After days of begging Carina, she finally agreed to help me. I knew this was dangerous and if we got caught, I didn't know what our fate would be but I wanted to run away. As Carina led me through the hidden corridors, my heart beat faster.
Even as she led me through the quiet corridors, keeping to the edges of the fortress where fewer wolves passed,my heart beat faster.
Escaping wasn't just dangerous. It seemed impossible. When Carina had looked at me she walked, I saw the fear in her eyes. I felt bad that I compelled her to help me and she might get into trouble because of me.
"I just need to know the exit" I had whispered earlier. "The place where the guards are less. Anything please"
We stood at the edge of the training grounds.
"You shouldn't stay long," Carina murmured. "If anyone sees you.."
"I know. I need to be careful while passing the warriors" I said quietly but I didn't move.
My eyes were fixed ahead. The training yard stretched wide, packed dirt marked with the scars of countless battles. Wolves moved across each other, shifting, striking, circling and fighting.
If this was the only path that led to the exit, I would follow it. I stepped forward slightly, almost without realizing it. For a moment, I forgot that these wolves were superior to me.
My mind was made up and I would leave here one way or another.
"Wait Iris" I heard Carina's voice. I halted and turned to her.
"I didn't say you have to pass the training grounds. You'll be seen"
"But that's the only way to leave"
"Wait, we have to do this secretly. You can't leave when it's still bright"
"You know how tight security is at night. That's when the guards are most active"
I couldn't leave at night. As I walked further into the training ground, the warriors were still practicing and some were sparring now. I just needed to find a way to live past the sweaty bodies without being noticed.
"What are you doing here?"
The voice cut through my thoughts like a knife. I froze and Carina stiffened beside me. Slowly, I turned. Elke stood a few steps away, watching me intently.
Of course it just had to be her.
"I didn't realize humans found this entertaining," Elke said lightly.
A few nearby warriors glanced over, curiosity sparked instantly. I straightened slightly.
"I-I was just watching" Elke's lips curved faintly.
"Watching what?"
"The training."
Elke took a step closer. Then another slow step.
"And what exactly do you think you're seeing?" I hesitated.
"I—"
"Strength?" Elke suggested.
"Power or control?" I swallowed.
"Yes." Elke laughed softly.
"That's funny. I didn't know humans loved to watch wolves"
The nearby wolves shifted, their attention fully drawn now. A small crowd forming.
"Tell me. Do you think you could do it?"Elke continued, circling me slightly. I frowned.
What did she even mean by that?
"Do what?"
Elke gestured broadly to the training ground.
"This." Her tone sharpened.
"Or do you plan to fight like a wolf too?"
Laughter broke out. A mocking one at that. It hit me like a wave.
My chest tightened and my instinct screamed at me to step back, to shrink or just disappear but something held me in place.
"I never said I could fight" I said quietly. Elke stopped in front of me.
"Then why are you here?"
The question was simple. I opened my mouth to say something but closed it because I didn't have an answer and Elke saw that because her smiled sharpened.
"That's what I thought."
A few more laughs from the audience. My hands clenched at my sides. Heat burned behind my eyes. It was not tears. It was something else. Anger and frustration.
At myself, at them and at everything. Elke leaned in slightly.
"You don't belong here." Her voice was very low, she wanted only me to hear it.
Her words were soft but they hit harder than anything else because it was the truth. I hated how she was right about that. I didn't belong here at all.
I was an outcast.
Carina stepped forward.
"That's enough." Her voice was firm but Elke didn't even look at her.
"Take this human away before she embarrasses herself further. And don't speak when other wolves are speaking"
The dismissal was clear and final but I didn't move or step back. Instead, I looked past Elke and past the training ground. I looked at the wolves and my insides twisted painfully.
I could never be like them, I thought to myself.
But rather than be like them I could simply leave here.
"Iris" Carina whispered urgently. I ignored her.
A loud crack of laughter rang out from the other side of the yard. I turned instinctively. A group of warriors stood together, watching. One of them smirked.
"Is that her?"
"The one who's supposed to die in a few month?"
There was more laughter. They didn't hide their distaste.
"Four moons, they said." Another voice spoke up.
"Think she'll last that long?"
"Doubt it."
"She looks like she'd break in half if someone touched her."
"Maybe the Alpha will get bored before then."
The laughter was louder this time that it echoed.
Something inside me snapped instantly. I didn't know where it came from but my blood boiled. Before I could stop myself, I stepped forward.
"Say that again."
The words came out stronger than I expected. I was surprised by my courage.
The laughter faltered and the group turned surprised. It seemed like the entire training ground had gone still. Their eyes glanced at one another and then back to me.
Even with the intensity of their gaze and the change of expression, I didn't back down.
"Go on" I said, my voice trembling but loud.
"Say it again" I dared them.
One of the warriors raised a brow.
"Or what?"
My heart pounded violently and my hands shook because I thought I would get a smacking and that should have made me shut my mouth but no..
"Or at least have the courage to say it to my face."
Silence.
Not even one person made a sound. One of the warrior stepped forward slightly, studying me.
"You've got a loud mouth for someone so fragile," he said.
"Maybe," I replied.
My voice was steadier now.
"At least I don't hide behind a crowd to use it."
A few murmurs spread. It was one of amusement. I could imagine the thoughts running through their minds.
How could a human speak to us like this.
The warrior's expression shifted. I could feel Elke's sharp gaze burning deep into my skin but I didn't look back at her. I didn't let it break my focus.
"Say whatever you want about me" I continued. "I know what I am." My voice softened slightly but it didn't weaken.
"I know I don't belong here. You don't have to remind me every time"
For the first time since I came here, I saw a different expression on their faces. No one laughed or spoke. They stared at me.
I stood there, my chest rising and falling, my entire body trembling from the force of it. From what I had just said. I looked at Carina and she stared at me. She was shocked but I saw the pride in her eyes.
Something shifted inside of me and I have her a small smile. The warrior who had spoken earlier huffed quietly. A faint, almost amused sound.
"Interesting" he muttered.
Then stepped back. The moment broke and the tension eased. The crowd dispersed. I exhaled shakily. My strength faltering now that it was over and my legs felt weak. My hands still trembling. Carina rushed to my side.
"Iris—"
"I'm fine," I whispered.
But my voice wasn't steady. Carina didn't argue and just stayed close. I had forgotten the reason I had been at the training ground initially but I would remember this day forever.
I stood up for myself. It was not for some weak human or underage but myself.
As we turned to return to the house as my plans to leave didn't go as planned. I was determined to leave more now and I would do that one way or another.
"Let's go" Carina whispered. I glanced at Elke and she had that cold look in her eyes.
I felt that foreign pull again. It was sharp and familiar. I didn't know where exactly he was but I knew he was around somewhere.
I held my head high as I walked out. There and then I knew I could make something great of myself.