The Rogue Alpha’s Claim

“Maddie?” Ariel looked at the female in front of her, wondering just why she was here. Her eyes lowered to the parcel she was holding, and Ariel eyed it in distaste.

Was she thinking of going with her?

“What are you doing here?”

“What do you think I am doing here?” Maddie eyed her in similar distaste, not caring for her red eyes or the snort almost dripping out of her nose.

“Look, this is the worst time for a fight, Maddie. I already told you I have nothing to do with your mate; I have my own mate…”Ariel paused at her words, not sure Kane was worthy of being called her mate, but before she could continue, Maddie had beaten her to it.

“I came to give you this.” Maddie said, stretching out her hands and handing her a little brown box.

“What is that?” Ariel’s eyebrows knitted in confusion as she eyed the package, her hands refusing to move from her side.

“Just take it; you will need it.” Maddie moved closer, dumping the package in her hand, and she took a step back. “I heard you and Kane fiasco.”

“Ohhh.” Ariel’s mouth was wide open in realization, the tips of her ears turning red as shame took hold of her. Just how many people have heard of their shouts?

How could she have forgotten that she lived in a house where all their senses were heightened and they weren’t exactly quiet?

“Well, you already heard, and I don’t think you are here enough to stop me.”

“Oh no, never. I don’t exactly like you, but I understand what it means to be in your position, and while I hate to admit it, I know Toby will be happy to know that I did something.”

“Thank you.” Ariel replied genuinely.

“There is a phone, some cash, and just some essentials that I think you will need inside the box. It may not be much, but it should go a long way.”

“I thought you hated me.” It was a miracle her voice didn’t croak as she began to talk. After what she had just been through, Maddie showing her any bit of kindness was the last thing she expected.

“Again, I may not be a fan, but I am not heartless, and I suggest you get going before Kane decides to come for you.”

“Thank you so much, Maddie; I will never forget your kindness.” Ariel whispered with so much emotion, gripping her hand tightly, but Maddie could only endure it for long before she shrugged her hands off.

“Keep going north, and you will be out of here.” That was all she said before she turned her back, and she was walking briskly into the packhouse.

Ariel looked at her retreating back for a little longer before it clicked in her head that if she wanted to get a head start, she would have to be on her way.

She lowered herself into the car and took a deep breath, the scent of the leather interior bringing a smile to her face.

She held the wheel with unsteady hands. It It had been a while since she was behind a steering wheel, but she could still remember how it functioned, so she grabbed the keys and pressed the button, watching the car roar back to life.

“Yeap baby.” Ariel screamed despite the internal turmoil in her; nothing beat the sound of a good car, and right now, this car was hers.

She took the wheels, driving the tarred path until she got to the gigantic metal gate, where the guards lay in wait.

“Luna?” They failed to conceal their shock as they saw her.

She could imagine their surprise, though; she had never seen the need to go out of the pack as everything she needed was provided for her.

“The alpha said to open the gate.” Ariel knew that they wouldn’t dare to disobey Kane, but they still shared skeptical looks until eventually the gate opened and she was driving out of the gate with such speed in case they decided to stop her.

It wasn’t until she was a good distance away from the pack that she could breathe well. The road ahead was a smooth, tarred road, and Ariel turned on autopilot as she relaxed in her seat.

She grabbed the parcel she had dumped on the passenger seat, and she tore it apart, eager to see what she had packed.

And true to her words, there were some bundles of a $100 bill, a phone, a knife, and a few changes of clothes-basically, the essentials, just as she had mentioned, but the thoughts brought tears to her eyes.

Ariel had run out of the house blindly in her anger, and she had forgotten to carry anything with her, not even a debit card.

Her pride would never let her go back to the room, and she had wondered how she would survive without anything, but Maddie had given her a fighting chance.

Now all that was left was revenge.

Immediately after she got to the human town and settled down, she was going to devise a revenge plan.

Kane wasn’t going scot-free.

He had caused her so much untold pain. He lied to her, thinking she was going to remain dumb, but jokes on him.

