CHAPTER TWO

"Sheila!" I call out. "Stop right there."

Sheila turns and glares at me, smirking.

"Well, well," she says slowly, "look at who we have here. If it isn't the Alpha's new mate."

She smiles, and in this moment, I hate her more than I have ever hated anyone.

"But, look at the bright side," she says. "At least you'll get to spend your last few days with him."

"My last few days"? I ask, confused. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"You'll see," she says, and I am filled with the overwhelming desire to knock that smirk right off her face.

I narrow my eyes.

"You were behind this whole thing, weren't you?" I ask. "You arranged all of this just so that you could steal Ben."

"That was part of it."

"You're pathetic," I say. "He doesn't love you. He's never going to love you."

"Maybe," she says, undaunted. "We'll see."

"Why?" I ask. "Why are you doing this?"

"Easy," she says. "I'm doing it because you stole him from me."

"I didn't steal him," I say. "I love him."

"That doesn't really matter now, does it?" she says. "He's mine. He has always been mine. And now that you're out of the picture, he will be mine forever."

"You are delusional," I say. "He doesn't want you. He never did. He wants me. He always has, and he always will. He loves me."

"It doesn't matter. You won't be around long anyway," Sheila says, grinning.

"What do you mean?" I say.

"I mean," she says, "that when the Alpha finds out that his new mate is a traitor, he'll kill you."

I stare at her.

"What are you talking about?" I say.

"You don't think I know, do you?" she says. "You don't think I already know what you did? You betrayed the pack, and now you're going to die for it."

"I would never betray the pack," I say. "Never. I swear."

"We'll see," she says. "We'll see once the Alpha finds out."

"Shiela, you know me. You know I would never-- You were my best friend."

I stare at her, trying to keep my calm.

"I would never be friends with a traitor--someone who would tell our secrets like that."

"What secret are you talking about?" I ask.

"The one you told," she says. "The one that you told to the humans."

"I didn't tell any secrets." I say. "I didn't. I wouldn't!

"What do you mean you didn't tell any?" she says. "You told them about our plan for revenge. You told them about what we did to Connor."

"I did not!" I say.

"Oh, yes," she says. "You did. And you know what? They aren't going to keep it a secret. They're going to go straight to the police. And when the police come here, there's no telling what they'll do to us. We are all going to die. Because of you."

"You're lying," I say.

"Am I?" she says. "Because I know what happened. I know what you did. And I know what you told them."

"I didn't do this. And you can't convince everyone I did. They won't believe you."

"Are you willing to bet your life on it?" she says, her eyes smiling.

I'm not. I didn't do what she's accusing me of, but if I can't even get my best friend to believe me, how am I supposed to convince anyone else?

If she even believes what she's saying. Part of me thinks it's all just an excuse. A lie she's telling because she wants Ben.

Ben.

I have to see Ben. To say goodbye one last time. I can't stay here now. It isn't safe. Once Shelia tells the pack what she thinks I did, they'll come for me. They won't stop until I'm dead. But I can't leave now. Not yet. Not until I say goodbye.

I walk through the woods in search of Ben. I have walked this path, and I know where he will be. I know he will be at the place closest to the fence, where he has always liked to sit and watch.

He is there.

I don't know how I know he is there, but I do. I can feel his spirit. I can feel his presence. I know he is here, and I know he is waiting for me.

I run towards him.

I am sobbing, and I can't even see after a few steps. I keep my eyes on the ground in front of me, and I just run.

I trip and fall on my knees, but I get up and keep running.

And then, I see him. Ben. My love. My heart.

He knows from the look on my face what's coming.

"Rachel, please, tell me you're not leaving," he says. "Not being able to be with you is already breaking my heart, but never seeing you again? I won't survive that."

"I have to," I say. "Sheila told me she'd tell the Alpha that I betrayed the pack if I don't. I have to go, and I have to do it now."

"But you didn't do anything," he says. "You didn't tell anyone anything."

"I know," I say. "But, it doesn't matter. She thinks I did. And she's my best friend. They'll believe her."

"You shouldn't go," he says. "If you go, you'll die. You'll die for something you didn't do."

"I don't have a choice," I say. "They'll kill me for sure if I stay"

Ben knows I'm right. I know that doesn't make it any easier for him.

He takes me into his arms.

"I love you," he says.

"I love you too," I say.

I kiss him. One last time.

"I have to go," I say.

I turn and walk away.

I know I won't see him again.

I walk to the gates, and the guard lets me through them.

Once I'm outside the gates, I turn around.

I see Ben standing there, watching me.

I take one last glimpse at the love of my life.

And then I'm gone.