonas, please—you have to help me. Helen and Sybil—they’re going to kill my baby.”
His entire body went rigid. He pulled back just enough to look into my eyes. “You’re pregnant?” he whispered, his voice laced with pain.
Tears filled my eyes as I nodded. “Yes... With Willard’s child.”
Jonas sucked in a sharp breath, his jaw tightening. He looked conflicted, torn between his loyalty to his family and the truth in front of him.
Then, after a long pause, he inhaled deeply, as if making a decision. “I’ll help you get out of the pack’s premises, but I can’t betray my family, Freda.”
My heart sank, but I nodded, understanding his struggle.
“We need to get to the forest before they see us,” he continued, his grip tightening on my wrist. “I can only get you that far. After that, you’re on your own.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat and whispered, “That’s enough.”
Jonas led me through the dimly lit hallways of the infirmary, his movements precise and cautious. Every shadow felt like a threat, every echoing footstep a warning. My heart pounded in rhythm with our hurried escape.
We reached a back exit, but as Jonas cracked open the door, voices erupted from down the hall. My stomach twisted as I recognized Helen’s shrill tone. “Find her! Now!”
Jonas cursed under his breath. “They’re onto us. We need to run.”
I clenched his arm, desperation clawing at my throat. “Where can I go?”
Jonas exhaled sharply. “I don’t know. But we have to move now.”
The door behind us burst open, guards spilling into the hallway.
Jonas shoved me forward. “Run, Freda!”
I sprinted into the night, my heart hammering against my ribs. The forest loomed ahead, dark and unyielding, but freedom lay beyond it.
Behind me, Helen’s furious scream pierced the air. “Don’t let her escape!”
I ran faster.
Toward the unknown.
Toward survival.
And as the shadows of the forest swallowed me whole, one name echoed in my mind.
Drake.
