When the plane levels out with us thousands of feet in the air, I slowly release my deathgrip on the seat's armrests. I've come to the conclusion that wolves are meant to have their feet on the ground for a reason. This flying thing is just not what it's hyped up to be. If we were meant to fly, we would have been given hollow bones and feathers. What's even worse, I was given a window seat, which isn't as great as it sounds. Just makes the fall look all the closer.

I tried shutting the blind, but it won't stay down all the way. Either I'm not fiddling with it correctly or the damn thing is broken, because it keeps going to half mast. Resolutely turning my body to face the aisle, my attempts to not disturb the person next to me fails when my leg bumps theirs for the third time. Wouldn't happen if the guy didn't have his legs open so wide, so his shooting me a look is really uncalled for. I apologize again, for the third time, but he makes no inclination at shifting his limbs. Now I know why people always complain about these rides.

I'm not going to complain though. No matter how rude the guy is. No matter how flimsy the window shade. No matter how loud the crying child or oblivious the chatty mother. I'm grateful to be here, even if I do have bouts of panic. As a way to distract myself, I go over everything in my head again, for like, the millionth time.

After Marie had left for school yesterday, taking my school books with her in order to return them, I'd waited anxiously for her messages letting me know who all she saw there. I had to give her descriptions of a couple people, like Jay, as she wasn't sure who he was. He was a major one aside from my siblings I wanted to make sure she saw there. Granted we didn't usually see my brother, so I wasn't too worried when she couldn't find him.

She'd found Myth and her posse easily enough. Not like they were hiding afterall. Marie even stealthily took pictures to prove who all was around as she didn't know everyone's names. Hell, I was in a Pack with them and I didn't know their names, but I for sure knew their faces.

I'd started freaking out for a time because she didn't find Jay until just before she went into class. He wasn't mingling with Mythine's group as he usually did, instead off with a smaller group of wolf males. While normally I wouldn't think anything of it, with recent events having happened, I wonder if there's a cause. She couldn't safely text me while in class so her grandmother and I had run to the bank to get that finished.

There annoyingly was a fee to close the account, which is the silliest thing I've ever heard of, but it was all done and I'd walked out with over two-thousand dollars in my pocket. My life savings. We'd returned to Marie's house to keep me out of sight, and while waiting for the messages, I'd distributed my money. Half of it got put in my wallet which stays with me, while the other half got split up between several intended bags I planned on grabbing. So in case I lose money, I don't lose everything, and I'll have amounts saved until I can get a new account back up.

My debit card was in the process of getting cut into pieces while Betty made some food when Marie had messaged. Just about everyone was accounted for, but we'd decided to wait for lunch to make sure all were accounted for in the same place all at once. That way we didn't chance screwing ourselves up by assuming someone was there because she'd seen them, but they'd slipped out shortly after. It was her idea and I thought it pretty brilliant, so I didn't mind.

When reading her text, she'd overheard some of the wolves there talking about how they'll be moving in a few days, so everyone was getting excited and scrambling. It makes sense though, as they'd want to get everyone moved as quickly as possible to allow for the maximum amount of time to get familiar with the new place before the next full moon. Which also probably explained why my stuff hadn't been messed with; they were too busy dealing with theirs. The rest of my family have ten times the amount of belongings that I do.

Betty and I ate while waiting for Marie to go to lunch and send me more updates. The older woman telling me stories of her college days. Old Gramma Betty was quite the party animal. Laughing at a kitchen counter with a grandparent felt so foreign, yet so amazing at the same time. An experience I'll never forget and always treasure.

I was worried about Marie asking about correspondence with Kal and Markus, but if they ask her about me at all, she doesn't tell me. I want to check through the messages they sent me, but I know it'll show up on their end as read. So I can't do it yet. I'm hoping they'll save until I get the new phone, but I doubt it. With a new phone, I'm going to want to get a new number. So I decided to wait to contact them till after the move.

When school lunch finally rolled around, I was starting to become more and more anxious. Every minute went by so slowly. When the first few pictures started coming through, my heart was pounding so hard against my ribs it hurt. Myth was again with her clique of people, including those she'd brought over to torment me, while Jay, Kent, and a few other males were grouped off in a different area.

It was time to go.

Letting Betty know, we headed out and drove to my parent's place. I had her drive around the block first so I could get a look at the place and to settle my nerves. No cars were in the drive nor in front of the house, yet my mind wouldn't calm. My skin fairly crawled when she backed into the driveway.