Ariel continued on the path Maddie had described for her, but it had been an hour now, and she was losing hope. Apart from the tarred road, it was just large stretches of forest that continued for so long.

Seeing only the bright greenery was making her uncomfortable and nauseous. Who knew which pack she was crossing? They could be Kane’s enemies and decide to come for her.

She fingered her silver necklace, glad it had never crossed her mind to take it off. If she managed to make it to the human community, she was going to have to order another batch of wolfsbane.

And so, Ariel continued the journey, but her mind kept wandering to Kane, and she hoped secretly that the guilt was killing her.

She would never forgive him.

***

Ariel couldn’t tell her how long she had been on this path, but she was beginning to get tired; her arms hurt from all the driving; it was a struggle trying to keep her eyes open; and yet another yawn tore from her lips.

She was tired.

She needed food, maybe some shut eyes, and a place to stay. It was tempting to stop the car somewhere and take a quick nap.

But she could be inside an enemy camp, and who knows what they will do when they get to her?

Instead, she continued on, cranking the volume of the radio very loud, hoping the music was going to prevent her from falling asleep.

But after several miles, hope was a thing of the past, and she was sure Maddie had led her to a dead end.

She should have never trusted her.

Her bladder had been stretched to the limit, and she was sure that if she didn’t stop to empty it, she was going to combust.

But she continued driving, her left hands massaging her lower stomach while pleading with her body to hold on. She had sighted a clearing in front, and she stopped the car and came down.

In her pockets were a wad of cash, a phone, and a car key, and she clutched the knife in her hands. If anyone comes too close, they will feel the brunt of her knife.

She found a somewhat secure place, and she lowered herself, releasing all the contents of her bladder and her searching eyes all over the place.

She couldn’t take any chances.

She was almost through when she heard the howls a little distance from where she was.

“It is fine; it is just a figment of your imagination.” She tried to reassure herself, but she was sure they could hear her heart pounding.

As if mocking her, she heard another howl, and this time it was closer than before, and she didn’t think anything before she took to her heels.

She was sure her feet were touching the back of her head, but she had no care for the world. She couldn’t allow herself to be captured.

Ariel ran for her life, the initial fatigue giving way as the adrenaline rush took over. However, in her blind run, she couldn’t make sense of her environment, and she stumbled into a tree.

No.

A tree couldn’t be this warm; she was sure she felt what was a dog’s ear or a wolf, and she didn’t think twice.

She gathered all the air in her lungs, and she screamed.

“Aaaahhhhhh…”

“Maddie?” Ariel looked at the female in front of her, wondering just why she was here. Her eyes lowered to the parcel she was holding, and Ariel eyed it in distaste.

Was she thinking of going with her?

“What are you doing here?”

“What do you think I am doing here?” Maddie eyed her in similar distaste, not caring for her red eyes or the snort almost dripping out of her nose.

“Look, this is the worst time for a fight, Maddie. I already told you I have nothing to do with your mate; I have my own mate…”Ariel paused at her words, not sure Kane was worthy of being called her mate, but before she could continue, Maddie had beaten her to it.

“I came to give you this.” Maddie said, stretching out her hands and handing her a little brown box.This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .

“What is that?” Ariel’s eyebrows knitted in confusion as she eyed the package, her hands refusing to move from her side.

“Just take it; you will need it.” Maddie moved closer, dumping the package in her hand, and she took a step back. “I heard you and Kane fiasco.”

“Ohhh.” Ariel’s mouth was wide open in realization, the tips of her ears turning red as shame took hold of her. Just how many people have heard of their shouts?

How could she have forgotten that she lived in a house where all their senses were heightened and they weren’t exactly quiet?

“Well, you already heard, and I don’t think you are here enough to stop me.”

“Oh no, never. I don’t exactly like you, but I understand what it means to be in your position, and while I hate to admit it, I know Toby will be happy to know that I did something.”

“Thank you.” Ariel replied genuinely.

“There is a phone, some cash, and just some essentials that I think you will need inside the box. It may not be much, but it should go a long way.”

