Chapter 2

Willow’s POV

The walk to the packhouse took me about an hour on human legs but that was okay because I needed time to process what just happened. It was as if a burden had been lifted off my shoulders walking out of that house and a sense of relief washed over me. For over a year now I have endured the painful memories of my father leaving and my mother’s anger towards me for it. Every day was a constant memory that I wasn’t wanted and that all I was good for was helping to keep a roof over the head of the person that gave birth to me. But now I was free from all of that and even if Alpha Chance won’t take me into his pack, I will find a way to survive without going back to that hell that I had lived.

The lane to the packhouse came in sight and I could feel the eyes of the patrol on me as I walked up the lane to the house and I knew that they were all looking at me in judgement. Warning of my arrival must have gotten back to the house because when I approached the house Luna stood at the top of the steps with her fiery red hair and watched me as I ascended the steps towards her. “Willow is everything alright?” Luna asked and I didn’t know exactly what to tell her.

“May I stay here tonight?” I asked her, hoping she would agree to let me stay.

“Of course, you can stay here. Our door has always been open to you.” Luna said as she waved me into the house.

Just then Alpha Conner made his way into the foyer area and asked, “Willow is everything okay?”

“I am sorry to intrude Alpha. I just need a place to stay until I can go to Red Moon pack.” I told him, hoping that he already spoke with Alpha Chance.

“You are welcome to stay here. I told you our door is always open to you. As for Red Moon I have spoken with Alpha Chance and he is willing to let you become part of his pack if that is what you want.” Alpha Conner says to me and I am relieved to hear that I have a place to go far away from here.

“Thank you, Alpha Conner. Is there any way that I could get a ride to the bus stop tomorrow?" I asked hoping someone could drive me instead of the hour plus walk.

“There is no need to take a bus. Luna and I will be traveling tomorrow to see our brothers for a long weekend and to see the twins on their birthday. It’s halfway there and Alpha Chance will be sending his Beta to get you from there.” Alpha Conner tells me and I feel a bit of relief knowing I will be escorted there by Alpha Chance’s Beta.

“Thank you, Alpha Conner. I truly do appreciate everything you have done for me and I will miss you and Luna.” I tell both of them wanting them to know that my leaving has nothing to do with them.

“Come with me Willow so I can show you to your room for the night.” Luna said as she led me up the stairs and down a long hall to an empty room.

Once inside and Luna was gone, I looked around the massive room that was larger than the whole house I was living in with my mother. The bed had to be a king and I had never seen one so big in my life. The bathroom that was connected to it had a massive tub in it which was calling my name.

Quickly I undressed as the water ran into the tub and when I lowered myself into it and my muscles were happy to feel some relief from today’s workouts. As my head went back against the head pillow, I closed my eyes and let my mind relax for a moment. It had been a long stressful day and I was happy that it had ended with Alpha telling me that I was accepted by the Red Moon pack, making it the best birthday present I could have asked for. Tomorrow would be the start hopefully for a new future for me with a fresh start where no one knew who I was and no one will look at me with pity because of my home life.

Morning came and I felt like I had the best night of sleep in my life. The mattress on the bed made me feel like I was sleeping on a cloud. After getting dressed I headed downstairs to meet up with Alpha and Luna so that we could head off to my new home. The two of them were waiting in the foyer ready to leave. Alpha reached for one of my bags to help me and I gladly let him take it. My muscles were still slightly sore from yesterday and one less bag to carry took some relief off them.

As we drove towards Crescent Moon pack my stomach started to growl. It had been two days since I had eaten and I knew my body was in need of food, but I hadn’t worked at the diner in two days where I was able to get a meal while I worked my shift. We never had food at home because my mother never allotted money for it and normally every dime I made she would take it from me.

I noticed Alpha and Luna looking at each other and then Luna asks, “Are you hungry Willow?”

“I am fine, Luna.” I told her, not wanting to burden her or Alpha.

Alpha then looked back at me in the rear-view mirror and asked, “Willow how long has it been since you ate?”

I couldn’t lie to Alpha, so I said just above a whisper, “Two days.”

Anger filled Alpha’s eyes and I knew I shouldn’t have told him because it would just upset him. No one knew how truly bad I had it at home and I tried to keep it bottled inside of me not wanting anyone to know how my home life was. Two days was nothing to go without eating. I had once almost gone five days because my shift had gotten cancelled twice at the diner when a storm had come through last winter, and the hunger became so grave that I resorted to hunting a rabbit in my wolf form.

“Willow, how long has this been going on?” Alpha now asks me.

“Alpha I am sorry I shouldn’t have said anything.” I said to him not wanting to cause an issue.

“I asked you a question Willow.” Alpha now said in his Alpha tone.

“Since my father left when we came home from Red Moon pack.” I told him not able to resist his Alpha tone.

A growl slipped from his lips and I knew he was not pleased about this. “Why haven’t you said anything to any of us?” Alpha now asks and a tear slips down my cheek.

“I am sorry Alpha but I didn’t want to burden anyone with my home life.” I told him as another tear slipped from my eye and I quickly wiped it away not wanting to show weakness.

“Willow I am your Alpha and my job is to keep you all safe. I feel like I have failed you as your Alpha.” Alpha Conner said to me and I felt bad I made him feel that way.

“You didn’t fail me, Alpha. You taught me how to protect myself with training and I am grateful for that.” I told him hoping he knew that he had done something no other pack would have done for me.

“That wasn’t enough.” Alpha said as the Luna placed her hand on his arm trying to calm him.

“I am sorry I shouldn’t have said anything.” I now say seeing that I caused him worry.

“Willow is this part of the reason you wanted to leave?” Luna now asks.

It was partially one of the reasons I wanted to leave but the major reason was to get away from my mother and everything that I had endured over the last year. There was so much heartache and pain and I just wanted to free myself from all of it. This time I picked my words wisely not wanting to upset the Alpha or Luna anymore and said, “I just need a fresh start.”