~JADE~

I look around the large, empty meeting room as the supposed pack Alpha and one of the men who found and brought me here whisper to each other. I can barely pick up what they're saying, but I think I heard a few words that don't sit well with me. Perhaps I heard them wrong.

"What pack did you say you're from, again?" The Alpha asked, and I immediately cast my gaze back to him.

"Blackwood Pack," I responded with haste.

The Alpha shares a look with the second man; I don't know if he is the Beta or a guard. "That's a long way from here." The man mutters, to which the Alpha nods in agreement.

"Yes, I know, but I promise I mean no trouble. I just want a place to stay until I deliver my baby, and I'll be out of your hair before you know it, please." I begged, repeating what I said when the patrol guards found me outside their pack territory.

I'd been wandering the woods for the past seven months, running away from rogues and everything that tries to kill me, fighting when I can and hiding when I need to. Levana informed me that I could give birth any day now, and I feared what would happen if I fell into labour while trying to hide or run from rogue wolves.

Shifting into my wolf while I am this heavy isn't an option anymore; I stopped shifting right after my pregnancy hit the seven-month mark, and I have barely survived the dangers of being alone in those woods without the speed of my wolf and her fighting skills.

"Why did you leave your pack? You smell like you were once mated. I can still perceive the remnant of your Alpha's pheromones on you." The weird Alpha pointed out, and I nodded like I was not about to lie to him.

"I..." I pause, taking in a deep sigh as I let tears cloud my eyes, "I caught him cheating on me, and things got bad afterwards. I was willing to forgive and let it go because he was my mate, but then his sidepiece tried to kill my baby. My mate didn't believe me when I told him about it, so I ran because I couldn't stay one more day in that pack, knowing my life and the life of my baby were at risk, and I couldn't even count on my mate to protect us."

I wipe at the streak of tears flowing down my cheek and sniff. "Sorry, it's a touchy subject, and I get emotional easily."

"Pregnancy hormones, I've heard that happens." The man beside the Alpha murmurs, smiling like he just offered a solution to the world's biggest problem.

Of course, pregnancy hormones had to be the only reason why I would cry. It couldn't have had anything to do with the sob story I just told them. Even though I tweaked the truth and told them the opposite version of what happened, it doesn't change the fact that my mate,e who should've protected me, was the same person who banished me from the only family I know.

I can't tell them the truth because then they will know that I am defective, that I was banished for infidelity, and I know the minute they find out, they'll throw me out of their pack like vermin. I've tried that a few times, and it's always been the same result. This pack is my last resort before giving up, and if I have to lie to keep myself and my child safe, then who cares? I am glad I found the scarf wrapped around my neck in the woods when I did because, without it, I wouldn't have been able to conceal my brand.

"We usually don't take in strays." The Alpha comments, and my heart plummets to the pit of my stomach.

"I promise I won't be a problem for you, please. I'll look for my meals and help around the pack house. I just don't want to have my child out there in the woods, please." I struggle to shift off the chair, helplessly trying to kneel and beg to get my point across. Out there, it isn't safe, not when I could pop my pup any day.

The Alpha sighs, shaking his head while watching me struggle. "You didn't hear the rest; we don't usually take in strays, but you're in no condition to be left alone. It's dangerous, and you need a strong figure to protect you. A pregnant woman like you, beautiful as you are, needs a man." I try to ignore the objective part of his sentence despite how uncomfortable it makes me feel. He's just being nice; it doesn't have to mean anything.

"We have midwives in the pack. Gillian can show you the small cabin behind the pack house. I can't let you stay in the pack house until I know you won't be a problem for my people and our ways." His face contorted in a frown, and I shoved the suspicious thoughts to the back of my mind again.

What does he mean by our ways? I had shaken off the strange feeling when the patrol guards led me through the pack. There was something odd about how quiet and lonely the pack settlement was. I hadn't seen one person, a child, or even any female pack members until we walked by what I assumed was their pack house, and I saw two ladies, both with their heads cast down as they walked inside. I might be wrong, but I could swear I heard the sounds of shackles while they walked. Although I didn't see their feet since the garments they wore dragged behind them.

