Erika's POV
I woke up when we passed a bumpy road. But I didn’t open my eyes. I knew Derek was beside me and I’d rather pretend to be asleep than face him.
I felt better after a nap. Now I was thinking about how to escape while keeping my breath steady.
It was all silent in the car. I pricked my ears and listened.
"Oh, shit!" I heard a man’s voice. He sounded angry but he had to keep his voice low. It must be the driver.
Suddenly, I tilted toward Derek and fell on his legs. It was a sharp turn. What was happening? But I still pretended to sleep. I hated to be so close to Derek, but I had a feeling that it was a perfect chance to escape.
The car stopped. The driver opened the door and got out.
"Wow. Mate, you sleep like a log." Derek helped me up and then he also got out.
As the door shut, I opened my eyes and looked around. I was the only one in the car and the engine was still running. Yes!
I peeped at the window. Derek and the driver both walked to an obviously drunk man. I guessed he might be the driver and he almost caused an accident.
But it was none of my business. I jumped into the driver’s seat and pushed the gas pedal. I just got my driver’s license last month and now it was of use.
Derek noticed it immediately. But I had driven away and was about to make a bend. I didn’t know where I was, so the plan was to make as many bends as I could. I saw from the mirror that Derek was making a phone call. He seemed very calm, as if nothing big had happened. But I swore this time he wouldn’t find me.
I knew another SUV was nearby. So after I made some bends, I stopped the car somewhere and dropped the key on the ground "by accident". I hid somewhere and watched. Soon a teenager with a cigarette between his teeth walked over. He glanced around and picked up the key thinking that nobody would notice it.
Good. Now the car was gone. I needed to hide somewhere. But I was penniless and all I had was my weapons.
I took off the gloves and put it in my pocket, revealing the scar on my face. But that was not enough. I looked at myself up and down and thought of a good idea.
I summoned a knife and cut my clothes short. Then I rolled on the ground to smear them and changed my smell. I messed my hair until there were knots. Then I sat on one side of the street, waiting for someone to give me something to eat.
The passers-by were all shocked by my scary look. Then they would look at me pitifully. They would give me all they had with them and some might feel bad because they didn’t take much with them.
I felt a little guilty for making advantage of their sympathy. But I had no choice because I got nothing. The night hadn’t come and I had to wait. Escaping at night was the safest way.
Where the fuck was this place? It was colder than my former pack. I just cut my clothes short and my naked ankle was shivering with coldness. Luckily, I got many things. I got food, water, and a blanket, enough for surviving this night.
I found myself the south of the Blood Moon Pack and not far from the border. I planned to head south at night. After several hours, I would get out of this fucking place and go into the forest. It was better to be a rogue than Derek’s mate.
I ate all the food that was given by passers-by. I wouldn’t bring food with me when escaping.
Suddenly, I heard a commotion ahead. I didn’t dare to walk ahead so I walked in the opposite direction. But I was stopped by a warrior. Among the crowds, I saw a tall man. It was Derek. Why was he here? I was alert immediately.
Hopefully, he couldn’t recognize me. He wouldn’t mistake a beggar for his mate.
"Alpha Derek is searching for a thief. She is mute and she’s around this place. Anyone who is able to speak can leave this place." It was the driver. Suddenly it became ear-splitting with everyone talking, except me.
I had my heart in my throat. I was in disguise now, but I couldn’t speak.
Derek’s gaze fell on me. I doubted if he recognized me. Should I pretend to pass out now?
He walked directly at me. With every step he made, my heart beat faster. God, what should I do now?
As he walked closer, I turned around, kicked the warriors to the ground, and rushed out of the crowds.
Run toward the south!
Strangely, only Derek was chasing me. The warriors didn’t run after me. Why was Derek so confident?
I sped up and ran as fast as I could. I made many bends and thought that I must have got rid of him. But when I turned around, he was still behind me. And it seemed that he wasn’t doing his best at all.
His confidence annoyed me. I shifted into wolf form and the rags that I was wearing turned into pieces. I growled and rushed. I felt that I had never run this fast all my life.
I turned around and discovered that Derek was still in human form, not even speeding up.
Ahead was a lake. No, I was not good at swimming. But there was no other way. I decided to shift into human form and jump into it.
I trembled as the water was icy cold and I was naked. Nothing could be seen in the dark. I was not sure where Derek was. I didn’t even know if I was swimming in the right direction because I couldn’t see the opposite bank.
Suddenly, I got a cramp on my leg!
I struggled to stay afloat, but I kept sinking and I was almost submerged.
Was I drowning? The fucking lake!