Word Count: 2244

~Hunter

I shrug Emma's coat over my shoulders, stifling a yawn.

It's about an hour from dawn. I woke early in preparation for this escape. Everything is hinging on this plan, and although Emma's idea is a good one, I'm still nervous this isn't going to work.

If I get caught, I'm dead.

"I'm not going to miss you," Emma muses, watching me from where she sits up in her bed.

I laugh under my breath, buttoning the coat before I turn to face her. Her hair is wild with sleep and she has that grouchy sneer on her face that is common in my presence.

"Me neither," I respond, although I can't help but smile.

Emma can pretend like my existence has been the worst thing that has ever happened to her, but there is a part of her, deep inside, that cares about me. She can tell me this is only for Vinn, and maybe it is, but I like to believe there's more to it.

"As much as you've irritated me over the years, you deserve love. We all do," she muses, her tiredness evident in her voice.

"I agree." I stalk to the side of her bed, crouching down next to it. "Emma, you don't need Vinn. There is so much better out there for you if you want it..."

She presses her lips together, adjusting the covers on her lap. "We'll see."

I want to tell her about Kaan, about the love I never thought I could attain. If only she would wait for her mate, for someone who would love her to her core.

"If you get out of here, maybe I'll see you around," I say softly, giving her a nudge.

I've learnt that Emma cannot be coerced to anything. She can be encouraged, however, the final decision is always up to her.

"You might," she replies simply. "Now go. It's only a matter of time before they figure out you're missing."

I nod once, standing. She's right. It's time to go.

I don't say goodbye because it feels too final. I hope I will see her again, and once I am back safely in Kaan's Pack, I will make an effort to get her out.

Heading downstairs, I keep my steps silent. I make my way into the servants quarters. With most of them slumbering, it's safe, although I check around every corner just in case.

Ara, a maid I'm familiar with stands by the exit to the home, a hood pulled over her head, a cautious look in her eyes when she glances up at me.

"Are you ready?" she asks lowly, gently pressing the door open.

It's still dark out, but the sun will start to rise soon. It's preferred that the rubbish collection service comes earlier before anyone can see, and by now, they should be finished and ready to leave the property.

"As I'll ever be," I mumble.

"It's not going to be a pleasant trip," the maid states, leading me outside.

The rubbish cart is large and covered by a dark green cloth. The maid lifts the cloth back, revealing a stack of black bags filled to the brim. A foul smell spills out, making my nose curl up with disgust.

"Can't be any worse than living here. Trust me," I say, although I feel my stomach tense.

The smell doesn't matter. What matters is I'm getting out of here.

"Don't come back this time, alright?" Ara says lowly, giving me a sharp look. She's worked here since I was a child, and knows how I've been treated.

"There's a job for you in Alpha Kaan's manor if you want it," I offer.

"I might just take you up on that." She smiles, before ushering me toward the rubbish cart. "Now go!"

She holds the cloth back while I clamber inside. The bags are soft, at least, although I quickly realise holding my breath isn't going to work. Instead all I can do is stuff my nose into the fabric of my coat and hope I don't audibly gag.

Ara gives me one last wave before she drops the cloth, concealing me from view.

A few minutes pass before the cart shudders and starts off down the gravel driveway. It shakes and rolls, but I don't suspect this ride will be comfortable anyway.

As we go on, I hear the voices of guards milling about on patrol. Not one seems to notice the cart travel by.

Through a small gap in the cloth, I can see the sprawling manor I called home fall into the distance, lit by the moon, which is soon to be shadowed by the sun.

Soon enough, the cart draws to a suspected stop as it reaches the main gate.

The cart driver steps down, talking to the main guard. I sink deeper into the rubbish, holding my stomach which churns uncomfortably.

This is where everything can go wrong.

Boots crunch against gravel from either side of the cart as guards wander around it. All it takes is for one of them to flip the cloth back to reveal me.

"You can check it," one guard says teasingly to the other.

"Fuck off. No chance."

"It's your turn."

"I don't care. I'm not touching that, it looks disgusting," the guard states. He's standing right behind the cart now, practically inches away from me.

"Fine. Let it through."

My heart jumps into my throat. Was Emma right? Am I going to get my chance to get freedom? Am I going to see my mate again?

"Are you sure? What if something is in there?" the guard grumbles, sounding apprehensive. If he's wrong, his job is gone.

It's what they get, I suppose. They know what's going on in that estate, and they continue to work for my father despite it. I most definitely will not be offering them a job once I get out of here.

"Oh yeah, there's someone hiding in the rubbish. Good thought, idiot," the other guard states with a rough laugh.

The cart driver steps back on, just as the gate creaks open.

It's really happening.

Slowly, the cart passes through the gate. Through the gap in the cloth, I see glimpses of the guards as they turn their backs on us, facing the manor. The gate finally closes, and I let out a relieved breath.

The worst part is over.

For hours, the cart doesn't stop. It rattles on its way with no more stops, passing by other carts and pedestrians who pay it no mind, having no idea someone is smuggled within.

