Chapter 10

Alanza's POV

"Hello?" that wonderful voice snapped into my ear, suspicious and guarded. She thought I was a robocaller.

"Hey, Lise." Somehow, I managed to sound normal.

"Alanza? This isn't your number. Did you lose your phone?"

I picked at the inseam of my jeans. Outside the train window, rolling hills blurred behind raindrops splashed across the glass. I’d switched trains a few times. At each station, I’d bought multiple tickets, a weird, loopy route designed to confuse anyone trying to track me. Now I was in Washington.

"Yeah, I lost it," I lied easily. "Look, if anyone from my family tries to contact you… God, this is going to be a lot that I can’t explain right now, but the main thing is this: if my family contacts you, tell them you don’t know anything. Save this number under a random name. Call me Ashley or something."

"Okay."

Her instant acceptance warmed my chest. My nose tingled as a few tears escaped and slid down my cheeks. It was enough to soften the pain that had been living in my ribs, a hollow ache like something important was missing.

It had to just be in my head, though, right? If he was my fated mate, he would never have looked at me the way he did. I’d never heard of a fated mate who hated their partner. Even the abusive ones.

But I knew he was. The knowledge was deep in my bones. Damn it.

"I, uh, ran away from home. Long story. I’m not going to be back. My family’s not going to let me go that easy." Or maybe they'd just be happy to get rid of me. That would be nice.

I waited for her response, but there was only silence. Anxiety clawed up my belly, a death grip on my throat. "Lise?"

"Yeah, I'm here. I'm just in shock." Her voice was soft. "I can’t believe you ran away. I want to say congratulations, but I'm not sure if that's insensitive. When will you come back? A month? Two?"

I bit my lip hard. "Never."

"Never?!"

"There are things I’ve never told you, and I promise I'll explain it all. But the first thing is the most important. I'm not human, Lise. Not exactly, anyway. My entire family—we're shifters. I'm from the Crystal Lake Pack. My dad is the Beta there."

"The Crystal Lakes are the wolf shifters, aren't they? The ones that rule over the whole area?" Her voice was a higher pitch than normal, but at least she wasn't screaming.

I made a little sound of agreement. She went quiet again. "I’m sorry I didn’t tell you," I whispered, distress shivering down my back. What if she didn't want to talk to me anymore? I'd pre-mourned her days ago, convincing myself I had to leave her behind for her safety. But now, after everything—I needed a friend. Someone on my side. Someone who cared.

A strangled, half-laugh sounded from my phone. "Girl, I don't care about that part. I'm just… processing. Holy shit. The Crystal Lakes. No wonder you said you’d never be able to move out."

"Mmhmm."

"And that's why you just… ran away. And didn't answer my texts for days, by the way."

Guilt hunched my neck down until I felt like a turtle hiding in its shell. "I know. I'm sorry. I ditched my phone and thought I shouldn't contact you, in case they—well. In case."

"Do you think they will… Oh, shit, hold on." I heard a soft curse. "Fuck, Sia just poked her head in here and stared at me. I need to clock in. Look, Alanza. I’ll save your number, and we are going to talk, okay? Should I get a different phone in case they like, tap mine, or something? Can they do that? I know they control the police and everything around here."

I couldn't help the hysterical giggle that escaped. "I have no idea. Oh, God. I hope they can't. I got a burner. Maybe you should, too."

"I'll stop by the store on my way home. Are you safe right now? God, Sia's right here. I have to go, but I need to know you’re safe."

I nodded hard, even though she couldn't see me. "I'm safe," I promised, hoping I was right.

"Okay. I love you, girl. I'll call you as soon as I can."

A smile, my first in days, tugged at the corners of my mouth. This was why I gave in and called. This was what my broken, bleeding heart needed. Love. Not rejection. Not my family. Not him. "I know. I love you, too."

I stared at the phone long after Lucia hung up, my mind a whirlwind. The train rocked beneath me, the steady rhythm a stark contrast to the chaos inside my head. I still wasn’t sure how far to run or where was safe. The Crystal Lake Pack’s influence stretched far and wide, their power reaching into every corner of the Northwest Territories.

I considered leaving the region entirely, starting fresh somewhere new. But the thought vanished quickly. I knew nothing about any other wolf packs. Their territories, their customs, their laws—all a mystery. I'd spent my entire life within the confines of the Crystal Lake Pack. I’d never dared to venture beyond its borders. The few things I did know were only about the packs within the Northwestern territories.

My heart beat in an erratic rhythm as I entertained a new thought, one that was equal parts exciting and terrifying. What if I didn't seek out another pack at all? What if I chose to live as a human?

The idea sent a shiver down my spine, a mix of fear and anticipation. To leave behind everything I'd ever known, to navigate a world I'd only ever observed from the sidelines… There was a certain allure to it, the promise of freedom, of anonymity. In the human world, I wouldn't be Alanza Verity, the Beta's daughter, the disappointment of the pack. I could be anyone I wanted to be, free from the expectations and judgments that had weighed me down for far too long. The train slowed, the lights of a new station flickering through the window. It was time to move again. I stood, pulling my small bag onto my shoulder.

Where am I going?

My blood pumped, a new energy buzzing beneath my skin. Maybe I didn't need to know. Maybe all I needed was to keep moving. I stepped into the aisle, forcing my legs to carry me toward the exit. I had to get off this train and find another ticket, another random direction. My chest felt lighter just thinking about it. No one could find me if I didn't stop.

Just as the doors hissed open, my phone vibrated in my hand. A text from Lucia.

You better answer me tonight, or I swear to God, I'm going to start asking questions around the Beta's office.