Chapter 1

Harper's POV

"Where is she?" I yelled at my brother, Steve, as he ran out in search of me. My voice trembled slightly, betraying the storm of emotions roiling inside me. Anger, fear, and exhaustion battled for dominance.  

"I don't know," replied my sister, Esther, coming from the back of the house. She sounded irritated, but her furrowed brow betrayed her own worry. "I can't find her either."  

They were frustrated—I could sense it, but their concern wasn’t born of love or care. No, it was control. That thought burned through me like acid, hardening my resolve.  

"This has gone further than an ordinary prank," said Steve. His voice was low, almost casual, but the underlying edge of irritation made my stomach twist.  

What? He thinks this is a prank? A bitter laugh bubbled up in my chest, but I bit it back. Think again, brother.  

I shrank farther into the shadows, clutching my bag tightly. I couldn’t let them find me. Not now.  

"She couldn't have gone far. Where else could she possibly go?" Esther’s voice had taken on a sharper tone, her frustration beginning to surface.  

"You are right. But God help her when she comes back," Steve said, his fist colliding with his palm. The sound made my body stiffen. I could practically feel the sting of his threats on my skin.  

"She will have a lot to answer for."  

I gulped, the weight of their words sinking into my chest. My memories weren’t just scars; they were shackles, binding me to a life of fear and pain. I had to get away—there was no other option.  

"But don't you think it's for the best that she is gone? At least now she is out of our hair." Esther’s words were casual, almost flippant, but there was a trace of malice there that made my stomach churn.  

"You might be right, but then we need to know where she disappeared," Steve said, his tone measured but laced with paranoia. "I don't fancy the idea of her going off on her own; for all we know, she could be planning to finish us."  

His words made my hands tremble. Me? Finish them? The idea was laughable if it wasn’t so cruel.  

"You are right, but if she tries anything funny, she will be eating my fist," Esther said, raising her hand. Her face was twisted into a smug grin that made my blood boil.  

"Spoken like a true Lee," Steve said, chuckling darkly. "C'mon, let's go inside. The wind is picking up, and it could start raining anytime from now on."  

I watched as they retreated into the house, slamming the door behind them. Relief washed over me, but it was fleeting. Their voices still rang in my ears, a reminder of what awaited me if I was caught.  

I’m never coming back.  

Hiding behind the tree, I took a deep breath to steady my racing heart. The cold night air stung my lungs, but I didn’t care. This was my only chance.  

With a cautious glance to ensure the coast was clear, I darted into the woods. The damp earth muffled my footsteps, but the smell of rain in the air made my nerves spike.  

I stopped and looked up at the sky, now covered in dark clouds. My heart sank. If it rains, the scent trail will be easier to follow.  

Taking a deep breath, I pressed on, sticking to the dense undergrowth. The path would have been quicker, but it was too exposed.  

The adrenaline that had carried me this far began to ebb, replaced by sheer exhaustion. My legs felt like lead, and my breath came in short, ragged gasps. I stumbled to the base of a tree, collapsing against it.  

My stomach twisted in protest, a sharp pang reminding me it had been days since I’d eaten properly. A wave of lightheadedness washed over me, and I clenched my fists, trying to fight the dizziness.  

Tears pricked the corners of my eyes, but I blinked them away. Crying won’t help now, Harper. Keep moving. 

As I sat there, trying to summon the strength to continue, voices broke through the stillness. My heart leaped into my throat.  

At first, I thought I was imagining things, but as the sounds grew closer, fear gripped me like a vice.  

I scrambled to my feet, panic fueling my movements, but my body betrayed me. I crumpled back down, too weak to run.  

The voices grew louder. I focused on the direction they were coming from, my pulse pounding in my ears.  

It’s Allan and Julius. The realization sent a fresh wave of terror crashing over me. If they found me, it would all be over.  

With what little strength I had left, I crawled into a bush, praying the foliage would hide me. My breathing was shallow, my body frozen as their voices drifted closer.  

"Hey, do you smell that?" Allan said, his voice tinged with suspicion.  

I bit my lip, suppressing a whimper. No, please no. Don’t let them find me.

"Yeah, now that you mention it… Isn’t that the scent of another werewolf?"  

"Of course it is. But what surprises me is the fact that the scent belongs to Harper, Steve's sister."  

How does he know my scent? My mind raced, trying to make sense of his words.  

"What? C'mon, Allan, you can't possibly know her scent; she’s not even your girlfriend or mate."  

"Well, I do, 'cause…" He hesitated, his voice dropping to an awkward mumble. "I have this major crush on her. Sometimes I kind of sniff her clothes."  

My stomach turned. What the hell? 

"Oh my God, Allan!" Julius laughed. "You really are hopeless."  

"It's not like that; it’s just…"  

"It's okay, bro. I think I’ve heard enough," Julius said, still chuckling.  

I held my breath as Allan scanned the area, his gaze lingering on the bush hiding me. My heart pounded, each beat like a drum in my ears.  

Slowly, he moved toward me. I felt the blood drain from my face. This was it.  

"There's no time to search for anybody," Julius called out, his voice impatient. "Let’s get out of here."  

Allan hesitated, then sighed. "You’re right. It’s not possible for her to be here."  

I exhaled silently as they turned and walked away, their voices fading into the distance. Relief left me trembling, but I couldn’t stop thinking about Allan’s words.  

What are they doing out here? And how many more are coming?

Too weak to move, I crawled back to the clearing and slumped against a tree. Closing my eyes, I let exhaustion take over.  

This is going to be a long night.