“I thought you hated me.” It was a miracle her voice didn’t croak as she began to talk. After what she had just been through, Maddie showing her any bit of kindness was the last thing she expected.

“Again, I may not be a fan, but I am not heartless, and I suggest you get going before Kane decides to come for you.”

“Thank you so much, Maddie; I will never forget your kindness.” Ariel whispered with so much emotion, gripping her hand tightly, but Maddie could only endure it for long before she shrugged her hands off.

“Keep going north, and you will be out of here.” That was all she said before she turned her back, and she was walking briskly into the packhouse.

Ariel looked at her retreating back for a little longer before it clicked in her head that if she wanted to get a head start, she would have to be on her way.

She lowered herself into the car and took a deep breath, the scent of the leather interior bringing a smile to her face.

She held the wheel with unsteady hands. It It had been a while since she was behind a steering wheel, but she could still remember how it functioned, so she grabbed the keys and pressed the button, watching the car roar back to life.

“Yeap baby.” Ariel screamed despite the internal turmoil in her; nothing beat the sound of a good car, and right now, this car was hers.

She took the wheels, driving the tarred path until she got to the gigantic metal gate, where the guards lay in wait.

“Luna?” They failed to conceal their shock as they saw her.

She could imagine their surprise, though; she had never seen the need to go out of the pack as everything she needed was provided for her.

“The alpha said to open the gate.” Ariel knew that they wouldn’t dare to disobey Kane, but they still shared skeptical looks until eventually the gate opened and she was driving out of the gate with such speed in case they decided to stop her.

It wasn’t until she was a good distance away from the pack that she could breathe well. The road ahead was a smooth, tarred road, and Ariel turned on autopilot as she relaxed in her seat.

She grabbed the parcel she had dumped on the passenger seat, and she tore it apart, eager to see what she had packed.

And true to her words, there were some bundles of a $100 bill, a phone, a knife, and a few changes of clothes-basically, the essentials, just as she had mentioned, but the thoughts brought tears to her eyes.

Ariel had run out of the house blindly in her anger, and she had forgotten to carry anything with her, not even a debit card.

Her pride would never let her go back to the room, and she had wondered how she would survive without anything, but Maddie had given her a fighting chance.

Now all that was left was revenge.

Immediately after she got to the human town and settled down, she was going to devise a revenge plan.

Kane wasn’t going scot-free.

He had caused her so much untold pain. He lied to her, thinking she was going to remain dumb, but jokes on him.

Ariel continued on the path Maddie had described for her, but it had been an hour now, and she was losing hope. Apart from the tarred road, it was just large stretches of forest that continued for so long.

Seeing only the bright greenery was making her uncomfortable and nauseous. Who knew which pack she was crossing? They could be Kane’s enemies and decide to come for her.

She fingered her silver necklace, glad it had never crossed her mind to take it off. If she managed to make it to the human community, she was going to have to order another batch of wolfsbane.

And so, Ariel continued the journey, but her mind kept wandering to Kane, and she hoped secretly that the guilt was killing her.

She would never forgive him.

***

Ariel couldn’t tell her how long she had been on this path, but she was beginning to get tired; her arms hurt from all the driving; it was a struggle trying to keep her eyes open; and yet another yawn tore from her lips.

She was tired.

She needed food, maybe some shut eyes, and a place to stay. It was tempting to stop the car somewhere and take a quick nap.

But she could be inside an enemy camp, and who knows what they will do when they get to her?

Instead, she continued on, cranking the volume of the radio very loud, hoping the music was going to prevent her from falling asleep.

But after several miles, hope was a thing of the past, and she was sure Maddie had led her to a dead end.

She should have never trusted her.

Her bladder had been stretched to the limit, and she was sure that if she didn’t stop to empty it, she was going to combust.

But she continued driving, her left hands massaging her lower stomach while pleading with her body to hold on. She had sighted a clearing in front, and she stopped the car and came down.

In her pockets were a wad of cash, a phone, and a car key, and she clutched the knife in her hands. If anyone comes too close, they will feel the brunt of her knife.

She found a somewhat secure place, and she lowered herself, releasing all the contents of her bladder and her searching eyes all over the place.

