Chapter 19 Soraya

The night was quiet as I followed the river east like Victor said. The howling stopped a long time ago, but I almost had a heart attack when I saw the almost burned-out pyres float past me.

I thought for sure Silverpine wolves would be right behind them. When I was sure no-one followed, I paused and gave my respects to my former Alpha.

He was a good man. Kind. The few times I ran into him, he always remembered my name, and asked about my day. He never made me feel any less because I was a Wane.

Not like other pack members, or the kids at the pack school. While most were kind and somewhat charitable, there were others, mostly from the Alpha and Beta lines that were just bullies.

I wasn’t the only Wane, but I was the only one in their line of sight. Same grade, same classes, same ole same ole.

As I walked, I passed the time reinventing myself. When I got to my new destination, maybe a big city where I could get lost among humans. Yeah. Big city it was, I decided. I would be Soraya something else.

But what should I choose for a name. There were lots of surnames in the pack? I want something common, so I blend in. I don’t want to be unique anymore. I don’t want to be identified as someone with no heritage or family.

The thing is, I have no idea what’s common outside pack land. What does it take to blend in?

I remembered the diner; the waitress knew right away that I was alone and she cautioned me. Granted I probably looked like I’d been run over a few times, but still I needed to learn how to blend in with humans.

So much to think about.

I needed to find a place to live, find a job. I thought about the waitress again. Maybe I could do that job, or fast food. Lots of teenagers worked in fast food.

Maybe I’d get free food, now that would be freaking fantastic. Get paid and get free food.

But more than that, more than anything… it will be nice not being a Wane anymore. I will be whoever I want to be.

Daylight was just ahead, literally. Beautiful yellows and oranges started to peek over the horizon, canceling out the hues of gray and purple that hinted at twilight.

I loved twilight, both at dawn and at dusk. The colors that lit up the sky, the sounds of nature waking up or settling down. It gave me peace.

There was another one of those stone bridges up ahead, a perfect place for shelter for the day.

It was quiet in the predawn light, birds waking and chirping, ready to go find their first meal of the day. It was time for me to have my last one of the day. 

There was a nice dark tight corner underneath the bridge, so I dumped my backpack and grabbed my empty water bottles to fill at the riverbank.

The water looked inviting, brisk, the current wasn’t too fast in this stretch. I looked around and decided to risk it. 

I stripped down to my underwear and ran down to the edge. Before I could second guess myself, I waded in and dove under once I knew I wouldn’t bash my head on rocks.

I was right, it was glorious. I swam a few laps back and forth from one bank to the other before I listened to my conscience and got out before someone came up on me.

I quickly filled the bottles and scooted back up under the bridge and changed out to dry underthings but the same clothes. No idea how many days I’d be out here, and I wanted clean clothes when I hit the big city.

After spreading out the wet things, I rummaged to the bottom of my bag and found some protein bars and some prepackaged meat things.

Neither one smelled appetizing, but it’s what I had, so down it went. Can’t say that I took my time and relished every bite, but it did take the edge off.

The sun was up and the world was bright, so that meant it was time for me to sleep. Traveling at night worked well so far, keeping that pace seemed the best way to go.

Using my backpack for a pillow, I curled up in the shaded corner and waited for sleep to find me.

I’m not sure if I actually slept or for how long, but I jolted when I heard the screech of brakes above me.

I crunched up into a tighter ball in the corner, hoping I wasn’t visible from any angle. My bra and panties were on the concrete next to me, but I didn’t dare move.

Car door slammed and footsteps pounded in all directions.

“I got the scent!” One of them hollered to the others and their feet converged in that direction.

I held my breath; afraid they would hear and smell me. It was Silverpine. What other pack would be looking for someone, trying to follow their scent?

They were on to me; knew I wasn’t dead.

Ori! I screamed. I needed to shift and run like the wind.

Nothing.

They came closer, trying to creep along.

ORIELLE! Please I need you now! Please!

I shoved my arm in front of my mouth to keep from screaming out loud.

No. I couldn’t go back.

I had to run.

But they were wolves, they’d catch me.

“I lost the scent. He’s not here.” One of the men yelled. “Let’s go.”

He?

They weren’t looking for me? I remained frozen until I heard the car doors slam and the car take off.

I pitied the wolf the men were after. I knew all too well what it was like, being taken off the street and hauled into a cell.

Regardless of day or night. I couldn’t stay here now. I had to move.

I had to get farther away from here.