The Shadow Mark Luna Mated to 7 Identical Alpha Kings

Rachel's breath caught in her throat as she examined the scholarship papers in Ymir's possession. The door to freedom was wide open, and she never thought she would get the chance. But it cost a lot. She'd spent years locked behind the cult's oppressive confines, knowing nothing else. She hesitated for a while, then rushed.

"Rachel!" Ymir's yell came from behind her, but she didn't turn around. As she ran down the tiny hallway, her pulse raced and the world around her blurred.

The cult was always on the lookout and waiting. She needed to go. Now.

The footsteps behind her got louder and closer. She pushed herself harder, even though the rough pavement hurt her bare feet. There was no way to go back. She couldn't let them catch her or stop her.

As she turned the corner, the sound of boots was obvious in her ears. They were getting closer to her. She pushed past the ache in her lungs and only thought about the door at the end of the alley. The wind touched her skin; it was the only thing that could help her in her dash for freedom.

Then, a piercing, recognisable voice from behind stopped her in her tracks. "Rachel, stop. "You can't get away."

The cult was getting closer and closer to her. She took a big breath and ran forward, but something told her the chase was only starting.

Rachel's pulse raced as she ran down the streets that were slick with rain. The smell of wet concrete was strong in the air. She had never been so vibrant or so scared. Freedom tasted better than anything she could have imagined, but the fear-oh, the fear-was still there.

The world sped by her, and every stride took her farther away from the life she had known. But the shadows at every turn made her nervous and kept her on edge.

As her feet hit the cobblestones, she gasped for air. The sound of someone yelling, which was far away but getting closer, made her stomach knot.

Then, the figure emerged, veiled and quiet, right in front of her, blocking her way out.

"Rachel, go back." They won't let you leave.

Rachel wouldn't stop, even though the voice was low and a warning. She pressed on, her heart racing. She wasn't going back.

"Get out of the way!" she shouted, her voice breaking from the stress.

The apparition didn't move; he stood tall in the shadows, making the air feel cold. Rachel tripped and her legs shook under her. As she was ready to jump over him, a cold hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the dark.

The voice said, "I'm not here to stop you." "But speed alone won't help you get away."

The alley was narrow, and with each step she took, it got closer. Rachel's breathing was uneven, and her thoughts was racing. She had to hide, so she ducked into the darkness and prayed they wouldn't find her.

But the cult didn't give up. They always knew.

She stopped moving when she heard something rustling in the distance. She bent down low to try to calm her breathing. A voice in a low tone disturbed the silence. "She's here somewhere." Look for her.

Rachel's heart skipped a beat. They were getting closer, and she couldn't get away.

She ran into a corner, thinking that the shadows would hide her from view. The individuals walked by, their steps heavy and slow. Every move felt like an eternity, and each second brought her closer to being caught.

A loud howl suddenly rang out in the air. A wolf's howl. It pierced through the night like a demand or a warning. The figures paused and looked at each other nervously.