Chapter One Hundred and Seven- Free - Maya's POV

The words echo through my mind. 'Of course, I mind, but if I mate with Lorcan willingly and save the wolves, could you let him live?" They exchange a glance, neither seeming to want to give in, but Simon nods. 'We'll speak to them and see what they say." 'Is that where you are going now?" Luce shakes her head for him not to tell me, but he just nods, not saying so. 'Fine. Can we meet again?" Simon agrees and they both turn, heading deeper into the woods. I breathe out a sigh of relief as I hear their footsteps growing fainter by the minute and then there is nothing. It's just silence besides the wind. The words he said echo long after he's gone. 'You won't mind if he dies, will you? What kind of question is that?" I mutter under my breath. My legs feel like they're made of stone, rooted to the same spot I've been standing in. My insides twist and burn, while the cold air bites at my skin. I barely feel it because of all the inner turmoil. Everything inside of me just feels hollow. As I turn, I don't remember the scenery. The next thing I know, I'm standing in front of the estate and have no memory of how I got there. Damian appears at my side, calm and trying to be reassuring. 'Are you okay?" I barely look at him and give him a simple nod. There's not much to say, because he kept something from me and if I open my mouth, that is all I'm going to talk about. How could he do this? He leads me inside and takes me straight to his room. Everything feels weird as we walk in the open, as if we haven't just snuck out and gone through everything to ensure we aren't seen. As soon as we are behind closed doors, he breathes out a sigh of relief. 'I know tonight is a lot to take in, but now we know their plan." 'You're right. We do." 'Will you be okay for a while? I need to take care of something," he says, his eyes full of grief and sadness that I don't quite understand. 'Sure, I'll be fine." As he slips out the door, he shuts it back and I'm left all alone. It's almost as if he can't face this either, which stings more than it should. My eyes move to the bed, but I don't feel like sleeping. Sleep won't chase the ache away. Instead, I head to the closet and grab my duffel from when I first moved here. I throw in the teddy bear my mother gave me and my favorite book, along with whatever clothes I can fit. Sadly, I can't take all of my belongings, but I can take what matters. After I have it packed up, I realize that now is the best time for me to leave. Slipping out the window, I check my surroundings, only to realize the guards are still busy. I have a clear path off the estate. Keeping my head down, I stay in blind spots and move through like a shadow. My footsteps are quiet. It's almost ironic that the same skills he taught me on how to dodge wolf shifters are now the same skills I'm using to walk away from him. As I make it through the gardens, I take one last look behind me, then dart off into the woods. Now that I know they'd rather me mate with Lorcan, I know they probably won't bother me and I feel safer in the woods. All the creatures from earlier have died down and everything is now quiet. My heart feels like it's breaking in slow motion with every step I take away from him, but I know it's for the best. I don't know what's true anymore, and it doesn't do him any good if I'm not willing to be his mate. This hasn't made me want to be that to him. The only thing I know is that I need space to think and breathe. I have to figure out who I am outside of all this prophecy and the power plays. And if he does come for me, well, he'll have to fight harder than ever before to earn my forgiveness. I keep walking in the direction of town, where home is. As I keep going into the night, my legs ache and my lunges burn. My throat tightens from holding back the sobs that threaten to take over. The forest seems never ending with nothing seeming familiar. I can only think of home and my brother. Maybe they'd take me back, just like they said when they visited. Soon, I come to the side of the road. I look both ways, hoping to see anyone, only to see a random car driving by. They stop without me flagging them down. 'Do you need help?" I shake my head, feeling too tired and worn out to speak, though I know I need to. 'Hop in. I'll take you home." I almost don't get into his little car, but he's a kind older man and woman who looks like they'd never harm a soul. They kind of remind me of the grandparents you'd see on television. The woman laughs as she sees my face, knowing I'm going through every scenario in my mind. 'We're not serial killers. Just two proud grandparents who want to help a young lost lady. Where do you live?" 'Do you know the Sinclair residence?" The name feels foreign on my tongue. It's been so long since I said my last name. 'Yes, we know your father and brother. Come, we'll take you home." I open the back door without thinking and throw my bag in before sliding into the car. As soon as I'm in the cloth seat, I slump. 'You look like you had a rough night. What are you doing out in a place like this?" The woman asks, looking over her shoulder at me. 'We heard rumors that your father sold you off to some billionaire out in the woods. Your name is Maya, right?" My head snaps up as I look at the woman. 'Yes, and that is exactly what he did. But I'm free to go home now."