The Alpha's Runaway

-Addison Payne- I woke with a start as the front door slammed shut, announcing the arrival of my father. Silently, I turned to glance at the alarm clock by my bedside. 2:13 AM. In the faint moonlight peeking into the room, I could see my sister, Jessica, sit up slightly, her tense form watching our door. Our father stumbled around in the darkness below, muttering to himself unhappily. Soon, the drunken murmuring drew closer, accompanied by clumsy footsteps and a shadow passing by our room as he walked down the hallway. After a moment, we heard our mother’s soft voice, followed by a sharp retort. It was impossible to make out their words, but I didn’t dare move closer to hear. Mom spoke again, harsher this time. Jess and I both flinched as the sound of a slap echoed throughout the house. I sat up, drawing the covers close and fighting back bitter tears and rage. I was sick of living in fear. The fighting escalated until Mom and Dad were shouting at each other. The door to Jess and my room opened silently, and our brothers, Quinton and Henry, slipped inside. Henry sat on the edge of Jess’s bed and Quinton sat on mine. I flinched again as Dad struck Mom once more, and my older brother immediately pulled me into a hug, though I wasn’t sure if it was to comfort me or prevent me from storming into their room and punching Dad back. He often told me I was too headstrong for my own good. Heaven knows where I got it from. Certainly not from Mom. “It’ll be okay.” Quinn murmured, his voice barely audible, “Just a few more months. We can survive a few more months.” “What about Mom?” I asked, “And the pack? We can’t just leave them under his thumb.” “You know she won’t leave him. As awful as he is, he’s her mate. Leaving him would tear her apart, and we wouldn’t be safe as long as she was with us. He would go to the ends of the earth to keep her by his side. As for the pack… Don’t worry about them. Let me take care of it.” I nodded slowly, trusting him to take care of us. “Why is he like this?” Jess whispered in horror as Dad’s harsh voice rose again. “He’s always been like this. Some people are just broken.” Quinn said with a pained expression. When the fighting finally stopped, the boys slipped back to their own room. I laid back down, clinging to Quinn’s reminder of the pact my siblings and I made three years ago. As soon as we all turned eighteen and shifted for the first time, we would leave. I repeated his words in my head.  Just a few more months. We can survive a few more months. -Four months later- Henry, Jess, and I were alone when it started. We just entered the woods while walking home from school when a loud c***k sounded and agonizing pain rippled through me. I cried out, falling to the ground as another bone broke and knitted itself back together. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Jess and Henry going through the same agony. Finally, the pain stopped and I shook myself. Snow white fur covered me and my senses were heightened. I turned to see Jess as an identical white wolf, and Henry as a black one. Quickly, we shifted back into our human forms, another painful transformation, and pulled spare clothes out of our backpacks. We knew the transformation could happen at any time today and came prepared. Dressing quickly, we ran home. The house was quiet. “Grab our bags. I’ll find Quinn.” I told my siblings. They nodded, running upstairs. I searched the house, finding it empty. “Please don’t let him be with Dad.” I groaned, glancing out the blinds. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw him strolling toward the house. Throwing open the door, I ran to him. “Quinn! We shifted. Mom and Dad aren’t home. Let’s go!” I told him excitedly. My older brother’s shocked expression turned to one of determination. He nodded, then hurried into the house to grab the car keys. Jess and Henry met us on the front porch. “I couldn’t find your bag.” Henry told Quinn. “I put it in the car earlier today. Get in.” We climbed into the car and drove to the border of pack territory. There, Quinn pulled over. “What are you doing?” I asked, as we got out of the car. “Go.” Quinn told me, placing the key into my hand, “Drive to the nearest bus station and by a ticket to another city. Don’t tell anyone where and don’t try to contact anyone from the pack.” “Wait, you’re not coming with us?” Henry asked fearfully. “I can’t. Someone has to delay Dad and look out for the pack.” “Quinn, this wasn’t the plan!” I interjected, “You’re supposed to come with us, we’re supposed to go together.” “Addie, this was always the plan.” He responded sadly, “I’m the future Alpha. I can’t go, but you three can be free. You know what to do. We’ve gone over the plan countless times.” “No! We can’t leave you!” Jess insisted. “You have to. Dad is going to sense you crossing the border. He’ll call. Tell him that you needed to go into town for supplies for a school project and you’ll be back soon. I’ll stall him as long as I can. It should give you enough time to get on a bus and leave.” “Quinn…” My voice broke. “I love you guys. You have to go. You’ll need as much time as possible.” The three of us tackled him in a bear hug. “I love you.” I said through my tears. Jess and Henry echoed the sentiment. “Go.” Quinn pushed us back toward the car and watched as we drove over the border and out of sight. -Two years later- I grabbed my duffel bag as the bus pulled to a stop. Jess, Henry, and I quickly moved from our seats and got off, surveying the city before us. In the distance, we could see the ocean, the dull gray water reflecting the cloudy sky. “Where are we?” Jess wondered, studying the buildings around us as we walked down the street. “Brookings, Oregon.” I answered, “We have enough money to stay at the motel for two weeks. We need to find jobs as soon as possible, and hopefully find an apartment or something.” “How long are we staying this time?” Henry asked. “I don’t know. We’re about as far away from home as we can get. As long as we don’t hear anything, I think we’re safe.” “If not, there’s always Washington.” Jess half joked, her smile not quite reaching her hazel eyes. She ran her fingers through her dark brown hair, working out the tangles before putting it up in a ponytail. