I wait about 30 minutes to make sure no one is watching me. I mindlink Cam to meet me by the bathroom near the side door. My nerves are in full swing, I'm antsy. I'm thinking of all the ways this can go wrong. All the ways I can screw up. They whip people here for punishment. They don't do it often. But running away when given an order to go with the Alpha's daughter to another pack? That's ground for a whipping, right? Goddess what about Cam? If she's implicated. I can't do this. Do I have the guts to leave the Clear Water Pack?
'Breathe, you are okay. We are okay. Everything is going to be fine. I'm with you.'
Emma uncharacteristically chimes in.
'How are you so calm? You are usually the one winding me up.' I replied.
'I don't know. There's something different. A few minutes ago something, chan—'
She was interrupted by
"Oh Goddess this is happening Sam!" Cam comes baring in.
"Shh girl. Yes. I'm leaving now, I love you okay." Goddess her face is killing me. The grief I cannot stand. I don't want to leave her either. I wrap her in my arms and hold her tightly. She sobs for a few minutes while holding.
"Call me as soon as you can, you hear me Sam. I need to know your safe.." She leans away from me while holding my shoulder staring into my eyes. "Yes of course." With one last hug, I slip out the door and Cam back to the ball pretending as if nothing ever happened.
I start walking through the garden. Thank goodness the flower beds are tall and this is one of the activities the pack had for the guests. No one will see it suspicious if a wolf is walking over here. The second I'm near the tree line I slip in and start running. The bag that Cam had left is only a ten minute run up river. Then I'll cross the river, that should lose my scent a bit. I'm not expecting anyone to know I'm missing until the morning, by then I should be almost at the human city. Thank goodness I went with the thick flats and thick leggings under this dress.
The moon is extra bright tonight, more so for being the day after the full moon. I slow my run down, enamored by the shine of the moon. She's beautiful, vibrant, full of iridescence. Is she glowing for me? That sounds silly. But I can't help that she's calling me. I come to a complete stop. Unable to remove my eyes from the moon. She's shimmering. The river is right there, but how can I stop staring at this beauty? It's like she's trying to tell me something, but what?
*CRUNCH*
The snapping of twigs snaps me out of my trance. Ugh! How could I be so stupid! Staring at the moon! Such a stupid wolf thing to do!
Another twig snaps. Closer this time. Ugh it can't be my pack. Clear Water pack didn't have patrol out this way right now. I checked before leaving.
Out from behind an oak tree comes a huge, no scratch that, the biggest wolf I have ever seen.
My heart slams against my ribs as I take a step back, instinct screaming at me to run. Every lesson drilled into me since childhood goes off at once,unknown wolf, not knowing their intent, territory unclear. My fingers curl into fists at my sides even though I know how useless they'd be if this thing decides I'm prey. Fucking Goddess, he's massive. His fur looks dark under the moonlight, muscles rolling beneath his coat as he moves with terrifying grace. This isn't a normal patrol wolf. This is a predator who knows exactly how powerful he is.
Emma stirs, sharp and alert now.
'Easy', she murmurs, low and controlled. 'Don't bolt yet.'
Yet? That word does nothing to help my panic.
The wolf steps forward, slow, deliberate, as if he knows I'm calculating escape routes. His head tilts, nostrils flaring as he scents the air,and then he freezes. Completely still. His body goes rigid, ears flicking forward, eyes locking onto me with an intensity that makes my breath hitch. It's not hunger I see there. Not aggression either.
Recognition.
My chest tightens painfully, a strange pull settling deep in my gut, warm and dizzying all at once. I've never felt anything like it. It's like gravity suddenly shifted, dragging me toward him without my permission. My skin tingles, nerves buzzing as if electricity is skimming just beneath the surface.
'Sam…' Emma's voice drops to a whisper, reverent and stunned. 'That's not just a wolf.'
"No," I breathe aloud, shaking my head, backing up another step. "No, no, no this can't be fucking happening. Not now. Not tonight. Shit!"
The wolf takes another step closer, and I swear the earth itself feels heavier beneath his paws. His eyes glow brighter, silver catching the moonlight, and something ancient and commanding presses against my senses—not threatening, not cruel—but undeniably dominant.
Run, my mind begs.
But my body won't listen.