Moonless Heart

Chapter Four

I remained in a meadow of wildflowers, gazing at the mountains beneath a clear summer sky, and inhaled deeply. After several weeks, my chest finally felt less constricted. I had been on the road for days, perhaps even weeks, escaping the anguish that followed me like a phantom. Although my heart still hurt from Leo's rejection, being out here, away from the pack, gave me a small sense of freedom. Allow me to explain how I arrived at this point.

Revisit the instance when I departed. I stared into the rear car mirror, and astonishingly, I looked so disbalanced. My eyes were swollen, and my skin was pale as if I hadn't had enough sleep. I approached the pack's boundary, and the wolf at the checkpoint barely looked at me and gestured for me to pass.

They recognized my car, and I'm sure they had heard everything regarding the fiasco at the full moon party. Typically, departing from the group caused my heart to ache, like a cord pulling me towards my loved ones. However, on this occasion? The more distance I covered, the freer I became, as if I was discarding a burdensome jacket.

My initial destination was a town close by. I strode into the bank, my heart racing. Now that I was eighteen, I could withdraw all my money—every cent I had made at the pack’s lumber yard, along with my birthday money and the savings account my parents opened when I was born. It was a substantial sum of money, sufficient to sustain me for some time and begin anew in a different place.

Then, I went to the car parking lot. My electric vehicle, a present from my parents upon receiving my license, was seldom utilized, yet it wasn't designed for extended journeys. "Let's go, Daisy, you require something more challenging," I reminded myself.

I traded it for an older Volvo that appeared reliable enough to take me across the country. I threw my bags into the new car and started driving, neither proclaiming my intentions to everyone nor completely keeping them to myself. To be truthful, I didn’t know my destination—only that it was far, far from Virginia.

Days merged into one another. I drove until my eyes ached, pausing only for fuel, refreshments, or a brief restroom visit. At times, I stayed in budget motels just for a shower, but more often I snuggled in my car or slept outside under the stars, covered in Mom’s knitted blanket.

One evening, exhausted from driving all day, I turned onto a serene dirt road in a dense forest. I warmed a can of soup, swallowing it despite my stomach’s protest. While I sat in the car, I imagined my family discovering my note. Were they weeping? Shouting? Looking for me? Tears streamed down my eyes as I fell off to a heavy sleep.

The view changed into lush woodlands with expansive prairies along the arid wasteland. Then, I found myself on the far end of the pack. That's when I discovered that field of flowers in Oregon.

At some point during my journey, I determined that Oregon was my objective. There is just a single werewolf pack located far down near Nevada. If I remained in the north, I would likely never encounter a wolf. I kept reminding myself that I was going solo.

"You are capable of achieving this, Daisy!" I murmured. Lacking a wolf, I no longer had to transform, making it simple to merge with humans. Wolves generally steer clear of humans, so I would be protected. I simply required employment and housing before winter—two months from now.

I could manage that. Engaging in work would distract me from the constant ache in my chest. While it wasn't as intense as in the initial days, it remained with me, constantly reminding me of Leo and the reasons I needed a fresh start.

A solitary wolf is not the same as a renegade. Rogues are outcasts, rejected for their offenses, and they can be harmed by anyone. Solitary wolves opt to exist apart from a pack but continue to adhere to werewolf regulations. They honor pack hierarchies when encountering other wolves. Injuring a solitary wolf without justification is immoral, yet hope you find anyone who cares enough to hold the offender accountable.

A solitary wolf can become part of a pack at any moment if the pack allows it, whereas a rogue requires explicit consent from the council or their former pack. I took out my new phone—a budget model with a prepaid SIM, because I had sent my old one back to my parents. While navigating a map, I chose to go northwest and discover where life would lead me.

Two days later, I reached a delightful little town that appeared as if it were lifted from one of Mom’s favorite heartwarming movies. The main street had shops located in two-story buildings, with a scenic view of mountains and woods. The ambiance was refreshing, and the town flourished with warmth.

I thought to myself, “This is the time. This is the location where I can heal."

I sighted a signboard with “Worker Needed.” Sign in the cafeteria window. It was like a help from above. I walked towards it and stepped inside. The aroma of burgers, fries, and chicken pie hit my nose like a cozy embrace.

"Hi there! What would you like?” Asked an elderly lady as she continued wiping the counter.

Uhm, well, I actually spotted the sign.” I said, pointing towards the signboard on the window. "Are you presently recruiting?"

She stopped and evaluated me. “Are you older than eighteen years?”

“Yes, I am older than eighteen years.” I replied.

“Are you leaving alone far from home?” She asked curiously, as she raised an eyebrow.

“Actually, no Ma.” I replied, but not being honest with her.

"Finished high school?"

"Not right now, ma’am," I admitted, sensing my heart sink. "A situation arose with my family, and I was forced to… leave." I looked at my hands, hoping she wouldn’t ask anything more.

“Oh, my,” she remarked, her voice softening. She thought I had lost my family or something similar, and I didn't correct her. "Alright, I will provide you with a one-month trial." If you excel, the role is yours. Nonetheless, you must get ready for your GED while working here. "Don't dispute."

"Certainly, madam!" I stated, glowing. "I'll put in a lot of effort and study, I assure you."

She chuckled. "Well done, child." Refer to me as Mrs. Carter. “What is your name?”

"Daisy Hill," I remarked, employing my nickname along with my mother's maiden name.

“Are you intending to stay, Daisy?” “Do you have somewhere to stay?” Mrs. Carter inquired.

“Still not.” I spotted a motel close by. "I planned to remain there until I discover something."

"There's no chance that location is a mess," she remarked. "My sibling, Mrs. Larson, manages the bakery located down the street." She has an unoccupied apartment above it because her previous tenant got married. "How about we go see her, and perhaps you can rent it?"

"How generous of you!" I exclaimed, my eyes wide open. This exceeded my wildest dreams.

In two days, I was getting comfortable in the apartment. It was quite empty, but Mrs. Larson informed me about a few thrift shops nearby where I could find furniture. I had begun waitressing at the diner the previous day, and everyone was so welcoming it nearly felt like a fresh group. The regular patrons arrived, requested their standard dishes, and exchanged local rumors. Mrs. Carter mentioned that it would soon become more crowded with visitors. This location, this role, this community—it was all I required to begin my recovery.