Word Count: 2373

~Evoni

Not weighed down by anything, we travel through the forest toward town swiftly.

I don't speak much on the journey, unable to stop thinking that Rowan will never make his way back to humanity again. I know Maric senses my inner turmoil, his eyes flicking to me every few seconds.

I've gotten good at shutting him out, and focusing on the plan ahead helps.

Our idea is ridiculous. We're going to get caught, it's inevitable. A human is going to notice the very large, very imposing Alpha, and it's going to get him killed.

As I've walked through the dense forest, I've wondered to myself, is that what I want? It's my way out...

Not once have I ever let that thought spiral. I couldn't do that to him, to his pack.

We reached town by nightfall, the glittering lights winking from windows making my heart ache. I forget how many people exist in one small place. I don't know how I ever lived like that.

"We should spend the night at my place then head for the ferry in the morning," I say, rolling my shoulders.

Maric has been carrying my pack and Archie's, despite our collective protesting. He looks a little ridiculous with three bags draped over his massive arms.

He studies the horizon, the sloping hills dotted with densely packed houses. "Good idea."

"We get to go to your home? How exciting!"

All three of us turn, watching a figure emerge from the trees behind us.

My mouth drops open. "Rhenn?"

Despite Maric's instructions to stay behind, it's clear Rhenn has been tracking us through the forest. She has a measly little bag slung over her shoulder, and her clothing is dirt stained and wrinkled.

"What are you doing here?" Maric demands, his tone of voice making my stomach flip. I wouldn't want to be on Rhenn's end of her Alpha's disappointment.

"I followed you," she admits sheepishly.

Archie shakes his head disapprovingly. "Rhenn..."

She slowly pulls a twig from her hair, flicking it onto the ground. Maric runs a hand down his face, probably wondering how he didn't realise we were being tracked the entire time.

"None of you were going to let me come, and I wasn't about to miss out on this opportunity," she tells us, a desperate whine to her voice.

I smile a little, amused yet not surprised she followed us. That's how insistent she is about seeing human civilisation.

Maric looks to me. "She needs to go back."

"No, I think she should stay. As long as she promises to abide by my every command the entire time." I give her a strong look.

She grins. "Yes, of course I will."

She bounces up and down, clapping her hands together excitedly. I figure she can accompany us now, so she doesn't do something foolish like make her way here on her own, now that she knows the way.

And maybe her obsession with Archie will come to an end.

"No showing your eyes to any human, got it?"

She nods, sobering herself. "Got it."

"I have plenty of clothing you can wear to fit in." Clothing that is entirely obsolete out in the wilderness, that I used to be so fond of.

"How exciting! Human clothes!" Rhenn looks between Archie and Maric, hoping they share her excitement.

They both remain quiet. Archie looks off toward town, a disapproving furrow between his brows. Maric seems less concerned, which is a surprise. I thought he would fight back against this more, but he's trusting my judgement.

"And no getting that excited about anything in public. The least amount of attention drawn to you, the better," I tell her sternly.

"Okay, fair enough." She presses her lips together, trying to dull her smile.

I sigh, suddenly exhausted. I really hope this isn't a mistake.

"Shall we?" I gesture to town, starting off in its direction.

The cloak of night conceals us nicely. Rhenn whispers in wonder as we stalk down empty streets, but quickly quiets when I hush her.

Reaching my home, I find my front door slightly ajar. Pressing inside, my heart drops.

The place has been completely trashed.

Furniture is tipped over, drawers pulled out and emptied onto the floor. My coach cushions have been ripped up and scattered, and my pantry door is opened with packaged food strewn about.

The wonder on Rhenn's face has ebbed as she takes it all in.

"Wow it's...so...wow." She glances at me sideways.

"It's not usually like this," I tell her, picking carefully over my belongings. "The police must be searching for me. I'm sure by now I've been declared a missing person."

The only reason I have been reported missing will be because Rowan's family reported him missing, and that led to the discovery that I've been gone for weeks now.

The thought of it makes me roll my eyes. I can't believe this is the world I'll be coming back to.

"What does that mean?" Maric questions, stooping down to inspect my TV remote.

"It means I'm being searched for, but they won't come into the forest." I shove my couch cushions back onto the couch before I flop down onto it. "I'll show my face around town, make it clear I'm fine before we go."

Maric pauses, studying me. "Is that a good idea?"

"It's what I do." I shrug. "Not that anyone cares where I disappear to for weeks on end."

As long as a few people see my face and share the news around, the police will throw the case out and I won't be thought of again.

That is, until I return for good. If I don't move to the mainland, that is.

"Will people ask questions about where you've been?" Rhenn asks. She's sitting on my coffee table, not entirely understanding that it's not made for such a purpose.

"I'll say I've been visiting family off the island." I glance at Maric. "And I'll maintain I know nothing about Rowan."

He nods once, eyes softening. He'll let me do this, even if there is a risk I'll run away.

"Do you have human food?" Rhenn wanders into the kitchen. "Oh please tell me you do. I'm starved."

"Nothing that isn't expired," I tell her. "Archie, can you go get some pizza and I'll out for the rest of the errands?"

"Sure." He nods stoically.

He's been looking around the house in mute horror so far, seeing how far this has all come. Only he knows the real impact of what it means to be searched for by the police.

"Will you be safe out there?" Maric asks.

"I'm human, remember?" I gesture over myself. "I fit right in."

I excuse myself to dress and tend to my appearance before I leave. My hair is a knotted mess and my clothing is old and ragged. Surprisingly, my skin is relatively clear, and there is a brightness in my eyes that wasn't there before.

I have a will to live. I have something to accomplish, to work toward.

