Avenging Luna
Chapter 113: The Escape

Chapter 113: The Escape

Leila POV:

Back in my hospital room, I carefully tucked the bag beneath my bed, hiding it behind a curtain where no one would casually spot it. I’d packed everything essential: clothes for Ash, diapers, milk powder, bottles—anything we’d need once we were out of here. A few of my own clothes and the money I’d saved from Drake’s allowances were tucked into the side pockets. The plan had to be airtight; I couldn’t afford any mistakes.

Once the bag was secured, I took a steadying breath, straightening myself. I knew I couldn’t act suspiciously. I had to carry on as though nothing had changed, as if I was simply getting ready to move to the cottage Drake’s pack had set up for us.

Glancing around the room, I mentally went over every detail of the plan. It wouldn’t be long now. Tonight, Ash and I would be gone, and I’d take him somewhere he wouldn’t have to witness the twisted loyalty of a pack that had so easily turned against his mother.

I slipped into the NICU room where Ash was, my eyes instinctively finding Ash, who was cradled securely in Drake’s arms. Seeing them together should have been a comforting sight, but all it did was twist the hurt a little deeper. I’d planned to wait for Ash’s official discharge, but that sight steeled my resolve. The nurse had told me he was healthy enough now, his weight and height just where they needed to be. There was no reason to wait.

As soon as Drake noticed me standing in the doorway, his gaze flickered with something unreadable, maybe surprise or regret, but I quickly masked any emotion that might give him the satisfaction of knowing he still affected me. I wasn’t that broken Luna anymore—the one he’d walked away from, the one who had begged for his love. That woman was gone, replaced by a mother who would do anything to protect her son.

Drake’s expression softened for a moment as he looked down at Ash, gently rocking him as if he hadn’t shattered our bond beyond repair. I forced myself to stay calm, to stand tall. If he thought he’d see vulnerability or hesitation, he’d be disappointed. He would never know this was the last time he’d get to hold Ash, the last time he’d get to play at being a family.

So I crossed my arms, meeting his gaze with a calm that belied the storm inside me. Hold him well, Drake, I said, to myself It’s the last time you’ll get to.

I shifted my attention to Ash, giving him a gentle smile. Today, we were leaving this place, the lies, and every broken promise behind.

Drake," I said evenly, even though each word felt like walking barefoot on broken glass. "Hand him over. He needs to feed."

His eyes narrowed, reluctant, but after a pause, he gently transferred Ash into my arms, his fingers lingering for a moment too long. I looked down at my son, meeting his bright, trusting eyes, and I felt a surge of determination. My son deserved better than this.

Turning away, I left the room with Ash in my arms, willing my heartbeat to calm as I entered the feeding room. I settled into the chair, Ash nestled against me, and pressed a kiss to his tiny forehead. For his sake, I forced myself to breathe, to steel myself. Tonight, we would finally escape. I wasn’t going to wait any longer.

As night descended, I waited for the hospital to settle into its typical quiet. I kept a close ear on the distant voices of the staff, taking note of the patterns and waiting for the perfect moment to slip away. When all was quiet, I knew it was time.

I had requested to stay with my baby tonight since he was good and healthy not needed to stay at the NICU the nurse accepted my offer feeling sorry for me with all the rumors flying about.

Gently, I gathered my bag from where I’d stashed it earlier, checked the halls one last time, and pressed Ash to my chest. He was awake, his tiny, curious eyes peering up at me, but he stayed silent, as if sensing the tension in the air. I whispered soothing words, willing him to stay calm as we moved quietly through the hallways.

The exit loomed ahead, and I quickened my pace, hoping to reach the door before anyone noticed. But just as my fingers grazed the handle, a voice rang out behind me.

"Leila."

I froze, every nerve in my body flaring to life. I knew that voice. Slowly, I turned, schooling my expression into one of cool indifference as I met Nelly’s sharp gaze. She had been one of closest person I had in this pack and the last person I’d wanted to see tonight.

"Where are you going?" Her tone was low, controlled, but I could sense the suspicion simmering beneath the surface.

"I’m just taking Ash for a little fresh air," I lied smoothly, shifting him in my arms so he was shielded from her view.

Her eyes narrowed, flicking down to the bag over my shoulder. "With a fully packed bag in the middle of the night?"

Panic surged, but I kept my face calm. "He needed a few things. Babies have a lot of needs, you know."

But she didn’t move, and her stare remained unyielding. My grip tightened on Ash, my heart pounding. I couldn’t let her stop us. Not now.

