Chapter 0294

The morning of my twelfth birthday fills me with terror.

Father's temper has been worsening these past two years. If I don't shift today, his rage will explode. The entire pack suffers under his growing cruelty. Everyone tiptoes around him now.

No one visits the packhouse anymore. I'm grateful—no one should witness what he does to Mother. The abuse has escalated dangerously this past year. I fear he'll kill her one day.

My bedroom door crashes open. I jolt upright as Father looms in the doorway.

"Well?" he demands.

I shake my head.

His face twists in disgust. "Worthless girl. You're no daughter of mine."

His hand rises to strike me.

Mother materializes between us like a shield.

The backhand cracks across her cheek. Blood and saliva spray as her head snaps sideways. She steadies herself, still blocking me from him.

"Move," he snarls.

She stands firm.

After a charged silence, he turns his glare to me. "Get out."

I blink in confusion.

"Out. Of. My. Packhouse!" he spits. "If I ever see you on my lands again, I'll kill you myself."

The door slams behind him.

"Mom? What does he mean?"

She remains silent for a full minute. "Pack a bag. Only essentials—what you can carry. Bring anything irreplaceable. I'll return in five minutes."

True to her word, Mother reappears with her own packed bag. I've stuffed my favorite clothes and some photos into an overnight duffel.

"Quickly now," she whispers, grasping my hand.

We move like shadows down the staircase, pausing at every creak. Instead of the main entrance, she guides me through a service hallway—the omega's exit.

Outside, we sprint for the tree line. Mother suddenly yanks me behind an oak as border patrols pass. We're nearly to the territory edge when Father's Gamma intercepts us.

"Where are you going, Paige?" Jack blocks our path.

Mother shoves me behind her. "She's banished, Jack. I won't let her go alone. Will you stop me?"

His gaze flicks between us. Then he pulls cash from his pocket. "Take this. Get far away—bus, rental car, whatever. He won't let you leave easily. I'll buy you time."

"Thank you," Mother murmurs, embracing him briefly. He whispers something in her ear before we're running again.

A mile from the border, howls erupt behind us.

Mother thrusts her bag at me. "Climb on."

She shifts mid-stride. I scramble onto her wolf's back as she launches forward. Though not born an Alpha female, a decade as Luna has honed her strength. Today, desperation fuels her speed.

She takes rivers when possible, masking our scent. Ten miles later, we reach the outskirts of a human town. Mother shifts back, and I toss her clothes.

The bus station appears like a miracle. With fifteen minutes to departure, Mother buys two tickets. We slouch in rear seats, only breathing when the wheels start turning.

We don't sit up until the city disappears behind us.