I was driving as fast as I could go without crashing the car. I knew I'd need to ditch this car as soon as I was in Snowstorm territory. I should be there any minute. The game plan was to leave the car somewhere where Zyon would be able to find it. If he really did love cars as much as Violet said, I didn't want to wreck his car.

I'd find a payphone, tell Zarah I had escaped and then find my way to Daniel. Ever moving back into my own apartment was out of the question. He would find me. I would need to disappear. New identity, passport, city, I'd have to leave everything I had ever known far behind if I wanted to get away. How would I explain that to Daniel? Convince him to come with me?

The minute I was in my pack territory I parked the car, got out and began to run. If Zyon had the car's navigation system, he wouldn't be that far behind, so I needed to be as fast as possible. I ran into a park I was a little familiar with. I spotted the payphone soon enough and ran towards it, punching in Zarah's number. She picked up on the first ring.

With that, I hang up. I run through the park and hail a cab straight to the airport.

I feel betrayed that Amor is helping Zyon, but I know I have to understand. He's Alpha. He has to protect his pack and according to werewolf law, I'm wrong. I'm running from my mate for a reason that most people would find ridiculous. But its not ridiculous. Not to me. Sometimes I wish the Moon Goddess hadn't given me the ability to detect my mate at twelve. I would definitely have felt differently about this whole mate bond then. I would have like any normal wolf discovered Zyon as my mate at eighteen and spent my life with him happily. But because I had known since I was twelve, the bond had wrecked my childhood. And I refused to let it wreck the rest of my life. My life was going to be my choice. It was not going to go in the direction that fate wanted. I wouldn't let it. I weaved my way through the crowds of people at the airport. I looked around until I spotted a familiar head. Daniel's eyes were scanning the crowd in search of me. His brown wavy hair combed back and his eyes wary and paranoid until they landed on me. There was no time for a reunion. We had to get out of pack territory before it was too late. I walked towards him and grabbed his hand, steering him towards the counter to get our tickets. He opened his mouth to say something.

I think he notices the seriousness on my face. He takes it off and just hands it to me. I put it on and pull the hood over my face. We claim our tickets from the counter and go towards our gate to board the plane.

It's only once we are on the plane and have taken off, that I let out a breath of relief and turn to Daniel. He's impatiently waiting for me to say something.

I can tell he's disappointed and frustrated with my response. I wish I could tell him. I wish more than anything, but I can't tell him about wolves. What am I supposed to say? Oh hey, I'm a werewolf, I have a mate that I've been hiding and running away from since I was 18, but really I've known since I was twelve and now that mate knows about me and won't leave me alone. He wants to claim me. I couldn't say that to him. Not only would he think I was joking or star-craving mad, he would be in serious danger. The council would kill a human who was not really a mate to a werewolf. Not that he isn't in danger now. If Zyon ever found out about Daniel, I know he would kill him.

The flight lands soon enough. The first thing I do is make my way to a payphone and dial Zarah's number.

I say as soon as she picks up the phone.

She trails off.

She replies softly.

I put the phone down and walk towards Daniel. The airport is full of people. We're able to make our way out and soon enough, I find myself outside of Daniel's parents house. His mom opens the door and is immediately surprised to see us.

She hugs us both.

I say.

Daniel is uncomfortable lying to his mother. I know it. But there's not much I can do at this point.

Daniel and I head upstairs, to get changed and then meet the family for dinner downstairs. We order in pizza and I spend the evening truly relaxed. Before we move back upstairs to go to sleep I tell Daniel's mom,

When I wake up the next morning, I'm fully active knowing Zarah could arrive any minute. I'm dressing and bounding down the stairs, just as the door bell rings and I know it's her from her scent. I open up the door, and Zarah barges in, cabin bag in hand. I practically throw myself at her as she hugs me tightly.

I grab her bag and we go into the guest room.

I paused, at once feeling fearful. Not for me, but for Daniel. If Zyon found him, he'd kill him. and probably imprison me for life in his pack.

Zarah continues,

Her voice suddenly changes, going higher in pitch, when she's exasperated,

I say quietly.

I look up at her. She only uses my whole name when she's being serious.

Zarah's face softens. She moves towards me and clutches my hand in hers. I keep quiet and don't respond. I can't lie to her. I can never lie to her.

By this point, I'm crying.

I just nodded.

Zarah says.