Whispered promises

Part 24

Derek looked at Erica and Boyd, standing in last rements of The Hale house, as they discussed their plans. "Tonight," Erica informed Derek firmly. "Everyone's gonna be at the game. We figured it was the best time." Boyd explained . "We wanna leave to be safe. Don't blame us. Gonna miss them, but maybe it's for the best." Boyd chimes in .

Derek sighed, realizing the weight of their decision. "It's not like we want to," Erica assured him. "Since I just turned 16 a month ago, I wouldn't mind getting my license. I can't do that if I'm dead, you know." Erica concluded . "Well, I told you there was a price," Derek reminded them.

"Yeah, but you didn't say it would be like this," Boyd retorted. Derek paused, considering their perspective. "Yeah, but I told you how to survive. You do it as a pack. And you're not a pack without an Alpha."Derek told them .
"We know," Boyd spoke up, catching Derek's attention.

"You wanna look for another pack? How are you even gonna find one?" Derek questioned skeptically. "We think we already did," Boyd revealed, causing Derek to turn towards him.

"Like all of a sudden, we heard all this howling. It was unbelievable," Erica added. "There must have been a dozen of them," Boyd continued.
"Maybe more," Erica chimed in. Derek interjected, "Yeah, or maybe only two. You know what the Beau Geste effect is?" He asked them . Seeing their clueless expressions, Katrina looked towards the two betas . "If they modulate their howls with a rapid shift in tone, two wolves can sound like twenty."she explained to them .

"Look, that doesn't matter, okay? There's another pack out there. There's got to be. We've made up our minds," Erica concluded firmly. "Yeah, we lost, Derek. And it's over. We're leaving," Boyd declared.

"No. No, you're running. And once you start, you don't stop. You'll always be running," Derek responded, his frustration evident.
"They're not running; they're choosing a better life, Derek. To be honest, I don't blame them... They didn't ask for this," I interjected, unable to stay silent any longer.

Derek turned to me, surprised by my agreement. "You're agreeing with them?"he questioned . "It's their decision. I'm not gonna judge that... Plus, like I said previously, they didn't sign up for this at all. You, as their Alpha, need to let them make their own decision and trust them. It doesn't matter if you don't agree with it; it's their choice. You gotta let them make it," I explained calmly towards Derek .

"You call me the second you hit trouble, alright?" I said to Erica and Boyd, my voice filled with concern. "We will," Boyd assured me. I pulled them both into a hug, feeling a mix of pride and sadness. "Keep in touch when you're settled, alright? Don't be strangers now," I said, trying to lighten the mood.
"Never," they both said simultaneously, chuckling.

"Oh, I almost forgot," I said, walking towards my car and grabbing the keys for the red Agra. "Here, it's yours," I said, tossing the keys to Erica and Boyd. "We can't take this," Boyd protested. "It's not a choice. Erica, you fell in love with this car... It's yours now. Just do me a favor, don't get caught!" I winked at her, eliciting a smile.

"You're welcome for everything," they both said gratefully. "You're welcome," I replied, a touch of sadness in my voice. As they pulled me into a final hug, I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions-proud of their decision to forge their own path, yet saddened by their departure.

•••••••••••••••••

"You Alright? "My Dad asked as I looked up to him, setting my glass down on the kitchen counter. "I'm fine, you don't have to worry about me!" I informed him, trying to convince both him and myself. "I always will, you're my daughter. I'll always worry," he said softly, his concern evident in his eyes.