Leaving Home

Dawn breaks with a sharp bite in the air, the chill sinking into my bones as I stand at the edge of Lake Willow, watching the horizon bleed from black to gold. Sleep had been an afterthought. My mind had been too full, spinning with the weight of my father's ultimatum and the name that now loomed over my fate.

Alpha Zain.

The Demon Alpha. How can I possibly find him, talk more of killing him?

I've heard the stories—of villages burned, entire hunting parties wiped out before they could even lift their weapons. His name carries fear like a curse, passed down from one generation of hunters to the next. And now, I am meant to kill him.

A breath fogs in the cold morning air as I tighten my cloak around my shoulders. Wolf stirs beside me, stretching with a lazy yawn before padding closer.

"Guess we're really doing this, huh?" I murmur, scratching behind his ear.

He huffs, pressing his warm fur against my leg in quiet solidarity.

Footsteps crunch against the frost-kissed grass behind me. I don't need to turn to know who it is.

"You're really going through with this?"

April's voice is soft, hesitant.

I glance over my shoulder, taking in the way she clutches her shawl tightly around herself, her golden hair pinned neatly beneath the weight of her status—the perfect wife, the perfect daughter.

"Did you expect me to run?" I ask.

Her lips press into a thin line. "I expected you to fight harder."

I let out a dry laugh. "Fighting harder is exactly what I'm doing."

She exhales, stepping closer. "This is suicide, Violet. Father knows it. That's why he's sending you."

I know.

Of course, I know.

But what choice do I have? To stay means submitting to a life that was never mine to begin with. To leave…

To leave means I finally get to choose.

"It doesn't matter, April," I say, turning fully to face her. "It's already done."

Her hands tremble as she reaches for me, as if she wants to say something else, to beg me to stay—but she doesn't. She just nods, swallowing hard before taking a step back.

"Be careful," she whispers.

I watch as she disappears into the house, leaving nothing but frost and silence in her wake.

I sigh, rolling my shoulders. Time to go.

By midday, I'm saddled and riding through the dense forest, my cloak billowing behind me as Wolf keeps pace at my side. The scent of pine and damp earth fills the air, the steady rhythm of my horse's hooves against the ground lulling my mind into uneasy thoughts.

My shoulders suddenly felt heavy, and tears stings at the back of my eye. My dagger secure at my hip, and Wolf moves silently at my side, his ears twitching at every rustle in the underbrush.

I am alone now. No sisters watching from the shadows, no father dictating my every move. For the first time in my life, I am in control of my own fate.

But that fate might as well lead me to my death before I can even say my last prayer.

The hunting party my father had sent ahead left before dawn. I am to follow their trail, but my orders are different from theirs.

At least he cared that much.

They are to clear a part for me, as he didn't trust me enough to survive my first few steps into the woods

Cleaning my eyes to stop the tears that was threatening to fall, I tighten my grip on the reins. Fear wasn't something I should allow to get a hold of me, as it was going to get me killed before I even get halfway to my destination.

Killing a normal wolf is easy. Killing a werewolf? Harder. Killing an Alpha? Almost impossible.

Killing him?

A death sentence.

But if I survive—if I succeed—there will be no more talk of marriage, of suitors, of my place in this family.

I will have earned my place.

And I will finally be free.

The first signs of trouble come as dusk settles over the trees.

Blood.

It stains the ground in thick pools, soaking the fallen leaves in crimson. My horse shifts beneath me, ears flicking nervously as Wolf lets out a low growl.

I slide down from the saddle, unsheathing the dagger at my waist as I step closer.

The bodies are torn apart.

Ripped. Shredded.

Hunters.

The ones my father sent ahead.

Wolf whines beside me, hackles raised as his nose twitches. The stench of death and something else—something darker—lingers in the air.

I shift in my saddle, hand instinctively brushing over the hilt of my dagger. Something is watching me.

Wolf lets out a soft growl, his body tense, as he stood in alert.

I slow my horse, scanning the trees. Shadows dance between the trunks, the wind stirring the leaves in an eerie whisper.

Then—

A low, guttural snarl cuts through the silence.

I freeze.

The sound is deep, too deep for a wolf. Too deep for anything I want to face alone.

My horse shifts uneasily, nostrils flaring. Wolf steps forward, fur bristling.

And then I see it.

A bear.

Massive, golden-brown, its muscles shifting beneath thick fur as it prowls into view. It is starving, ribs visible beneath its pelt, eyes sunken with hunger.

I tighten my grip on the reins. It's not hunting me—it's desperate. And desperation is dangerous.

It snorts, pawing at the earth.

I hold my breath. If I run, it will chase me. If I stay, I may not survive.

Wolf growls low in his throat.

The bear charges.

I react without thinking.

I yank the reins, forcing my horse sideways as the bear barrels forward. It swipes, claws raking through empty air as I twist in the saddle, reaching for my bow.

Wolf lunges, snapping at its flank, drawing its attention away from me for a split second. That's all I need.

I loose an arrow.

It strikes the bear's shoulder. It roars, stumbling, but not stopping. Not enough.

My aim has always been shitty, and now was definitely not the time to be shitty.

I leap from my horse just as the bear lunges again, rolling to my feet with my dagger drawn. It swipes—this time, claws catch my cloak, dragging me backward.

Damn it.

Wolf snarls, sinking his teeth into the bear's hind leg. It lets out a furious bellow, whipping around.

I don't hesitate.

I lunge forward, dagger aimed for its exposed throat.

The blade sinks deep.

For a heartbeat, there is only silence.

Then the bear shudders.

Collapses.

The forest is still again.

I stand there, panting, heart hammering. My hands tremble as I yank my dagger free, its blade slick with blood.

Wolf limps to my side, his fur matted with dirt.

I sink to my knees, pressing a hand to his side. "You're an idiot."

He huffs, licking my wrist.

I laugh—shaky, exhausted. "Yeah, I know. I'm an idiot too."

I wipe my blade clean and stand, casting one last look at the fallen bear.

This was just the beginning.

—

By nightfall, I find shelter beneath a rocky overhang, my fire flickering weakly against the cold wind. Wolf curls beside me, his body a steady warmth against my side.

I stare into the flames, my thoughts heavy.

I never got to see my mother or Jade, or father before I left. He didn't let them out of the house.

And I may never get to see them again. I sighed, resting by back against a rock.

The true hunt hasn't even started yet.

And I am no closer to finding Alpha Zain than I was when I left home.

But I will.

One way or another, I will.

And when I do…

I will either kill him. Or die trying.