FIVE: LIFE OR DEATH

Five

Valerie

One would think the moment I left my pack, everything would get better for me, but that was a lie.

the minute I stepped into the Free Wolf pack, I was attacked by some bandits, who beat me up and stole my things.

they left me with only the clothes on my back and left me to bleed out, not caring that they just took advantage of a helpless girl.

I was cold, hungry, heart broken and dying on the bare floor by the forest, and no one who passed seemed to care about helping the poor girl qho was going to die if wasn't tended to.

Until Mrs Taylor found me half dead.

"Oh poor thing." She cooed, helping me up on my feet, easily at that. She was an old widow who lived by herself in the pack, and she was just going on her evening stroll in the forest when she saw me bleeding out.

She comforted me, took me to her house, gave me clothes and fed me.

After three days , when I felt good but guilty from taking from Mrs Taylor who barely had enough for herself, I decided to leave and find use for myself.

"I'm leaving, ma'am." I confessed to her one morning.

She peeled off her glasses, scrutinising me with her usual scanning gaze ifoulsnt escape especially when she asked me questions about my past, the past I wanted to forget and never relive. she understood that, but that didn't stop her from worrying.

"Where will you go?" She asked the question I thought about too.

my eyes fell from hers and unto the tablecloth with hand woven wolf and crescent patterns on it. She loved tapestry, said helps keep her young.

she even gave me a blanket made by her as a gift.

"I don't know yet, Mrs Taylor-"

"Then stay, Valerie. I love your presence here. Its been so lonely."

My eyes widened at her offer. I loved being here too. She was the mother I never had, but I couldn't remain here, taking what she had when she barely had enough for her to go by.

"But I keep taking from you-"

her hand found mine and she squeezed lightly. "If it made you feel better, get a job. It's been long I've had someone to care for. And you are a sweet young wolf, i wouldnt sleep well knowing you are alone out there. So please, stay Valerie." A smile widened her lips, her eyes tender with emotions, while I felt mine leak with tears.

"Okay, I will stay ." I choked out as I got up to embrace her, and we began living together, as a family I never had.

I got a job at a diner owned by the Alpha of the pack. I walked into last Diner on my list that day, and I was about to turn around and give up. Every other place had rejected me because I was a rogue and I didn't belong in this pack.

I was close to giving up, but I decided to get into the diner either ways. I didn't want to go home without a job. Everything we ate had finished, and Mrs Taylor was having issues with her health.

all food and money was gone, and the woman could barely leave her bed. I had to do something.

Getting into the diner, I made eye contact with a lady at the counter, and she gave a wide smile. "Hello, welcome to FreeWolf diner. What can I help you with?"

she exuded a welcoming aura, her blonde hair a pile on her head and her eyes the most compelling brown. her beauty intimidated me, but I took slow steps towards her.

"Hi, I'm Valerie, I am looking for a job-"

She grabbed her hand in mine and pulled me into the back, through a passage way.

"I'm Evie. You are basically hired, but I'm taking you to our Alpha first."

The passage way led to a pack house, big but not as big as the one I left.

We stopped at a door where a middle aged man, the Alpha and his wife were seated, and the Alpha gave me a job. His wife didn't seem so pleased, I felt she hated me, but made sure to avoid her.

I had a job, excitement filled me.

I started the job the very next day, and I quickly made a friend, Evie.

Three months. Three peaceful months. Three months without beatings, abuse, and bullying. I couldn't have asked for a better life. I had changed a lot within those months. I ate better and added weight, groomed my hair, and wore neater clothes, got medical help for Mrs Taylor, although she wasn't getting better.

But I couldn't give up. She took me in when no one else did.

I also hired a private agent to help me find my parents. I've been so curious about them, and I wanted answers as to why they dumped me. Were they even still alive?

Basically, I was living a better life. Leaving the pack was the best decision I've made in my entire life.

On this particular day, I was in the staff room, and I was on my break, eating and talking with Evie.

"No, he didn't!" I exclaimed

She laughed. "He absolutely did! I was so freaked out. Like, how can you talk about your grandma?"

"During sex!" I exclaimed again, laughing

She continued, her face twisting in disgust. "He was literally butt naked and touching me, and he started talking about his grandma. Val, seriously, my well dried up so fast. He was so hot and he just ruined it. "

I couldn't stop laughing. "You made the best decision by getting up and leaving,"

She nodded. "I agree, and he had the guts to be confused. Oh Alfred, what a hot mess. "

"Literally," I agreed

She shook her head as if to forget the memory. "So, are you ever gonna get laid?"

I knew where this was going, so I immediately stood up, checking my watch in the process. "Woah, it's time for our shift again."

She laughed. "We still have five minutes."

I basically raced out of there. She knew I was a virgin for no particular reason, and it amused her. It wasn't like I didn't want to know the feeling, I just wasn't ready.

On my way to the front, I crossed paths with the manager.

"Valerie! Just the person I was looking for. The Alpha and his wife are requesting for your presence."

She informed, causing my eyes to furrow. That was Odd. I havent had contact with them since i started working here. But every time I saw them, the Luna always glared at me for no particular reason.

Brushing off my worry, I put on a smile.

"Okay, but do you know why?"

She shrugged. "No idea love."

She walked away, leaving me make my way to the room I met the Alpha.

my heart beat quickened. Did I do anything wrong? was it the coffee I spilled? Oh goddess, I do hope they would be forgiving.

My heart thundered in my chest as I sighted the door and people who stood in front of it.

Two big burly guards stood in front of the door, and they parted ways for me to open the door.

We hardly saw guards here. what could be happening? Could I be getting sacked?

That would explain the guards. Maybe to throw me out when they've sacked me.

No everything depended on my pay check. Mrs Taylor's whole life depended on it.

I would beg them with everything I have if they decide to do that.

With shaky hands, I opened up the door, and the sight I saw almost knocked me off my feet.