The Gift chronicles

Chapter 20

Book 1 Chapter 20

I sat in the cell for the remainder of the night, the wheels already turning in my mind trying to think of a

new escape plan. I went into Gamma—mode and tried thinking as if I were developing a battle strategy

for a war. And in my mind, this was war.

Pensively, I thought back to my prior escape attempts, all of which failed miserably. The most

successful one was probably when I had climbed out of the pack house window and escaped, until the

Blood Alpha and Carter apprehended me deep into the forrest. The least successful attempt was

stabbing him during our picnic and trying to run into the woods.

I realized that I was successful during the pack house escape because he wasn't expecting me to be

able to get out of the house, since he somehow made the exit door handle extremely hot. What made

that escape less successful was having a guard that day that would have noticed when I was gone,

and therefore able to alert the Alpha sooner. I was unsuccessful during the picnic escape because I

had attempted to escape right in front of the Alpha, and had underestimated him.

Reflecting on the past, I determined that the key to having a successful escape attempt is:

1. Let him underestimate me so his guard is down.

2. Escape when the Alpha isn't present and likely won't know about the escape for a few hours.

3. No guards

I already had the advantage on the first condition, since he thought the Wolfsbane was making me

weaker, and he didn't think I would be able to escape the chains.

The second part of the plan would be difficult to coordinate since I had no idea when the Alpha would

be gone or not, since I had zero communication with anyone, as I was completely isolated in my cell.

The third aspect would be the most difficult to manage, seeing as how there are always guards

stationed throughout the prison. I had seen plenty of them on my way in, and circumventing them

would be quite the obstacle.

I didn't sleep my first night in the cell, determined to figure out the perfect escape plan. I knew that if I

was unsuccessful in this escape attempt, and the Blood Alpha caught me, I would likely never get

another chance.

Hours after laying on the hard cement floor and feeling the silver chain burning my flesh relentlessly, a

guard opened a slot with a shelf among the cell door and left a tray atop of the ledge.

I got up from my position on the floor, walking towards the tray to inspect it, wincing as the heavy silver

chain continued to burn through my skin.

The tray contained a plate holding a steaming pile of food. Broccoli, mashed potatoes, steak, bread,

and an apple to be exact.

I grabbed the apple and shoved the plate through the slot, off of the ledge on the other side of my cell. I

heard the plate shatter half a second later, and I smirked, taking a bite of the apple.

Within seconds, I heard guards rushing towards the cell, and opening the door.

I smiled and waved at them, apple in hand. Their panicked faces quickly turned into confusion,

wondering why I had pushed the plate. Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

"Did you accidentally drop the plate, Luna? We could get you another one. The Alpha said to make

sure you eat."

I scoffed at the guard that spoke to me, and the other two stiffly remained flexed, ready for me to

attack, it appeared.

I internally laughed at knowing that the Alpha had probably warned them about how prone to violence I

am, and my affinity for escaping. Dropping the plate was successful in proving that there would always

be guards ready to catch me if I were to escape, and were listening very closely to me. I had no doubt

that the Alpha would punish whoever let me escape on their watch severely, and I'm sure he made that

very clear with them.

First of all, I'm not your Luna. Secondly, I don't want anything this pack made. Finally, tell the Alpha I

said to drop dead.

I mindlinked all of the guards at once, knowing that I could mindlink anyone in the Blood Lake Pack

because Alpha Cain had marked me.

The guards looked shocked, probably not expecting me to interact with them, and turned around, not

saying a word. I had no doubt they had mindlinked the Alpha to tattle on me.

I sat against the wall of the cell in my new favorite corner, furthest from the door, and made sure to

keep the dumb fur pelt as far away from me as possible, so as not to give Alpha Idiot any ideas.

Sure enough, within the hour, the Blood Alpha came into my cell, looking down at me disapprovingly.

His messy hair looked disheveled, and I noticed that his facial hair had already grown longer, despite it

only having been a day. I wondered how that was possible.

He wore his typical pants and no shirt, and walked barefoot. He stalked deeper into the cell, closing in

on me in my corner. I didn't give him the satisfaction of me reacting, I just innocently looked up at him.

"Eat." He commanded, simply.

Eat what? I mindlinked him, my tone mocking. Someone dropped my plate of food.

"You're not funny, Ares. Eat. You need to stay nourished." He growled, crouching down to my level.

Unchain me and I'll consider eating. I tried bargaining.

"I told you when we met that I don't negotiate and I meant it. You are my mate, and I am keeping you

locked in a holding cell. However stubborn you think you are, I promise you I am much worse." His

eyes darkened, and I relished in knowing that I made him angry enough to make his wolf want to come

out.

It's not the worst cell I've ever been in, Alpha. I will die in here if I have to.

He shrugged. "You say that now, but in a month, come the Blood Moon, you will be inducted into this

pack as our Luna. After spending a month in here, you will be begging to be free. And if by some

miracle you still feel like being rebellious, my pack and I will celebrate the Blood Moon without you and

I will keep you locked in here until the next Blood Moon."

I laughed condescendingly at him, infuriating him further.

If this is the worst you can do, you have no right being the Blood Alpha.

Right after I spoke those words in his mind, his self control snapped. He slapped me across the face,

leaving my cheek stinging. I smirked at him, loving that I made him lose his control so easily. I punched

back, intentionally swinging slower and less strong than I usually do.

"The wolfsbane and silver is already making you weak, mate. Let me know when you're ready to

accept your place."

With those words, he left the cell in a flurry, leaving me evilly grinning, already having phase 1 of my

escape plan completed on just my first day in the cell.

Now, I just have to figure out how to complete the last two steps.