She couldn’t take any chances.

She was almost through when she heard the howls a little distance from where she was.

“It is fine; it is just a figment of your imagination.” She tried to reassure herself, but she was sure they could hear her heart pounding.

As if mocking her, she heard another howl, and this time it was closer than before, and she didn’t think anything before she took to her heels.

She was sure her feet were touching the back of her head, but she had no care for the world. She couldn’t allow herself to be captured.

Ariel ran for her life, the initial fatigue giving way as the adrenaline rush took over. However, in her blind run, she couldn’t make sense of her environment, and she stumbled into a tree.

No.

A tree couldn’t be this warm; she was sure she felt what was a dog’s ear or a wolf, and she didn’t think twice.

She gathered all the air in her lungs, and she screamed.

“Aaaahhhhhh…”

“Maddie?” Ariel looked at the female in front of her, wondering just why she was here. Her eyes lowered to the parcel she was holding, and Ariel eyed it in distaste.

Was she thinking of going with her?

“What are you doing here?”

“What do you think I am doing here?” Maddie eyed her in similar distaste, not caring for her red eyes or the snort almost dripping out of her nose.

“Look, this is the worst time for a fight, Maddie. I already told you I have nothing to do with your mate; I have my own mate…”Ariel paused at her words, not sure Kane was worthy of being called her mate, but before she could continue, Maddie had beaten her to it.

“I came to give you this.” Maddie said, stretching out her hands and handing her a little brown box.

“What is that?” Ariel’s eyebrows knitted in confusion as she eyed the package, her hands refusing to move from her side.

“Just take it; you will need it.” Maddie moved closer, dumping the package in her hand, and she took a step back. “I heard you and Kane fiasco.”

“Ohhh.” Ariel’s mouth was wide open in realization, the tips of her ears turning red as shame took hold of her. Just how many people have heard of their shouts?

How could she have forgotten that she lived in a house where all their senses were heightened and they weren’t exactly quiet?

“Well, you already heard, and I don’t think you are here enough to stop me.”

“Oh no, never. I don’t exactly like you, but I understand what it means to be in your position, and while I hate to admit it, I know Toby will be happy to know that I did something.”

“Thank you.” Ariel replied genuinely.

“There is a phone, some cash, and just some essentials that I think you will need inside the box. It may not be much, but it should go a long way.”

“I thought you hated me.” It was a miracle her voice didn’t croak as she began to talk. After what she had just been through, Maddie showing her any bit of kindness was the last thing she expected.

“Again, I may not be a fan, but I am not heartless, and I suggest you get going before Kane decides to come for you.”

“Thank you so much, Maddie; I will never forget your kindness.” Ariel whispered with so much emotion, gripping her hand tightly, but Maddie could only endure it for long before she shrugged her hands off.

“Keep going north, and you will be out of here.” That was all she said before she turned her back, and she was walking briskly into the packhouse.

Ariel looked at her retreating back for a little longer before it clicked in her head that if she wanted to get a head start, she would have to be on her way.

She lowered herself into the car and took a deep breath, the scent of the leather interior bringing a smile to her face.

She held the wheel with unsteady hands. It It had been a while since she was behind a steering wheel, but she could still remember how it functioned, so she grabbed the keys and pressed the button, watching the car roar back to life.

“Yeap baby.” Ariel screamed despite the internal turmoil in her; nothing beat the sound of a good car, and right now, this car was hers.

She took the wheels, driving the tarred path until she got to the gigantic metal gate, where the guards lay in wait.

“Luna?” They failed to conceal their shock as they saw her.

She could imagine their surprise, though; she had never seen the need to go out of the pack as everything she needed was provided for her.

“The alpha said to open the gate.” Ariel knew that they wouldn’t dare to disobey Kane, but they still shared skeptical looks until eventually the gate opened and she was driving out of the gate with such speed in case they decided to stop her.

It wasn’t until she was a good distance away from the pack that she could breathe well. The road ahead was a smooth, tarred road, and Ariel turned on autopilot as she relaxed in her seat.

