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Chapter Two

Faye

I walk further into the woods, carefully taking in my surroundings to be aware of the things around me. It took me a while on foot, but once I was a good mile or two from my old pack, I decided to strip down and shift to make the journey easier. I put the clothes that I was wearing into my bag, debating if I should put it on before shifting or just carry it in my mouth. I decided to put it on to make things easier for the journey so I don’t trip over it while running. These backpacks are made to be worn in wolf form after all.

Now the question is where am I headed? I need to get as far from my old pack as I can. Maybe I can head towards the East Coast. Not sure I will find a pack out there to take me in, but I can try to find something out there. Even if I have to live as a rogue, at least I will be away from this hell hole. I start to stalk through the trees, trying to find a clearer path. When I find a path after about 15 minutes, I start to run. I’m not sure what time it is, but I do know I will clear as much distance in the sun as I can before finding somewhere to settle for the night. I know it typically takes about 2 days to get from one coast to the other, but that’s straight running for all those hours. I will have to take breaks and eat and sleep. It may take a week for me, but at least I’ll be getting away.

There are a few places I’ve wanted to see before. Nevada, Colorado, Oklahoma, and that’s just naming a few. Maybe I can stop in one of those on my journey. I huff and slightly shake my head as I run. I can’t focus on that now. I need to clear as much distance as I can. I love the feeling of the wind on my face and the sun on my back as I run through the forest. The grass feels soft under my paws and it makes me want to push and run just a little faster, and of course I do. I run as fast as I can, basking in the feeling and nature surrounding me. My pack would rarely let me shift and run like this. That simple reason alone is going to make this journey even better for me.

Time skip 13 hours later, nightfall

I have been running for what feels like forever. I’m not sure how long it was, but night has fallen over the sky and I know I need to rest, or at least stop and eat. I notice I’m near a small, more modern town that has signs. I crept closer to see if I could find some idea of where I am. Sure enough, I see a sign that says ‘Nevada School District’. Sweet! I’m in one of the places I wanted to see! I guess that explains why the trees got scarce. Oh well, time to find somewhere to set up for the night to rest. I think the few granola bars I have in my bag will be good for now until I figure things out from here.

I walk back into the trees looking for somewhere to stay for the night. It took me about 20 minutes of walking before I came upon a bunch of trees that are bunched together and look like they make a hut. I thought it looked odd, but I was tired and really didn’t question it much. I start to walk towards the hut until I am about 5 feet from it when I hear a low growl. I stop in my tracks and brace myself for what’s coming. I see a bigger wolf step out of the hut. He is probably a foot taller than me with a long white scar across his right eye. His brown fur glistens in the moonlight as do his canines that are bared. I slowly back up, laying on the ground and offering submission so that he doesn’t attack me. I am not a fighter and a wolf his size could easily rip me to shreds. He growls again, but doesn’t move. He just stands in front of the entrance, staring at me. When I don’t move, he decides to shift to his human form and quickly puts on shorts. After a few more minutes of watching me lay there in my wolf form, he speaks. His voice is deep when he says, “What is an omega doing out here at night, not to mention trying to find shelter in the middle of the woods?” I whimper and stay put. He sighs, turning around so his back is to me, “Shift omega. Let’s speak about why you were trying to find coverage in my hut.”

I shift, pull my clothes out of my bag and quickly get dressed. Once I am done, I tuck my hair behind my ear, “Okay, I’m dressed. I didn’t mean to intrude on your hut. I was tired and didn’t think to check the area for others, especially so close to a town.” He huffs and faces me, “If I wasn’t so nice, you would have been torn to shreds. What’s an omega doing out here at night?” I bow my head, my hair falling back in my face, before continuing in a low voice, “I was banished from my pack for being an omega. I have been running all day to try to get far away and find a safer place to stay. I just wanted to rest for the night before continuing my journey tomorrow.”

I glance up slightly to see him rubbing his hand over his face. Since he isn’t speaking, I take a good look at him. He is probably about 6 feet tall. He has a masculine build and that scar over his right eye. His hair is red and cut short, but not short enough to not see the curls. He has a fair complexion and scars on his chest as well. I guess he’s seen a lot in his lifetime.

I startle when he speaks again, “Okay, let’s start with this. Hello, you can call me Rollie.” I bow slightly to him before standing straight, “My name is Hikari, but I prefer to go by Faye.” He nods his head at me, “Okay Faye. So where is it you are coming from and where is it you are going?” I pull my hair over my shoulder and start to braid it in a nervous habit, “I came from the West Coast Pack. They don’t believe in having omegas because they think they are weak disgraces. I was banished as soon as I turned 18, which was this morning. They only breed for the best alphas and betas, or so they claim. I’m not entirely sure where I’m headed. Just for the East Coast to get as far from them as possible. I don’t want to relive any part of my life from there if I can prevent it.” Rollie stares at me with an astonished look before shaking it off, “Well, I’m a rogue. I have no pack, but I like to travel, so I’m always moving around. I’m actually headed to a pack in Colorado tomorrow to do business with, would you like to come with me so that you don’t have to travel alone?”

I nod my head furiously, excited to have some company on my journey. He nods slightly before reaching into his hut and grabbing a blanket. He hands it to me and gestures towards the hut, “Okay, well you sleep in here, I’ll sleep outside the entrance. We leave at sunrise because it’ll be a long journey. Make sure to eat something before you sleep, goodnight.” He stripped his shorts and shifted quickly, making circles outside the hut before lying down. I take the blanket in my hand and slip into the hut. When I am finally able to settle down, I eat a granola bar and then let sleep overtake me. My last thought before the darkness takes me under is ‘Tomorrow will lead to a brighter future.’

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