Chapter 298

Chapter 298

Avery’s POV

I slipped back through the hole in the tent and crawled inside. Lindsey was still unconscious on my bed, snoring softly. I moved quickly, stripping off the slave rags and pulling my dress back on.

Once I was changed, I dragged Lindsey off the bed and laid her on the floor behind my dressing screen. Then, I climbed into bed and pulled the furs up to my chin, positioning myself exactly as I’d been before.

I had just closed my eyes when I heard footsteps outside.

The tent flap opened.

I kept my breathing slow and steady, forcing my body to relax. Through my lashes, I saw Asher’s silhouette in the doorway. He stood there for a long moment, watching

My pulse thundered in my ears. Did he know? Had someone seen me leaving?

Asher walked closer, his boots barely making a sound against the dirt floor. He stopped beside my bed. I could feel his gaze on me, studying my face. I prayed he wouldn’t notice Lindsey sleeping under my bed.

Don’t move. Don’t breathe.

He reached out. I braced myself, expecting him to shake me awake. But instead, he just brushed a strand of hair away from my face. His fingers were cold, and I had to resist the urge to flinch away.

“Sleep well, poppet,” he murmured.

Then, he turned and left.

I waited until I heard his footsteps fade before I allowed myself to breathe again. My hands were shaking beneath the furs.

That was too close.

On the floor, Lindsey stirred. She groaned and pushed herself up onto her elbows, blinking groggily.

“Wha…?” She looked around, confused. “What happened p>

“You passed out,” I said. “I think you’re exhausted. You should go get some rest p>

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Lindsey rubbed her eyes. “L… Yes. I suppose you’re right.” She stood, wobbling slightly, then made her way to the door. “I’ll check on you in the morning p>

“No need p>

Once she was gone, I collapsed back onto the pillows. My entire body ached from how tightly my muscles were wound, but I had done it.

Now that Gideon’s wounds were healed, I just needed to plan our escape. I already had an idea for tomorrow morning.

Sleep came quicker than I expected. I must have been so exhausted from the day’s ordeal that it pulled me under before I even knew it.

I dreamt that I was standing in a field. The com was tall and golden, swaying in the breeze. The air smelled like freshly tilled soil, and overhead, jet trails cut across the sky.

I looked down. I was wearing denim overalls stretched across a stomach that was round and full. Pregnant. But further along than I was now. Much further.

A voice called out to me then. “Mommy p>

I turned, and the scene shifted. My belly was flat now. I looked down at my hands, and saw that they were slightly older, more weathered from hard work. There was a cottage in the distance. A little was running toward me, dark hair blowing in the breeze.

He was laughing, and so, so perfect.

“Mommy, look what I found!” He held up a handful of wildflowers, roots and all. “I picked them just for you.

I knelt down and took the flowers from him. “They’re beautiful, sweetheart p>

He threw his arms around my neck and hugged me tight. I closed my eyes and held him, breathing in the scent of sunshine and dirt and freedom.

“Are we safe here, Mommy?” he asked.

“Yes.” I stroked his hair. “We’re safe p>

“And Dad? Where is he p>

I opened my mouth to answer, but no words came. I looked around, searching for Gideon. But he wasn’t there. It was just me and the little boy in the field.

“He’s… not coming,” I said quietly.

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Chapter 298

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The little boy pulled back and looked at me with wide eyes. “Why not?” “Because…” I swallowed hard. “Because we had to leave without him p>

“Oh p>

The dream shifted again. I was standing on the porch of our cottage now. There was a garden out front, filled with herbs and vegetables. Smoke curled from the chimney, and inside, I could hear my mother’s voice and the clinking of dishes as dinner was prepared.

This was the human lands. I could feel it. The absence of wolves. The quiet peace that came from finally being able to build something that was just my own. A farm with chickens and a rusted little pickup truck. A life that no one could take from me.

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