Howls of The Outcast

CHAPTER THREE

Back to the Heart of It

Evelyn POV

The second I cross the Oakridge Pack’s territory line, my chest loosens, like I’ve been holding my breath for years and finally let it go. God, I’ve missed this place my family, my home. It’s like my heart’s doing a happy little jig. But, because my life’s a cosmic joke, my phone buzzes before I can even soak it in. Lucas. Of course. “Hey, babe!” I say, forcing a grin, trying to keep it light. “Just hit Dad’s territory. You timing me or what?” I laugh, but it’s brittle. He knows exactly how long the drive takes.

His voice cuts through like a knife. “Don’t need a clock, Evelyn. I always know where you are.”

I blinked my eyes, my white hands grabbing the wheel tightly. “And what in hell is that supposed to mean, Lucas?” I growled.

What’s he playing at? He doesn’t make me wait for the answer.

“You think I’m dumb enough to let you run around without eyes on you? I track your phone, your car. Just so you don’t try anything stupid.” His tone’s pure venom, possessive in a way that makes my skin crawl. I’ve never heard him sound so… unhinged. I want to hang up, chuck the phone into the ditch, and floor it. But I can’t. That’d make it worse, and I know it. I force my breathing to slow, my heart hammering like a trapped animal. He’s not even here, and I’m shaking.

“Lucas, come on,” I say, my voice syrupy sweet, though it makes me gag. “Where am I gonna go? You’re my whole world.” The words burn coming out. Who am I? What am I doing, groveling like this? I’m just visiting my family for a few days, not running off to Vegas with a new identity. Why am I this scared?

“Damn right,” he snarls. “Don’t forget it.” Click. He’s gone. No goodbye, no nothing. It was difficult for me as tears began to roll down my cheeks, I had to pull over the car, my hands trembling as I can barely hold the wheel.

I’ve been holding it together for so long, always watched, always careful. “What am I doing?” I muttered barely above whisper, as if praying. Ember, my wolf was restless, her continuous growl reverberating within me. “Turn around,” she snaps. “I’ll rip his throat out. Done with this bullshit.”

“Ember, we can’t,” I mutter, my voice cracking. “I just want to get to Dad’s, crash, and forget for a bit. I’m so damn tired.” She hears the defeat in me and quiets, but I feel her anger simmering. I’ve got no fight left, not right now.

I dig a water bottle from the cooler in the passenger seat, splashing my face to hide the evidence of my breakdown. My eyes are puffy, but I’ve got an hour before I hit the Packhouse. Time to slap on the mask, perfect daughter, perfect sister, perfect mate. I’ve been faking it for ten years; what’s one more weekend? But as I drive, I try to conjure happy memories with Lucas, something to cling to.

Every one I find our first kiss, late-night talks about art sours fast. Each moment was a step toward him owning me, stripping me down to nothing. How did I not see it? I let him take everything, my shop, my friends, my spine. I didn’t fight at first, too blinded by love. By the time I realized what was happening, I was already a ghost of myself. The shame hits hard. I’ve got no one to blame but me.

Before I know it, I’m pulling up to the Packhouse, my family’s sprawling log-cabin mansion. “Alright, Evie,” I mutter. “Showtime.” Ember’s not buying it. “They know you’re hurting,” she growls. “Stop hiding. They can help. He can’t touch you here.” She’s begging me to come clean, to let Dad and Sarah fix this. But I can’t. I have to go back to Lucas’s pack. Alpha Mason’s coming for Owen’s heir ceremony, and if I don’t play nice, it’ll blow back on Dad. I’m trapped, same as always.

“Ember, just… let me have this,” I plead. “A few days of peace. Please.” She huffs and retreats, knowing we’re both running on fumes. I step out of the car, and before I can blink, Lily’s on me like a blonde tornado. She tackles me to the ground, all long limbs and giggles. “Lily, you’re gonna kill me!” I gasp, laughing despite the wind being knocked out of me. She’s 19, a foot taller than my 5’2” frame, with Sarah’s golden hair and Dad’s piercing blue eyes. She’s a freaking angel, and I’d die for her.

She grins down at me. “Missed you, Evie! Why don’t you come home more?” Her words hit like a punch, and I feel my eyes sting. All I wanted was for someone to want me badly, to love me unconditionally, even for just a split of seconds.

“I miss you too, child,” I responded, taking in the lump in my throat. “But where’s Sarah and that punk brother of ours? I gotta humble Owen before this heir ceremony. Can’t let his ego get bigger than his head, you know?” Lily nods, mock-serious, and we both c***k up, the kind of laugh that makes your sides hurt.

She pumps a fist in the air. “Time for a brother hunt!” she yells, and we charge into the Packhouse like we’re kids again. We blow past Dad and Sarah in the living room, who just laugh, knowing exactly what’s up. Dad’s got that proud, amused look, his salt-and-pepper beard twitching.

“Don’t bruise his pride too bad, girls!” he calls. “He’s gotta be Alpha soon.”

Lily spins around, grinning. “Don’t worry, Dad. Owen’s got enough ego for three Alphas. We’re doing him a favor!”

We know exactly where Owen is, holed up in his room, probably glued to his gaming rig. Sure enough, his door’s locked. We pound on it, shouting, “Open up, you little nerd!”

“Hell no!” Owen yells back. “You two’ll tank my kill streak! I’ll come down later!”

Lily and I exchange a look, pure evil. We’ve got this. Sarah’s got a trick for when Owen stays up too late gaming she flips the fuse to his room. We sprint to the kitchen, dodging a couple of pack members who just shake their heads at us. In the storage closet, we find the fuse box. Sarah marked Owen’s switch with neon pink nail polish, because of course she has. Lily does a dramatic curtsy. “The honor of slaying the beast is yours, sister.”

I bow back, barely holding in my laughter. “Thank you, dear sister. This is one for the history books.” I flip the switch, and we lose it, cackling like lunatics.

Owen’s gonna be pissed, and I can’t wait.