"No need to worry. You can use the cabin, and please stay for as long as needed. I'll have one of the maidens bring you a few clothes, food, and water. Rest for tonight, and please do not wander around the pack. We have strict rules, and loitering isn't allowed. Tomorrow, I will have one of my mistresses visit you. She will take you to the midwives, my assigned mistress will stay with you for a week, and we'll see if you're good enough to be invited to the pack house." He explains, and I nod stiffly while trying aimlessly to disregard all the warning signs in his words.

'We need to be careful. Something isn't right about them.' Levana says, and I couldn't agree more.

'It's strange what he's saying. I'll be careful.'

I know there are different packs with different rules and how they run things, but this is weird. It's almost creepy, but beggars can't be choosers, and I don't have many options, so I need to do what I have as long as they try anything funny with me.

"Thank you for your kindness; I genuinely appreciate you doing this for me. Thank you." I quickly mutter so I won't come off as ungrateful and because I don't want him to see the gears grinding in my head.

"No need for that. I believe everything in life happens for a reason. I am sure the spirits led you to our community for a reason, and it would be unruly of me to turn you away. Please." He walks over to me, reaching out his hand to help me up, and I take his hand with dread in my guts.

"Gillian, please show the beautiful maiden to the cabin." The Alpha smiles at his beta, whoever this Gillian man is, but I didn't miss how the corner of his upper lip quirked.

'Be alert, try and see what you can steal. We might need to leave immediately after the pup is delivered.'

Levana warned, and I grunted in response.

She doesn't need to tell me twice. Having the Alpha this close to me already makes my skin crawl, and I swear this Gillian man keeps giving me weird sideways glances as he leads me out of the large, empty meeting room.

~JADE~

Levana had been right; something was wrong with this pack, and whatever it was, I didn't plan on sticking around to find out.

Despite how I tried to convince myself to shake off the uneasiness this pack gave me, I couldn't. I was on high alert from the minute I stepped into the cabin. Gillian, the weird beta, had lingered for longer than he should have, and that spooked me beyond reasoning.

Even after he left, I couldn't shake off his creepy stare and that crooked, barely existing smile he had on his face as he blatantly stared at me like I wasn't aware of his eyes on me.

I had contemplated taking my bath once I was alone, but the thought of making myself vulnerable and unalert, if anything were to happen, made me decide against bathing. Even as I sat on the squeaky bed, I was restless. I couldn't sit still, so I walked around the cabin. It was then that I realised that the cabin window was bolted shut.

Why would they do that? What was the purpose of the cabin being behind the pack house? Overall, it looked more like a cage than a cosy space. Luckily, I found a back door that wasn't locked for some reason. Did they know? I wasn't sure, but I had so many questions, so many questions I couldn't ask because then they would know of my suspicions, and if there was anything weird going on here, I would lose my chances of escaping.

But instead of sitting idle and waiting for the worst to happen, I searched the cabin for anything useful. There's a high chance I could be attacked when I finally fall asleep, and being pregnant already puts me at a disadvantage, so I needed something that could do damage to my attacker. Even if the pack weren't involved in any bizarre activities, the way that Gillian man was staring at me was enough warning bells that he could try something. I was unmated and unspoken for, definitely the perfect victim for him.

All my doubts manifested when the maiden assigned to bring me food and a change of clothes came. I noticed the apprehension in her steps and how her hands shook when she placed the food tray on the floor. It struck me odd that this cabin, whatever its purpose was, didn't even have a half-decent table. It didn't even have a kitchen space. How odd was that?

I followed her when she turned to leave without saying a word, and that was when I noticed the two men standing outside the cabin as she opened the front door. I also noted that they didn't leave her in that split second. Despite how hungry I was, to be sincere, it's been ages since I ate any decent food, but no matter how sweet the aroma from the tray was, I didn't try to open it or even take a bite. Chances were, the food was poisoned.

Then she returned with a few clothes, this time, but she didn't leave immediately as I had expected. Instead, she sat on the tiny cabin floor and motioned for me to do the same. Without saying a word, she opened the plates and gestured that I should eat.

I was famished beyond reasoning, yet I shook my head. Perhaps she knew my fears because she took the initiative to bite into the food and then smiled. I took that as an indication that the food wasn't exactly poisoned, so I sat down and ate. The food tasted fine, or maybe it tasted that way because this was my first time having an actual meal in seven months.