She grabbed the parcel she had dumped on the passenger seat, and she tore it apart, eager to see what she had packed.

And true to her words, there were some bundles of a $100 bill, a phone, a knife, and a few changes of clothes-basically, the essentials, just as she had mentioned, but the thoughts brought tears to her eyes.

Ariel had run out of the house blindly in her anger, and she had forgotten to carry anything with her, not even a debit card.

Her pride would never let her go back to the room, and she had wondered how she would survive without anything, but Maddie had given her a fighting chance.

Now all that was left was revenge.

Immediately after she got to the human town and settled down, she was going to devise a revenge plan.

Kane wasn’t going scot-free.

He had caused her so much untold pain. He lied to her, thinking she was going to remain dumb, but jokes on him.

Ariel continued on the path Maddie had described for her, but it had been an hour now, and she was losing hope. Apart from the tarred road, it was just large stretches of forest that continued for so long.

Seeing only the bright greenery was making her uncomfortable and nauseous. Who knew which pack she was crossing? They could be Kane’s enemies and decide to come for her.

She fingered her silver necklace, glad it had never crossed her mind to take it off. If she managed to make it to the human community, she was going to have to order another batch of wolfsbane.

And so, Ariel continued the journey, but her mind kept wandering to Kane, and she hoped secretly that the guilt was killing her.

She would never forgive him.

***

Ariel couldn’t tell her how long she had been on this path, but she was beginning to get tired; her arms hurt from all the driving; it was a struggle trying to keep her eyes open; and yet another yawn tore from her lips.

She was tired.

She needed food, maybe some shut eyes, and a place to stay. It was tempting to stop the car somewhere and take a quick nap.

But she could be inside an enemy camp, and who knows what they will do when they get to her?

Instead, she continued on, cranking the volume of the radio very loud, hoping the music was going to prevent her from falling asleep.

But after several miles, hope was a thing of the past, and she was sure Maddie had led her to a dead end.

She should have never trusted her.

Her bladder had been stretched to the limit, and she was sure that if she didn’t stop to empty it, she was going to combust.

But she continued driving, her left hands massaging her lower stomach while pleading with her body to hold on. She had sighted a clearing in front, and she stopped the car and came down.

In her pockets were a wad of cash, a phone, and a car key, and she clutched the knife in her hands. If anyone comes too close, they will feel the brunt of her knife.

She found a somewhat secure place, and she lowered herself, releasing all the contents of her bladder and her searching eyes all over the place.

She couldn’t take any chances.

She was almost through when she heard the howls a little distance from where she was.

“It is fine; it is just a figment of your imagination.” She tried to reassure herself, but she was sure they could hear her heart pounding.

As if mocking her, she heard another howl, and this time it was closer than before, and she didn’t think anything before she took to her heels.

She was sure her feet were touching the back of her head, but she had no care for the world. She couldn’t allow herself to be captured.

Ariel ran for her life, the initial fatigue giving way as the adrenaline rush took over. However, in her blind run, she couldn’t make sense of her environment, and she stumbled into a tree.

No.

A tree couldn’t be this warm; she was sure she felt what was a dog’s ear or a wolf, and she didn’t think twice.

She gathered all the air in her lungs, and she screamed.

“Aaaahhhhhh…”

“Maddie?” Ariel looked at the female in front of her, wondering just why she was here. Her eyes lowered to the parcel she was holding, and Ariel eyed it in distaste.

Was she thinking of going with her?

“What are you doing here?”

“What do you think I am doing here?” Maddie eyed her in similar distaste, not caring for her red eyes or the snort almost dripping out of her nose.

“Look, this is the worst time for a fight, Maddie. I already told you I have nothing to do with your mate; I have my own mate…”Ariel paused at her words, not sure Kane was worthy of being called her mate, but before she could continue, Maddie had beaten her to it.

“I came to give you this.” Maddie said, stretching out her hands and handing her a little brown box.

“What is that?” Ariel’s eyebrows knitted in confusion as she eyed the package, her hands refusing to move from her side.

