1

~Lindsey~

“Lin, wake up. We need to go.”

I slowly open my eyes as my dad’s voice pulls me from sleep. I glance over at my clock, thinking it’s way too dark for 6AM.

“Dad, it’s 2 in the morning. Why are you waking me up?” I say groggily.

“Because we’re getting out of here. Tonight.”

I look at him through squinted eyes, still trying to wake myself up. “What do you mean getting out tonight? Where are we going?”

“Hunter told me. And I’m not putting your safety at risk. Not for a second longer. The watch is changing in an hour. I’ve got everything we need packed already. Once we’re established in Black Forest, I’ll send for the rest of our things.”

That gets me awake. The slight sting of betrayal and the realization that he means leaving. The pack. My friends. His work. People who are like family to us.

“Dad I don’t know what Hunter told you -“

“We can talk about everything on the way. There’s a car waiting across the border for us. Uncle Rob is ensuring our safe passage. I just pray he isn’t punished too harshly if they find out what he’s done to help us.”

“Dad we can’t leave. Our whole life is here in White Fang. We can’t just leave it behind. I’m sure this has all just been a misunderstanding-“

I don’t get to finish my bullshit explanation. Dad grabs me by my shoulders and looks me in the eyes.

“Lindsey, nothing is more important to me than you. Your life, your safety, your peace. They are my responsibility to protect. And I can no longer believe that I can protect you here. Not when I know what I do. The thing that hurts most is that you didn’t tell me. But that doesn’t matter right now. We need to get you out of here. I’ve got your bag downstairs. Go shower and get dressed. I picked up clothes from the store today. They haven’t been washed. Between that and a shower you won’t have as strong of a scent.”

Dad hands me a bag with a t-shirt and joggers inside. At least I’ll be comfortable. He knows how much I hate traveling long distance.

Dad leaves out of my bedroom door, and I head to the shower, processing what he just told me.

“Damn it Hunter. You had to go snitch,” I mumble to myself as I turn on the shower. I know he’s just trying to protect me. I guess that’s what happens when cousins are raised like siblings. Him and his overprotective instincts.

I told him when he overheard me talking to Jessie, my best friend, that it wasn’t anything serious. That it was probably some sick joke. Not that I believed it myself, I just knew he would tell Uncle Rob and my dad.

I shut my brain off. I can’t think right now about everything I’m leaving behind because I will start falling apart. I just focus on one task at a time. The water finally is warm enough, so I hop in and scrub my skin with my rose scented body wash until it turns red. It’s a bit overpowering honestly. I get out, dry off, and get dressed quickly. Dad didn’t get me underwear. Good thing Aunt Kayla took me shopping a few weeks ago. They should smell the least like me at the moment.

I run downstairs, seeing two duffle bags stuffed full by the front door. It hits me that this may be the last time I run down those stairs.

“No. I can’t think about that right now. Shut it out Lindsey,” I mentally scold myself.

Dad comes from the kitchen with Uncle Rob. They both grab a bag and head towards the back.

“Make sure you leave your phone. I’ve got Hunter’s number written down so when we get to Black Forest, we can get you a new phone and get you back into contact with your buddies. It’s just not safe. Can’t risk anything right now.”

“I get it.” I respond sadly. I just hope everything goes as smoothly as he has planned. I know this is hard on him too.

I follow them out the back to Uncle Rob’s car. It won’t be as suspicious if they see Uncle Rob anywhere at night; patrolling is his specialty after all. They throw the bags in the trunk, and, despite myself, I look back at the house, thinking of the memories we’ve had in this house, especially the ones when Mom was still alive.

“Lin?” I turn around to see Hunter. He’s getting really good at hiding in the shadows, which creeps me out and amazes me all in one. “Please don’t hate me,” he looks at me with sad eyes. “If he hurt you, I couldn’t bear it.”

“I know.” I wrap him in a big bear hug, the kind that makes you feel safe and at home. “You’re just protecting me like always. You did the right thing.”

“I’m gonna miss you. Promise you’ll call once you get settled and safe.” I swear I hear him choking up. He never cries. Now I’m not so sure I can hold it together.

“Promise.” I choke out. It’s the best I can do right now.

I break the hug and quickly wipe away the tears that threaten to fall. I hop in the back as Hunter hugs my dad goodbye.

Goodbye.

That word sucks.

It brings back pain from when we said goodbye to Mom as we laid her to rest. It brings back pain from when we laid Luna Avery to rest just last week. It forces me to think about the many nights my dad came home from the hospital, crying because he couldn’t save yet another warrior from the clutches of death. It forces me to think of some of my friends who have already turned 18, finding their mates and moving away, leaving the rest of us behind as they live out there happily ever after.

Dad and Uncle Rob hop in the front, as I stare out the window as Hunter waves goodbye. I hear the car crank and slowly back out as I watch my whole world fade away through the back windshield.