Beta's Runaway Bride: 1 - Xiomara

I may be the daughter of an Alpha but I am no one’s sold bride.

The second my Papa told me he'll be giving me to the Alpha in the East, I knew my life would no

longer be mine. I started planning my escape; saving money and knowing the only open window

will be when I get taken to be paraded in front of the Alpha.

I didn't have a choice in this; I would never have a choice of my own again. I'll belong to one of his

men and there was nothing I could do about it because it's “for the good of the pack.’

Does my Papa take me for a fool? I can't let this happen, I would rather die, and live as a homeless

wench than be someone's little toy. He should have known better since I have my Mama's

rebelliousness. The Herrera fire lives on in me even if he tried to train me to be gentle.

Now here I am, hiding in a dingy motel with the hope that the Alpha doesn't send anyone after me.

Not that I think he will; I'm sure he has plenty of other brides he can choose from. I'll give it about a

week or two, then I'll leave this town and take a flight out of this country. I'll survive on my own. I

don't need anyone else.

But it will be better that way.

Sighing, 1 get up from my bed and walk over to the kitchen to make myself some camomile tea; it's

nearly dark out and that means I need to head to get supplies for another day. I find it easier to buy

what I need daily than stocking up because I might have to leave at a moment's notice.

I've made sure to remain inconspicuous, so people leave me alone. Just a few more days of this. I

repeat the mantra over and over as if it's a prayer; a few more days to freedom, Zara. A few more

days to happiness.

At eight, I throw on my hoodie and elongate my claws for safety before heading out to the 24-hour

mini-mart. I'll need two meals for tomorrow, three bottles of water, and another hoodie, since this

one I've worn this one for too long. It might attract the wrong kind of people.

But as I stepped out of the motel and got closer to the mini-mart, I knew I should have changed

hoodies sooner.

The wolfsbane bomb hits the wall next to me, and I inhale without thinking. I drop to the floor in a

coughing fit and the feeling of being surrounded causes my heart to constrict. What the hell is

happening?!

"You were right, Alec; she came like clockwork,” one of them says in a muffled voice, and I feel a kick

to my side, winding me. They laugh and someone picks me up, holding my hands behind my back

and dragging me to a darkened corner.

iMierda! I messed up! How am I going to get out of this if I can't even move?! My heart is beating

so fast that I can hear it echoing loudly in my ears; I can't even call out to Yingze for help.

The one holding me pulls me to my feet and when I look up to face them, they pull off their gas

masks. My heart drops to my stomach then I see him lick his lips and smell the desire in his scent.