Astrid's POV.
With my fingers fidgeting, I kept pacing around the room with just one thought: why would Alpha Dane ask that they lock me up in the room?
One thing I knew was that there was no way I was going to expose his curse or secret. He must have felt so vulnerable hearing me ask him such questions.
“You really shouldn't have done so, Astrid!” I said to myself with a soft canard, my voice barely above a whisper at this point.
“But knowing his secret shouldn't have made him treat me badly, should it? I don't deserve such from him!” I noted as I tightened my fist.
Just then, I halted and stared at the door. I couldn't help but ponder one thing, and that was how I was going to escape from the pack.
I needed to leave and go somewhere to hide. I couldn't go back to Alpha Halfdan, but at least I could go back to my father and ask for his mercy.
He was my father, and I strongly believed that he was going to forgive me if I went on my knees.
“Yes, I can't stay here and be treated like trash! I am his mate, and he should have some respect for me! Now I see more reasons to hate him!” I let out, trying to convince myself that I wasn't falling for him.
There was no doubt that staying closer to Alpha Dane for a few more days would make me fall head over heels for him.
“I can't! It shouldn't happen!” I expressed as I shook my head before I took action.
Slowly, I walked over to the door and placed my ear on it. I was expecting to hear the soft chatters from the guards standing before the door, but as it seems, there was definitely no one before the door, giving me a high chance of doing what I had in mind: escaping.
Swiftly, I reached for the door handle, and slowly, I opened the door. I had my head thrust out of the room, and turning to both sides, I noticed that the hallway was empty.
“Where did everyone go?” I thought briefly before a mischievous smile curled up on my lips. I never knew that escaping from the pack's mansion was going to be this easy.
Without a second thought, I rushed out of the room and headed for the exit of the mansion. I made sure I stride with cautiousness so no one would see me. If they did, I was going back to my room and getting locked for real wasn't what I wanted.
Soon, I got to the main exit door, and taking a second glance at my back, I opened it and ran out of the house.
I was going to use the front gate to finally flee, but at this point, it was safer to use the left side gate. I had always looked through my window, and it was obvious that no one monitored that region.
With a nod, I ran in that direction. Getting closer to the gate, I was going to climb through it as I ran away, ignoring my position as the pack's Luna, but the second I held the gate and lifted my leg as it was placed on one of the poles, I was instantly halted in my tracks by a voice from behind me.
“Running off without saying hello?” The voice emitted, making me jerk immediately.
I turned to see who it was, but it wasn't one of the guards, and he looked like a man within my father's age bracket.
“Not running, just going to get something…!” I stuttered, trying to make him trust me.
“It really looks like you are trying to run away; tell me, is there something the Alpha has done to you? We, the pack elders, will always take your side.” He noted, and it was just then that I realised he was part of the pack's judgement team.
“An elder?” I shook as I bowed to him immediately. “I'm…” I was going to say, but just then, he took the words out of my lips.
“My Luna? I know you, Astrid Safiya,” he expressed, making my brows furrow.
“How did you know my name?” I inquired, looking confused for a second.
“You are our Luna; why won't I know you? I am Edmond, by the way...” He introduced himself, and without hesitation, I nodded my head.
The idea of escaping came back into my mind, and I didn't hesitate to force a smile on my lips.
“I'll be going now!” I said, excusing myself. It was clear I didn't know who he was.
I turned on my heels, and just as I was about to take a step towards the gate again, his statement stopped me right on track.
“Why don't you save the Alpha first before you plan on running?”
Instantly, I turned to him, concern carved across my face. “What do you mean by that?” I questioned with my focus on him as I waited for his response to my inquiry.
“You remember pushing Camilla, don't you? Well, you have to apologise to her on your knees, because we, the Red Moon pack members, don't like being labelled as a threat!” He disclosed bluntly.
He made me tighten my fist immediately at the sound of Camilla.
“Last I checked, she was the one who tried to harm me during her mating ceremony... I didn't do anything to her. She's lying!” I tried defending myself, but I guess Edmond wasn't going to listen to me.
From speaking to him for these few minutes, I noticed one thing: he was a cunning kind of old-timer.
“Like I said, Luna, if you don't, Alpha Dane will be in huge danger, and you won't like to be a trouble to your mate, would you?” The second he uttered this, I felt my heart skip a beat instantly.
I wasn't sure why I felt concerned or worried. I knew I didn't do anything to Camilla, but I feared Alpha Dane's position as the Pack's Alpha was threatened because of me.
“But I didn't do it!” I argued again.
“Even if you didn't, it's best you go on your knees to apologise to Camilla!”