As I emerged from the woods behind our manor I shifted back into a human. My inner wolf still whimpered as the metallic smell seemed stuck in my nose. 

"Dad!" I yelled running in through the patio door. "Dad?"

"In the office, honey."

"Hey, dad," I said breathlessly. 

"What's up, kiddo?"

"I was running home and about a mile into the woods, there's this weird smell."

"What kind of smell? You'll have to get used to heightened senses," he said not looking up from his work.

"Um, it was really metallicy and like old dirt."

"Metallic and old dirt?"

"Yeah. I'd never smelled anything like it before."

"Anything else?"

"Yeah, it smelled like old meat. Like when a steak is left sitting on the counter too long."

He stood and hurried to the patio door. Kissing my forehead he ran from the room.

"Dad?"

"Don't worry about it, honey. I'm just sending a patrol out to the woods. Stay home."

"Uh, okay."

Weird.

"Where did your father go?" mom asked, exiting the kitchen.

"To find out the weird smell I smelled."

"Oh, okay. Is everything okay?"

I shrugged my shoulder. "I don't know. Maybe? He's sending patrol out to check the woods."

"Huh, that's strange. I'm sure he'll figure it out."

I kissed her cheek and went to my room.

Maybe I should tell them that I'm leaving.

I shook my head and tossed my backpack on my bed for digging through my closet for my suitcases.

"What do you take when you're leaving home for like a month?" I asked myself.

I looked around and realized that I relied on a lot of my stuff.

"I guess I'm packing as much as I can."

A knock on the door disturbed my rushed packing. 

"Who is it?" I called out.

"It's mom."

I put my bags under my bed and unlocked my bedroom door. "What's up, mom?"

"Dinner is ready."

"Great. I'm starving."

"Alex is here..."

"Nevermind. I'm not hungry."

"Elanor, you can't avoid them forever."

"Sure I can. Watch me."

She sighed heavily. "You're going to have to come to terms with this."

I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't think so."

"Well, come have dinner."

"Nope. I'm not hungry."

"Yes, you are."

"Nope. My appetite is suddenly gone."

"I'll have Henry put a plate in the fridge for you in case you get hungry later."

"Whatever."

I closed and locked the door behind her, pulling my suitcases out again. My stomach growled at the thought of whatever Henry made. His food was always delicious.

Digging through my closet I picked a variety of outfits from more outdoor and hiking to fancy dinner party.

"You never know what you'll end up doing I guess."

I put the suitcases into my closet and lay in bed staring out my window watching the sun set. My doorknob twisted back and forth as though someone was trying to enter.

"Go away."

"Answer the door."

"No. Go away."

I heard the low growl Alex did when he was mad. "Open the fucking door."

"I told you no. Go. Away."

"Talk to me, Ellie."

"You do not get to call me that! Only my friends do. You are not my friend. Go. Away."

"I'm fed up with your attitude, Elanor."

"Is there a problem?" I heard my father's muffled voice.

"No, Beta. I'm just trying to talk to your hard-headed daughter."

"Do you really think that is a good idea right now?"

"What is her problem?" Alex asked.

"Seriously? You're asking what her problem is?"

"Yeah. What is her problem?"

"Let's think about this. You should be able to critically think if you are going to be the alpha of our pack one day. You dated Ellie for how long?"

"I don't know."

"Four years, Alex. You dated Ellie for four years. Then suddenly, and in public, you marked her sister in front of her."

"And?"

"Use your brain. How would you feel if someone marked her in front of you?"

"She doesn't have a mate though?"

That stung. That hurt deep in my heart.

"She does. She simply hasn't met him yet. And knowing my daughter and how special she is, he's going to be 10000 x's more of a man than what you have shown everyone you are."

"That is out of line, Beta."

"And it's out of line for you to stand at my daughter's door, who is not your mate, screaming at her in my house. I would appreciate it if you either spent your time with Harmony in her room or not here at all."

I heard Alex let out his low growl again and couldn't help but smile. 

I love you, dad.

"Hey, honey, open the door for your old man?"

I hopped up and unlocked the door. "Hi, dad."

He kissed my forehead and hugged me tightly. "Hi, daughter."

I smiled and wrapped my arms around him. "You're the best."

"Oh, I'm alright."

"Did the patrol go out?"

"Yeah. That's what I came up here to find you for."

"What was it?"

"Well, it was strange. They found a dead deer."

"A dead deer smelled like that?"

"That's what's strange. The deer did not. It was the metallic smell that you picked up on. It was the blood that was left."

"The blood that was left?"

"Yes, the poor creature was drained of it. It's quite strange. I've never seen anything like that before."

"What would be able to do that to a deer in the forest?" I questioned.

"We're not sure. Dr. Lyndon was dispatched to the scene so he's doing an autopsy to find out more about what killed it."

I pursed my lips and folded my arms in front of me.

Is this what Artemis was talking about? 

"Share your thoughts?" dad asked.

"Hmm? Oh, just wondering what's lurking in the woods. That's all."

"Me too."

He turned to leave and my mouth went dry.

"Hey, dad?"

"Yeah?"

"I have something to tell you."

"What's that, honey?"

"With everything going on with Alex and Harmony, I took all of my finals today."

"Oh? Dean Anderson allowed that?"

"Yes. Ashley arranged that for us."

"Us? She did as well?" he questioned.

"Mmhmm."

"Why?"

"Well, we're leaving."

"Leaving? Leaving where?"

"Here. The pack."

"Wolves don't leave their packs."

"I know. And it's not forever. I just want to travel a bit, you know. See the other packs. See more of our world. I've never left Moon Mist before."

"How long are you planning on being gone for?"

"Just a few weeks. Maybe a month."

"Okay. Make sure you head to the Royal City. I am friends with the Beta of Winter Lake. She's very smart and very kind. I'll let her know that you are coming and she'll be able to show you around the city. Her name is Marsha Brandywine."

I nodded. "Thanks, dad."

"No problem, pup. Just be careful, okay?"

"Of course, I will be. I'm your daughter, aren't I?"

"You are and we are the definition of careful."

He left my room and I let out a big sigh. 

A month of no Harmony and no Alex.

******

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