The Beginning Of The End

As I'm getting ready to cook dinner for the kids for the last time, I decided to cook their favorite meal, Pork tacos, mac and cheese, and red velvet cupcakes for dessert. The kids demolish every bit of the food I've cooked. Then Jess takes the kids upstairs and starts getting them ready for bed. I decide to get to know the little girl we will be taking with us. She's a tiny little thing with long curly brown hair and emerald green eyes, just like mine. I sit her on the edge of Jessicas' bed and start asking questions like her name, her age, her favorite color, and anything I can think of that she may be able to tell me. But I get nothing, not even the smallest of noises.

"She hasn't spoken a word since she arrived," Jess says, walking into the room. "Either she's too scared to talk, or she can't."

"Will you have enough masking spray for the both of you?" I ask, curious if we'll have to get more before we leave.

"Yes, I have plenty to make it at least a week for the both of us." She replies. I nod and turn to look at the little girl, knowing I have to explain what's about to happen.

"We are leaving tonight, and we're taking you with us, Okay?" I ask, sure I won't get a response, but to my surprise, she smiles and nods her head. Jess and I look at each other in disbelief before looking back at the adorable little girl.

"Do you have a name?" I ask again, and she shakes her head. I think for a moment, then look at her. "Odett, What about the name Odett?"

"Pretty," She and Jess say in unison.

"Great, Now lay on down and cover-up," I say happily. "Try to get some sleep, we'll be leaving in a few hours."

She lays down, and she's out as soon as her head hits the pillow. I look at Jess as she tucks in our little Odett and smiles.

"We're gonna need a bigger bag to put some stuff for her in too. Ours is packed full." I say, motioning to the full-to-bursting black duffle bag I pulled out of the closet.

"I already have a bag packed with stuff for her and ready to go." She says, as pulls a small bookbag out from under her bunk and smiles at me.

"You're amazing!" I declare as I hug her.

A little after 1 in the morning, I get up and start getting ready. I walk to the bathroom and pull my hair up into a tight bun, pull my oversized black hoodie on, and look in the mirror as I pull the hood up over my head to make sure my bright red hair is covered completely. I find a pair of black leggings and my black beat-up sneakers, pull them on, and make sure I tighten the laces to make sure they won't fly off if I have to run. When I get back to the room, Jess is already dressed and ready to go. I pick up Odett while Jess grabs the bags and a blanket before we quietly walk down the stairs and out the back door that opens up to the wood line.

Once we're far enough into the woods, Jess shifts into Shina. She's a beautiful wolf, but the sounds she makes while shifting terrifies me. When she's done, I place a still sleeping Odett on her back, and I wrap the blanket Jess brought with us around them, making sure she is secure before I tie it. I grab the masking spray out of the duffle bag and spray them down well before placing it back in the bag and tossing them both over my shoulder. I check my watch, and it's 1:56.

"It's 1:56, time to go," I say to Shina. She nods her head to show she's ready, and we make our way to the border.

After walking for a few minutes, Shina stops and quickly jumps behind a huge tree. I follow her lead finding a bush to hide behind. I peek over it and see two guards coming our way. My body goes stiff, and I hold my breath, praying to the Goddess they don't find us. They walk by completely, oblivious to us being here. I look over at Shina behind the tree to see her nod to me, and we start walking again. A couple of minutes later, we make it to the border, and I take Odett off her back and watch as she shifts back to her naked human form.

"Okay, we're gonna have to do this quickly. As soon as I denounce the pack, you'll have to say your name and that you accept Alpha Ians' rejection, I'll shift back while you do that, then you secure Odett on my back, and then we run like hell." She says, and I nod in agreement.

"Okay, I, Jessica Tompson, denounce Alpha Max as my Alpha and the Blue River Pack as my home." She says and nods to me before shifting back to Shina.

"I, Rain, accept Alpha Ian as his mate and Luna of the Blue River Pack," I say as I place Odett back on Shinas' back, tying the blanket securely around Odett and Shina before grabbing our bags, and we run.