“Just take it; you will need it.” Maddie moved closer, dumping the package in her hand, and she took a step back. “I heard you and Kane fiasco.”

“Ohhh.” Ariel’s mouth was wide open in realization, the tips of her ears turning red as shame took hold of her. Just how many people have heard of their shouts?

How could she have forgotten that she lived in a house where all their senses were heightened and they weren’t exactly quiet?

“Well, you already heard, and I don’t think you are here enough to stop me.”

“Oh no, never. I don’t exactly like you, but I understand what it means to be in your position, and while I hate to admit it, I know Toby will be happy to know that I did something.”

“Thank you.” Ariel replied genuinely.

“There is a phone, some cash, and just some essentials that I think you will need inside the box. It may not be much, but it should go a long way.”

“I thought you hated me.” It was a miracle her voice didn’t croak as she began to talk. After what she had just been through, Maddie showing her any bit of kindness was the last thing she expected.

“Again, I may not be a fan, but I am not heartless, and I suggest you get going before Kane decides to come for you.”

“Thank you so much, Maddie; I will never forget your kindness.” Ariel whispered with so much emotion, gripping her hand tightly, but Maddie could only endure it for long before she shrugged her hands off.

“Keep going north, and you will be out of here.” That was all she said before she turned her back, and she was walking briskly into the packhouse.

Ariel looked at her retreating back for a little longer before it clicked in her head that if she wanted to get a head start, she would have to be on her way.

She lowered herself into the car and took a deep breath, the scent of the leather interior bringing a smile to her face.

She held the wheel with unsteady hands. It It had been a while since she was behind a steering wheel, but she could still remember how it functioned, so she grabbed the keys and pressed the button, watching the car roar back to life.

“Yeap baby.” Ariel screamed despite the internal turmoil in her; nothing beat the sound of a good car, and right now, this car was hers.

She took the wheels, driving the tarred path until she got to the gigantic metal gate, where the guards lay in wait.

“Luna?” They failed to conceal their shock as they saw her.

She could imagine their surprise, though; she had never seen the need to go out of the pack as everything she needed was provided for her.

“The alpha said to open the gate.” Ariel knew that they wouldn’t dare to disobey Kane, but they still shared skeptical looks until eventually the gate opened and she was driving out of the gate with such speed in case they decided to stop her.

It wasn’t until she was a good distance away from the pack that she could breathe well. The road ahead was a smooth, tarred road, and Ariel turned on autopilot as she relaxed in her seat.

She grabbed the parcel she had dumped on the passenger seat, and she tore it apart, eager to see what she had packed.

And true to her words, there were some bundles of a $100 bill, a phone, a knife, and a few changes of clothes-basically, the essentials, just as she had mentioned, but the thoughts brought tears to her eyes.

Ariel had run out of the house blindly in her anger, and she had forgotten to carry anything with her, not even a debit card.

Her pride would never let her go back to the room, and she had wondered how she would survive without anything, but Maddie had given her a fighting chance.

Now all that was left was revenge.

Immediately after she got to the human town and settled down, she was going to devise a revenge plan.

Kane wasn’t going scot-free.

He had caused her so much untold pain. He lied to her, thinking she was going to remain dumb, but jokes on him.

Ariel continued on the path Maddie had described for her, but it had been an hour now, and she was losing hope. Apart from the tarred road, it was just large stretches of forest that continued for so long.

Seeing only the bright greenery was making her uncomfortable and nauseous. Who knew which pack she was crossing? They could be Kane’s enemies and decide to come for her.

She fingered her silver necklace, glad it had never crossed her mind to take it off. If she managed to make it to the human community, she was going to have to order another batch of wolfsbane.

And so, Ariel continued the journey, but her mind kept wandering to Kane, and she hoped secretly that the guilt was killing her.

She would never forgive him.

***

Ariel couldn’t tell her how long she had been on this path, but she was beginning to get tired; her arms hurt from all the driving; it was a struggle trying to keep her eyes open; and yet another yawn tore from her lips.

She was tired.

She needed food, maybe some shut eyes, and a place to stay. It was tempting to stop the car somewhere and take a quick nap.

