22

~Aurelia Williams~

I stood silently in the hall and watched Steven leave me here alone.

I messed everything up. Why was I so stupid?

I turned a good start into a terrible day.

Arsen, like Steven, hates me now. No wonder. After all, my father told me that I'm not worth loving anyway. Today just proves it even more.

I jeopardized that between me and Steven and destroyed our friendship in the process. How can I ever make amends?

What kind of stupid person am I?

Trapped in my thoughts, I locked out everyone else in the room until someone suddenly tapped me. Now there was a person in front of me that I could use the least of all.

"Hi, I know we didn't have a great start earlier, but I want to make it up to you." Savanna began. "My name is Savanna, the future Luna of this pack." Why was she suddenly nice now?

"Luna?" I really didn't need her ramblings right now, but this question really interested me. What is a Luna now?

“You can think of Luna as the Alpha's wife. She is the mother of the pack and should ensure the cohesion in the pack." Her voice was so artificially distorted that it was really exhausting to listen to her. A few minutes ago she was still the head bitch and now she behaves like a loving mother. "Now that you're causing trouble in the pack, I'll have to take care of it. You know, maybe it's best if you just go back home. Besides, all this stress around here is really not good for the future alpha." With her last sentence, she put a hand on her abdomen.

was she pregnant?

Arsenic?

Something inside me tightened. I knew who she was, but I didn't expect that. And I didn't expect this news to hurt so much.

why does it hurt so much Arsenic is just arsenic. He is unimportant to me and would never be able to love someone like me.

I knew it was all just an attempt to get rid of me. But deep down, I knew she was right. I bring trouble into the pack and Arsen would never love me either. Unfortunately, I'm too naive to really check that now. And wouldn't now be the best time to flee? Arsenic wouldn't even notice. He would be far too surprised by the 'good news'.

Besides, he just ran away angry and so did my guard. That's why nobody is looking after me at the moment and I'm not locked in my room either. So I made the decision.

Now or never. I might not have the chance later. It was clear to me from the start that I couldn't stay here, but it still almost feels like home.

Still, it hurts to stay here longer. Savanna is right. I bring only chaos with me and destroy friendships. Nobody needs me here.

While I wasn't making as much progress as I normally would with that stupid splint on my leg, this might have been my only chance.

I left the dining room unobtrusively and walked towards the front door with a normal gait. I walked out like it was the most normal thing in the world. Don't be conspicuous now.

At a still normal pace, I ran towards the first rows of trees that led into a denser forest.

Done. From now on nobody should notice me so quickly.

Then I started running as far as I could with the rail. I left the crutches in the pack house, they would probably only hold me up.

I hobbled further and further into the deep forest.

Hopefully civilization isn't too far away, otherwise the wolves would have caught up with me by then. Steven said the city is a few hours away but if I'm lucky there are villages or roads nearby.

I also hoped Steven and Arsen hadn't realized I was gone in the first place. As angry as the two were, they'll only notice it in a few days anyway. Hopefully. Besides, they probably don't care anyway.

-----

I've hobbled through the cool forest for hours now with no idea where I was. Now I'm sure I got lost. Everything looked the same. In addition, the sun is now going down and in the forest it is even colder than it was just now.

Maybe running away wasn't such a good idea after all. At least without packing anything. I could have at least packed a jacket or changed since I was still wearing my dress from breakfast. Or I should have tried to escape in a car, even if I don't have a driver's license, it can't be that difficult.

After another hour the sun had set and it was pitch dark.

How long have I been here now? Would I ever reach the end of this forest? Did the forest even have an end or is this an enchanted forest?

Then suddenly a sad wolf howl sounded again.

It sounded like the night before. Is that probably arsenic again? Did he notice my disappearance?

And if so. He didn't care about me anyway.

I almost hoped that he would find me and bring me back to my bed. But then I remembered his words.

"You stay here! Basta. And woe to you trying to flee, otherwise you will experience a blue miracle."

He would probably kill me. It's probably better that way. What would I have become to him otherwise?

He will soon be a father. He doesn't need me at all. Why did he take me in the first place? Why did he tell me about werewolves? What does my presence bring him? I'm nothing.

My thoughts were interrupted by a crack of sticks to my right.

'Arsenic, he had found me' went through my mind. With new hope and panic running through my body.

Then another crack and then I saw a shadow running out of a bush. This shadow had a wolf-like shape as previously expected. But then it started to growl.

As the shadow stepped into the moonlight, I flinched.

No. That wasn't arsenic.

Instead of beautiful silky black fur, this wolf had dark brown unkempt fur. It was matted and even torn out in places. This wolf's eyes were bright yellow and just stared at me coldly, as if I were its next meal. And that's what I'm sure to be, even if I don't leave right away.

The wolf lunged toward me, and I turned and started running. Although I had experience with wolf attacks and knew that they are faster, but what should I have done? Should I have brought some cutlery and a napkin for the wolf?

Just yesterday I was attacked by one. Today again. Maybe I should get used to it slowly. Assuming I survive today's attack, which is unlikely. Who should please help me here?

And then I felt a tug on my right leg. Luckily for me, the wolf bit into my splint and didn't bite my flesh with it. However, he pulled it and I flew there. I let out a loud scream.

The wolf let go and I tried to crawl away. But of course he jumped on top of me, which made me roll onto my back.

He stood directly over me and his drool dripped onto my forehead. His gaze was pure evil. He wanted to eat me and now.

The wolf opened his mouth and an unpleasant musty breath came towards me.

Now I really regret not being able to just listen to arsenic.