Chapter 1

I couldn't believe what I had just seen before me. Damien, the tyrant Alpha who had made my life a living nightmare, lay dead at my feet. But I didn't kill him. I swear I didn't.

The pack would never believe me. Omegas weren't supposed to defy Alphas, let alone harm them. I had to get out of there before they found me and executed me for a crime I didn't commit.

I packed a small bag with some essentials and slipped out of the packhouse, my heart pounding with fear and adrenaline.

As I ran through the dark forest, I could hear the sounds of the pack searching for me. Their howls echoed through the trees, driving me forward faster.

Suddenly, I stumbled over a fallen branch and fell to the ground with a thud. Pain shot through my ankle, but I forced myself to keep moving.

I pushed through the pain, ignoring the ache in my ankle as I continued to flee from the pack.

Finally, after what felt like hours of running, I emerged from the forest and found myself on the outskirts of a small town. It was quiet and peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos of the pack.

I limped into town, keeping my head down and avoiding eye contact with anyone I passed. I couldn't risk being recognized by another werewolf from my pack.

As I walked down the empty streets, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Every shadow seemed to hold a hidden threat, every sound made my heart race with fear.

I needed to find a place to hide, somewhere I could lay low until I figured out my next move.

I spotted a rundown motel on the edge of town and made my way towards it. The neon sign flickered with the word "Vacancy," and I breathed a sigh of relief.

I hurried inside and approached the front desk, where a tired-looking woman sat behind the counter.

"Can I help you?" she asked, giving me a curious look.

"I need a room," I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the fear coursing through me.

The woman nodded and handed me a key. "Room three," she said, pointing towards the stairs.

I thanked her and made my way up to the room, my heart pounding with anticipation.

Once inside, I collapsed onto the bed, exhaustion washing over me. I couldn't believe I had made it this far. But I knew I couldn't stay hidden forever. Eventually, the pack would find me, and when they did, they would stop at nothing to make me pay for Damien's death.

But for now, I was safe, and for the first time in my life, I allowed myself to dream of a future where I was free from the shackles of the pack, where I could live on my own terms and find happiness at last.

Just as I was drifting off to sleep, there was a knock at the door. My heart leaped into my throat as I sat up, with fear.

"Who is it?" I called out, my voice trembling.

“Your food is ready,” the voice said and I breathed in a sigh of relief. I had forgotten that I ordered food as I was so hungry and exhausted from all the running I had done.

I went to the door and opened it letting the girl in who was holding a tray of food. “Please place it on the table,” I said to her pointing towards the table.

I thanked the girl and gave her a small tip. She smiled and wished me a good night. I locked the door behind her and walked to the table. The food smelled delicious and I realized how hungry I was. I ate quickly, savoring every bite. I had ordered some rice, chicken, and vegetables from a nearby restaurant. It was simple but satisfying.

I finished my meal and threw away the empty containers. I checked the time and saw that it was almost midnight. I decided to take a quick shower and then go to bed. I needed to rest and recharge. I have a lot to do tomorrow.

I went to the bed and lay down. I pulled the covers over me and closed my eyes. I tried to sleep, but my mind was racing. I wondered what would happen tomorrow. Where would I go? I hoped I would find a place to stay, then I drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing. I groaned and reached for it. I looked at the screen and saw that it was an unknown number. I hesitated but decided to answer it. Maybe it was someone who could help me.

“Hello?” I said.

“Hi, is this Mellissa?” a female voice asked.

Mellissa? Who is Mellissa i asked myself looking confused, and then it struck me oh! I had changed my name so I wouldn't get traced.

“Yes, this is Mellissa. Who is this?” I asked cautiously.

“My name is Julie. I’m calling from the apartment rental agency. You contacted us yesterday about a small apartment in the city center. Do you remember?”

I relaxed. Yes, I did. I had searched online for some affordable apartments and found one that looked decent.“Yes, I remember. Is it still available?” I asked.

“Yes, it is. I’m calling to confirm your appointment. You said you wanted to see it today, right?”

“Yes, I do. What time?”

“How about 10 a.m.? I can meet you at the address and show you around.”

“Sounds good. I’ll be there.”

“Great. I’ll see you soon. Bye.”

“Bye.”

I hung up and checked the time. It was 8:30 a.m. I had an hour and a half to get ready and get there. I got up and got dressed. I packed my backpack and checked out of the motel. I hailed a cab and gave the driver the address of the apartment.

I moved into a nice apartment and started living there as Melissa, not Betsy. I got a job at a bookstore and made some friends. Life felt good and I was happy. But one morning, things took a scary turn. I woke up, got ready, and planned to go to the café for coffee. When I opened the door, I gasped and my eyes widened in shock at the sight before me. A man was lying on my porch, bleeding.