Escape | ✓

29

The Crimson Lake was a nice pack, it was. With the pack itself being rather large compared to the ones in the surrounding area, many believed that it meant the members weren't as close when in fact, it was the opposite.

Growing up, everyone knew everybody. If there was a problem and my parents weren't around then I knew that I could approach practically anyone and they'd help me with it. The pack was a happy place, but it was also suffocating. The Crimson Lake focused strongly on the importance of mates and family. Naturally, as a result of this, many grew and as they developed into their own people, the longing for finding one's mate seemed to increase as well.

I could remember a time when I'd walk around the pack or through the high school and all I'd hear about was teens, desperate to find someone they were able to have that supposed deep connection with. It was exhausting—not only because I heard it multiple times a day, but because I couldn't relate to it.

The idea of teens longing for love wasn't some new concept, but it always came off as strange to me how people who weren't even in their twenties were so eager to settle down with someone and start a family. I couldn't understand it.

A phrase I despised was, "You'll understand when you're older." My brothers always would say this when I mentioned my lack of interest in finding my mate. They made it sound as if it was something that'd snap into place like magic; we'd take one look at each other and that was it. We'd never want to be with anyone else.

I always disliked this idea because life wasn't some fairytale where all it took was a true love's kiss to fall in love, yet it seemed as though I was the only one who felt this way. I felt isolated in the very place where I should've felt the opposite, so it only seemed natural when my desire to leave grew. I wanted to leave the Crimson Lake and explore more. I wasn't sure where exactly I wanted to go, but I knew that if I stayed then I'd never be able to explore. I was fine being alone; I was fine not staying in a fixed place; I was fine not having a mate.

Until I met Eli.

And now, here I was, back in the place I promised myself I'd one day escape from. It was ironic how life had a way of traveling in a complete circle.

I raised my hand, knocked on the door, and waited. I knew better than to expect the door to immediately open because it was Kai and Easton. Despite having lived together for years, every day was a constant battle between the two over the same issue: who would open the door? They seemed to go back and forth and as a result, the person on the other side had to wait until one of them finally gave in.

Today that person was Kai. He came out with a pouty expression on his face, but it immediately vanished when he saw I was standing there.

"Reu?" He blinked a few times and then smiled. "Why are you here? Shit, did I forget something again?" I opened my mouth to respond, but his banshee-like scream beat me to it. "East, Reu is here!"