The following day, I woke up to find myself in my bed. How did I get here? I don't remember walking home. I can smell Nate's scent around me. He must've brought me home. I drop my legs on the floor to walk to the bathroom but stop when I feel a burn in my arms. It doesn't stop there and gets worse. My whole body is on fire.

I prayed this wouldn't happen, but it's here because Nate refuses to mark me even though I have found him. I fall to the ground, pulling at my skin to stop the burning feeling. Everywhere is on fire—my arms, my legs, even my heart is burning. I scream as I feel the pain increase with each passing second. I'm being burnt alive.

"Nate, please! Make it go away!" I beg him as he barges into my room. He must've heard me screaming. All he does is stare at me. He doesn't move until another scream involuntarily escapes my mouth. He takes a step closer but stops, turns around and walks out of my room.

I know Nate doesn't want me, but how can he leave me in this state?

A few minutes after he leaves, Ana and Chloe arrive.

"How bad is it?" Ana asks worriedly.

"Bad, Ana, very bad," I say, tears flowing down my face. The tears make my face burn more. The second anything touches my body, the heat makes it burn. It feels like pouring hot water on burnt skin.

"Help me carry her into the bathroom," Ana says to Chloe.

"Do you think we can touch her?" Chloe says, tears in her eyes.

"You're right. We can't. Only Nate can. Quickly call him."

"Okay," Chloe says and runs out of the room.

She comes back a second later with Nate.

I look at him and use my eyes to plead with him to make it go away. He's the only one who can end my suffering. He avoids my eyes even as he lifts me off the ground. The minute my body feels his touch, I feel the burning reduce. He tries to place me in the bathtub, but I refuse. If he lets go of me, I'll burn again. I need his touch. But Nate forcefully removes my hold and harshly places me into the tub.

Ana runs in with ice cubes and fills the bathtub with them. The ice cubes help the heat reduce a little, but nothing is as good as my mate's touch.

"Please hold me, Nate, just hold me. I'm not asking you to mark me. Just to hold me," I beg, grabbing his hand before he walks out.

He pulls my hand from his arm, ignores me and walks out of the bathroom. I can't believe Nate won't even hold me with as much pain I'm going through.

I know he doesn't want me as a mate. But now I believe he hates me. Now, I hate him too. If my enemy was going through this, I would help them. The pain I'm feeling is inhuman. What makes it worse is that he feels my discomfort because he stands in the room but still chooses to ignore me. He's essentially sentencing me to torture.

***

A week has gone by since my heat. I survived the three days of torture thanks to Ana and Chloe. They made sure the water in the bathtub was never warm. I feel bad for the stress I caused them, but they reassured me that as my friends, they were glad to help. I'm so lucky to have them in my life.

I'm in the gardens with Ana, and I have a lot on my mind. I'm thinking about my mother. And the pain Nate caused me during my heat is still fresh in my brain. However, it helped me realize something.

Nate hates me and will never want to be with me. So, I have decided to leave him. And this time, I'll make sure I'm not found. I don't know how I'll leave or guarantee I'm not found. I only know I don't want to be here anymore—I can't be here anymore.

"Liz, what are you thinking about?" Ana asks, waving her hand in my face.

"Nothing," I say, smiling to make her think I was genuinely thinking of nothing serious.

"Are you hungry? I want to go in and make a sandwich. Do you want some?" Ana asks, standing up.

"Yes, I'm hungry. I would love one, please," I say, standing up from the bench close to the vegetable garden.

We walk inside her house and while she's making us sandwiches I ask for her opinion about Nate.

"Ana, do you know why the King hates me?"

"Hates you? I don't think the king hates you."

"If he doesn't hate me, why does he treat me how he does?"

"I don't know. But I don't think the King hates you."

"I think he does. I wish I knew why."

"I know he doesn't treat you like a mate should, but I'm sure he has his reasons."

"No one could cause as much pain as he has without feeling hateful. It seems impossible."

"Hmm, I hope you're wrong, regardless."

"I doubt it."

***

On my way home, I hear someone's voice in my head.

"Where are you?" the person asks.

"Who is this?" I ask back. Since I've arrived here, no one has mind-linked me.

"Leave whatever you're doing and come to my office," he says then blocks off the connection.

There's only one person in the world who'd talk to me like that. I change my route and walk to Nathaniel's office. I knock on his door before entering.

"Sit," he says in his familiar stern tone.

"Hello to you too," I mutter to myself.

"I heard you. Don't try and be sassy with me."

I zip my mouth and sit quietly. I wonder why he called me here. This is the first time we're seeing or speaking since my heat period, and the first thing he says to me is in a harsh tone. And Ana doesn't think he hates me? How can anyone else not see it?

"Don't overuse it," he says, handing me a black credit card.

"What's this for?"

"You need to dress more appropriately if you want to follow me to council meetings instead of waiting for me in my office all day."

"Can I just stay at home, like I used to?" I don't want to spend my whole day around him. I can only imagine how horrible every day would become for me. He already makes my life hell without seeing him all day.

"No."

I'm about to beg when an idea pops into my head.

"Okay, and when can I go shopping?"

"Tomorrow."

"Alright. Have you gotten any news from my old Alpha about my Mom?"

"None."

"Please, if something comes up, don't leave me in the dark."

"I can't."

"You can't?" I repeat, not understanding.

"I can't not tell you because I know how much it means to you. So, I'll tell you immediately."

"Oh," I say, surprised with his reply. I wasn't expecting his ready acquiesence.

"If that's all, you can leave."

I stand up from the chair to walk out, picking up the credit card from his table before I walk out of his office.

For the first time, I'm walking away from him with a smile. My smile is because of the credit card he gave me. If only he knew giving me this card was his greatest mistake.

***

The following day, Ana, Chloe, and I head to the mall. We've been shopping for hours now. We finally decide to take a break and find something to eat. I excuse myself to go to the restroom, or so I tell them. Instead, I quickly walk to an AT&T where I buy a sim card and a phone.

It's a good thing Nate gave me a black card because with the amount of clothes I bought today. I would have already maxed out the card. I intentionally bought expensive things in passive revenge. I can't beat him or even try to fight him, so I might as well use as much of his money as I can. I know the clothes I bought won't bankrupt him, but it's worth a try. It feels nice to spend his money extravagantly. I hope he's furious when he sees how much I spent.

When the store employee is done setting up my phone, I quickly download uber. I order a car and wait for it to arrive. I hope I'll escape before Ana and Chloe notice I'm taking a lot of time in the toilet.

I hate that I didn't tell them my plans to escape because I know they'll worry about me. I plan to send Chloe a message once I'm far enough away. I'll keep in touch with her this time around, and hopefully, Nate won't find me.

I'm praying he doesn't find me. I'm not only leaving to find my Mom, I'm also leaving him. I deserve better than this Alpha King.

***

After an hour, the Uber arrives at my planned destination. I step out of the car and walk to the border. A warrior sees me and approaches.

"Who are you, and what are you doing here?" He knows I'm not a rogue because I don't smell like one. That's why he didn't attack.

"Tell your Alpha the Queen is here."

"The Queen?" he asks, confused.

"Yes, I'm the Alpha King's Mate." This is the only time I think I'm ever going to take pride in being his mate.

"Forgive me, my Queen, for my rude behavior. I'll let Alpha Scarlett know you're here immediately," the warrior says and starts mind linking.

"Thank you," I say, praying I haven't made a huge mistake coming here.

If there's anyone who would want me away from Nate's side, it's Scarlett.