The old woman had to give me a small pep-talk before I could exit the vehicle, but after steeling my nerves, I went in. She'd told me she'd go in with me, but I wouldn't risk her leaving her scent in there. Not like I had that much to grab anyway, I could get it all in a few trips.

I got to the front door just fine, but then all I could do was stare at the handle for a few minutes. Urging myself to move. I didn't want to go in there. That house was the last place I wanted to be. When I finally got myself to open the door, I made sure it stayed open wide and wouldn't close while I was inside.

I ran to my room to retrieve my things that were already bagged and boxed up. I strained to take as much as I could in as few trips as possible. The things I couldn't take, like my bed, bookshelves, and dresser, I didn't even care about. They could keep them. I can replace those myself.

My breathing was ragged after making the last trip out, but I had to make one more trip inside. I had to leave the house keys and phone inside. I could do this. I'd already done the hard parts, this was easy compared to everything I'd already done and put up with. Thinking of what all I'd survived helped strengthen my resolve and my spine, enabling me to walk in a little calmer.

I was going to leave the items on the kitchen table, but I want to make sure my parents get them and not Mythine. The rope I'd left on the counter is gone. Not sure if I expected it to still be there or not. After retrieving a small ziploc bag, I head for the bedroom I need. Typing out a message to Marie on the way to let her know that everything has been retrieved and I was about to leave and I'd see her in a few days, she got back to me instantly with a bunch of kissing and hugging emojis, which left me with the smile I needed.

After deleting the message history between the two of us and removing the SIM card from the phone, I slide it into the baggy and slip it into my pocket carefully, making sure it's safe. The phone and keys then get tossed onto my parents' bed for them to find. After looking at them for another minute, I abruptly turn and leave, locking the door from the inside before slamming it closed. They wanted to be rid of me, they're getting their wish and I have no regrets.

Running back to the car, I hop in and we get back to Marie's place where everything gets unloaded. Since it isn't anywhere near as much as what Betty or Lexi, Marie's mom, thought it'd be, I get to stash it all in Marie's room instead of the garage or basement. Since my friend will be joining me soon, a few boxes in her room wasn't going to hurt anyone.

Once I got everything inside, I quickly went through things and got together the stuff I'd need to take with me and got my funds squared away between my bags. Betty had let me know I could have a small carryon with me on the plane, so I use my backpack. Without all those schoolbooks, there's plenty of space for other things. The money in my wallet also gets split between it, my pocket, and a little in my pack. Better to be safe than sorry, yeah?

I then got another shower taken and grabbed up the large hoodie that Marie gave me to replace my own. The bloodstains had set in for too long and wouldn't come out with a single washing, so her mother is keeping it to treat it. Getting the hood up and my bags that I'm taking to the car, we were off to the airport. Flight won't leave till the next day, but the more my scent dissipates around Marie and her family the better.

Was bad enough my friend had to douse herself in perfume that morning to hide any lingering scent of me, but I wasn't going to chance that any of my blood lingered on any of her things. If Myth or Jay smelt me on her, they wouldn't leave her alone, I'm sure of it. Especially Myth. She was too damn persistent, willing to go too far.

The time in the car to the airport passed in a blur as I stared out the window. When we finally pulled up, Betty had seen me inside and helped me get where I needed to go and my luggage where it had to be sent. There was going to be a long wait so they offered a room, but I refused it, opting to wait in the lobby. There was no way I was going to risk missing my flight.

That old woman, bless her heart, waited with me for several hours as a way to pass the time, saying she didn't have anything else better to do. We had dinner in the eatery that was attached to the lobby and chatted the whole time about the various books and authors we loved. Think it was the longest conversation I've ever had with the woman that didn't revolve around work. It was lively though, and informative as I was given a list of titles and names to look for that she thought I'd be interested in.

Throughout our time there, I'd kept smelling and seeing other wolves, but none that I knew by sight or scent. I kept my head down though, not wanting to draw attention to myself or risk eye contact. I no longer had a Pack to fall back on for defense, no Alphas to protect me. My scent alone will give away the fact I'm a Loner, as there's no lingering smell of 'many'.

The last shower I had at my friends home was a type of symbolic cleansing; washing Lunar Soul off of me. Rinsing away all the ties that bind me to a Pack that doesn't claim me as one of their own. That didn't want me as one of their own. Marie's hoodie that smells of her will hide my scent and my being short will disguise me, but only for a time.

