CHAPTER 002
1170 Words
We can't stop right now, Mum. He will track us down and make sure we don't leave again.
Anja's chest rose rapidly as if she was having trouble breathing as she peered back at us with wide, terrified eyes. Her hands were wringing together as if she were trying to squeeze out her fear, but she was no longer shaking as much.
I understand, Liesl. However, he will track us down wherever we go if we don't take action right away.
I stopped. My stomach fell. She didn't even have to say it aloud. I was fully aware of her meaning.
The link.
It was more than just an emotion; it was a pull, a thread that allowed partners to sense one another over enormous distances. He would track us that way.
She needed to shatter it.
“You’ve got this,” I whispered, wrapping my arms around her. “You’re stronger than him. You have always been.”
With her voice trembling like her legs, Anja wiped her face rapidly. I, Anja Hartmann of the Silbermond Rudel, reject Erich Braun as my mate and Alpha. I relinquish both this pack and my Luna title.
As she said the words, her body trembled. Before she could fall, I grabbed her and held on to her. Her anguish struck me like a blow to the chest. For years, she had been by his side. Now, though, she picked me. So she decided to keep me safe.
A deep, raging roar reverberated through the forest.
She whispered, shuddering in my arms, "That's him."
I slowly nodded. "Now it's my turn."
I couldn't maintain that connection, no matter how painful it was or how much I still considered him to be my father. It bound me to a location where I no longer belonged.
"I, Liesl Hartmann of the Silbermond Rudel, deny Erich Braun the role of father and Alpha. I cede the pack and my position as Alpha in the future.
Break.
It vanished in an instant. The relationship became a part of me. I was prepared to face the future. The sharp edges were all that remained after it broke like glass.
I got up and wiped Anja's cheeks of the tears. She did the same for me.
She whispered, "We have to go," and we took off running.
The trees passed by in a haze of green and brown. We repeatedly slammed our feet into the ground until our legs failed. We collapsed beneath a dense tree, struggling to breathe. Weakened by the rejection, Anja leaned on me. She couldn't move at that moment; she couldn't shift. I was completely unable to move.
"Liesl, has that incident back there ever happened before?" She spoke in a tentative, cautious tone.
I shook my head. "No, Mum. You stopped it. You kept me alive.
A faint smile appeared on her face, but her eyes were still filled with sadness. She must have always believed that she was protecting me from all dangers. She realised now that she hadn't.
She appeared really worn out. Her eyes were dull and her hair was dishevelled, but she still got up. "Let's keep going, my love."
It seemed like an eternity before we came to a road. One bent away, and the other curved back towards the pack.
We turned left.
For another half hour, we walked in silence. The cold night air pricked our flimsy garments. Then I noticed—light. In the distance, there was a faint yellow glow.
"Mom! Observe! That seems like a village!
After she nodded, I helped her by taking her bag. She was clearly struggling to hold on. Everything she had endured and done to protect me was now coming back to haunt her.
As the tiny village emerged from the shadows, we accelerated our pace while holding hands. Shops were closed, the streets were deserted, and the wind was the only sound. We discovered a tiny inn with a glowing "OPEN" sign.
"Please, one room," I said to the drowsy man at the desk.
He blinked, as though he had just realised his location. "How long are you going to be here?"
Anja caught my eye. "Only one evening."
He asked a few questions and nodded. Through them all, I lied. I then handed him the money.
After entering, we discovered a tiny room with a tidy bathroom and a single bed. I had specifically chosen the one-bedroom room. Tonight I would rather not sleep by myself. Nor did she.
"I'm going to have a quick shower. Thereafter, I'll give you a bath, all right?
She took a water bottle off the dresser and nodded.
I tried to erase the memory of him as I stood beneath the steaming stream. I scrubbed hard as if I could get rid of his touch. But I felt unclean no matter how much I cleaned.
Simply concentrate on your mother.
I prepared the tub for her by wrapping a towel around myself.
"The bath is ready," I yelled.
Slowly, she entered. Despite having red eyes, she managed to say softly, "Thank you, Liesl."
I quietly left her and went through our bag. Our bag contained some clothing, bottled water, and a few snacks. It would need to be sufficient.
I used the towel to dry my hair and put on jeans and a T-shirt. I desired to be adequately attired and ready to flee in the event of an emergency. No one would ever catch me wearing pyjamas.
Thereafter, I gazed at my reflection in the mirror.
I did not look like my reflection. It appeared to be a person who had experienced too much. I still had my mother's curves, but I didn't feel as strong as she did. It felt as though someone had broken me and then pieced me back together.
Is it my fault?
No. Stop thinking that way, please. It's not.
Wolves are accustomed to being nude. Clothes don't always last when you're moving, fighting, or running. I didn't mind it before. So why now?
A murmur shattered the quiet.
"Love, you're not to blame. You are stunning.
I spun around. Freshly dressed, Anja stood there with her damp hair stuck to her neck. Although she spoke softly, her eyes were powerful.
I smiled slightly. "Let's try to sleep."
Together, we clambered into the bed. She put her arms around me just as she had when I was a child. Suddenly, I was unconscious.
"GET UP."
My eyes popped open. I sat up quickly. It was silent in the room. They had not turned off the lights. Mum slept beside me, breathing steadily and slowly.
What was it?
I stood up and looked into the loo, but it was empty. There was nothing at the window or beneath the bed.
And then I heard it.
Sounds outside.
The sound of low murmurs and rough voices filled the air.
"Check every building—they couldn't have made it very far."
My stomach fell.
They had discovered us.
- Writer
