Luna Mira's Choice

Chapter 4

_Mira's POV_

I took one last look around my room. This was where I had spent so many years, hiding from the world, dreaming, hoping. I thought of the laughter, the secrets I shared with no one, and the quiet nights I spent looking out the window, wondering about my future. Now, I was going away and I knew I would never come back. It felt strange, leaving it all behind, but I had no choice.

A thought crossed my mind: maybe I should leave a note. Something to tell my parents and Sophia not to look for me. Something to tell them, even though they had hurt me, that I didn’t hate them. I had loved them once, even if they couldn’t see it now. I had never been one to hold on to hate. But as I stood there, I knew it was better not to leave anything behind. They wouldn’t miss me, and it would be easier if I just disappeared.

I pulled my hoodie on, tugging the hood over my head. With my heart pounding, I slipped out of my room and headed toward the main door. The pack house was silent, almost empty. I moved carefully, trying not to make a sound, my heart pounding in my chest. I reached the door and pushed it open slowly, stepping outside. The cool night air hit my face and I took a shaky breath.

Just as I closed the door behind me, I saw movement in the distance—a patrolling guard. My stomach twisted. I had forgotten about the guards who patrolled the territory at night. I couldn’t let them see me.

I crouched low and moved toward the bushes, using them as cover. Dirt clung to my clothes but I didn’t care. All that mattered was getting to the pack border as fast as I could. I chose the southern border. It was closer to the woods and I could hide there if I needed to.

I was almost there when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned and my heart sank. A guard had spotted me.

“Stop!” he shouted, his voice cutting through the night. I didn’t hesitate. I ran, my feet pounding the ground, my breath coming in short gasps. I heard him behind me, his footsteps getting louder.

“Stop!” he shouted again but I didn’t look back. I pushed myself harder, my legs burning, my heart racing. I was so close. Just a few more steps.

Finally, I crossed the border. I felt the tension ease slightly as I slipped into the woods. The trees surrounded me, their shadows hiding me from view. The guard stopped at the border. His voice faded as I disappeared deeper into the forest.

I didn’t stop running until I was sure I was far enough away. When I finally slowed down, I looked back, but no one was there. I was alone, truly alone now. The weight of it settled on me, but so did a strange sense of freedom.

For the first time, I was out of their reach.

I knew that starting a new life wouldn’t be easy but I had to try. I had to give it everything I had. Maybe, if I found the courage, I could plead with one of the Alphas from the nearby packs. I could tell them my story, share how even my own family had turned their backs on me. Maybe one of them would take pity on me, understand the loneliness that had driven me to this point. But for now, I had to survive out here, alone in the woods as a rogue. Danger was everywhere and I had to stay on guard.

I kept moving, each step taking me deeper into the forest. The trees became denser. My legs ached, but I pushed forward until I found a small cave nestled among the rocks. It was dark and a little damp but it would keep me safe for the night.

I stepped inside. I gathered some leaves and brushed them across the stone floor to make a rough bed. I pulled out the blanket I had brought, wrapping it tightly around myself. It wasn’t comfortable, not by any means, but it would have to do. Exhausted, I closed my eyes, hoping that sleep would come.

But I was wrong to think that I was safe.

I woke to a sharp, crushing pain in my right arm. My eyes flew open, and I saw a heavy boot pressing down on me. I started to panic and I looked up to see a man standing over me. There was a twisted smile on his face.

“Well, well, the sleeping beauty has finally awakened,” he sneered.

I looked around, my heart racing as I noticed more figures emerging from the shadows. They were rogues, and their hungry stares made my skin crawl. Fear twisted inside me, cold and hard.

“Look at her,” one of them laughed. “She is a beauty, isn’t she?”

The man crouched down, leaning in close. “Maybe we’ll have a little fun with you,” he murmured, his eyes gleaming with a wicked light. “Before we finish you off.”

My throat tightened, and I forced myself to hold his gaze. “Please… just let me go,” I whispered, barely able to keep the fear out of my voice.

He laughed, low and harsh. “Oh, don’t worry, sweetheart. We’ll let you go… eventually.”

I twisted, trying to pull my arm free, but his boot pressed down harder, sending pain shooting through me. The other rogues circled closer, closing in like wolves around a wounded animal. I had never felt so helpless.

But I couldn’t give up. Not now. Not after everything I had already survived. I bit back my fear, drawing on every ounce of courage I had left.

“Please,” I said again, trying to sound stronger than I felt. “I am no threat to you. Just let me go, and I will disappear. You will never see me again.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Now, where’s the fun in that?”

One of the other rogues stepped forward, his eyes cold. “She will scream if we’re not careful.”

“Then let her,” the man sneered, never taking his eyes off me. “There is no one around to hear.”

My heart sank as their laughter filled the cave. I was alone, outnumbered, and trapped. I had nowhere to run.