Chapter 3
I throw on my clothes quickly, anxious that someone might walk in at any moment. My legs tremble beneath me, but I force myself onward. These people appear generous and stepped in when I was desperate, but my instincts to run or fight are taking over.
I need to put as much distance between myself and this place as possible. Over the years, various wolf packs have passed through this region, and every experience begins the same for me. As a lone wolf, they always assume I need their help. They invite me to join them, believing they’re rescuing me.
A solitary wolf is vulnerable-hunters can easily track and kill them, and nobody would seek revenge or even mourn their loss. The first time a pack extended an invitation, I accepted immediately. It happened only a year after my own family turned me out, and loneliness and fear filled me.
Everything seemed wonderful at first, and I allowed myself to imagine a future with them. But that feeling didn’t last. The more time I spent with the pack, the more distant and strange everyone
became.
Before long, they expelled me, demanding I never come back. That rejection hurt nearly as much as being abandoned by my own family. I had let myself hope, only to be disappointed again.
Every encounter since then has ended the same way, though I no longer take up their offers or let myself hope. They persist for a while, but eventually realize there’s something about me that isn’t right.
Rejection always follows. Sometimes they vanish suddenly, and other times they leave me battered and bruised. I can’t figure out what is wrong with me. I’ve asked for answers, but nobody is willing to explain.
I truly don’t understand. I always behave kindly and try to be helpful. People even laugh at my jokes. It almost feels like some invisible barrier surrounds me, pushing anyone away who tries to get close.
That’s the reason I need to distance myself from this group. Sooner or later, they’ll reach the same verdict as everyone else, and I have no desire to face their rejection or risk getting hurt.
I press my ear against the door, listening closely. Voices, soft and indistinct, echo from somewhere nearby, so I remain still, waiting for them to leave. While I wait, I take out my phone and check the GPS, trying to pinpoint my exact location.
They’ve brought me to a house on the opposite side of town from where I live. If I shift into my wolf form, I could probably reach home within forty minutes. With luck, they won’t chase after me once they notice I’m missing.
When the noise in the hallway fades away, I carefully twist the doorknob and peek outside to ensure it’s safe. Not seeing anyone, I slip out and gently close the door behind me, making as little sound as possible. I have no idea which direction leads outside, so I just choose a path and hope it’s the right
one.
‘This isn’t going to work,’ Amelia’s voice rings out in my mind again.
I suppress a groan and push her aside. She, of all people, should get why I’m desperate to escape. She’s endured the same rejections as I have over the years. I can’t understand why she wants me to stay now.
As I move through the house, I feel some relief when I spot the staircase. I hurry down, only to freeze
when one of the steps creaks beneath me. I stop, heart pounding, and glance around, worried someone will come running.
After a tense moment, I continue; the sound probably wasn’t as noticeable as it seemed. At the foot of the stairs, I inhale deeply, trying to detect any nearby scents. The familiar aroma of lilac and honey drifts to me again.
Instinctively, I start to follow it, but I catch myself and force my body to turn away. If I want to leave without being caught, I need to avoid that scent at all costs.
Near the stairs, I spot a large door that must be the front entrance. I move toward it, but just then, voices grow louder. Quickly, I slip into the first room I find and close the door behind me.
At first, darkness obscures everything, but my eyes soon adjust. I realize I’m surrounded by coats and cleaning supplies. I press myself as far back as possible, just in case someone enters the closet. It probably won’t help much-any wolf nearby would smell me before seeing me-but it gives me a little
comfort.
“Did you see the wolf they brought in yesterday?” someone asks, their voice uncomfortably close.
“No, the Alpha isn’t letting anyone near her except the doctor,” another replies.
“He’s acting strangely protective.”
“Maybe. He might just not want to stress her out while she’s sick. I don’t think she’s part of any pack. My scouts reported no signs of other wolves in the area.”
“That’s good. Maybe we can finally settle here for good.”
My heart races at the very idea. If they choose to establish their base here, this time it might be me who is forced out. That would be even worse than any prior encounter I’ve had with wolf packs.
“Do you think she’s going to join us in the end?”
“It looks like Alpha is hoping for that.”
Their voices gradually become faint, and once the silence returns, I gently open the door. It appears once more that I’m on my own. Stepping quietly out of the closet, I head straight for the front door. I need to leave immediately.
There isn’t even time to consider what my options would be if this pack settles in town. I get the door open and slip outside, letting it close behind me with a loud bang I don’t care about. Without looking back, I dash away from the house, desperate to put as much distance as possible between me and them.
Drawing in a shaky breath, I focus on Amelia and try to shift into my wolf form. My chest constricts with the effort, but nothing changes. I keep pressing on, though breathing is harder than it should be.
