The Alpha King's Mistress Chapter 28: Escape Part 3

**Florence**

My heart skipped a beat as I froze in my tracks. The echoes of paws and footsteps reverberated through the air, growing louder with each passing second.

“What the hell was that?”

I swiftly scanned my surroundings, searching for a possible hiding spot or an escape route. But find none. Shit. With bated breath, I raced deeper into the forest. Every muscle in my body coiled with tension.

"Trackers," I muttered to myself, recognizing the telltale signs, “Shit, shit”

These skilled warriors possessed the ability to mask the sound of their own footsteps, making it nearly impossible to detect their presence until it was too late. Normally, I would be able to detect them but it looks like the Lycans win the category for the skilled and fearful trackers.

"They're close," I whispered under my breath, "I can't let them catch me. I won't let them."

With my heart pounding in my ears, I run again.

"Stay focused," I reminded myself, "Stay one step ahead. You can do this."

The sound of approaching paws grew louder.

“Damn it. How are they so freaking fast?” I whispered in frustration. I had underestimated the speed of the lycans. Their agility far surpassed what I had expected.

I forced my legs to carry me faster, my heart pounding in my chest as I pushed my body to its limits. As the howls of the lycans grew louder, a familiar presence stirred within me. I could feel Nasya—my wolf’s presence, like a whisper in the back of my mind.

‘Let me take control. We can outrun them, outmaneuver them. I can guide us to safety’ Nasya's voice resonated in my thoughts.

‘We can’t. They will know who we are’

‘But Florence—’

‘Trust me, Nasya, I can escape us both’

As I dashed through the forest, my surroundings became a blur. Branches whipped against my skin, leaving stinging trails but I ignored them. My vision narrowed, and my focus honed on the singular goal of escape.

Heart pounding in my chest, I cast a quick glance over my shoulder. There, behind me was a wolf larger than any I had encountered before. His muscles rippled beneath a coat of sleek, dark brown fur. And I was sure of one thing, it was the Beta of the Moonstone Pack. I am certain he is the man named Clifford earlier at the throne hall.

“Goddammit,” I cursed.

I pushed myself to the limits. The forest blurred around me as I weaved through trees and leaped over fallen logs. But no matter how fast I ran, the wolf remained close, chasing me. His growls reverberated through the air. I could almost feel his hot breath on my back and panic threatened to overwhelm me.

“Fck off!” I couldn't help but shout and was only met by a deafening growl from behind.

As the moon illuminated my path, I spotted a narrow ravine up ahead. My heart raced as I leaped over the edge, my body twisting in mid-air to land safely on the rocky ledge below. But to my shock, the wolf gracefully followed my lead. Gritting my teeth, I pushed myself even harder.

My breath came in ragged gasps. Every inhale was a struggle. As my heart loudly pounded in my chest, the sound of rustling leaves and snapping twigs reached my ears, causing me to glance up. My eyes widened as they settled upon the figure of a man perched high in the trees.

In his hands, he held a sleek and deadly sniper rifle with its barrel pointed directly at her.

“That Beta asshole was going all in” I hissed.

I was sure the power of that sniper's bullet would either make me pass out of silver or slow me down. It was just between those two. Instinctively, my body tensed, muscles coiling in anticipation of an attack. I weighed my options, assessing the distance between myself and the hidden marksman.

Then the sound of the gunshot echoed through the air, a deafening crack that sent birds scattering in every direction. As the gunshot rang out, a sharp pain seared through my leg. I glanced down to find a needle embedded in my flesh. Dread washed over me as I realized that it was another strong substance with silver and a sleeping drug.

“This can't be happening” I whispered weakly.

Waves of weakness crashed over me. My legs wobbled beneath me, my muscles losing their strength.

I chuckled in frustration, whispering weakly, “Nasya”

‘I thought you wouldn't ask,’ Nasya grumbled inside my head.

In a snap, my hazel eyes flickered dangerously, transforming into a vibrant shade of violet.

“That felt good” I smirked after giving half of control to my wolf.

As I raced through the dense forest, I quickly picked up the distant sound of waves. Without hesitation, I made my way in the direction of the sound. The stream grew louder with every stride I took until I burst into a clearing where a cliff could be found.

Breathless, I ran toward the edge of the cliff, my legs trembling as I slowed my pace. I blinked, urging Nasya to pull back her control until my eyes turned into their normal hazel color. But as my wolf let me take the full reins once again, the throbbing pain all over my body came back making me grimace.

Glancing back, I saw Clifford's wolf form shifted, contorting in mid-air, until it became the towering figure of a man. His human form materialized. The air crackled with tension as we locked eyes. His gaze held fury, frustration, and perhaps even a trace of respect.

