Run Away from My alpha a thousand times

The next day,

Kaiden sat up from the leather chair beside Lucia's bed, brushing the sleep from his eyes. The dim bedside lamp cast long shadows on the wall. Lucia had been quiet for a while now, her breathing even but shallow. He hated how fragile she looked, hooked to an IV, her skin paler than he remembered.

He picked up a glass of water from the tray and approached her slowly.

"Drink up," he said, his voice softer than it had ever been.

Lucia stirred and looked up. She blinked as if unsure he was real. His voice was gentle too gentle. Something was off. The man who had locked her up, stormed around like a king of cold fury, was now speaking like he cared.

He said somethings yesterday and she couldn't believe he was actually trying but she is not going to fall for his tactics.

"I don't want my newly wedded wife fainting on me again," he added. "And I think it'd be a great idea if you worked for me. As my secretary."

Lucia pushed herself up with effort, wincing as her arm protested from the IV needle. Her throat was dry, but her eyes widened slightly.

"You'd… let me leave this room?" she asked.

"You'd be working for me," he replied with a casual shrug, but there was steel behind his words. "That way, I can keep an eye on you."

Lucia frowned but forced a smile. "Thanks… I guess."

It wasn't freedom, not really, but it was better than being locked up like a forgotten possession. At least she'd be allowed to breathe different air. At least she could start plotting.

Kaiden lingered by the door. "I'll inform my assistant to clear a space for you. Also… your friend Cassandra called."

Lucia's heart dropped. Cassandra. She'd completely forgotten in all this madness. What had he told her?

Her mouth went dry. "What… what did you say to her?"

Kaiden didn't answer directly. He simply raised a brow and walked out of the room without another word.

That silence told her everything she needed to know.

*Oh no…*

*If he told her the truth, she'll freak. If he lied… she'll know something's wrong. And Will…*

She closed her eyes, her chest tightening.

Will.

The last person she had screamed for before her world had gone black.

Was he searching for her? Did he remember her voice calling out from that car?

Tears welled up in her eyes. She missed him his calm energy, his warm voice, his scent that reminded her of cinnamon and rain.

Lucia blinked rapidly and reached toward the nightstand, searching for her phone. Nothing.

Gone.

Of course it was.

She lay back against the pillow and let out a slow breath. Everything felt like a dream, a nightmare layered with odd tenderness.

She closed her eyes again, whispering to the ceiling, "Please let this all end tomorrow."

---

The moon had risen high when Lucia gave up trying to sleep.

She sat up in bed, her arm sore from the IV. The faint beeping from the monitor was the only sound in the room.

Staring at her hand, she hesitated. Then, slowly, with a deep breath, she gripped the IV tube and yanked it from her skin.

The sting made her hiss, but she didn't care. She stood up, legs wobbling slightly, and walked to the door.

To her surprise, it turned.

It was unlocked.

Her heart fluttered in disbelief.

After all this time…

She cracked the door open and peeked outside. The hallway was dimly lit, quiet, and suspiciously empty.

She stepped out quietly, barefoot, tiptoeing like a thief.

Then a voice startled her.

"Luna."

She turned, breath caught in her throat. A maid stood a few feet away, her head bowed respectfully.

"I was… just looking for Kaiden," Lucia said quickly, offering the woman a forced smile.

"Of course. I'll take you to the Alpha's chambers."

Lucia blinked. That was… easy.

Too easy.

And why were they calling her Luna and what was with the names.

The maid led her down a long hallway, past ornate portraits and towering windows. Every corner of the mansion screamed old wealth stone walls, gold trim, wolf motifs etched into the details.

Eventually, they stopped in front of a massive dark door.

"This is the Alpha's room."

Still the name-calling, maybe it was their way of showing respect.

Lucia nodded and murmured, "Thank you."

The maid disappeared like a shadow.

Lucia reached for the door but paused.

Did she knock?

Did she want to?

Her curiosity overruled her caution, and she slowly turned the knob.

The room was spacious and dim, painted in blacks and greys. A cold breeze slipped in from the balcony, where moonlight streamed in through gauzy curtains.

Kaiden wasn't in sight.

She stepped in cautiously, drawn by the cold luxury. The room smelled faintly of sandalwood and something sharper like a storm.

She wandered deeper, passing a bookshelf, a desk with papers, a dagger mounted on the wall. Her fingers trailed across a polished dresser.

Then she froze.

"Looking for something?"

The voice was a whisper close and low.

Lucia spun around and gasped.

Kaiden stood directly behind her, only a towel wrapped around his waist, hair damp from the shower. Water trickled down his chest, each drop catching the moonlight like silver.

Lucia stumbled back, eyes wide.

He advanced.

She tried to move, but her knees buckled, and she tumbled onto the edge of his bed.

Kaiden followed.

He hovered over her, slowly lowering himself until they were eye to eye.

"What are you doing here, wifey?" he asked, voice brushing her ear.

Lucia blushed furiously, her heart hammering.

"I… I was looking for you."

Kaiden arched a brow. "At this hour?"

His eyes twinkled. The scent of her fluster was intoxicating.

Lucia bit her lip and looked away, trying to gather her scattered thoughts.

"I just… wanted to thank you. For letting me work."

"And?"

Her blush deepened. "And… I wanted to ask what you told Cassandra."

He smirked. "Why don't you ask me what you really want to know?"

Her heart jumped.

Kaiden's eyes dropped to her lips. Then lower.

He saw the way she flinched when his gaze landed on her stomach.

Her bump was barely visible—but to Kaiden, it glowed like a beacon.

He hadn't told her he knew yet.

And he wouldn't.

Not until she said it first.

Lucia suddenly felt incredibly exposed. Her hands instinctively wrapped around her belly, as if to protect her secret.

But Kaiden had already seen enough.

He leaned in closer, the air between them charged with heat. Something hard pressed against her thigh, and she gasped.

He didn't move.

She turned bright red, her body stiff as stone.

She pushed against him weakly, and to her surprise, he shifted back without resistance.

Kaiden stood, raking a hand through his damp hair.

"I'll tell Cassandra you're doing fine," he said finally. "That you'll call her soon."

Lucia slowly stood too, brushing imaginary dust from her nightgown.

"Good," she murmured. "That's… good."

But her heart wouldn't stop racing.

"Lucia," Kaiden said, voice suddenly serious.

She looked up.

He was staring at her. But not just at her.

At her.

Like he could see through every layer she'd built.

"You blush like fire," he said softly. "It's… honest. Rare."

She didn't know how to respond.

So she ran.

---

Lucia locked her bedroom door behind her, breath ragged.

She slid down the wood, pressing a hand to her chest.

Had he found out?

He knew,didn't he?

She curled up on the bed, panic simmering beneath her skin.

The baby.

He must know now.

That must be why he had married her.

But what would he do?

She didn't know what frightened her more the idea that he might take the baby from her… or that he might want to stay.

She stared at the ceiling, her mind racing.

I need a plan.

Working in his office might mean a chance to escape. She'd have access to a phone. Maybe even a door.

Lucia turned onto her side and whispered to herself, "I'm going to get out of here."

She pressed a hand to her belly.

"For both of us."