Running away and getting Caught

Acantha woke up by three in the morning she knew the maids won't be up at this time.

Sighing heavily, she decided she had sulked enough in her lifetime. It was time to wear her big girl pants and do what she had planned.

Gathering her long black hair in one hand, she ties it up in a tight bond.

She quickly threw on a flay skirt and a black top. She had never opted for bright colors, fearing they'd bring her to the open. And besides, it'd be a stupid idea to wear something flashy and catchy.

Her parents were rich and noble. She was doing them good by running away.

She has thought this through a billion times and was certain it was the right thing to do. She wouldn't wait in here, locked up and abandoned and maybe get killed by her parents. She'd find her destiny. She was certain she would.

Acantha knew the system of her house like the back of her hand. Her father's Butler, Roger, would have already gone to bed as it was way past two. As well as everyone else.

Acantha packed all her precious belongings in a small bag and secured it around her half-length. She then started to climb down her window.

She had executed the feat many times before, which was no big deal.

She had no friends, so she played by herself.

Climbing down her window was one of those many adventures for her.

Just as she was about to climb out, she froze, hearing muffled voices from down the hall.

Her eyes widened in alarm as she realized the sounds were coming from the direction of the servant's quarters.

She ducked behind a corner, her heart racing as she tried to make sense of the situation.

A guard's gruff voice carried through the hallway, edged with a hint of impatience.

"Come on, we don't have all night. If you keep dragging this out, we'll both be in trouble."

A maid's voice, sultry and teasing, responded. "Relax, we're alone. No one will catch us. Besides, I've been waiting for this all week."

Acantha's eyes narrowed, her breathing shallow as she peered around the corner. The sounds were unmistakable now: the low hum of excitement, the rustling of clothing.

She took a deep breath, her mind racing with the implications of being discovered. She had to stay quiet, remain unseen.

The guard's voice grew more insistent. "Hurry up before someone catches us. I don't want to explain this to the boss if we get caught."

The maid giggled softly, her voice a sultry whisper. "Oh, relax. I'm almost done. Just enjoy the moment. It's not like we have another chance anytime soon."

Acantha bit her lip, feeling disgust. The sounds were close enough that she could make out the occasional word, but distant enough that she could still make her escape.

She took advantage of the distraction, silently sliding out the window and lowering herself carefully to the ground below.

Once her feet touched the ground, she glanced back at the window, making sure she hadn't been seen. With one last, furtive look at the mansion, she began her descent

She dashed for the woods when her feet touched the cold earth.

Her heart was in her throat as she ran unthinkingly through the thick woods, not daring to look back at her parent's house.

She was doing them both a lot of good, she told herself. She waited for the feeling of guilt and sadness she believed she'd feel once she finally ran away. But there was nothing. No sadness, no regrets, no fear, just relief.

She felt relieved like a huge burden had been lifted. She ran through the woods like wolves chased her, her feet barely touching the cold earth.

The moon shone bright in the sky, awarding her its natural light.

If it was the only kind thing the moon goddess had done for her, she was willing to take the kindness.

Panting and running through the woods.

Feeling like she had successfully run far enough from her parent's house to be caught up with, she slowed down and bent over to catch her breath.

Who was she kidding, though? There was no way her parents would ever search for her. It was just impossible.

Deciding to walk instead, she brought out the map she had stolen from the Pack's library for direction when she felt something wrap around her legs and pull her up into the air.

Acantha let out a piercing scream as she hung upside down from a tree.

"Well, well, well...." Acantha tried but failed to see who owned the masculine voice." What do we have here?"

The floor was a good six feet away from Acantha. Probably preparing her for where she's about to be buried.

"Hey, Zuri!" The voice called again from a distance behind her. She tried to twist herself towards the voice, but it quickly proved useless.

"Come see what I've found." The joy in his voice was unmistakable.

A second voice joins in. "This better be worth my time, Rysta, or I'm telling commander you keep messing around."

This guy had an accent-- one Acantha couldn't tell. But then again, she had a limited number of interactions.

She made a mental note to remember both their names. In her next life, she'd find and kill them.

"Who's this, Rysta?" Zuri asked, coming in front of her and peering up at her.

"The rogue wolf, that's who." Rysta declared proudly.

What? What?

All the alarms in Acantha's head went off.

"No, no, no. You've got me mistaken. I swear I'm no rogue."

She struggled to explain, but being put upside down wasn't exactly helping issues

"Shut it cunt!" Zuri warned sinisterly. " Good job, Rysta. Now we can get that promotion we spoke about."

They both smiled dreamingly at the possibility

"What? Are you even listening? I'm no rogue. I can't even shift!"

Acantha tried again. Maybe now they'd understand, but this only made them laugh.

"Cut her down. We're heading to the Palace's Courtroom." Zuri said happily, and before she could think, she was cut loose.

She slammed onto the ground forcefully, making her lose her breath momentarily. The two men quickly tie her up.

"I swear to you both, I am no rogue. I can't shift forms; this is my first night out of my father's house. You must know him. He's the...."

She tried to explain frantically but received a hot, blinding slap across her cheek.

"You will shut up and stop trying to lie your way out of all your crimes," Rysta said before spitting at her in disgust.

Acantha felt all the blood on her face drain, and a new sense of dread overcame her being.

She was finished. Her life was over just when she felt it had only begun.

"Tie her mouth and keep her shut," Zuri instructed.

"No, no, wait.....waiiiiiiiittt!" She begged, but that too fell on deaf ears as they quickly bound her mouth with dirty and disgusting little clothing, tearing her cheeks with it.

Was this truly her fate?

Rysta grabbed her by the rope used to bind her wrists together before lifting her onto his shoulder.

"Can't believe we finally got her." Rysta started after a while when he was sure he had managed to tame her struggling.

"Didn't expect her to be this small and weak, seeing as she took down six men alone." Zuri pointed out in what seemed like awe.

Acantha wished she could take the compliment but wasn't the rogue. She tried to explain this again but her effort was useless as her bound mouth wouldn't allow for as little as even a word.

She was finished

She couldn't even escape without getting caught.

She was weak and useless.

An embarrassment to her family's legacy.

Holding back bitter tears, she decided it was probably best she died here. After all, she had not even known where she was going from home.

Maybe it was best she died now. She would no longer be rejected and treated badly by the entire world. So, closing her eyes as the world began to brighten up with the morning sun, she decided to accept her impending fate.

Acantha doesn't know how long it takes but they soon arrive at the king's palace.

She's tied and dragged to the Royal Courtroom for judgment, where she bows her head in shame and hurt.