Fated by Blood and Moon

Chapter 3: The Tide Turns

I stood frozen in the shed long after Evelyn had slipped away into the night, her parting words echoing in my mind. You’re stronger than you think. You’re not alone.

The truth of it felt distant, though. Even with her support, I was still the half-breed the Bloodfang Pack despised, and the weight of that knowledge settled heavily on my chest. Darius had made it painfully clear just how much of a target I’d become.

But there was something else I couldn’t ignore—the way I had stood up to him. The defiance that had slipped from my lips, unbidden and raw. It had been reckless, dangerous even, but in that moment, I had felt a flicker of power. Lyra stirred inside me, her strength pulsing beneath my skin, reminding me that I wasn’t just a victim. I was a wolf, a fighter, and I wouldn’t let them break me.

The moon hung high in the sky, casting long shadows across the courtyard as I finally stepped out of the shed. I needed air, space to think and clear my mind. The night was still, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. The pack was deep in the woods, hunting, unaware of the confrontation that had just taken place.

I slipped through the courtyard, careful to stay within the shadows. My heart still pounded from the encounter with Darius, but with each step, a plan began to form in my mind. Evelyn was right—I couldn’t just survive day by day, hiding and hoping they wouldn’t come for me. I needed to escape, and I needed to do it soon.

But running without a plan was suicide. The Bloodfang Pack had a tight grip on its territory, and the borders were heavily patrolled. If I was caught trying to leave, I’d be dragged back, or worse, killed before I ever made it to the other side.

I stopped at the edge of the forest, my eyes scanning the darkened treetops. Beyond these woods was freedom. But getting there would take more than just determination. I needed information. I needed to know the patrol schedules, the weak points in the border, and most importantly, where I could go that would be safe.

The Silvermoon Pack came to mind immediately. They were the only pack that rivaled the Bloodfangs in strength, and their Alpha was said to be fair, though I had never met him. Rumors of their strict code of honor had trickled through the pack over the years, and if I could make it there, maybe—just maybe—they wouldn’t turn me away.

But I couldn’t do it alone. I would need Evelyn’s help, and that meant trusting her more than I already had. My mind raced as I considered the risks. She had saved me tonight, but involving her further would put her in even more danger. If the pack found out she was aiding me, they wouldn’t hesitate to punish her.

I can’t drag her into this, I thought. But another part of me, the part that had fought Darius with words sharper than any blade, knew I couldn’t do this alone.

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The following day was quiet. Too quiet.

The pack had returned from their hunt late in the night, and while there were no immediate repercussions for my confrontation with Darius, I knew better than to think it had been forgotten. I kept my head down, completing my tasks quickly and without complaint, hoping to avoid any further scrutiny. My mind, however, was elsewhere—focused entirely on escape.

By mid-afternoon, I had slipped away from the packhouse, making my way back to the shed where Evelyn and I had spoken the night before. The sun hung low in the sky, casting an orange hue over the landscape, and the air was thick with tension. I could feel it in my bones, the weight of an impending storm.

Evelyn was waiting for me, leaning against the far wall of the shed, her face tense but determined. “We need to talk,” I said quietly, closing the door behind me.

She nodded, pushing away from the wall. “I’ve been thinking about what happened last night,” she began, her voice low. “Darius isn’t going to let this go, Maya. He’s going to come for you. And when he does...”

“I won’t be here,” I interrupted, my tone firm. “I’m leaving. I can’t stay any longer.”

Evelyn’s eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t seem surprised. “Do you have a plan?”

I hesitated, then shook my head. “Not yet. That’s why I need your help. I need to know when the borders are least patrolled, and where the weak points are. I need to know if there’s any safe place I can go.”

Evelyn frowned, considering my words carefully. “The borders are heavily guarded, especially at night. But there’s a shift change right before dawn—around 4 a.m. That’s when the patrols are thinnest. It won’t be easy, but if you can time it right, you might have a chance.”

“And where do I go once I’m out?” I asked, my voice tight with anxiety.

“The Silvermoon Pack,” Evelyn replied without hesitation. “Their Alpha is strict, but he’s not like Darius. They won’t turn you away without hearing you out. If you can get there, you’ll be safe.”

The Silvermoon Pack. The name brought a strange sense of hope and dread all at once. I had never ventured that far from Bloodfang territory, but if Evelyn believed it was my best shot, then I had to trust her.

“What about you?” I asked, guilt gnawing at me. “If they find out you helped me—”

“I’ll be fine,” she cut me off, her tone reassuring. “I’ll cover my tracks. Just focus on getting out safely.”

I wanted to believe her, but the fear that I was putting her in danger weighed heavily on my conscience. Still, there was no turning back now. The wheels were already in motion.

“I’ll leave tomorrow night,” I said, my voice resolute. “Before dawn.”

Evelyn nodded, though I could see the worry in her eyes. “I’ll have a distraction ready for the shift change. You’ll need to be quick, Maya. Once you’re past the border, don’t stop running.”

I swallowed hard, the gravity of what I was about to do settling over me like a thick fog. “Thank you, Evelyn. For everything.”

She smiled softly, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “Just be careful. And if you need anything—anything at all—you know where to find me.”

With that, I left the shed, my mind buzzing with the weight of my decision. Tomorrow night would be the turning point. I would either escape and find freedom, or I would fail and face the wrath of the Bloodfang Pack.

As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the land, I felt a surge of determination rise within me. Lyra stirred once more, her presence stronger than it had been in days. We were ready.

The tide was turning, and I would not go down without a fight.

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