Novel Palace
Beta's Runaway Bride: 1 - Xiomara
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.
This will probably make that Alpha exile my father’s pack, but that’s no longer my problem. The last
person to care about me was my Mama, and she’s long gone. I would’ve been more loyal if he treated
me like a daughter and not a tool he could barter with.
I look up at the moldy ceiling, listening to the other tenants moving about. Right now there’s a drug deal
happening outside my door and I’m sure the woman next door is a pack moll with the different male
scents emanating through the paper-thin walls.
But who am I to judge? I’ve been here a week and know everyone minds their own business.
This was the cheapest place to rent on short notice and I have to save every cent. I just need a few
more days, then I’m out of here. I don’t regret leaving my father’s pack, I am certain he would have felt
me going Rogue after I rejected the pack bond.
“You can do this, just like we went over it,” I say to myself, breathing deeply. “He’s not still looking for
you; you’re not some precious prize.”
/“You’re going to regret this, Zara,”/ my wolf, Yingze, chastises me once again. She’s still bitter over
being a Rogue now, but there’s nothing we can do about it.
/“I’d rather be a Rogue than a slave, Yingze,”/ I say sadly, wishing she were more supportive of me.
/“We’ll get back on our feet as soon as we get to Cirrostratus Islet. We’ll buy supplies and move to the
forests where you’ll take the lead.”/
Her ears perk up; I didn’t tell her this part of the plan yet.
/“You’ll let me take over? Are you sure?”/
I nod. /“What’s the point of being a shifter if I can’t be free and allow my wolf to lead me?”/ I say,
sighing. /“I’m tired of struggling as a human, Yin. Take my body and spirit and do with it as you please.
We’ll be happier that way.”/
She looks at me sadly, then she nods and disappears. I know the repercussions of staying in your
wolf's form for a long period; you lose your humanity and become the beast. Yingze will forget I’m her
vessel and give into her primal instincts. Content © copyrighted by NôvelDrama.Org.
But it will be better that way.
Sighing, I 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.
¡Mierda! 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.