Chapter 45 – Goodbye

I didn't look back. Not once. I marched right out of that school courtyard, chin high, daring anyone to stop me. Let them watch. Hell, let them gossip. I didn't care. They could talk all they wanted because soon, I'd be gone—out of this werewolf-infested town and away from all of them.

Including Luca.

Especially Luca.

The thought of him made my grip tighten on my bike handles as I pedaled home, anger burning hotter with every push of my legs. Luca and his pack of mutts thought they were so slick, always trailing me like I wouldn't notice. Nick and Kimmy are my best friends but they and, of course, Luca himself—acted like I was some helpless human who needed babysitting.

Newsflash: I wasn't helpless nor was I clueless.

I saw every sideways glance, every suspicious flicker of movement in my peripheral vision. I knew they were watching, even now, probably reporting back to Luca like the good little spies they were.

But why bother? Luca had made it painfully clear he was done with me. If he wanted to ignore me, fine. But he could tell his minions to back off too. I didn't need their protection or their pity. And honestly? If that Echo thing lurking in the dark decided to grab me, at least it would be more attention than I'd gotten from anyone lately.

Pathetic, right?

I pushed harder, the wind stinging my face as houses blurred past. Being ignored by Luca stung worse than his bullying ever had. At least the insults and icy stares meant I existed to him. But this? This was nothingness. It was also as though Nick and Kimmy had taken his cue, barely acknowledging me.

It wasn't like I could tell them how I felt. They'd just report back to Luca and Ethan, and the last thing I wanted was to cause some kind of rift between the brothers. I'd always been fine with being a loner, but now? After getting used to having friends, a boyfriend—and his frustratingly gorgeous brother—having it all ripped away and at the same time, it felt like someone had yanked the ground out from under me.

Enough.

If they didn't want me around, I'd do them a favor and leave. For good.

The plan was simple—well, as simple as running away from wolf-infested Alaska could be. Planes were a dead giveaway. Credit card charges? They'd track me in minutes. But a ferry? That was low-key. No one would expect it. I'd found an 18-hour ferry trip from Auke Bay to Ketchikan. From there, I'd keep moving south, hopping from town to town until I was out of their reach.

Out of Luca's reach.

The very thought made me pedal harder.

By the time I got home, I was drenched in sweat and fueled by sheer determination. My parents were, as always, too tangled up in their business ventures to notice me. Perfect.

I went into full prep mode, adrenaline sharpening my focus. I rifled through my mom's closet, finding a few old clothes that didn't scream "Quinn." At the back of her drawer, I found a forgotten perfume bottle. One spritz, and I smelled like someone else entirely. Just in case anyone caught a whiff of me on the way to the ferry.

I packed my clothes in a vacuum-sealed bag, tossed in every scrap of cash I'd saved, plus whatever loose bills I found in the kitchen drawer. Granola bars, apples, and a water bottle rounded out my supplies. Gourmet? No. But it would do.

Standing in my room, I took one last look around. The bed where I'd spent countless nights overthinking every interaction with Luca. The walls covered in posters of bands that no one here even listened to. This had been my space, my sanctuary.

But not anymore.

I scribbled a note to my parents, keeping it short and vague:

Hey Mom and Dad, I'm fine, but I can't stay here anymore. I'll let you know when I've settled somewhere new. I'll finish school, find a job, and save up for college. Don't worry about me. I need to do this. I love you both. Quinn.

I stared at the words, my heart thudding in my chest. Would they care? Probably. But not enough to stop me.

Setting the note on the kitchen counter, I grabbed my backpack and headed for the door. The wind hit me as I stepped outside, biting and cold. But it was refreshing—a reminder that I was finally in control.

I hopped on my bike, took a deep breath, and started pedaling toward the ferry terminal. The road stretched out before me, long and winding. Trees blurred past, and the weight of my decision settled in my chest.

This was it.

No turning back.

My legs burned, but I kept going, the world blurring around the edges. I cranked up the volume on my headphones, letting the music drown out my thoughts. Each beat fueled the fire inside me. This was my choice. My freedom.

No more Luca. No more waiting around for people who didn't care.

The road opened up into wide stretches of highway, the forest thinning out. The terminal was just a few miles away. My heart raced, not from exertion but from the thrill of it all. I pictured Luca finally noticing I was gone, his stupid smirk fading when he realized I'd left.

What a satisfying thought.

I shook off the thought and kept riding. The wind whipped through my hair, and for a moment, I felt invincible. Free.

Standing at the terminal, looking out over the water, I felt the full weight of my decision. This was it. The ferry bobbed gently in the harbor, almost like it was waiting just for me. I took one last look over my shoulder at the world I was leaving behind, feeling a strange mix of relief and regret.

"Goodbye," I whispered, more to myself than anyone else. It was over. The life I'd come to know and love was over.