Chapter 56

Astrid's POV I knew that I was going to escape before I did it. I made the decision shortly after realizing that I could actually shift now and that it had not just been a stress-induced reaction from the swamps. Victoria, my wolf, however, was still very shy and rarely spoke to me unless I disturbed her. Even when I did, she would do the mental equivalent of raising her head before laying back down again. I didn't blame her. If she felt half as traumatized as I felt, then her behaviour was justified. Initially, when I woke up, I couldn't walk but then after my first partial shift, I regained the ability to walk again. But I continued to pretend that I couldn't walk because it gave me enough time and space to plan and attempt to escape. The day I escaped, I saw Alpha Jaxon. He came up to my bedside while I pretended to be asleep and stroked my cheek almost lovingly. I hated the way my body responded eagerly to his touch even my wolf was no longer lethargic the moment he touched us. I a