Chapter 1

I awoke to the sweet smell created by dew as it coats the grass in the early morning. I found myself in a small clearing on the edge of the woods behind my, two story cottage style, home. The sun had barely crested the hill and I was surrounded by a light morning fog. 

I must have fell asleep in the field after running for hours taking in the territory of my pack. 

I felt my heart sink as I remembered what day it was. I was leaving today, leaving my home of twenty-one years all because of a man. A man who I could never be interested in. 

This was my home and my pack, even if I didn't really feel like I fit in here, it was all I had ever known. The Grey Lake pack is where I grew up and I couldn't believe I was leaving. I caught myself for a moment thinking that maybe I could stay, what a foolish thought. Staying only meant one thing for me, my death.

I wasn't ready to die, and I didn’t want to die over someone so underwhelming as Joey. Joey is our packs alpha, not that he has ever done much to earn his title and even though he already has a mate, he keeps making advances towards me, and while I have turned them all down. That doesn't seem matter to Luna Kristi, who has made it quite clear I need to disappear, or she would help me do it.

As often as Alpha Joey’s eye wonders there won't be a pack left. Alpha Joey was decent enough to look at, He is the same age as me with sandy blonde hair that reached his ears and we grew up together, although I have always tried to avoid him as much as possible. He is a little on the shorter side with a broad muscular structure. His body has several scars from all his pointless fights, and he lacked the intelligence needed to make him truly attractive. I could never fully respect him even though I should since he is Alpha. 

I guess none of that matters now. I'm leaving, new state, new pack, and new life. Who knows maybe it's just what I need. It worked out great for my parents although they basically just joined a retirement pack in Georgia, but they love it, who am I to judge. I guess they prefer a more solitary life like me and that’s not really something they could get that as retired Betas in this pack.

I Gathered my thoughts as I pushed myself off the moist dew-soaked ground and grabbed some clothes from a bag I left under a large pine tree nearby. I slipped the oversized T-shirt over my head and pulled my black leggings on, before heading towards the house. 

I did one last walk through, the house echoed in a way that was unfamiliar to me in its empty state. I took a deep jagged breath and pulled the front door closed behind me. I didn't want to let go, I grew up in this house, I had never lived anywhere else, I held the handle, my grip tightening causing my knuckles to turn white. I could feel tears welling up behind my eyes, but in perfect timing the reason for my departure appeared, disgust washed through my body leaving little to no room for sadness, I could see Alpha Joey and Luna Kristi's red BMW tearing up the drive, leaving a cloud of smoke behind them from the gravel drive. I quickly released the handle and headed towards my car; it was clearly sagging from the extra weight of my belongings. 

I wished they hadn’t already seen me, I cursed under my breath wishing there was more than one driveway to my house incased in the forest. I should have left sooner. I didn't want to leave things bad just in case I had to return. Their car pulled in next to mine and I could clearly see a smug smirk spread across Luna Kristi's makeup plastered face through the window as she opened her door. Her red heels hit my driveway causing a plume of dust to rise. 

I lowered my head in respect although what I really wanted to do was scream! How dare she come here; this was all her fault! I could feel a burning in a stomach, but my wolf side mustn't come out. If it did, I would probably rip the bitch’s head off, then be sentenced to death by the elder council. Although Luna Kristi would be dead so it’s not all bad, I continued wrestling with my wolf until I heard Alpha Joey's voice cut through my inner battle, his voice was almost boy like to hear, although you could tell he was trying to make it sound deeper. 

"It's a shame your leaving Renee, the pack won't be the same without you. Are you sure you won't reconsider accepting the Beta position, I know you are a strong enough warrior, plus I could protect you."

Protect me? Please, I could handle my own. 

I could see Luna Kristi's body tighten at his words; she flashed her wolfs lack luster faded Amber eyes at me in warning. I knew I could take her in a fight, but Luna Kristi was a snake in a wolf’s clothing no way she would fight fair. She would probably poison me or stab me in the back. 

"Thank you, Alpha, but I'm sorry, I cannot." I said through almost gritted teeth. I could see the disappointment on his face. His face resembled a child who had just been denied candy and was clearly pouting. 

"You will be so missed." Luna Kristi sneered at me, my body cringing at her high-pitched voice.

"You must excuse me; I have to stay on schedule. It is such an honor you both came to see me off." I said not masking the sarcasm in my words, I turned quickly and slipped into my car to try to avoid any more nauseating small talk.

Luna Kristi returned to her car as fast as she could in those ridiculous heels and Alpha Joey lingered for a few moments more staring into my window before finally following her lead. I took one last look at the house before slipping my car into drive and heading down the driveway and to my new life.