The peaceful ambience of me eating in silence shifted when I went to grab the meat, and the young lady shook her head so fast I feared it would fall off her neck. She grabbed the plate, taking it off the tray as she kept shaking her head.

"Is something wrong?" My brows furrowed, and alarms went off in my head. What if they truly poisoned the food, and I had foolishly fallen for her pretence that it was safe to eat?

Instead of answering me, her head whipped towards the door in a rush, and then she turned back to face me, bringing her fingers to her lips as she motioned for me to stay quiet. I glanced behind her, wanting to see if those men who stood outside had entered the cabin, and somehow, I didn't notice, but no one was behind her.

"I..." she shook her head fast as I tried to speak again, and her eyes shone with something I could only interpret as fear.

Then she opened her mouth, her lips moved, but no sound came out. I wasn't sure what was happening until I focused on her lips and realised what she was doing. "Can you read my lips?" I didn't hear the sound, but I sure as hell knew what she just asked.

Surprised, I gave a hurried nod as she breathed a breath of relief. "Don't eat the meat." I had to pay extra attention to her mouth to catch every movement and determine the words.

I knew without a doubt that talking out loud was out of the question, so I did the same thing, speaking without a sound. "Why?" I asked.

"Not safe. Not meat." That was all I got from the movements of her lips, but what did she mean by that? How is the meat in the bowl not meat?

"How?"

She stared at me for a few seconds without a response. "Human." That was all she said, and my mind blanched for a moment, then my stomach sank, and my eyes widened as I realised what she meant.

Was that human meat on that plate? Jesus Christ! What the fuck! What the hell have I gotten myself into?

Oh crap.

I scrambled off the floor, not caring if I made noise. Everything I ate from that tray threatened to roll up my throat, but I was slightly grateful that I didn't eat anything close to meat.

"I'm not safe here, am I?" That was obvious; did I even need to ask? It all made sense now, the creepy eyes of that beta. Gillian, he wasn't checking me out like that because he wanted to rape me. No, he was checking out his next meal.

"No," she replied, then paused. She seemed hesitant as she mouthed the following sentence. "But I want to help you escape."

I couldn't hide my shock, "Really?" She nodded at my question. "Why?" She didn't need to mouth the following words because her eyes travelled down to my stomach, and a sad smile crossed her face.

I wanted to ask her what had happened to her and why she was still here if she disagreed with what was happening in the pack. Was she born here? Was she taken against her will and forced to join their cult? Because gods know this isn't a werewolf pack; this is a cult and a werewolf cult that eats humans and werewolves alike. What sort of monstrosity is that?

"We don't have much time." She mouthed, and I nodded.

Say less because there's no way in hell I am staying here another hour knowing damn well that I'd probably become the new meat on the menu for tomorrow, and my baby? The gods forbid.

"Take this." She shoved the clothes she'd somehow tied together into my hands, and she pointed towards the back door.

"What about you?" I mouthed as we tiptoed towards the back door, but the floor squeaked with every movement.

"I'll distract them. You need to leave. Run south, don't look back, just keep running."

I am pregnant; how much running does she think I can do in this state? Still, I didn't argue. I nodded obediently because I would run whether I liked it or not. I had to run because it was either that or my baby, and I would end up as their special meal tomorrow.

Once we reached the door, I moved to open it, but she stopped me, pressing one finger to her lips, then pointing back toward the front door. Of course, they're still there, and they'll probably hear the door latch open.

"Bathroom. I'll start the shower, open the door and leave when the water starts running." She paused to think for a minute. "I'll grab the empty plates and leave. I'll distract the guards outside; tell them you're keeping the rest of the meat."

My stomach churned with disgust as she mouthed the words. "Stay clear of the footpaths, and once you're in the woods, run."

I nodded hurriedly at her instructions. Despite all the questions I wanted to ask her, I shovedthemt all aside and asked the most important one. "What's your name?" I mouthed.

She seemed stunned by my question at first, but answered nonetheless. "Clara."

Clara turned, and I grabbed her arm before she could walk away. "Thank you, Clara." I mouthed because I'd never be able to repay her for this, and being grateful was all I could offer.

I just hope I make it out of here alive because if this plan backfires or it turns out to be one of the tests the Alpha mentioned, I probably won't live to tell the story.