When The Wolf Ran

Chapter 2 - Birthday

Rosalie - POV

Today was my eighteenth birthday.

I stared at myself in the small, cracked mirror hanging above the sink.

"Eighteen," I whispered.

For most girls in the pack, turning eighteen was supposed to be special. It was the age when you could finally meet your mate, shift into your wolf for the first time, and begin your adult life.

For me, it meant something different.

It meant freedom.

I had barely slept the night before. Every time I closed my eyes, I remembered Alpha Sean standing over me.

I remembered his voice.

I remembered the way I had begged him to stop.

And I remembered the promise I had made to myself.

I was leaving.

I looked down at the small bag sitting beside my bed.

There wasn't much inside.

A change of clothes. A little food I had managed to save over the past few days. A bottle of water. A small blanket.

And a photograph of Zyphorah.

That was all I had.

I picked up the photograph and stared at it for a moment.

Leaving her was the hardest part.

She was the closest thing I had ever had to a mother.

But I knew if I stayed, I might never get another chance.

I quickly wiped away the tears forming in my eyes.

I couldn't cry.

Not today.

I had to be brave.

I slipped the bag over my shoulder and quietly opened the door.

The omega quarters were still mostly asleep as it was 3AM.

I crept through the hallway, making sure my footsteps were as quiet as possible.

I had planned this for days.

There was an old service entrance at the back of the packhouse. It was rarely used, and from there I could reach the woods without passing through the main gates.

I had memorised the guards' schedules.

I knew when the warriors went on patrol.

I knew when the pack was busiest and I knew that right now everybodywas resting up for the ball,so the packhouse was dead.

I knew exactly when I had the best chance of getting out.

Or at least, I thought I did.

As I reached the stairs, I heard footsteps.

I froze.

Someone was coming.

I quickly stepped into a small storage room and held my breath.

Two warriors walked past, talking quietly.

I waited until their voices disappeared before stepping back into the hallway.

My heart was beating so loudly I was sure someone could hear it.

I kept moving.

One step.

Then another.

Finally, I reached the service door.

I slowly turned the handle.

It opened.

Cold, crisp morning air hit my face.

For a second, I just stood there.

I was outside.

I was actually outside.

I took one last look back at the packhouse.

This place had been my home for eighteen years.

It had also been my prison.

"I'm sorry, Zyphorah," I whispered.

Then I ran.

I ran as fast as my legs could carry me.

"Stop right there!!!" I heard a voice booming from the shadows.

I knew if I turned around, I would risk being caught. I couldnt take that risk. Any omega caught trying to escape would be killed immediately.

The trees swallowed me almost immediately.

Branches scratched my arms as I pushed through them. My lungs burned, but I didn't stop.

I didn't dare stop.

Freedom was right in front of me and I wasn't going to let it go.

I heard intense footsteps gaining behind me, but i could risk stop it.

"Stop!! Stop!!" I heard the voice frantic.

I could almost taste it.

Then I heard shouting.

"She's gone!"

My heart dropped.

They knew.

I ran faster.

"Find her!"

I could hear wolves howling in the distance.

They were coming after me.

I pushed myself harder, ignoring the pain in my legs.

I didn't know where I was going.

I only knew where I didn't want to be.

Back there.

I heard footsteps behind me.

Too close.

I looked over my shoulder and saw two wolves moving between the trees.

Fear rushed through me.

I turned forward and ran.

A branch caught my clothes and nearly pulled me down.

I ripped myself free and kept going.

"Rosalie!"

I heard Alpha Sean's voice.

My blood ran cold. Why was he out here at this time? He was an Alpha he was going to catch me.

My heart rate shot up, but i knew that I would rather die than go back to the pack.

"Come back!"

I didn't stop.

I wasn't going back.

Suddenly, something slammed into my back.

I fell hard onto the ground.

Pain shot through my body.

I scrambled forward, trying to crawl away.

A large wolf snapped at my leg.

I kicked it as hard as I could.

It growled.

I screamed and pushed myself up.

Then I saw the boundary.

It was only a short distance away.

I could make it.

I had to.

I ran.

I could hear the wolves behind me.

Closer and closer then came.

My lungs felt like they were on fire.

I reached the boundary and threw myself forward.

I saw two bright lights coming towards me fast and tires screeching.

For a moment, everything went silent.

I opened my eyes.

I was in the middle of the road and two humans were staring at me wide eyed through the window of the car. They both jumped out of the car and ran towards.

"Miss, are you okay?" The man said panicked.

"Robert, we need to get her to town, I think shes hurt" The woman said.

The man picked me up and put me in the back of the car.

"Why would su have a young girl me out at 3AM?" He said to the lady as the car took off.

All I could think was... I had done it.

I had actually escaped.

I lay there for a few seconds, staring at the passing trees above me.

Then I started laughing.

It wasn't because anything was funny.

I was just relieved.

I was free.

I slowly sat up.

Behind us, the wolves stopped at the boundary.

They couldn't cross.

Alpha Sean's voice echoed from the other side.

"You can't hide forever, Rosalie!"

I looked back at him.

For the first time in my life, I didn't feel afraid.

"Watch me."

Then I turned around and ran.

I didn't know where I was going.

I didn't know what was waiting for me.

I didn't know if I would survive.

But for the first time in eighteen years, my life belonged to me.

And I wasn't going back.