“Don't even think about it” Clifford's voice echoed in the distance between us.

I couldn't help but release a smug smile, “I am thinking about it”

“You will die if you dare to jump from that cliff” he seethed.

“Honestly that was an appealing option than to stay here with that monster”

Clifford growled warningly, “He was your Alpha King! You better respect him”

“And you know who I am! Your fcking Luna Queen!” I snarled back, “But I don't see respect coming from you or him”

“Respect is earned, Florence”

I chuckled dryly, “I agree. And I can say that you and your Alpha had failed to earn my respect”

“You cannot escape him. You cannot leave this place” He stated darkly, slowly advancing towards me. “You can never hide from him”

“Watch me” I take a step back, closer to the edge, making him stop in his tracks.

With a final, lingering glance at Clifford, I turned my back to him and faced the ocean before me.

"Stop right there, Florence!" Clifford's voice echoed behind me, a warning laced with desperation.

Turning my head just enough to catch a glimpse of him, I winked at him with a smile on my face, "Sorry, but I don't take orders from anyone."

And then, with a deep breath, I stepped off the edge. As I soared through the air, my gaze locked with Clifford's piercing eyes. In that split second, I saw a flicker of surprise and something else I couldn't put a name on. Then his figure swiftly turned away, his back facing me until his figure disappeared from my sight.

He was too calm for my liking.

But I don't have any luxury to think about his actions. My focus shifted to the task at hand – survival.

As I plummeted through the open air, the world blurred around me as I descended. The wind whipped against my face, drowning out all other sounds. And then, my body collided with the water. The cold water enveloped me, pulling at my limbs and stealing my breath. My lungs burned, demanding air. As I desperately kicked my legs to push myself upward, an excruciating pain pierced through my lower leg. A sharp, searing sensation that felt like fire consuming my flesh. I gasped, bubbles escaping from my mouth.

Looking down, I saw a plant with long, venomous thorns that had found its home beneath the water's surface. One of those thorns had impaled my leg. Panic welled up within me.

My movements became frantic as I grappled with the pain. Closing my eyes I seized the thorn with both hands, bracing myself for the searing pain that would surely follow. With a sharp yank, I tore it free, the rush of pain almost causing me to lose consciousness.

Blood mingled with the surrounding water. Clutching my wounded leg, I forced myself to swim, to reach the safety of solid ground. As soon as I reached the land, I glanced down at my leg and saw a dark stain spreading across the fabric of my torn pants. The realization hit me like a blow to the chest—I had been stabbed by a poisonous plant.

“Shit” I hissed. Gritting my teeth, I knelt down to examine the wound more closely.

“Please just a few minutes of rest” I prayed almost in a whisper, hoping that Clifford and the pack warriors wouldn't find me anytime soon.

Breathing heavily, I started to walk but my legs felt like jelly and in so much pain. I collapsed onto the ground, feeling the cool touch of the earth against my skin.

“Not now, not now” I chanted and tried to push myself up, willing my body to cooperate, but I ended up collapsing again.

“Fck my life”

Lying there on the ground, I gazed up at the star-studded sky. A tear escaped my eyes as I stared at the sky. I close my eyes, calling for my wolf again, “Nasya”

‘I can't, Florence’ Nasya defeatedly replied inside my head.

I frowned, “What do you mean you can't?”

‘Your body was in so much pain, so are the internal conditions of it due to the toxins. It is impossible to fully heal ourselves now even if you gave half of the control to me. We need to shift’

Well, shifters have better healing abilities when in their wolf form after all.

A tired smile stretched on my lips, “I am in that bad condition huh”

‘Unfortunately. We are still weak for being starved for the past few days since we were captured by Austin and his man’

“What if I gave you full control? It's possible right?”

‘It is. In our wolf form, we can double the healing process of your body and possibly slow the toxins. You have used all your energy as a human, you can give your burden to me now’

‘You know I love you right?’

Nasya rolled her eyes at me, ‘It is like telling that you love yourself’

I laughed heartily. Since I was a child, I have had no one but Nasya and I will do everything to protect her. I knew she would do the same to me. After all, we only have each other.

With a deep breath, I willed my tired muscles to cooperate. Slowly, I managed to prop myself up, leaning against a nearby rock for support. I took hesitant steps forward, one foot in front of the other. After reaching the nearby cave, I immediately sank to the ground.

“It's your time” I whispered.

Then in a snap, a familiar sensation began to ripple through my veins. My limbs trembled as the bones shifted and muscles reshaped. The world around me seemed to shrink. Fur sprouted from my skin, glistening in the moonlight, and bore the color of freshly fallen snow.

‘Rest, Florence’ Nasya gently urged me and I gave in to the darkness.*