Chapter 8

When I was younger there were days when I felt like leaving the pack was the answer to everyone's prejudice against me. If not for Darren, maybe I would have run away already. He was the person who taught me to love the pack, reminding me that my father had died protecting it. And ever since then, leaving wasn't an option for me because every time it crosses my mind I would feel bad that I'll turn my back on the pack that my father fought his life for if I ever decide to leave. But right now was the final straw. It was also Darren who made me realize that, leaving was the only option I had. "I'm sorry, Dad," I whispered to myself as I ran towards our house. Luckily, no one was around as they were probably at the mating ceremony already. Aunt Julia was one of the pack members who would always volunteer to help the elders oversee the ceremonies of our pack, so she was always outside at times like this. I dashed to my room and gathered some clothes and stuffed them into a small duffel bag with some essentials for travel. After one last glance at my room, I headed to the door where I bumped into Devon. "Milena? Why are you here? And what's that?" he asked, pointing at the duffel bag I was clutching. His eyes widened when realization hit him. "Are you finally leaving the pack?" I frowned at him. "You sound like you have been waiting for this moment all your life." Devon chuckled. "Not all of my life, but yes. I was hoping that you would finally leave, Milena. You shouldn't settle with this kind of place, you know? As the saying goes, the world is big out there even for outcasts." "Well, that's true. I guess this is it, Devon. I'm finally leaving this place. Tell your parents for me that I am grateful that you guys took me in, will you?" He nodded. "Be careful. But wait, where are you headed anyway?" I shook my head. "I don't know. Maybe south? I heard a lot of newer packs are there. Maybe I could join one of those, if I get lucky." "I see. Then use my truck. And do you have money? I can give you some if—" Devon could not finish his sentence because I already hugged him while sobbing. I couldn't hold back my tears anymore, especially that Devon was helping me. I was so grateful someone else was rooting for me other than Darren. "T-Thank you, Devon. I think I'll take your truck, because I'm scared that I'll run into those rogue werewolves." "Exactly," he said, gently pushing me away. "And don't hug me. I don't do dramas." That made me laugh. "Your parents will freak out if they find out that I took your truck." "Don't worry about that. It's old anyway. Maybe Dad will help me get a new one. I have been saving up." "Okay, okay," I said, wiping my tears as he gave me the keys to his truck. "Then I'll get going. Thank you for everything. Really. Thank you, Devon." Devon groaned and motioned me to just get out of the house, so I did. It was already near midnight, but I had to leave now or else I'll lose the courage to leave again if I bump into Darren. Although a part of me was still hoping that he would still show up and explain himself, I had enough already. Driving Devon's old truck out of the neighborhood into the main road was kind of liberating. I never had a driver's license, but Darren had let me drive his own car when we were younger so I knew how to drive. It's just so ironic how he was the one to teach me how to drive when he was the one I was trying to get away from. I had no idea where to go, but I would rather leave the pack than face Darren again. When I witnessed the two of them making out, it was clear on his face that he'd messed up. And that's what hurt— the fact that he did that with his own will and was not influenced or forced by Valerie or his mother. It was obvious from his reaction that he did not want me to see him do that, because that was something he willingly did. Driving for hours now, I could see the full moon over the horizon from the view outside of the truck. My wolf inside of me was acting weird. I was in pain, tolerable, yes, and I couldn't shift into my wolf form for some reason even though it was a full moon. My theory was that the farther I moved away from my mate, the harder it was for my wolf, so now it was kind of punishing me. I could also sense that it was deeply hurt by what Darren did, and so I had to stop by the road a few times just to relax myself so that I wouldn't get into an accident. But I had to drive again, because my thoughts would wander to Darren, and what might be he’s feeling right now. Did this also affect him? Was he also in pain now that I was far from him? On and on I drove, crossing many towns and borders and I began wondering if I was far enough to reach another pack's territory. Of course, I had no intention of stopping anywhere just yet. I wanted to be as far away from my pack as possible. I know driving down this highway would lead me to the south where I used to hear about packs which are less traditional, which meant that its members are more welcoming to half-breeds like me. Some of them are even said to intermarry with witches. Or even other supernatural beings. But just when I finally got my wolf in the mood for the long drive, the truck began acting weird. I could see smoke coming from the front so I immediately looked for a place to park on the side of the road, just as the truck literally broke down. "Great," I mumbled angrily as I looked around; it looked like I was in the middle of nowhere. To the right side of the road was a tall wooden fence and I could see a small gate on it just a few steps from me. I decided to go there and see if there were people that I could ask for help. But before I could even take another step, I sensed someone behind me. There were also loud footsteps and the sound of men chattering. "Well, well, look who we have here," said a deep, cackling voice. I looked behind me and found four tall, scary men all looking at me with malicious gazes. "Are you alone, sweetie?" said the tallest among them who had a scar on his left cheek. He had long hair that made him look like a thug. "Rogues," I whispered in horror. "Looks like it's our lucky day, boys," he added. "She looks young and she isn't mated yet! I can’t smell a man’s scent on her! We can sell her right away!"