"Nelly, you’ve already judged me enough," I said, summoning a steeliness to my voice. "Do you think I’d really hurt my own son? I’ve done enough penance for my mistakes."

Her jaw clenched, but finally, she stepped back, giving me just enough room to pass. The look she gave me as I walked by was filled with disappointment, but I pushed it from my mind.

The moment I reached the door, I slipped into the night, Ash secure in my arms. I didn’t look back. Every instinct in me screamed to run, to get as far from this place as possible. I clung to the shadows, moving swiftly and silently through the winding trails, adrenaline pounding through my veins.

As we neared the forest’s edge, I could feel the weight of our freedom hovering just out of reach, like a faint glimmer in the darkness. But then, distant howls echoed through the night—the unmistakable sound of wolves catching our scent.

My heart slammed in my chest as I broke into a run, clutching Ash tighter. The shadows of the trees enveloped us as we pushed deeper into the forest, the sounds of pursuit growing louder behind us. I could feel the pack closing in, the instinctive chase of wolves seeping into their minds, urging them to find us.

I stumbled over roots, branches clawing at my clothes and scratching my arms as I ran. Every step was a battle, but I refused to stop. I held Ash close, whispering to him to stay calm, praying he wouldn’t start crying and give us away.

Ahead, a narrow path opened up, barely visible in the dim light, and I took it, hoping it would give us a lead. But the howls were closer now, filling the forest with a haunting melody of threat and hunger. Desperation clawed at me as I pushed forward, ignoring the ache in my legs and the burning in my lungs.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in my path, blocking my way—a sentinel from the pack. His eyes gleamed in the dark, and he lowered himself, preparing to spring.

I turned sharply, dodging around him and sprinting in a new direction, but it was a mistake. The diversion had cost us time, and now I could hear the others gaining on us. I fought against the rising panic, forcing myself to focus on each step, each breath. I couldn’t let them take Ash from me. Thank the moon goddess I was an Alpha, I was also faster on foot than an average wolf even if they shifted.

My foot snagged on a root, and I stumbled, barely catching myself before I fell. But Ash let out a small whimper, and I knew they had heard him. The footsteps quickened, their breaths filling the air with a menacing rhythm.

A clearing opened up ahead, bathed in moonlight, and for a brief moment, I thought we’d made it. But then, I saw them—wolves circling the clearing, their eyes glowing with a predatory intensity. I stopped, holding Ash tighter, backing away as they closed in around us.

"Stay back!" I shouted, my voice trembling but defiant.

They didn’t move, their eyes fixed on me, waiting. I could feel the power of their alpha—the command to capture, to restrain. But I wouldn’t let them take us.

A sudden surge of rage rose within me, a primal force born of desperation and the instinct to protect my child. I could feel my own wolf stir, struggling to break free, to defend Ash with everything I had. I let out a growl, the sound reverberating through the air, a warning to anyone who dared come closer.

For a moment, they hesitated, taken aback by the intensity of my resolve. And in that instant, I seized the opportunity, darting through a gap in their formation, Ash clutched against my chest.

We plunged back into the darkness of the trees, the wolves close behind. My heart pounded with renewed determination as I pushed forward, ignoring the searing pain in my limbs, the fear clawing at my mind. Ash was my only focus—keeping him safe, getting him as far from them as possible.

Suddenly, a flash of light appeared in the distance—a road, a glimmer of civilization. Summoning every last ounce of strength, I raced toward it, feeling the wolves closing in behind us, their snarls filling the night air.

I stumbled onto the road, the lights blinding after the darkness of the forest. A car was approaching, and I threw myself into its path, waving my arms desperately.

The driver slammed on the brakes, the car screeching to a halt just inches from us. The door opened, and a woman stepped out, her eyes wide with shock as she took in the sight of me, disheveled and desperate, clutching Ash.

"Please," I begged, my voice hoarse. "Help us."

She hesitated, glancing back toward the forest where the wolves were hidden in the shadows, watching us. Then, with a nod, she opened the back door, and I scrambled inside, holding Ash close as we sped away.

I looked back through the window, watching as the wolves disappeared into the darkness, their eyes gleaming with unspoken promises of vengeance and fear of what to tell their Alpha drake, but they couldn’t expose themselves for this woman was a human I smelled her and I think they did too. But I didn’t care. We were free.

As the car sped down the road, I held Ash close, feeling the weight of what we’d just escaped. I didn’t know where we would go, or what the future held, but I knew one thing: I would protect my son with every breath in my body. No pack, no betrayal, no twisted loyalty would ever come between us again.