But she could be inside an enemy camp, and who knows what they will do when they get to her?

Instead, she continued on, cranking the volume of the radio very loud, hoping the music was going to prevent her from falling asleep.

But after several miles, hope was a thing of the past, and she was sure Maddie had led her to a dead end.

She should have never trusted her.

Her bladder had been stretched to the limit, and she was sure that if she didn’t stop to empty it, she was going to combust.

But she continued driving, her left hands massaging her lower stomach while pleading with her body to hold on. She had sighted a clearing in front, and she stopped the car and came down.

In her pockets were a wad of cash, a phone, and a car key, and she clutched the knife in her hands. If anyone comes too close, they will feel the brunt of her knife.

She found a somewhat secure place, and she lowered herself, releasing all the contents of her bladder and her searching eyes all over the place.

She couldn’t take any chances.

She was almost through when she heard the howls a little distance from where she was.

“It is fine; it is just a figment of your imagination.” She tried to reassure herself, but she was sure they could hear her heart pounding.

As if mocking her, she heard another howl, and this time it was closer than before, and she didn’t think anything before she took to her heels.

She was sure her feet were touching the back of her head, but she had no care for the world. She couldn’t allow herself to be captured.

Ariel ran for her life, the initial fatigue giving way as the adrenaline rush took over. However, in her blind run, she couldn’t make sense of her environment, and she stumbled into a tree.

No.

A tree couldn’t be this warm; she was sure she felt what was a dog’s ear or a wolf, and she didn’t think twice.

She gathered all the air in her lungs, and she screamed.

“Aaaahhhhhh…”

“Maddie?” Ariel looked at the female in front of her, wondering just why she was here. Her eyes lowered to the parcel she was holding, and Ariel eyed it in distaste.

Was she thinking of going with her?

“What are you doing here?”

“What do you think I am doing here?” Maddie eyed her in similar distaste, not caring for her red eyes or the snort almost dripping out of her nose.

“Look, this is the worst time for a fight, Maddie. I already told you I have nothing to do with your mate; I have my own mate…”Ariel paused at her words, not sure Kane was worthy of being called her mate, but before she could continue, Maddie had beaten her to it.

“I came to give you this.” Maddie said, stretching out her hands and handing her a little brown box.

“What is that?” Ariel’s eyebrows knitted in confusion as she eyed the package, her hands refusing to move from her side.

“Just take it; you will need it.” Maddie moved closer, dumping the package in her hand, and she took a step back. “I heard you and Kane fiasco.”

“Ohhh.” Ariel’s mouth was wide open in realization, the tips of her ears turning red as shame took hold of her. Just how many people have heard of their shouts?

How could she have forgotten that she lived in a house where all their senses were heightened and they weren’t exactly quiet?

“Well, you already heard, and I don’t think you are here enough to stop me.”

“Oh no, never. I don’t exactly like you, but I understand what it means to be in your position, and while I hate to admit it, I know Toby will be happy to know that I did something.”

“Thank you.” Ariel replied genuinely.

“There is a phone, some cash, and just some essentials that I think you will need inside the box. It may not be much, but it should go a long way.”

“I thought you hated me.” It was a miracle her voice didn’t croak as she began to talk. After what she had just been through, Maddie showing her any bit of kindness was the last thing she expected.

“Again, I may not be a fan, but I am not heartless, and I suggest you get going before Kane decides to come for you.”

“Thank you so much, Maddie; I will never forget your kindness.” Ariel whispered with so much emotion, gripping her hand tightly, but Maddie could only endure it for long before she shrugged her hands off.

“Keep going north, and you will be out of here.” That was all she said before she turned her back, and she was walking briskly into the packhouse.

Ariel looked at her retreating back for a little longer before it clicked in her head that if she wanted to get a head start, she would have to be on her way.

She lowered herself into the car and took a deep breath, the scent of the leather interior bringing a smile to her face.

She held the wheel with unsteady hands. It It had been a while since she was behind a steering wheel, but she could still remember how it functioned, so she grabbed the keys and pressed the button, watching the car roar back to life.

