Chapter 5 - The sanctuary

We spent three days walking and hiking through muddy terrains, grass several feet taller than us, we pushed on through in the stormy rain and winds, sleeping and resting under make-shift shelters we’d quickly thrown together. If that wasn’t bad enough, I don’t think my pack were too keen on how strict I had become with them. I understood that we were all hungry from walking so far every day, but they’d scour through the only food rations we had bought with us as if we had an endless supply in the bottom of our bags! They’d refuse to move when it was too wet or cold or winge about how dirty their shoes and clothes were, and sometimes I nearly lost my patience! I’d try so hard to remind them how vital it was that we kept moving, that we had enough food to last before I went back to the village for more. I’d tell them how we had faced much worse than what we were now. So many times they had shown just how privileged and sheltered they were whilst under my parents rule, and if I had become Luna like I was supposed to, their lives probably would have continued that way. But I’d find myself inwardly groaning that they just couldn’t see things are just not what they were and now it was time we learned to live and adapt elsewhere for the sake of our survival!

It was only yesterday morning that we found an open space in the middle of a forest, and I relented and called it our new home. Of course, most of them looked at me in disbelief and I suppose I could understand their scepticism to live out here in the dirt, it made us feel like a pack of rogues rather than respected members of a werewolf clan. In fact, rogues is exactly what we looked like, our clothes were shabby and dirty, we were all dishevelled and tired. We had barely washed and groomed ourselves since we set off on this new venture. To look at me now, you wouldn’t think I was of high status with a title. I went from being the daughter of an alpha and Luna to a nobody, just a person trying to scrape by as best as she could.

But on the plus side, the guards had been on my side every step of the way and together with Max’s help we roped together the sheeting we had brought as temporary shelter. We made certain sections for to sleep in, we created an all-round curtain, so everyone had privacy to change and wash, we’d even set up campfires under make-shift coves from rocks we had gathered, to stop the smoke rising too high and being detected by any outsiders, including our enemy.

We had a nearby stream to use for our drinking and bathing water, and we had more than enough clear space to build small homes for everyone here. Aunty and Lacey did what they could to sort through the food into daily rationed meals and saw to helping the pack settle in.

Last night, Max and another pack member, Kent patrolled the grounds as the rest of us slept, but I know none of us got the good night’s sleep we hoped for. It was definitely a lot for us all to adjust to, but I saw the potential and knowing we had put even more space between us, and our enemy made me feel a little more at ease.

Today me, three guards, four men and three women began our trip back to the village. I had hoped if the rest of the pack could see us already trying to rebuild, the more optimistic they might become. I had left Max and aunty in charge, they had worked closely with my parents, helping out with duties around the pack land and our palace, so I knew they were more than capable to hold the fort while I was gone.

We had made it back to the village after only two days, we moved a lot quicker this time and stopped even less to rest. We reached the edge of the treeline and couped down on the floor, scoping out the area to make sure it was safe. When we heard no sounds but the scurrying of a few mice and flapping of birds, we all gave each other a confirming nod and we ran into the village. We found enough tools in the storage to start smashing apart planks of wood from the houses, ready to take with us. Two of the women gathered more food, clothes and they had the sense to pile up rolls of barbed wire they had found.

We kept going, tirelessly, aiming to be out of here before it got dark. Even when I was busy pulling planks down I still kept looking over my shoulder in dread that we’d be found.

As soon as the sun started to dim we washed down all our muddy footprints from the stone paths, then heaved everything on our backs and shoulders, carrying double our weight as we trodded back the way we came. There was barely enough wood with us to even build one little house, but it was a start and hopefully more food would enliven the pack.

The way back was even harder as our shoulders were bruised and our backs were strained. We were running out of stamina every hour we walked, and our legs were close to buckling beneath us. It took us nearly four days to return, but to our surprise we were welcomed with clapping hands and cheers that we made it back safely and with more provisions.