The Trial She Faces

Chapter 6

Over the next few days, the three women gathered the necessary provisions that Evie might need. They had decided that Evie would travel to the Three Mountain pack and speak to Alpha Ian - a distant cousin. They hoped he would be able to take in Evie but could not ask him in advance fearing that it would get back to their own Alpha before Evie left. Instead, Marie and Joanne had written a letter of introduction to Alpha Ian asking him to provide Evie with shelter and help her through the rejection.

Throughout this time Evie begun to say her goodbyes, although she wished she could do it properly. Instead, she quietly visited the childcare centre one last time - this time with a bag full of lollies. She had to discreetly wipe away her tears as she exited the building for the last time. After that she wandered around the outskirts of the town, avoiding contact with anyone but taking in the atmosphere and the buzz of people making their way through the streets. This had been her home all of her life. It was almost as though she was cutting out a piece of her soul having to leave it all behind.

With a sigh she turned to go back home and tend to her garden. She had left strict instructions for her mum on when to harvest the vegetables that were growing. After that, her mum could do with the small patch what she liked. Evie had a sneaking suspicion that it would become a patch of flowers in the next few months. If she was lucky, she might be able to start another garden at the Three Mountain pack - that would give her purpose and will to push through the next couple of months surely.

She spent the next few hours tending to the garden wanting to leave her mum with as little work as possible knowing how weak she had been lately. It was slower progress than usual, Evie finding that she had to take regular breaks when a sharp, stabbing pain would hit her for a minute or two before receding – a side effect of the rejection. Eventually she finished up and moved into the house in order to clean up and have a shower.

Afterwards Evie went to see her mum in her studio. She stood in the doorway admiring her mum as she sat at a canvas painting a landscape image that was similar to the woods that surrounded their small cabin.

Marie turned around to face her daughter as she was disturbed by squeaking of the floorboards.

'Oh, hi Pumpkin. All done outside?' Marie questioned.

'Yeah, I'm going to miss gardening. I know you will take good care of it though/' Evie sighed out.

'I'm sure you'll be able to help out in the vegetable garden at Three Mountain. Last time I spoke to Ian he was busy helping a few pack members set it up and it sounded wonderful. I promise I'll try my best not to let all of your plants die – but no promises my love.' Marie comforted Evie as she stood up from her easel and began to clean up some of her brushes.

'Yeah, I know mum.' Evie said as a small ghost of a smile.

'Come one, Joanne should be here soon, and we will have dinner. You need to have a good nights rest before tomorrow. Have you got all of your things together?' Marie said as the pair turned and walked towards the kitchen.

'Pretty much.' Evie whispered quietly before sitting down at the kitchen table.

'I know that you don't want to leave. But soon I'll come and visit you.' Marie said trying to comfort Evie.

'Can't you come with me mum.' Evie begged.

'Oh, honey I wish I could. But after so long of living near Darren, I don't think I would be able to survive leaving permanently. That's why you have to go before the bond becomes too strong and you can never leave like me.' Marie spoke words that Evie already knew but did not want to believe. In less than a weeks' time not only had she lost her soul mate, but she was losing the only family she had ever know.

'I know mum.' Evie relented before the pair slipped into a comfortable silence, enjoying each other's presence before they would be separated.

Suddenly, Joanne burst through the front door. Red faced and puffing she tried to speak.

'The Alpha.... He knows - he knows that your leaving Evie. Someone saw me buying a train ticket in the human town. They must have told the Alpha. Evie I'm so sorry. I should have been more careful. I'm sorry. You need to leave right now before he can stop you. If you don't leave, they will through you in a cell and then you'll never be able to leave.' Joanne spoke quickly and desperately as she grabbed onto Evie's shoulders.

'What! No no - I have until tomorrow. You said I had until tomorrow.' Evie cried out.

'I'm so sorry Pumpkin. You need to go now. He is probably already on the way. Run to the human town and go to the train station. There should be a train that you can catch that will take you in the right direction. Please baby. Now. I thought we had more time, but you need to get to safety.' Marie sat up straight and directed her daughter.

Hurriedly the three women gathered Evie's backpack and small duffle bag before moving toward the back door of the house.

'Mum-' Evie croaked out.

'I know Pumpkin. I'll talk to you soon. You can always call me.' Marie kissed her daughter's cheek and gave her a firm nod trying to stop the tears from overflowing.

'Everything is going to be okay.' Joanne gave Evie a firm but quick hug.

'Now go quickly.' Marie said in farewell.

'Goodbye. I love you both so much.' Evie said before turning and running to the tree line.

Joanne and Marie stood hugging in the doorway watching Evie's figure disappear before moving to the front veranda. It was only a few minutes later when the two spotted the approaching Alpha. He looked furious.

'Where is she?!' He roared out at Joanne and Marie.

'It isn't really any your business is it now.' Joanne spat back at the fuming Alpha.

'Not any of my business huh?! Is this not my pack? And now I here that there is a pack member who has left without permission to god knows where. This is my fucking business Joanne. So, I'll ask once again. Where. Is. She.' Alpha Darren demanded as he stepped towards the cousins.

'Your too late. She is already gone.' Marie spoke quietly looking down at the ground.

'The border patrol will catch her and drag her pack to face a proper punishment. This is unacceptable.' The Alpha before his eyes glazed over presumably to alert the patrol to be on alert for any wolves trying to leave the pack territory.

'No! I will not let my daughter face the same fate as me. Please you have to let her go. She has a life to live and you would take that away from her? From your own blood.' Marie stepped forward begging the Alpha.

'She is not my daughter you slut.' Alpha Darren grasped Marie around the neck and lifted her up so only her toes brushed the ground. Joanne gasped and ran forward to try and free Marie before the Alpha threw her to the side.

'You will both be punished for this.' He stated before shifting and running in the direction Evie had left.

Joanne wrapped her arms around Marie who was now sobbing on the ground, praying that Evie had managed to leave before getting captured.