Chapter 0019
1053 Words
•ESTELLE•
The rabbit darted left, and I lunged right. Ember groaned in my head.
‘You’re hesitating again.’
“I’m starving, not stupid,” I muttered, crouching low behind the trees.
The forest ground was damp from last night’s rain, and every sound felt magnified. I had been hunting since sunrise and caught nothing.
I was feeling frustrated because suddenly I couldn’t hunt. Growing up as an omega, I honed my hunting skills so I wouldn’t appear weak and helpless.
‘You could’ve had that one if you hadn’t second-guessed yourself.’
Ember was probably right. I doubted myself because I thought I didn’t need to use my hunting skills when I had turned.
“Yeah, thanks for the pep talk, coach.”
Ember huffed. ‘You’re distracted.’
“Gosh, I wonder why. Could it be because we’re rogues now, or maybe because every pack within a hundred miles probably wants my head mounted on a wall?”
Before Ember could answer, a twig snapped behind me, and I froze. My heart raced, and my chest tightened.
‘Someone’s here,’ Ember warned.
No kidding. I straightened slowly, scanning the trees. My senses flared—nothing visible, but the air carried a scent I recognized.
“Knox?” I whispered as my heart jumped, and my face flushed.
The very thought of him made my heart race, and though I should remain indifferent when his name got mentioned, my chest still tightened.
‘No.’ Ember’s tone sharpened. ‘Not him. But close.’
I turned toward the sound, ready to shift if I had to. And there was another crack, but this time closer. My claws were already forming when a voice came through the fog of my panic.
“Estelle?”
“Nolan?” I sighed when I saw him.
Luckily, I wasn’t in Blue Moon Howler’s territory, so he couldn’t chase me away or tell our father about me hovering around the border.
“What are you doing here?” I dropped the stick I had picked up in case someone was after me.
“Watching over the borders for any intruders. We received a warning from neighboring packs about dangerous rogues who attack packs. They abduct women and children and kill the older men, leaving the younger and stronger ones to join their pack and swear allegiance to their Alpha king.”
“Well, lucky for you. You found a rogue.”
“This is serious, Estelle. You’re not safe out here. You must leave this place and find a safer territory,” he replied, making it sound as if it were as easy as he made it sound.
“Wasn’t it enough to be banished from my pack, and now you want me to leave this place as well?” I scoffed, leaning toward him. “Not so long ago, you were telling our father that I have a rotten attitude and need to be taught a lesson. You told our father to cast me out of my home and laughed when he declared my banishment.”
“I had to stand by our father since you couldn’t do that when you left, Elle. Or have you forgotten?” He sneered. “I’m the one who stayed behind while you roamed around New York looking for a man who left you for someone else. Did you think we would welcome you with open arms and no consequences for what you did?”
“I am your sister, Nolan. You were supposed to protect me and the baby I was carrying,” I snarled, placing my hand on my stomach. “I lost a baby because of you. You’re the one who made me leave home because you said our family and Alpha would receive criticism for being an omega. This was all your fault.”
“I did what was best for you. You know what would’ve happened if our pack found out you’re an o—” he stopped, sniffing, and when his eyes dilated, I knew he could sense Ember.
“You shifted,” he said, sounding disappointed. “That’s impossible. Wolves don’t turn after missing their window period after their 18th birthday. How—how did this happen?”
“That shouldn’t be the point, Nolan. When you get home, I want you to tell your father that I forgive him, but he will never see me again. Since he has cast me away from his presence, he’s no longer my father.” My heart ached when I said it, but it didn’t hurt more than losing my child in his hands when he gave me away to Dan to be his wife.
I trusted Nolan and never thought he could stab me in the back so he could be his father’s treasured son.
“I’m sorry, Elle. But for your safety, please leave this place.” He turned to walk away before he stopped, sighed, and looked at me. “He was right about you.”
“Who?” My voice sharpened, and I tried leaning toward him, but he turned his head forward and walked to the forest, leaving me hanging.
When he disappeared into the forest, behind the vast trees, I let out a sigh.
‘We must leave this place, Estelle. If we stay here, our lives will be in danger. It’s only a matter of time before the person who was looking for us finds us.’
After finding something to eat, I put it into the fire and ate before leaving the clearing. My mind was restless, not knowing where I would go or what I would do.
I thought of Asher, but I couldn’t fathom the thought of him and his family.
‘We must go to a human territory where no one knows us. We will take care of our pulp there and mask our scents from our enemies.’
Pulp? My heart stopped for a moment, and I scoffed. I remembered the horrifying scene when I held my baby in my hands, barely formed when I miscarried him.
“I’m not pregnant, Ember. Not anymore.” I turned around and looked over the territory that used to be my home before I walked to the main road, hoping to find someone who would drop me off at the nearest town.
- Writer
