She looked around the streets like an animal hunted by a predator. No one was chasing her. No guards, no spies, no black van waiting to grab her.
This was her chance. Maybe the goddess was helping her, giving her a way to be free.
She could run far away, to another place where no one knew her name or her past. She could start over, live a new life, and maybe one day, come back for her family.
With that hope burning inside her, she turned and rushed toward the bus stop at the end of the street. There were free buses going to nearby towns. If she got on one now, she could go home first, grab a few things, and see her mother, just one last time.
Her steps got faster. Her breathing got short. The world around her felt big and full of new dreams of a better life, somewhere far away.
But when she reached the bus station and saw the people waiting calmly, a cold feeling stabbed her chest. A heavy doubt filled her heart.
What if it's a trick? What if Edward wanted her to run, just so he could catch her and punish her even worse?
What if this was a cruel game, letting her feel hope for a second, only to lock her back in the dark cell?
Her stomach twisted. Her feet froze. She stared at the bus. The doors opened. People got on with happy smiles. But her body refused to move.
No. I can't do it. It's too risky. The picture of the cold, dark cell filled her mind. The smell of sweat, the wet walls, the silence, the fear, the deep loneliness.
She hugged herself tightly and quickly turned away from the station. She would go back to Edward's house. She remembered the address clearly. It was far, but she didn't care. She had no money for a taxi. Her tired feet would have to carry her.
The road seemed endless. Her slippers dragged against the ground. Dust covered her legs. Her stomach growled with hunger. Her arms hurt from the cold nights in the cell.
As she walked under the hot, burning sun, she made a quiet decision. No more fighting. No more anger.
She'll do what they say. She'll keep my head down. She won't make anyone mad again. Not Edward. Not his friends. Not even Mabel. She just wants peace. She just wants to stay out of that cell.
Her heart felt heavy with sadness. Her wolf inside was too quiet. She must be just as tired as she was.
She felt sorry for her wolf. Since she came to Edward's house, she had only let her wolf out once, and that was when she broke down.
Poor wolf, she thought. She must miss running free, feeling the wind in her fur, feeling the ground under her strong paws.
"I'll free you soon," she whispered softly.
Her wolf stirred inside, hearing her promise.
After walking for what felt like forever, Lucille finally reached the tall, beautiful mansion. Edward's house.
How ironic it was, thst she lived in such a grand, beautiful place, yet her life was ugly and full of pain. This was her home now. A home full of chains, but still, it was better than the cold, dark cell.
She knocked weakly on the gate, and a guard peeked out, saw her, and slowly came to open the gate.
She dragged her tired feet across the gravel driveway. Her head was down, her shoulders were drooping, her clothes were wrinkled and dirty with dust, and her hair was messy, full of dust too. Even her feet were white from the thick dust sticking to her skin.
High up, inside one of the sitting rooms. Edward stood by the window, watching her, and his eyebrows pulled together in a deep frown. She's back?
He leaned closer, staring hard.The wardens didn't bring her back? They let her walk home alone? What if she had escaped?
His frown deepened, as a thought crept in. She had a chance to run away, but she came back?
Then he looked closer at her. The way she walked, slow and shaky, like every step hurt. Her back was bent from tiredness. Her face was pale. She looked so fragile, like a small bird with broken wings.
Something moved in Edward's chest. Was it pity?
No. He didn't allow himself to feel that anymore. Not for her. Once, she had been his mate. Now, she was just his property. That was the law.
He stepped away from the window quickly and let the heavy curtain fall down. He dropped onto a sofa, his forehead wrinkled with deep thoughts.
His mind felt restless. Sharply, he turned and rang a bell. Not long after, a male servant came into the room.
"Send Georgina here," Edward ordered.
"Yes, Sir," the servant bowed and left.
A few moments later, Georgina, the head of the servants, walked in.
Lucille stepped into the mansion. No one stopped her to welcome her, no one even looked at her, but she didn't care. Afterall, they had been warned to stay away from her.
She climbed the stairs slowly, one shaky step at a time, until she reached the small room that was given to her. She opened the door and walked inside.
A soft, homely breeze touched her skin. She looked around. The room was just the way she had left it. Without taking off her clothes, without washing her face or feet, she fell onto the bed, too tired to move.
The mattress felt soft and welcoming, making her body relax at once. Her arms hurt, her back ached, but for the first time in two days, she felt a little warm and safe.
As soon as her body touched the bed, her eyes closed, and she fell into a deep, heavy sleep.
Hours later,
She woke up, slowly sat up, and yawned carelessly. The soft evening light came through the window, covering the floor in a golden glow.
Then her eyes landed on the table, and a small frown appeared on her face.
There was a tray on the table, covered with a lid.
She sat up straighter, confused. Food was never kept in her room, not unless Ophelia sneaked some in for her. Most times, even to eat scraps, she had to go to the kitchen herself.
She got out of bed, walked to the table, and lifted the lid. In shock, she dropped it.The lid rolled off the table and hit the floor with a loud clatter.
She quickly bent down, picked it up, and held it carefully like it was hot. She turned it around, checking if it was scratched. A little relief filled her heart when she saw no damage.
Gently this time, she placed the lid back on the table. Her eyes stayed glued to the food on the tray.
There was a full meal: White rice, neatly cooked and sprinkled with tiny herbs. Next to it, golden-fried chicken legs, crispy and still steaming. A bowl of thick vegetable soup sat beside it, with slices of carrots, cabbage, and mushrooms floating inside. A tall bottle of cold fruit juice stood by the tray.
It looked too good, too delicious, to be meant for her. Maybe it was sent by mistake? But no. She had been asleep when they brought it, and whoever brought it must have seen that it was her, Lucille, the omega girl under servitude.
Or maybe it was Ophelia, the only one who sometimes sneaked food for her.
"No," she whispered and shook her head.
It couldn't be Ophelia. If it was her, she would have hidden the food under the bed like always, not left it out in the open.
Lucille stared at the food, fear filling her chest. Was it poisoned?
She bent closer and sniffed the soup. It smelled of fresh garlic and soft spices. No strange smell. Nothing odd.
She looked at the rice carefully, searching for any strange color, but found none. She picked up the spoon, gently moved the rice around, checking again. Still nothing strange.
Then she tore a small piece of chicken and sniffed it deeply. All she smelt was the rich, mouth-watering aroma of spices. Her stomach growled loudly, reminding her that she hadn't eaten anything good for two days.
With trembling fingers, she pulled out the chair and sat down. She picked up the spoon, her hands shaking slightly. Even if the food was poisoned, she thought, she wouldn't die hungry.
At first, she ate slowly, then faster, like the food might disappear if she didn't eat quickly.The flavors filled her mouth, delicious and warm, making her shovel more food into her mouth at once.
She was almost done when her hand stopped. Something strange was happening inside her stomach. A painless twist, but a sudden, odd warmth, like heat began to rise from deep inside her.
Her eyes widened in fear. The spoon slipped from her hand, clattering onto the tray. She touched her lips. Her throat felt dry and hot.
The twist turned into a sharp pain. Her heart pounded fast and loud.
The food must have been poisoned.