I make another attempt, and this time a jolt of pain shoots through me. The illness still lingers, leaving me too frail to transform, and I’ve never felt so exposed. Shifting has never been an issue before, and now I realize the journey home on foot will take much longer.
‘Go back,’ Amelia urges. ‘We need him.’
“We don’t need anyone,” I insist, continuing to run as quickly as my weakened body will let me, which isn’t very fast. With each breath, my lungs ache, but I refuse to slow down.
#15 46
1.78%
<Chapter 3
Get 5
I have to get far enough away that, if they do look for me, they won’t find me. If they shift into wolves and organize a search, I’ll be at a serious disadvantage. Hopefully, searching for me won’t seem urgent to them, and they won’t risk running around in wolf form, which would only bring them more trouble.
After traveling for another hour, I finally reach my apartment building. I push open the door and, for the first time since leaving the pack house, allow myself to pause, leaning heavily against the wall at the
base of the stairs.
My body protests with exhaustion, and I let myself slide down to the floor. Everything feels chaotic, and I don’t want to face any of it. I can’t bear to think about the possibility that, if this new pack stays, I might be forced out again and have to start over somewhere new.
A few minutes later, my phone vibrates. Sophia has sent a message wishing me a speedy recovery and telling me I can take more time off if I need it, since I rarely call in sick or request vacation.
Part of me wants to use the next couple of days to fully recover and make alternate plans, but I also know that I might end up just sitting in my apartment, brooding over everything. In the end, I decide to give myself at least the rest of the day, and figure things out after that.
A warning flashes across my screen, letting me know my phone battery is down to ten percent. That becomes my cue to haul myself up and begin the trek toward my apartment. Reaching the top leaves me utterly drained, as if I might just collapse right there.
Just a few more steps, I silently urge myself, repeating it until I finally stand in front of my bed. I let myself drop onto the mattress, not even bothering to change out of my clothes. Sleep takes me over almost immediately, though it’s restless.
When I come to again, a sense of heaviness still clings to my body. The world outside is cloaked in darkness, and I have no clue how long I’ve been out. I glance at my phone, but it’s completely lifeless. After plugging it in, I stay seated on my bed for a bit.
My temples throb, and then my stomach makes a noise, reminding me I haven’t eaten in a while. After sitting there a little longer, I force myself to shuffle to the kitchen and reach for some painkillers. I gulp down a glass of water right after, realizing I must be parched.
The water leaves my stomach feeling bloated, but I know my body needs more than that to recover. I spot a packet of ramen in the cupboard and set some water on the stove to boil. While I wait, I check my phone again.
There are a few junk emails and a reply from Sophia. I also notice that it’s four in the morning. If I planned on working today, I’d have to start getting ready in about forty-five minutes. I don’t have the strength to hurry, so I decide to take the day off and give myself a chance to recuperate.
I quickly text Sophia to say I’m still on the mend but should be back the following day. Once my meal is ready, I pick at it, eating only as much as I can handle. My appetite is nearly gone, but I manage a few bites. When I’m done, I leave the bowl on the counter and crawl back under the covers.
Sleep claims me once more, and it feels as if the darkness is pressing down on me. I try to resist, but nothing solid fights back. “Help!” I call out.
“I’m here. It’s okay.” This time, Amelia’s voice isn’t bouncing around in my mind-it sounds close, almost beside me.
I scan the darkness, but my eyes barely adjust. I wonder if this is how it feels to be human. “Where are
15:46
1.95%
you?”
“I haven’t left.” She speaks from somewhere behind me now.
I turn, but still can’t make her out. “What’s happening? Why couldn’t we shift earlier?”
“I’m not sure,” Amelia confesses, her voice now right next to me. “But we have to return to the pack.”
This time, I turn and spot the outline of a wolf, its fur glossy and black. I reach out, placing my hand on Amelia’s head. I’ve never interacted with her in this way before. “They’re not our pack. Going back is too dangerous.”
Amelia shakes her head. “You’re letting your thoughts get in the way. I know you sense it.”
“Sense what?” Frustration begins to build inside me.
“He won’t turn you away.”
Elijah’s face suddenly fills my vision. No, he’s an alpha just like all the others. I might feel a pull toward him, but he would just turn me away like everyone else has. I’m simply too big a liability for his pack, though he hasn’t realized it yet. He hasn’t even suggested I stay-not that I hung around to give him the chance.
I want to trust what Amelia said, but I know better than to risk hoping. I don’t know if I could bear the pain of being turned away again if I allowed myself to dream of actually joining a pack. Amelia must be mistaken, but I can’t bring myself to voice that doubt. Still, there’s a small part of me that wonders if things could be different this time.
“Be cautious.” Another voice rings out in the room.
I tense up, unable to see anything except Amelia and the surrounding darkness. “Who’s there?”
“You’re in danger.” That’s all the mysterious voice offers.
The dream begins to dissolve, and everything slips back into darkness.
