Chapter 53: Far Away

Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Far Away “You’re joking. Her? She’s the enemy. Alpha marked HER?” “She doesn’t even look like a Luna...” “Why would he choose her?” Their voices carried disbelief, laced with curiosity and judgment. They knew who she was, and they clearly couldn’t understand why someone like Zayn would mark someone like her. The whispers followed Lily the moment she stepped back into the fields. She kept her head down, pulling the bandages to ensure they covered her neck. The stares burned into her back, but she said nothing. Just kept moving, hands working the soil like nothing had changed. “Lily!” a familiar voice called. She turned. Bianca was jogging toward her, eyes wide. “You’re actually here?” she said, catching her breath. “I thought you’d be... I don’t know, anywhere but here.” Lily shrugged, glancing around. Then pointed to the field. What else was she supposed to do? Bianca stared at her. “I heard the rumors. About you. And Alpha Zayn.” Lily froze. Bianca stepped in closer as she whispered. “Did he really mark you?” Lily hesitated. Her hand twitched toward her neck, then stopped. Martha’s voice echoed in her mind. Keep it to yourself. Don’t tell anyone yet. So, she gave a small shake of her head, looking away. Bianca glanced at her neck, her eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re wrapped up. Are you hurt?” Lily nodded quickly and mouthed, ‘Just a scratch.’ Bianca didn’t look convinced. “That’s not what I heard.” Lily didn’t answer and pointed at a fading bruise. Bianca nodded, seemingly more convinced now. Before she could say anything more, Lily dug into her pocket and pulled out a small totem she’d found earlier, holding it out. Bianca took it slowly. “You’re still collecting these?” Lily gave a faint nod. Bianca let out a breath. “You really don’t give up, do you?” Lily smiled a little and mouthed, ‘Not yet.’ Bianca smiled back, trying to ignore the tension in the field that hadn’t eased. Around them, the whispers kept circling. Lily could feel them all. The weight of their stares. The mark hidden under her bandages felt like it was burning. Both of them returned to work. Bianca stayed close, feeling sorry for Lily and what she had gone through. Her efforts did not go unnoticed. Lily was comforted by her actions, it was easier to endure a day of hard labor with company. As they continued to till the ground, ignoring the whispers and voices around them, a voice cut through like the crack of a whip. “Lily!” Both girls turned sharply. Ezra. He was striding toward them with purpose, dust kicking up under his boots with his eyes locked on Lily. Bianca’s face fell. “What now?” she muttered. Lily’s heart picked up as Ezra came closer. “Zayn wants to see you,” he said firmly. At once, whispers erupted behind her. “So it’s true...” “She’s really marked.” “Maybe that’s why the Beta came for her...” Lily kept her head down, jaw tight. She gave Bianca one last glance before quietly falling in step behind Ezra. Bianca looked like she wanted to stop them but didn’t dare move. Lily followed, expecting to be taken back to the packhouse. But soon, she realized they were moving away from it. Deeper into the woods. Her steps slowed. The trees were thicker here. The sounds of the field faded behind them. She glanced around, confused, then looked up at Ezra. She didn’t understand where they were actually going. Ezra didn’t stop walking. “Just a bit further,” he muttered under his breath. They walked in silence until they reached the very edge of the territory. The sky opened wide above them, the wind was colder out here. Ezra stopped. He dropped a small canvas bag at her feet. Lily stared at it. It included bread, dried meat, water, a blanket, and clothes. She looked up, confused. “You’re free to go,” he said. “You can leave now.” Her heart lurched. Her breath caught in her chest. This... this felt familiar. She shook her head fast, stepping back. Ezra frowned. “I’m not joking. I’m giving you a chance. You being here just makes things worse, for Zayn, for everyone. This way, we all get what we want.” Lily’s chest rose and fell, her breath was shaky and uneven. Her eyes stayed locked on the worn canvas bag at her feet, but her body refused to move. Ezra shifted before her, arms