Chapter 15

Tomorrow was Domarius’ first birthday and preparations were underway in the palace to give him a grand celebration. Elena had somehow managed to convince the Alpha to adopt my son as his, so the child was now considered one of his children.
The past one year has been hell for me. Just as it happened during my pregnancy, I was not allowed to mingle with the others in the palace. I was escorted by armed guards to Elena’s room and back to mine every day.
I was never allowed to be alone with Domarius because I was always being watched by Elena or by her guards if she wasn’t around. I felt like a prisoner and it pained me to see my son being claimed by people who weren’t his parents.
My only consolation was dreaming of my mates every day and hoping that I would be reunited with them very soon.
However, fate has finally smiled on me today. Due to the preparations for the birthday party, everyone in the palace was on duty, working to set up the place ahead of tomorrow. Guests were expected to come from all over the country to celebrate with the Alpha and Luna.
“Domarius, darling. Come, dear. You and Mama are going outside for a walk,” I said to my son.
He smiled happily and opened his arms, telling me to carry him. I scooped him up and hurried out of Elena’s room where I had been feeding him.
This was the first time I had been left alone with him and I wasn’t going to let this golden opportunity pass me by. I decided to leave my necklace behind because I don’t want to be caught breaking into the Alpha’s room again.
I didn’t know my way around the palace but I was determined to figure out how to get outside. We went through the secret corridor and entered the gallery garden. It was empty but I could hear voices on the other side.
Just then, Domarius began to fuss because he wanted to sleep. It was time for his afternoon nap, so I quickly slipped out my boob from the top of my dress and started to feed him in our hiding place.
While I was thinking of the next move to make, I noticed that there was a door on the other end of the gallery that led outside. Hope lifted my spirit and I smiled to myself happily.
From my hiding place, I checked to see what was going on in the main hall and I saw that servants were decorating the place. They were so busy with their work that they didn’t notice me when I ran to the door and fled outside.
It felt good to be outside again for the first time in two years. I inhaled the air deeply and breathed out with relief.
I finally looked around but couldn’t figure out where to go. Where were we? Was this the backyard of the palace or what?
“What are you doing out here?” Someone said near me and I nearly jumped out of my skin.
I turned around to see who had spoken and my eyes widened with surprise when I recognized her.
“Lattie!” I exclaimed. “What are you doing here?”
“Oh, it’s you. You’re the girl from the slave ship,” she said, smiling. She was carrying a basket of fresh flowers and looking better than I remembered.
“What’s that bundle with you?” She asked me. “Is it a baby?”
“Yes,” I said. “This is my son, Domarius.”
Lattie gasped and came closer to look at him as he slept. “What a beautiful child,” she said. “So, the Alpha allowed you to birth his child in his palace?”
I looked around quickly to make sure that nobody was nearby to hear us. “Yes, he did but the Luna has claimed my child as her own. I am looking for a way to escape from this palace with my baby. Can you help me, Lattie?”
Her expression changed from happiness to fear. “Wait, isn’t this the child that we are planning this party for?”
“Yes, but this is my only opportunity to leave this place with him,” I replied. “Are you a mother, Lattie? Do you understand what it feels like to have your child stolen from you?”
She stepped away from me, holding her basket of flowers tightly. “I can’t help you, my dear. I don’t want to get into trouble.”
I understood her fear but I still needed her help. “All I want you to do is to show me the way out of the palace grounds. Just point me in the right direction and I’ll go alone. You don’t have to go with me.”
“You are playing with fire,” she warned me. “If you’re caught, you will be killed.”
“I know. Just show me the way out of here.”
She hesitated but then changed her mind. “You know what, I’ll help you,” she said. “Come with me.”
“Oh, Lattie. Thank you!” I said happily and followed her.
We walked along the perimeter of the palace building and eventually rounded a corner. There were servants all over the place going about their normal business and they barely noticed us as we passed.
“There’s a shortcut behind the stables,” said Lattie as we continued to walk. “It’s better we go through that way instead of heading to the main gates. I’m sure you know that the guards won’t let you pass once they see the baby in your arms.”
“You’re right,” I said. “Let’s follow the shortcut.”
As we approached the stables, I looked ahead and spotted Tarik in the distance. He was talking to a servant and he hadn’t seen us. My heart stopped with fear.
“Lattie, we have to go back,” I whispered to her urgently.
“Why?”
“That’s the Alpha’s assistant over there. If he sees me, we’re finished.”
She looked in his direction and lifted her hand and began to wave at him to catch his attention.
“What are you doing?” I asked her and I began to back away slowly.
“What anyone else in my position would do,” she replied coldly. “Do you think I’m an idiot like you?”
Her response shocked me. Why was Lattie suddenly turning against me? I thought she was my friend.
Tarik hurried over to where we stood before I could even try to run away. When he saw Domarius in my arms, he gasped.
“Is that Victor?” He asked me. “Why did you bring him outside? Is his mother aware of this?”
“I am his mother!” I shouted at him.
“She was trying to run out of the palace with the Alpha’s son,” said Lattie. “I tricked her to come here with me so that I could inform you of her plans.”
“You snake! How could you betray me like this?” I said to her.
“Thank you,” said Tarik to her. “I will let the Alpha know of your kindness and he shall reward your loyalty accordingly.”
His words reminded me of what Lynda had told me two years ago while I was being treated in the pack hospital after Alpha Jaxon had beaten me into a coma. Everyone in the Highlands was as loyal to the Alpha as they feared him. They would do anything to win his favour.
“My loyalty will always be to the Alpha,” said Lattie happily.
“As it should be,” replied Tarik. “Guards! Take this woman back into the palace.”
I held my baby tighter. “No, Tarik. Please, let me go,” I begged him.
“You should know better,” he said to me and looked away.
Within seconds, I was surrounded by the Alpha’s guards. There was nowhere for me to run and I knew I was in serious trouble.
“Take the baby from her,” Tarik ordered one of the guards.
“No!” I screamed, holding my baby tightly as the guard tried to take him from me.
Another guard grabbed my neck from behind and began to choke me. I was forced to release my baby to them to avoid dropping him on the ground.
Once Domarius was out of my arms, the guard stopped choking me and dragged me toward the palace. I watched the one in front of me taking my baby away and I knew that this may be the last time I see my child.
Inside, Elena was waiting in the main hall, looking very angry. She ordered the guard to take my son to her room and wait for her there.
When she saw me, she walked over to where I stood and slapped me with all of her strength. It felt as if I had been hit with a log of wood.
“You stupid fool!” She said to me angrily. “Didn’t I warn you? Didn’t I tell you what would happen to you if you tried to steal my son?”
“But he is mine,” I moaned weakly. I knew it was pointless to try to beg her, so I didn’t bother.
“I can see that you are not sorry for what you’ve done,” she said. “You deserve the punishment you’re about to receive.”
She turned to Tarik and said, “Take her outside and flog her until her skin falls off.”
“Yes, my Luna,” he said obediently.
“And when you’re done, take her to the underground prison and tell Hycinth to lock her alone in the darkest cell. That is where she must remain until she dies.”
Elena turned and walked away without even a backward glance at me. My fate was sealed. I had lost my son finally and now I was about to lose my life.