When the sun had started setting, Betty had left, but not before giving me a couple more parting gifts. She'd pulled from her purse a couple of books, one from the bookshop that I was reading when on my breaks, and another that I'd seen on a shelf behind the counter a few times. One that, seeing it in a bookstore, you wouldn't look twice at, but when opened, reveals a secret hideaway compartment.

She was careful when showing it to me, making sure I knew what it was. Looking much like an old leather bound journal with a thin strap wrapped around it that had been passed down for a few generations and tattered around the edges. Its title has been worn away, but some of the gold filigree can still be seen lingering on the corners. Betty didn't open it, just pressed both of them into my hands, gave me a hug, some parting words about staying strong, then left.

Had to fight not to cry as I looked down at them before hugging them to me. On my birthday my friends had given me small gifts as well, which were all safely in the boxes in Marie's room. Having never been given gifts before moving here, I'm not sure I fully express properly my gratitude for them, but I treasure each and every one.

The lobby wasn't overly full of people, but there were still quite a few, so I'd made my way to a bench against the wall so I could keep an eye on the room. After slipping the bound book into my backpack, I got started on reading the other. It was going to be a long night.

A long and uncomfortable night, but thanks to my nerves and watching other people, I didn't have to worry about falling asleep. My body was nearly healed of all external wounds, thankfully, but still tender and achy. Just the resting and not worrying about being beaten helped, as well as the food I was able to get. Granted it wasn't exactly healthy, but I can always run it off after getting settled in the new place. Hopefully.

When the sun finally rose, it was heralded by a rush of people. Watching as planes came in and took off didn't really settle my nerves of flying at all. It's not something I've ever done before, as we'd always drove when moving. Checking the times, I'll be in the air for about three hours before landing, then have to take a bus to the campus. Which means not only a long night, but a long day as well.

Going to get some great sleep when I finally do pass out, that's for sure.

When I'm finally able to board my plane that afternoon, it's met with a rude seat neighbor. It's a good thing I'm small and timid otherwise this ride really would have been miserable. While he's only human, I don't want to start any trouble over such a trivial thing, so I let him be all macho. No skin off my nose.

After thinking of how I'd gotten to this point, I reach into my pocket and pull out the paper that Betty had given me. It having book title names and authors, but also a few new phone numbers as well that I smile down at. Her home number, as well as Lexi's cell and work number. I'd had Marie's mom's cell number before, but never her work number. I know it's meant for emergencies, but it's another first for me. I don't have a Pack at my back anymore, but Marie's family, the Donalds, seem to have claimed me as one of their own.

Slipping the paper back into my pocket, I carefully reach for my bag and pull out the notebook that I'd repurposed from schoolwork. Opening to a blank page, I start writing to Kalista. While at the airport terminal, it had dawned on me that I'm moving a couple states away now, but once they get moved later in the week, they'll be even further away. So while good for me, it's also sad as I'll be losing one of the first best friends I'd made.

So I take the time to write to her explaining everything. From the beginning and at the top. Admitting things I couldn't before due to a promise kept and how that very promise seemed doomed from the start. From Mythine's obsession in jumping from one Alpha to another and how it escalated once knowing Faust was a royal. How far she had taken things and with the blessing of our parents.

I spill my heart to her, explaining that I never meant to hurt or deceive her in any way, but keeping her and even Markus in the dark was the only way I knew to protect them from getting involved and making things worse. Not just for me, but for the Packs as a whole. I explain what Faust had told me, what I'd overheard my parents talk to my brother about, and hope she doesn't hold it against me that I tried to keep things from escalating by taking myself out of the picture, which was what most seemed to want anyway. My thanks to her and her Alpha-in-training is expressed as well as a wish to one day be reunited as I miss her so very much.

Once finished, I know I probably won't be able to actually send the letter, but writing it feels better. With their moving, I won't know where to send it, and even if I tried mailing it as soon as I landed, it wouldn't reach her in time. Besides, I'm trying to prevent trouble, not start it. 

🌖🌗🌘🌑🌒🌓🌔

✰ \(‾▿‾\) 𝔇𝔬𝔫'𝔱 𝔣𝔬𝔯𝔤𝔢𝔱 𝔱𝔬 𝔳𝔬𝔱𝔢 (/‾▿‾)/ ✰