“Yeap baby.” Ariel screamed despite the internal turmoil in her; nothing beat the sound of a good car, and right now, this car was hers.

She took the wheels, driving the tarred path until she got to the gigantic metal gate, where the guards lay in wait.

“Luna?” They failed to conceal their shock as they saw her.

She could imagine their surprise, though; she had never seen the need to go out of the pack as everything she needed was provided for her.

“The alpha said to open the gate.” Ariel knew that they wouldn’t dare to disobey Kane, but they still shared skeptical looks until eventually the gate opened and she was driving out of the gate with such speed in case they decided to stop her.

It wasn’t until she was a good distance away from the pack that she could breathe well. The road ahead was a smooth, tarred road, and Ariel turned on autopilot as she relaxed in her seat.

She grabbed the parcel she had dumped on the passenger seat, and she tore it apart, eager to see what she had packed.

And true to her words, there were some bundles of a $100 bill, a phone, a knife, and a few changes of clothes-basically, the essentials, just as she had mentioned, but the thoughts brought tears to her eyes.

Ariel had run out of the house blindly in her anger, and she had forgotten to carry anything with her, not even a debit card.

Her pride would never let her go back to the room, and she had wondered how she would survive without anything, but Maddie had given her a fighting chance.

Now all that was left was revenge.

Immediately after she got to the human town and settled down, she was going to devise a revenge plan.

Kane wasn’t going scot-free.

He had caused her so much untold pain. He lied to her, thinking she was going to remain dumb, but jokes on him.

Ariel continued on the path Maddie had described for her, but it had been an hour now, and she was losing hope. Apart from the tarred road, it was just large stretches of forest that continued for so long.

Seeing only the bright greenery was making her uncomfortable and nauseous. Who knew which pack she was crossing? They could be Kane’s enemies and decide to come for her.

She fingered her silver necklace, glad it had never crossed her mind to take it off. If she managed to make it to the human community, she was going to have to order another batch of wolfsbane.

And so, Ariel continued the journey, but her mind kept wandering to Kane, and she hoped secretly that the guilt was killing her.

She would never forgive him.

***

Ariel couldn’t tell her how long she had been on this path, but she was beginning to get tired; her arms hurt from all the driving; it was a struggle trying to keep her eyes open; and yet another yawn tore from her lips.

She was tired.

She needed food, maybe some shut eyes, and a place to stay. It was tempting to stop the car somewhere and take a quick nap.

But she could be inside an enemy camp, and who knows what they will do when they get to her?

Instead, she continued on, cranking the volume of the radio very loud, hoping the music was going to prevent her from falling asleep.

But after several miles, hope was a thing of the past, and she was sure Maddie had led her to a dead end.

She should have never trusted her.

Her bladder had been stretched to the limit, and she was sure that if she didn’t stop to empty it, she was going to combust.

But she continued driving, her left hands massaging her lower stomach while pleading with her body to hold on. She had sighted a clearing in front, and she stopped the car and came down.

In her pockets were a wad of cash, a phone, and a car key, and she clutched the knife in her hands. If anyone comes too close, they will feel the brunt of her knife.

She found a somewhat secure place, and she lowered herself, releasing all the contents of her bladder and her searching eyes all over the place.

She couldn’t take any chances.

She was almost through when she heard the howls a little distance from where she was.

“It is fine; it is just a figment of your imagination.” She tried to reassure herself, but she was sure they could hear her heart pounding.

As if mocking her, she heard another howl, and this time it was closer than before, and she didn’t think anything before she took to her heels.

She was sure her feet were touching the back of her head, but she had no care for the world. She couldn’t allow herself to be captured.

Ariel ran for her life, the initial fatigue giving way as the adrenaline rush took over. However, in her blind run, she couldn’t make sense of her environment, and she stumbled into a tree.

No.

A tree couldn’t be this warm; she was sure she felt what was a dog’s ear or a wolf, and she didn’t think twice.

She gathered all the air in her lungs, and she screamed.

“Aaaahhhhhh…”