crossed. “Lily...” Still nothing. He let out a sharp breath. “I don’t care where you go. Just take the bag and leave. Don’t look back.” But she couldn’t take a step. Couldn’t lift her hand. Couldn’t breathe right. Her vision blurred, and memories of how her brother and her father had once offered the same thing, came rushing back to her. “You can go,” her father had said once, voice strangely soft. “You’ve earned it.” Back then, her fingers twitched. Her brother had handed her a pack, smiling wickedly. “You’re free now, sis. Go wherever you want.” She’d believed them. She’d run. But they’d hunted her down like an animal. Laughing. Taunting. She still remembered the sound of boots behind her. The crack of a whip. The way they called it a game. Those memories made her stomach turn. Her feet shifted, but not forward. She stepped back. One slow, trembling step toward the packlands. Ezra watched her, confused. “What are you doing?” Lily didn’t answer. Her arms wrapped tightly around herself like she could hold all the broken pieces in. Ezra sighed. “No one’s coming after you,” he said, quieter this time. “Not Zayn. Not the guards. You’re free, Lily. That’s a promise.” Lily’s chest tightened. Her fingers trembled as they reached up to the bandages around her neck. She slowly unwrapped them, revealing the faint crescent mark etched into her skin. She pointed at it, her eyes locked on Ezra’s. Why? Ezra’s jaw clenched. He looked away for a second, guilt flickering in his eyes. "He marked you to save you. Nothing more. If you stay, you’ll only be a burden." Lily stepped closer, shaking her head. Does he know? Her hands moved quickly, gesturing toward the trees, toward the path Ezra had led her down. Ezra sighed. This was taking longer than he thought. Before he could answer, a sharp voice cut through the air. "What the hell is she still doing here?" Victoria stormed into view, arms crossed, eyes blazing. Ezra turned toward her, visibly tense. "I told you. I’m handling it." "You’re taking too long," she snapped, stepping closer. Her heels crunched in the dirt as she glared at Lily. "The longer we stall, the worse this gets." Lily took a small step back, her hands still hovering protectively near her throat. Victoria’s gaze dropped to the mark. Her mouth curled in disgust. "You’re nothing special. Don’t think that mark means you matter. It’s just a scar, one Zayn regrets." Lily flinched but didn’t look away. "Leave," Victoria muttered, shoving Lily hard. Ezra stepped forward quickly. "Vic..." “No,” she snapped. “She needs to go. This ends now.” With one hard push, Victoria shoved Lily across the border. Lily stumbled, her feet skidding on the leaf-covered earth as she crossed out of the pack’s protection. "Don’t ever come back," Victoria said coldly. "You’ve already done enough damage." Lily didn’t move. Her legs trembled, feet rooted to the dirt. Her eyes flicked between Ezra and the forest ahead. Victoria folded her arms, eyes narrowing. “What’s the problem now? Why are you still standing there?” “Isn’t this what you wanted? Your freedom?” Lily shook her head slightly, lips parting like she wanted to speak, but nothing came. Ezra took a step forward, voice low. “Give her a second.” But Victoria wasn’t having it. “No. She’s had enough seconds. She’s had days, weeks, Zayn’s attention, sympathy..hell, even his mark.” Her eyes flashed with something bitter. “And for what? A mute little bitch who’s caused more trouble than she’s worth.” Lily’s throat tightened. Her fingers clenched the strap of the supply bag. “Still not moving?” Victoria sneered, taking a slow step toward her. “Alright, let me make it simple.” She crouched slightly, eyes sharp as a knife. “If you don’t leave right now, I’ll slit Martha’s throat in her sleep.” Lily’s heart stopped. Victoria’s voice dropped to a whisper. “I know exactly where she sleeps. Hell, I will make it look like an accident.” Lily’s breath hitched. Her eyes stung. “You think I’m bluffing?” Victoria tilted her head. “Are you willing to take that chance?” Lily bit her lip as tears rolled down her cheeks. Her vision began to blur. Martha had always been kind to her. The only one who cared. She had never been able to do anything for Martha. But this, this she could do. Lily clutched the bag close to her chest and sprinted off without looking back.