At some point I pass out from the smell of the rubbish. I'm only woken by the cart jolting to a stop, having reached its dumping point.

With my head spinning and my stomach twisted in knots, I crawl to the end of the cart, pulling back the cloth just enough to look outside.

There's a field, and just beyond that, a line of trees I need to get to without being seen.

Once I can hear the cart driver start up a conversation with the dump manager, I clamber out. My feet touch the dirt path and I make a break for it.

My vision swirls and swims, the world tipping over slightly as I struggle to overcome the hours of laying amongst rubbish. Regardless, I push through, sharp, stiff threads of long grass whipping against my legs as I run.

No one calls out for me. No one seems to notice. Despite the open field, everyone continues on their business like I matter nothing to them.

Once I reach the line of trees I dodge between a particularly thick trunk, pressing my back against it. My breathing is harsh, my lungs burning, but the forest has never smelt more glorious, and freedom has never been closer.

Uh oh.

Without warning, my stomach pitches and I lurch forward, throwing up all of my dinner from last night onto the forest floor. By the time I'm finished, my head is spinning more than ever, and I feel the dampness of sweat all over my body.

That wasn't pleasant, but it was worth it.

It doesn't take me long to find the inn Emma told me about. It's small, with accommodation being set atop a tavern that will only getting busier as dusk draws closer.

I step inside, seeing a woman standing on a stool, reaching up with a duster to get a web off the ceiling.

Had I not just spent the day in the back of a cart full of rubbish, I would find this place smell off, like dust and mould. Right now, it smell incredible, like comfort and a good night's rest.

"Can I get a room for the night?" I ask the woman, trying to smooth my hair down, aware that I look insane.

She turns to look down at me, her cheeks rosy and her eyes narrowed into slits. "Do you have money?"

"Oh...ah."

How could I have forgotten about money? I can't just walk into a place and expect to get something for free...I guess this means I'll be spending the night curled up behind this place, trying not to be killed off by exposure.

She steps down from the stool, propping her hands on her hips as she gives me a long look over. "Where did you come from?"

"Far away." I rub the back of my neck, feeling a sheen of sweat gathering there. "It's just one night, and I swear I'll have more money than you can count sent to you in a couple days."

"Is that right?" Her brow raises. She's probably heard that excuse plenty of times in her career. Little does she know, I actually really mean it.

"It is," I say meekly, shifting from foot to foot.

She sweeps down, picking up her stool before she walks over to a shabby old desk piled with guest logs.

"You look awfully familiar. You're the Alpha's daughter, aren't you?" She opens one of the floppy books, not looking up at me.

I freeze. "No...no I'm not."

"I hear what he does to his children," she says roughly, scratching where her hairline is slowly fading back from her forehead. "I understand why you're running away. I don't understand why you smell so bad, but I understand that."

I let out a long exhale, feeling sick with relief.

"You do?"

"Go upstairs, no one will bother you." She opens a drawer, digging around for a key to hand me. "Don't come down again. Your father's men dine in our downstairs establishment a lot."

"Thank you so much," I gush, taking the key from her.

I rush upstairs, thankful that she hasn't made me record any of my details down.

This place will more than suffice for the night. Hot water, perhaps some hot food. The wallpaper may be peeling off and the carpet may be curling upwards, but I'll take anything right now.

A man comes down the corridor. I bow my head, ready to brush past him to get to my room, which is right at the end, but he stops right before me, his large frame taking up too much space for me to slip past.

"What a shame," he states gruffly.

I look up at him. "What did you say?"

"It's a shame, that you smell so bad." He laughs in a disjointed, foreign way that makes my skin immediately crawl. "You have a very pretty face."

I blink a couple times, unsure of how to respond. I'm not sure where this stranger has come from, and why he has elected to speak to me right now, but I'm fairly certain he doesn't recognise me.

"I smell like this all the time," I state blandly.

He cocks his head to the side. "Coming down to the bar later?"
 
"Nope." I gesture down the hallway. "Let me pass."

"Come on. Talk to me." He steps closer, but I refuse to step back. He can get as close as he likes, but I'm not sticking around to talk to him. I've travelled far too long, and gotten far too close to seeing my mate again to let this bumbling idiot get in my way.

"I'm really not in the mood-"

He rubs his face, the scratchy sound of his sparse stumble causing irritation to gather under my skin. "I just want a moment of your time. I'm not done looking at you."

I've had enough.

Curling my fingers up into a fist, I draw my arm back before punching him straight in the nose.

There's not much strength in it. I am exhausted, and I threw up the last of my energy, but it's enough to have him stumbling back in shock.

"I wouldn't fuck with me today," I snap.

He smacks his back against the wall in an effort to avoid me as I barge past. Silent satisfaction curls in my stomach, filling the empty void left there as I see a scarlet line trickle from his nose.

He doesn't say a word, he just watches me as I unlock my door, and step inside, slamming it after me.

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