The Lycan king-Chapter 37
*Leonora*
I raced out of the room, not looking back. I noticed the staff around looking at me weirdly. I didn’t expect less from them as I’ve been locked up in Jax’s room and the only times they’ve seen me was when I went to get food for us. I didn’t care that they were whispering about me, saying things that most likely weren’t true. All I cared was that I was with Bethany and Shirley. The only people that cared about me. Cared about my safety.
I ran as my feet could carry me but it wasn’t fast enough, my wolf was hurt and my heart was heavy. This was why I rid myself of any emotion. This was why I wanted to be alone. This was why I didn’t want to come back.
As I entered into the staff quarters, everywhere fell silent. Then the whispers began. I quickly walked to my room and found Bethany laying on her bed. "Beth!" I called and she sat up. "You’re right! Jax wants me gone. He said he doesn’t want me and if I stay with him, we would work out me being his mistress. I was so stupid to think- " Bethany pulled me in for a hug and I kept quiet. She rubbed my back, comforting me and I held myself back from crying.
Bethany was the only person I trusted with my life. She’s the only one who made me feel like I was something. There’s no way I would ever want to lose her.
"Nora, you’re not stupid. You’re hurt and Jax is a monster." Bethany said as I sat down beside her. She let go of me and looked at me. "Shirley said that the safest place for you is The Cave."
"But The Cave doesn’t exist." I said and she shook her head. The Cave was a rumor we used to hear around the pack. It was a place where all exiled lycans used to go to seek sanctuary. Noah and I tried looking for it but we were attacked by rouge wolves. After that experience, I didn’t want to be associated with wolves so I left.
"It exists. Shirley knows a way." Bethany said as she got up from the bed. She took my hand pulled me towards Shirley’s room. "If you start now, you can easily make it there before it gets dark." I hated that I was running again. It was just like how it was a few years ago. Then, I was exiled. Now, I was a target. Bethany knocked on the door and Shirley opened it, she looked around before ushering us in.
"How are you? I’m really sorry for all that you’ve been going through." She said as she gave me a hug. "Bethany told me everything and I had to ask my husband for the directions to The Cave. Only a handful of people know about it."
"Thank you. Thank you very much." I thanked her. There was nothing else I could say. If it were someone else, it would have been different. They would have advised me to stay and be Jax’s mistress. They would have told me to be happy that the king took an interest in me. They would have told me that I wasn’t worthy enough to be Jax’s queen and I should be happy that he wants me as his mistress. Because no one ever refuses a king. A King was the epitome of power. He decides who lives and who dies.
What Jax didn’t know was that he was just a pawn in Claire’s game. Her obsession with Jax wasn’t about her love for him. It was more about her love for power. She flexed it whenever she felt it was necessary. She knew that as long as she played her part well, Jax wouldn’t question her. Jax wouldn’t ever suspect that she was a two-edged sword. That she was just a caricature.
"Jax wants Claire to bee his mate. Whether I leave or not, that’s his decision. I just want you to promise me that you’ll resist. I’ve done my part and now it’s your turn. If you ever need me, you can always send for me." I explained to them and they both nodded. Shirley began to recite all that her husband had told her. I made sure to cram everything into my head. I wasn’t going to let Jax take my life. Especially after he had used me.
But it was all my fault. I wanted him to kiss me. He warned me. He warned me that there would be no going back and I accepted. It was my fault. I should have just left with Bethany when I had the chance. I didn’t know why I trusted Jax so much. For someone who had put me through hell.
After memorizing the direction, I waited until it started getting dark. I knew if I left during the day, Jax and his minions would have found me. They would gather me up and take me to the one place that I loathed. Jax’s mansion. They wouldn’t listen. They wouldn’t care. They would understand that I’m jut trying to survive in this pack and my survival depends on me finding my way out of this pack and to The Cave.
They wouldn’t even understand that their own survival depends on Jax not mating with Claire. They wouldn’t understand. They don’t even know half of the things going on in this pack. They’re too loyal. In a way, it was a good thing but it was also a bad thing.
"Leonora!" I heard Jax call my name. What was he doing in the staff quarters? Shirley ushered me to the back door.
"We’ll have to pass through-"
I interrupted Bethany. "NO! Stay here. I’m not getting you dragged into this. I promise, I’ll come back for you or you can come and join me there but for now, just stay here. Please." I begged her and she nodded before taking a step back. I walked out the house and closed the door behind me.
It was finally time.
