Unraveling Rogue

Chapter 11 - What You Don't Know Might Hurt You

Now, two weeks into my 'house arrest', I'm going to do it.

I'm going to break the only set of rules given to me.

I'm going outside, on a run, with or without Luke's permission.

No matter how much this may sound like it, this isn't a suicide mission. I've been planning this moment for a while. Since day one, actually. I'll do it at night, while Luke's asleep. I'll jump from the deck on the second floor, avoiding the creaky front door, then run into the woods, making sure that I don't run into any of the night's border guards.

Obscured just beyond the tree line, I'll shift and hide my clothes between the roots of an old oak tree which sits along the property's edge. I'll use my black fur to my advantage as I sneak my way to the highway, then quickly dart across the road and into the cover of trees on the other side.

From there, I'll be out of the heavily guarded area of the forest and into the section of Richmond that is being renovated to become a new residential area.

No one would suspect I'd go there - it's a gravel road with the skeletons of dozens of new houses peering eerily down the street's length.

I had been to the area a few weeks ago when Luke had given me a tour of the town. He told me that the pack tends to keep away from the new parts of town. If anyone was spotted, hunters would be hired to 'take care' of the pack as a precaution for the construction crew's safety. Luke informed me that it had happened once before and, unfortunately, a few members had been killed.

I don't plan on doing anything reckless; I'll jog around the area for a while to stretch my legs. After a few minutes, I'll just repeat the process in reverse and make my way home. Not a bit reckless whatsoever.

I'm tired of being boarded up inside the house. No matter how much Luke tends to forget, I'm a wolf, too. An ex-rogue at that. I need some 'me time' away from the pack and away from all responsibilities.

I just hope Luke will soon realize this, too.

***

The time has finally come.

I fling my blankets off my body and jump out of bed. I change out of my pajamas and into jogging pants and a tank top, being careful to not make any noise while I close my drawers.

I glance at the clock on the nightstand before leaving, finding it to be 3:30am. If my estimate is correct, I'll be back long before 5am.

I don't bother putting on shoes before opening my room's door and creeping out into the dark hall. I pull my door ajar and look across the hall to Luke's room. His door is shut, and there's no light seeping out from around the edges. As I listen closely, I can hear faint snores coming from the other side.

I smile to myself as I tiptoe down the hall towards the deck's sliding glass door. Holly used to snore, too. While snoring is annoying to most people, it's calming for me. It reminds me that I'm not alone.

Once I reach the door, I unlock the latch and gently push the door to the side, creating an opening only large enough for me to slip through. I slide past the door then push it closed, gritting my teeth as it makes a few audible creaks. After a moment of making sure that Luke hasn't woken up, I turn to face the backyard.

A few scattered solar lights and the faint glow of the moon illuminate the yard just enough so that I can confirm I am the only person here. I jump over the railing, landing in a crouch on the soft grass covered in cold morning dew.

I take a minute to listen to my surroundings. Nothing can be heard except the chirps of the crickets and our neighbour's wind chimes rattling in the breeze. I swear to God, if she doesn't take them down soon, I will.