The night is cool when I step outside.

A tremble shudders through my body. I'm free, I could go anywhere. I could go straight to the bus station, catch a ride to the ferry and be gone by dawn.

My breath fogs in front of me as I sigh. I continue on toward Main Street.

My feet scuff through piles of autumn leaves, dull street lamp light pooling in golden wells along the lonely streets. I look through windows where curtains aren't drawn, seeing normal families going about their normal business.

I couldn't feel further away from them.

There are few shops still open at this hour. An old fast food pizza joint where one scraggly teen delivery driver heads out and returns from. A dusty cinema showing only one dark horror film. Also, a 24 hour pharmacy, which I step into, deciding I'll see the most people there.

It's quiet when I walk in, a bell above my head jingling. I step through the aisles, the soles of my shoes squeaking on the polished linoleum.

A man in his forties is stooped over the counter, sleepily reading a newspaper. He gives me a glance, but doesn't recognise me.

I continue on, past allergy medication, bandages and foot cream. I encounter no one, and nothing catches my eye until I abruptly stop.

My throat tightens. Condoms.

I should really keep walking. It's not as if I have any use for them. When I was with Rowan, I was on the pill, but that safely stopped when I ventured out into the forest.

My fingers flex against my sides as I take in the different varieties, brands and sizes.

That moment with Maric...it won't be repeated. It was a lapse in judgement on both our parts, so why do I need to consider the implications of us having sex?

I look to my right, then to my left. No one is around.

Slowly, I lift my hand, then lower it again. I doubt they even have his size...I've seen him bared to me before, and to call what I saw impressive would be an understatement.

Oh what the hell.

I swipe a box of condoms off the shelf, ignoring the dull ringing sound in my head.

This doesn't mean I'm actually going to do anything with him...it's just in case. Who knows as well, I might find someone else in the meantime that I want to have sex with.

"Evoni?"

I flinch, turning around.

Standing in fur lined coats right in front of me are two girls I recognise from high school. Keren and Maia.

Shit.

"Oh, hey." I give them a pathetic hand wave, cheeks warming.

Of all places to run into people, this had to be it? Right in front of the condoms? I suppose there is no one to blame but myself.

At least Keren and Maia know me. We weren't exactly friends in school, but I used to work after school at the supermarket with Keren, who used to chew this obnoxiously cherry scented bubble gum all the time.

"You're here..." Keren muses, looking over me.

"Everyone has been saying you've gone missing," Maia adds.

It's not ideal to run into this pair in front of the condom section, but they will be quick to spread the news about seeing me.

"No, I just got back into town from visiting family," I tell them, mustering a smile.

The exchange a look. I don't think either of them know about my lack of family, so they have no reason to be suspicious of me.

"Where's your boyfriend?" Keren asks, light blonde, almost white eyebrows lifting, disappearing under her fringe.

"Oh, I don't know. We broke up." I was hoping they wouldn't ask about him, but unfortunately, everyone associates me with him. I've never had any other identity.

"Really?" Maia asks, smiling.

I wonder if she's thinking about getting with him. Too bad he's buried in a forest many kilometres away.

"Pretty much." I look off behind them down the aisle, indicating that I'm done with the conversation.

"Why?"

"Well...we had a difference of opinions on something." I scratch the back of my neck. "It doesn't matter."

"He's gone missing too. His parents are losing it," Keren tells me, looming closer like she's sharing sordid gossip.

I swallow, imagining his highly strung mother and how she must be reacting. Rowan is her eldest son and her obvious favourite. Knowing her golden child is gone will be killing her.

"They've mobilised the entire police force trying to find him," Maia adds, still grinning.

"It's safe to say I have no idea where he's gone." I inch a step back, hoping to break away from them without looking too suspicious.

Keren must sense the lie, because her eyes narrow a touch.

"The police probably want to talk to you."

"Maybe I'll go see them after this." I will definitely not.

Maia's eyes dip over me, spotting the condoms in my hand. Her face brightens.

"If you're not with Rowan anymore, who are those for?" She flicks the box with her long acrylic nails.

I should have hid them under the wing of my coat earlier. Being accused of stealing is preferrable to their attentions.

"No one in particular," I stammer.

"You slut, tell us who!" Maia looks giddy while Keren is looking at me like she just realised I'm capable of having sex.

"Maia..." I tuck my hair behind my ear, wanting to melt. "No one."

"Tell us!" Her voice rings out down the aisle, making me wince. At least no one else accept the teller is in here, saving me from further mortification.

The problem is, they won't keep this to themselves for long. It will get back to Rowan's parents, and soon enough, I'll be blamed for his disappearance.

I suppose the decision to move to the mainland when this is all over has been made for me.

"Come on!" Keren jumps in, goading me.

They aren't going to leave me alone until I give them something.

"His name is Maric, alright," I concede with a heavy sigh. "He lives on the mainland, but he's visiting at the moment."

They're even more entertained knowing it's not someone they've met before. At least there is no risk of them recognising Maric's name.

"Is he hot?" Maia asks.

I blink. "I guess so."

The term hot doesn't really cover it.

"And large too," Keren observes, inspecting the condom box closely. "You are seriously lucky."

I tuck it behind my back, internally groaning. This is worse than high school.

"Anyway, I better get going. He's home waiting for me." I back away.

Keren winks. "Enjoy."

I feel the pairs eyes on me all the way to the register, their giggles following me back out onto the street.

🩷••🩷

If you want more, this story is available 10 chapters ahead on Inkit at all times! Just search for Midika Crane (Sophie) and you'll find this work under the stories tab.

If you would like to read more of my work, check out my novel The Three Alpha King's!

~Midika 💜🐈‍⬛