Chapter One

Dera's POV

I stared at the bucket of water in front of me, gripping the mop tightly in my hands. My heart beat faster as I thought about the plan.

Today was the day. The day I would finally escape. For five long years, I had endured this nightmare of a marriage. Five years of pain, humiliation, and abuse. But tonight, if the moon goddess willed it, I would be free.

Amara and I had spent weeks planning. Everything was in place. Isaac would be distracted with guests from the neighboring pack, giving me the time I needed to leave the Bloodvalley pack.

“No one would suspect I would try to escape after enduring everything for so long.”

I had to be careful. If he or anyone else found out, I would not live to see another day.

“We have to make it out of this shit hole, Dera,” Tia, my wolf, said softly in my mind.

“This is our only chance.”

“I know, Tia,” I whispered under my breath.

“I won’t fail us.”

Before I could think more about the plan, I heard Isaac’s mean voice bellowing from outside the room.

“Dera! Where are you, you useless woman?”

My body tensed. I dropped the mop and hurried toward the meeting room. I knew better than to keep him waiting.

When I entered, Isaac was standing by the window, his back to me. As soon as he turned around and walked to me, his hand came crashing across my face. The force of the slap sent me sprawling onto the floor. Pain exploded across my cheek, and tears formed in my eyes.

“You dare to keep me waiting?” he snarled. “You’re as stupid as you are worthless!”

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, keeping my gaze fixed on the floor.

He towered over me, his eyes burning with anger. “Get up!” he barked.

“We have guests arriving within the hour. Go and dress yourself properly. Wear the white dress I bought for you. If you embarrass me or make me repeat myself, you’ll regret it.”

“Yes, Alpha,” I mumbled, wiping my tears as I got to my feet. This was the life I was subjected to daily.

I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me.

“Wait.”

Before I could react, he grabbed my arm and yanked me toward his room. My stomach churned as I realized what he wanted.

“Please,” I whispered, my voice trembling.

“Not now.”

He laughed, the sound cold and cruel.

“You don’t get to tell me no, Dera.”

He flung open the door in one quick movement and threw me onto the bed, tearing at my clothes with no regard for my discomfort. My body stiffened, and tears streamed down my face as he forced himself on me. It was always like this—rough, painful, and humiliating.

He had taken my virginity on our wedding night, ignoring my cries and pleas for mercy. Since then, sex had become another form of punishment, another way for him to assert his control over me.

Tia growled in my mind, her voice filled with fury. “One day, he will pay for this. I promise you, Dera. He will suffer.”

“I just want it to end,” I replied silently, choking back a sob as my eyes came close and I waited for Isaac to finish abusing my body.

It was minutes before he was done. When he slipped out of me, I was crying tears of relief. He shoved me off the bed.

“Get dressed,” he ordered, his voice void of emotion. “The guests will be here soon.”

I nodded, not daring to look at him as I pulled my torn clothes back on. My body ached, and my spirit felt shattered, but I couldn’t let him see my pain. The plan was still in place.

As I walked out of the room, Tia spoke again. “You’re stronger than the bastard knows.”

Her words gave me a sliver of hope. Tonight, everything will change. Tonight, I will leave this life behind and never look back.

In the privacy of my small, dark room, I allowed myself a moment to breathe. The white dress Isaac had demanded I wear lay on the bed, a stark contrast to the dingy surroundings. I stared at it, my stomach churning. It was beautiful, but I hated it. Every thread reminded me of the control he had over my life.

I touched my cheek where he had slapped me earlier, wincing at the pain. I could still feel his rough hands on me, his voice echoing in my mind. The humiliation of it all made me want to scream.

“Why do we let him treat us this way?” Tia asked, her voice sharp with anger.

“You know why,” I whispered.

“He’s stronger. He’s cruel. If I resist, it’ll be worse.”

“That’s why we’re leaving, she said firmly. You’re not weak, Dera. You’ve endured so much. But this is not living.”

Her words brought fresh tears to my eyes, but I quickly wiped them away. I couldn’t afford to break down now. I had to stay strong, at least until I was far away from here.

I picked up the dress and slipped it on, hating the way it clung to my body. Isaac always wanted me to look perfect, like some kind of trophy, but I didn’t feel perfect. I felt broken.

The mirror on the wall reflected a woman I barely recognized. My face was pale, my eyes dull. The spark I once had was gone, snuffed out by years of torment. But I knew there was still a part of me that was the hot-headed little girl I'd been.

“You’re still in there, Tia said softly. And tonight, we’ll find you again.”

A knock on the door startled me, and I quickly composed myself.

“Dera,” Isaac’s voice called out.

“Hurry up. Our guests are almost here.”

“I’m coming,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

I smoothed the dress one last time and stepped out of the room.  As I walked toward the front hall, I mentally went over the plan again. Amara would be waiting by the east gate with supplies. Once Isaac was occupied, I would slip away and meet her.

The thought of freedom gave me a glimmer of hope, but it was quickly overshadowed by fear. What if something went wrong? What if Isaac caught me?

“He won’t,” Tia assured me. “We’ll make it.”

Isaac was waiting for me at the entrance, his expression cold and impatient. He barely glanced at me before turning his attention to the approaching guests.

“Remember,” he said under his breath, “don’t embarrass me.”

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. The guests arrived moments later, their laughter and chatter filling the air. I stood silently by Isaac’s side, my hands clasped in front of me.