Soraya's POV
I looked at Cassidy without words forming in my head, only hers echoed off, hitting each part in my mind like a hammer eager to leave an imprint.
"What?" Cassidy asked, her fine dripping in glee. "Still shocked?"
She batted off lightly, throwing her head to the side. "That shouldn't bother you. It's all old news. What you should be worried about my dear cousin is your coming hunt."
"I heard the Grey triplets are particularly ruthless by this time of the year. Even worse on the day of the blood moon."
Cassidy said, walking around, getting well polished high heels clicking on the cold dirty floor and screaming "expensive" as they went.
I could tell the joy that filled Cassidy's soul as she hummed lightly, while my mind escaped.
Jamal and aunt Genevieve.
So all those times, they knew I was innocent. They were only setting the stage for me to walk on.
Now that I think about it, what happened five years ago was truly coincidental.
The fire had started just a few minutes after Jamal and Cassidy had come to the table and before that they were outside with the rest of the other kids at that time.
So many loopholes to which I was blind to.
If only I had thought properly and used my head. I would be the one jumping in joy, not wallowing.
I would have been the one spitting mockeries into their faces should they watch me.
If I had used my head, maybe my baby wouldn't be dead.
My wolf howled at that.
It had been a long time since we thought about the life that had been stolen from us.
"Anyways." Cassidy loudly announced, drawing my attention. "I am not entirely evil. I have a conscience so I'll let you not die." She rolled her eyes dramatically, laughing. "Well not here and now. I'll provide the chance to escape. Think of it as my way of helping you, cousin."
"I don't want anything to do with you." I spat harshly.
"Oh, but you'll need it." She cautioned , but I could tell the glint that shone in her eyes. "It will help end your misery faster."
She smirked, blowing me an air kiss— a signature we usually did in my family, before she stuntered off.
My stomach churned, and I gagged, feeling sick in my stomach.
Everything.
Everything had been taken away from me by that bitch and betrayer— Jamal.
It wasn't enough that they had blamed me, ruined me, made me bear their dirty crimes, and now they wanted to use me as a scapegoat for their own acts.
No.
I don't allow this.
I gritted, clenching fists and staring at the bars that caged me in here with hate.
Fire burned in my gut, so wild it threatened to scorch me, even reduce me to ashes.
Still, I felt my wolf stir at the back of my mind, her silent support flooding my mind.
I pushed myself off the floor, clinging to the last strength in me to move.
This hunt. I thought, narrowing my eyes. I needed to get away from it before tonight.
But even with that, how do I get out of here?
I tugged at the chains connected to the wall.
Each pull digging deeper into the bruise around my neck.
I winced, pain shooting through me as I dropped the idea.
How do I get out?
The thought came more desperate than before.
I didn't want Cassidy to win.
I thought dying was a better option, but clearly it wasn't.
My fists clenched tightly by the side, knuckles turning white.
Hate.
A deep sneering feeling that gnawed at my chest as I stared past the cell bars.
I wanted to prove my family innocent. I wanted revenge.
I wanted those three who hurt me to bleed along with everyone in this pack!
"Moon goddess. If you can hear me, this is your final chance to prove yourself!" I screamed, tears blurring my eyesight.
Just then, a gleam caught my eyes.
It was faint and I barely missed it, but somehow I spotted it.
"Is that a key?" I whispered, heart clenching slightly.
I quickly looked around, finding no one coming.
Without hesitation, I reached for it, straining my muscles and with a restraining chain around my neck, I finally grabbed it.
A cry of joy tore through my lips, but I swallowed it, working the keys to the chains on my neck while praying it worked.
I twisted a few times, my heart pounding painfully in my ears as I feared my efforts were in vain, when a soft click sounded.
The chains gave loosely around my neck falling to the floor with a heavy thud.
Quickly, my hands shot to my neck, touching the place.
How long had it been without that obstructing object hindering my way and reminding me of my status?
I shook, a sob almost slipping past, but now wasn't the time for that.
I wiped them off, inching towards the cell doors and twisting the key in.
Again, like magic, the doors opened.
Silently, and as quiet as I could, I pushed the doors open, heading towards the giant ones.
I had no idea if there were guards on the other side, but I was prepared for a fight.
I pushed it open, the giant groaning to give way, but surprisingly no one was there.
Strange, but I chalked it all up to everyone thinking I was dead anyways. The pack might have moved on knowing of this.
It was well past midnight, the moon light sweeping in through the windows as I sneaked past halls, heart thumping wildly like a crazed drummer was playing.
Every sound had me tensing, but I didn't see any guards in sight.
That's weird.
As the country's third largest pack, our security was not this weak.
So how come this felt almost too easy for an escape?
Just as the thought crossed my mind, Cassidy's words also echoed.
Help.
She had mentioned that word and I had ignored it, but again I had fallen for her trap.
"Stop!" A deep voice broke the calm air from behind me, causing me to turn.
A group of well armed guards stood fiercely with murderous gazes, their huge biceps twice my whole body combined.
"You dare escape? Today you'll wish you had died five years ago." The head warrior said, his eyes flashing a deep blue.
Colour drained from my face, and no one told me what to do next as I bolted.