Alpha Kieran's Regret

Chapter 4

_Katherine’s POV_

The guards dragged me down the dark hallway. Their grips were like iron. My feet scraped against the stone floor. My body was too weak to fight back. My heart pounded in my chest as we reached the heavy wooden door. One of the guards pulled out a key and unlocked it with a loud click.

“No,” I whispered, shaking my head. “Please, don’t do this.”

Neither of them listened.

The door creaked open, revealing the darkness inside. A foul smell hit me immediately—damp stone, rotting food, and something worse. My stomach churned.

One of the guards shoved me forward. “Get in.”

I stumbled inside, barely catching myself before I fell. The door slammed shut behind me, the sound echoing through the small, empty space.

I was alone.

The air was thick with dust and decay. I ran my hand along the cold stone wall, trying to find something—anything—but there was nothing. No bed. No blanket. Not even a mattress. Just hard, uneven ground.

My chest ached as I slid down to the floor, wrapping my arms around myself. I had been rejected. Humiliated. And now, locked away like a criminal.

Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

I had cried enough.

My stomach growled, but I ignored it. My whole body hurt too much to care. The rejection had drained all my strength. I felt empty.

Then, I heard it.

A strange scratching noise coming from the corner.

I froze.

Something moved in the darkness.

My breath hitched. I strained my eyes, but it was too dark to see. Then, suddenly—

A sharp pain shot through my foot. I gasped, jerking my leg back. Something was latched onto me.

I screamed.

I kicked wildly, my heart racing. It took a moment before I saw it— a huge rat, its sharp teeth sinking into my skin.

“Get off me!” I cried, shaking my leg. It wouldn’t let go.

I grabbed it with my hands, trying to pull it off, but it clung to me, its tiny claws scratching at my skin.

With one final kick, I sent it flying against the wall. It landed with a squeak before scurrying back into a hole in the corner.

I gasped for air, my whole body trembling.

I looked down at my foot. Blood dripped from the wound. The bite was deep. I had nothing to clean it with.

No bandages.

No medicine.

I pressed my hands to the wound, trying to stop the bleeding. But as I sat there, the pain only got worse.

And I knew… this was only the beginning.

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The days passed in a blur of pain and hunger.

The guards fed me once a day. Not even on a plate. They threw the food onto the filthy floor—hard bread, a few scraps of meat.

Water came in a single glass. It was never enough.

The worst part? They wouldn’t let me leave to use the bathroom. I was forced to relieve myself in the corner, the shame burning inside me like fire.

I had never felt so low.

My foot was getting worse. The wound was swollen now, turning an angry red. The pain was unbearable. Some nights, I shivered so hard I thought my bones would break.

I was sick. I needed help. But no one cared.

I curled up against the wall, my body too weak to move. Was this how I was going to die? Alone? Forgotten?

I closed my eyes, trying to block out the pain. Then, I heard it. A soft tap on the door.

My eyes snapped open. The door creaked, and a figure peeked inside. “Thomas?” I whispered in disbelief.

He rushed in, his eyes scanning me in the dim light. “Katherine, we don’t have time. Can you walk?”

I tried to move but hissed in pain.

He frowned. “What happened?”

I pointed to my foot. “A rat bit me.”

His face darkened. “Damn it.” He took a deep breath. “Listen, we have to go. There’s a rogue attack. Kieran ordered all warriors to defend the pack. The guards are gone.”

Hope flared in my chest. I had a chance.

Thomas pulled out a long black cloak. “Put this on. We need to move.”

I grabbed it, slipping it over my dirty clothes. It smelled of fresh air. It was a reminder of the world outside.

Thomas grabbed my arm and helped me stand. The pain in my foot sent a sharp jolt up my leg, but I gritted my teeth.

I couldn’t stop now. Not when freedom was so close.

We moved quickly through the hallways, our footsteps barely making a sound.

“Stay close,” Thomas whispered.

I nodded.

The scent of smoke hit me first. Then, the distant sounds of fighting—howls, growls, the clash of teeth and claws. We reached the exit. Thomas peeked outside, then gestured for me to follow.

The moment I stepped out, chaos surrounded me.

Flames consumed the houses. Wolves fought in the streets. Screams filled the night.

Thomas turned to me. “Go through the forest. Don’t stop. Don’t look back.”

I swallowed hard. “Why are you helping me?”

His jaw tightened. “Because you don’t deserve this.”

Emotion clogged my throat. “Thank you,” I whispered.

He nodded once. “Now, go.”

I ran.

The pain in my foot was unbearable, but I pushed through it. I weaved between burning houses, keeping my head down.

One of the guards saw me.

I held my breath.

But he didn’t stop me.

Maybe he didn’t recognize me. Maybe he just didn’t care.

I didn’t wait to find out.

I ran faster, my lungs burning. And then—I reached the trees. The moment I stepped into the forest, the shadows wrapped around me. The sounds of battle faded behind me.

I stopped, panting.

I turned back, looking at the only home I had ever known.

The Bloodmoon Pack. The place that had rejected me. Hurt me. Abandoned me.

I took one last look.

Then, I slipped into the darkness. I had escaped.

But now…

I had nowhere to go.