Chapter Three

By the time we stop for lunch at the side of the lake, I don’t think it’s possible to hate Brandon anymore than I already do.

I'm certainly not hungry enough to eat, too sick to my stomach to even consider it. But it seems like they don't have much food with them anyway. I look at them, confused.

"Time to show you what you're up against," Brandon smiles. "Just in case you ever think of running off."

Brandon and his pack shift into their wolf form, then they start to run along the shoreline, following the scent of a nearby deer. Their speed and strength are beyond intimidating. This is what we're all afraid of.

I stay in the trees with Lily, watching them go, thankful to get away from them for this moment. I’m not hungry and I’m not in the mood to hunt anything.

Once they're out of sight though, my mind sees a chance to escape.

I could make a run for it and take my chances in the woods. I could make a break for it and hope I can outrun them. Lily and I could go together.

Brandon's words come back to me. He said if I try to fight him, they won't hesitate to kill me or Lily. I look at my hands. I've never even thought about fighting before. I’d lose. But I know there's no way I can stay here forever.

I swallow, wondering what to do as Lily talks. She’s trying to be reassuring. She’s trying to be a good friend.

I look at the spot where they just were, waiting for them to come back. Lily follows my gaze.

“We can’t go,” she whispers. “They’ll kill our pack if we do. They’ll kill us.

“They wouldn’t leave us here like this if they thought we could escape. They know we can’t. We have to be smart about this, Katia.”

“You’re right,” I say. “That’s why I love you. You’re smart. We’ll get through this together.”

“Together,” Lily agrees, taking my hands again.

Still, I scan the lake for some way out.

"How inconsiderate," Brandon says when he returns, his skin tinged with blood. "You didn't even help us get our lunch."

I don't look at him.

"I know you're hungry," Brandon continues. "I can smell it."

"I'm not hungry," I say.

"Are you sure?" he asks. "You look like you're starving."

He's teasing me. He knows I'm not doing well. He knows this whole thing is making me miserable. And he knows I'm hopeless.

He knows I can't run away.

"I'm fine," I tell him.

"You're not fine," he says. "You're weak. You're weak because you can't even kill a deer, let alone defend yourself against someone who wants to kill you."

He wants me to fight back.

I walk away instead. He looks shocked that I would do so. My heart pounds.

"What do you think you're doing?" he asks.

"I'm thirsty," I reply. "I'm getting water."

I walk to the edge of the lake. I see what I was eyeing before. The white petals are unmistakable.

Water hemlock.

It's poisonous enough to kill a person.

A thought hits me.

I know exactly what I'm doing.

I'm not running away.

I'm not fighting him.

I'm trying to escape.

I pick the water hemlock and slip it under my clothes while hoping Brandon doesn't notice. I feel the petals against my skin, knowing it will be one of the last sensations I ever experience. Then, I go back to where Brandon and his pack mates are sitting.

I'm not sure I’ll even take it. I just have this urge to have something with me that will help me escape. Something that will give me the advantage. Something that will give me strength. And they can’t hurt anyone I love if I end my life rather than forcing me to endure this forever.

"I hope you're not thinking about running away," he says when I return. “Because that would be a stupid idea."

"I wasn't," I lie. "I was just feeling bad after not helping you hunt. I'm sorry."

"If you do run away, I will find you and make you feel worse,” he warns me.

"I'm sorry," I say again.

"Just don't be stupid," he says.

He stares at me with warning, then he turns to his pack mates. "I think we should eat," he says. "I'm starving."

I decide to eat with them. I don't want to take the poison yet. If I'm going to do this, it has to be done right.

"You're going to love your new pack," Brandon says, a sadistic glint in his eyes. "You'll find your place there. I'll help you."

"My place will never be beside you," I argue.

Brandon smirks. "You'll get used to it," he says. "And if you ever try to run away, I'll make sure you don't get far. You can't run away. You're weak. You're helpless. You're nothing. The sooner you admit that to yourself, the sooner you can move on."

I look at the ground.

“Don’t listen to him,” Lily whispers, quiet enough so only I can hear. “You’re so strong, Katia. And I saw what you grabbed, but don’t leave me, okay?

“I love you. You’re my best friend. I can’t do this without you.”

I’m stuck. I can’t leave Lily. But I can’t stand this.

I listen to Brandon boast with his pack mates. Acting unlike any Alpha anyone could look up to.

I hate that these are the people I'll spend my last moments with.

But as I feel the water hemlock against me, I realize.

Now I have a choice. And I don’t have to leave Lily alone with them if I end their lives instead.