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” I said dryly. I hated to think what would happen if Dad came looking for us again. While we changed our names and moved often the past two years, we were still too recognizable for my liking. If someone we knew saw us, they would recognize us instantly. Even if they didn’t know us, anyone who saw us would have no difficulty pegging us as siblings. All three of us had the same jawline, pale skin, straight, thin nose, and wide-set eyes. Jess and I had the same, slight build compared to Henry’s broad shoulders and muscular build, while they both had the same coloring, as opposed to my gray eyes and brown hair just a shade lighter than theirs. I hoped the precautions we took would prevent Dad from finding us, assuming he knew where to look, I knew all it would take was the right stranger and a description of two girls and a boy with our features. No. I thought, It’s been a while since you’ve heard anything. We’re safe here. After walking for another five minutes, we got to the motel and checked in. After a quick shower, I changed into the only nice clothes I had, a white, floral blouse and black circle skirt, and stopped by the front desk again. “Can I help you, Miss?” The employee who helped us check in asked. “Yeah, I was wondering if you know anyone who might be hiring?” The employee nodded, “Yeah, there are a couple places nearby.” He rattled off a list of diners, grocery stores, and small shops in the vicinity, as well as directions. “Thank you!” I smiled before heading back onto the street. I texted Jess and Henry where I was going, as well as the list of prospective jobs, knowing they would head out on a search of their own as soon as they finished getting ready. Subconsciously, I reached up and fingered my locket. I never dreamed I would be the one to look after us, yet from the moment we left home, Jess and Henry always deferred to me. It wasn’t easy at first, but years of planning with Quinn helped prepare me for life running from our father. I visited a handful of places and spoke to the hiring managers, securing at least two promises that they would call me for an interview. As I headed back toward the motel, something told me to take a different route back. Wanting to get the lay of the land, I turned down another street. I passed by a movie theater, fast food places, and a couple of small businesses before spotting another diner with a help wanted sign. I figured it was worth a try, so I walked in and was immediately greeted by the hostess. “Hi! Table for one?” “No, thank you. I wanted to ask about the open job position. Is the hiring manager here?” “Yeah, she is. Go ahead and take a seat, and I’ll let her know you want to speak with her.” “Thank you!” After a few minutes, a short, stocky woman with caramel skin and dark hair walked up to the hostess, exchanged a few words with her, then turned toward me. “Hi, my name’s Maria. I’m the owner. Lizzie tells me you’re interested in the open server position.” “Yes. Hi! I’m Laura Daniels.” “Nice to meet you. Why don’t we head on back and talk?” “Thank you!” I followed her through the diner and into the small office. “So, where are you from?” “Florida. I just moved here.” “Florida? That’s pretty far. What brings you all the way to Oregon?” “I just needed a clean break.” I answered vaguely. “Well, welcome to Brookings.” She smiled warmly. She went on to ask a few other questions and I quickly sensed she was laid back compared to the other managers I’d spoken to earlier. Talking with her didn’t feel like an interview. Finally, she smiled again, “Well, I think that covers everything. When can you start?” “Immediately.” “Perfect! Come back tomorrow and we’ll go through orientation and training.” “Thank you so much! I really appreciate the opportunity.” I shook her hand before heading back to the motel, feeling hopeful. -Grant Wyndham- Laughter erupted from the others as Charlie, my third-in-command, shot them a defiant glance, blushing slightly, “I’d like to see you guys do better.” He sniffed in a haughty tone. “I will.” Lance, my best friend and Beta, gladly rose to the challenge, “It shouldn’t be too hard to complete without falling flat on my face.” I chuckled, “Shouldn’t be too hard? I’m the only one who passed so far.” “Exactly. Piece of cake.” I shot him a look, which he ignored. Instead, he checked his watch. “We still have some time before the movie. Do you guys want to stop by Maria’s and get some food?” “Yeah, I’m down.” “Sounds good.” Charlie and I said simultaneously. Before long, we were on the road, making the half hour drive into town. As we pulled into the parking lot, I glanced at the clock on the dashboard, “Alright, we have an hour and a half before we have to head to the theater.” The others nodded, and as we walked into the diner, the faint scent of sun-kissed strawberries hit me. I froze, and every sense seemed to heighten. I could feel my wolf’s excitement. I scanned the room before realizing the scent was stale. She probably left an hour or two ago. I walked outside, hoping to pick up the scent again but losing it about ten feet from the door. The wind and scent of rain interfered. Lance followed me outside, giving me a concerned look, “Hey, you okay, man?” “She was here.” I said, still looking around. “Who?” “My mate.”