Losing a friend

** Liah’s Pov **

Three Years Later…

I used to think life in the human world would be easy. Sweet like honey. Smooth like sugar. No titles. No rules or even my parent’s controlling behaviors.

But I was wrong.

This world wasn’t kind. Especially not to someone like me. My uncle, the one who told me I could finally be free here, get my breathing space and do as I please—but bringing me here, he disappeared with no way of reaching him. Not a letter. Not a single message. It was like he just vanished.

I had no choice but to survive on my own.

He told me to suppress my wolf Nadia just like I did the wolf bond to my pack “revoke” as he called it. He said revoking her will help me blend in more as a human because they would never accept what I truly am.

But how do you kill a part of yourself?

I couldn’t do it.

Nadia—my wolf—was all I had left. She was the only voice that kept me grounded through the sleepless nights and aching days. She was my strength when I had nothing else. How could I turn my back on her too?

So, I didn’t. 

I hid her instead.

And because of that, I lived in hiding. Working minor jobs just to afford rent in a one-bedroom apartment with creaky floors. It’s been three years and not a day goes by that I don’t regret what I did.

The image of my mother collapsing after I threw my circlet and revoke myself as a pack member. The way her voice broke. The way my father’s eyes shattered. I could hear them calling after me that night. I felt their pain, but instead of staying and saying I was sorry my pride got the best of me and I kept running instead.

Now, here I am.

A waitress in a downtown diner with sticky floors and a sour-faced manger who breathes down my neck every minute. The customers? Some are kind, most are horrible.

If not for Grace, my best friend, I don’t think I would’ve made it this far.

She came into my life two years ago, bringing peace and laughter into my sad life. She took me in when I had nowhere to go. We became friends—best friends to be precise. And still, she has no idea who I really am.

But tonight, I was going to let her in and tell her about my past.

I slipped into the restroom during my break, staring at the cracked mirror on the wall. My reflection barely looked like me anymore. My skin had lost its shine. My eyes—now dull and tired. 

We looked like hell, Nadia, my wolf added.

You don’t need to tell me twice, I miss home Nadia. I was an ungrateful little bitch and here I am paying for my sins.

Do you think mother or father texted? I asked my wolf. They’ve been texting me for the past three years every single ways, but I was a coward to even open their messages.

Every time I opened it, it broke my heart and I felt like I could shit my pants. Sometimes I use my claws to draw marks on my body just to feel the hurt I inflicted on my parents but it’s not enough. I just hope my sister Rory will be the best daughter I never was.

***

Midnight finally came, my shift was over and I left the exit of the diner. My feet ached, my clothes smelled like grease, but I didn’t care because tonight was about Grace. It was her birthday, and I wanted to be the first to wish her.

The streets were quiet, the kind of quietness that will make the hair around your neck rise. I hugged my thin jacket closer, walking the familiar path I always take to my small apartment. I had something special planned—a little cake, and a gift which I hid in my room. Just for her, I saved for three months.

When I opened the door, the lights were off. She was probably asleep. I said to myself.

I tiptoed inside and gently placed the cake on the table, lit a single candle, and stood over it for a moment.

I whispered to myself trying to mimic how I would wish her, “happy birthday, Grace. Thank you for being the one light in my life.

There’s something I need to tell you, but before I could finish those words my ears perked up, I could clearly hear movements and there were not Grace, even the scents lingering in the room.

My heart pounded as I reached for the light switch and flicked it on. 

My breath caught on my throat.

The apartment was in ruins. The middle table and the  couches overturned, dishes were scattered and the curtains torn from the rails. There was blood on the floor, I followed the trail of blood and it led to the bedroom me and Grace shared. 

“Grace?” I whispered, my voice cracking as I followed the scent and the faintest, heartbeat.

I crept toward our shared bedroom, trembling. My hand pushed open the door slowly, and the sight made my knees buckle.

Grace.

She was lying in a pool of her own blood, her body seriously bruised and her eyes barely open.

“No,no, no—Grace!” I dropped beside her, pulling her gently into my arms. “Who did this to you? Tell me! Please!

She winced, blood bubbling out of her lips. Her voice came out in a whisper, coated in pain. “Not everything… is what it seems.”

“What?” My voice shook. “What are you talking about?”

“I knew, Liah… I knew about what you truly are Liah,” she coughed, her eyes losing focus. “There’s… there’s a letter for you… on the lamp post, take it and run.”

“No—Grace, stay with me!” I begged, gripping her hand tightly.

“I’m sorry…” she whispered, and then her hand went limp in mine.

“Grace!” I cried, tears binding my vision. I shook her, but it was of no use, she was gone.

“What do you mean run?  What do you mean?” I screamed, my voice full of rage and pain. I gently laid her down and staggered to my feet, my heart pounding as I turned towards the lamp post.

Nadia stirred restlessly within me. Liah… we’re not alone. Seems like they came back.

But before I could react, something heavy slammed into the back of my head.

Hot pain exploded in my skull. I stumbled forward, gasping and then everything went black.