The Alpha Is My Key

Chapter 21

Janie's POV

Tonight. The moon would be full, as would my backpack. I knew more about the wild now. The life of a rouge was much different and more difficult than I ever expected. The soft wind constantly put you on edge, and every twig broken made you sprint faster. While you may be fiercer, stronger, more independent, the darkness of being alone still lurked around the corner. No one wanted to face the big, scary monsters alone, what would make me any different?

I would avoid my father and brother, going north, far enough away from Brendan and Caroline. Over time, my scent would dissipate, as would all memories of me. I would soon be forgotten in the minds of the town people, however, Brendan would be harder to fool. I would forever be imprinted in his brain, now that he marked me. I fear he will go on a rampage, stopping at nothing to find me again. In his view, I will forever be the damsel in distress, always needing a man's help. He couldn't be more wrong.

For days now, he hasn't left me alone, either hovering behind me, or having another guard do it for him, I was never alone. This new tactic he had to make me love him wasn't working. If he even had a plan to start with. The only time I was left by myself was when I got ready for bed. Brendan would retreat to his office for an few hours, finishing pack work he let fall behind.

It wasn't hard to wait for the moon. As soon as the sky turned a rosy pink, and then a deep violet, I reached under my bed, grabbing the protein bars, and bottles of water I had hoarded ever since my marking. I turned the shower water on, letting it run into the drain. Watching the stars twinkle for the possible last time in a bed, was nice. Leaving these luxuries I had acquired over the past few months would be unfortunate, but it was the price I had to pay. I went from being the pack slave to a princess over night, and I didn't have time to find the comfortable in-between. I needed this, to be my own person, to live from my own mistakes, not by following those of others.

Maybe I would come back, when I'm able to understand not only Brendan, but myself. I had to be strong in my decisions and confident enough to hold my ground. If my path lead me back to my mate, I would follow blindly, knowing that it was my time to face this chapter. But, tonight, I would be turning the page.

Creeping along the corridor, I felt like a secret agent with a mission. Walking past his office, I held my breath as I snuck across the cracked open door. The light brightened the hallway even more, and I paused when I heard his voice. Praying he hadn't seen me, clad in black, a backpack in my hand, would not have ended well. But when Brendan continued talking, I waited a few seconds longer. Who would he be on the phone with this late?

"No sir-" I heard faint mumbling from the other side, and a heavy breath from my mate.

"I do not-" He was cut off again.

His voice then raised an octave louder from annoyance. "I do not have your lost daughter Alpha." He paused, as if checking for something. I could see his shadow move in the light, towards the door. I sucked in another breath.

Satisfied, he sat back down in his chair and continued his conversation once again. "If you had stopped cutting me off, I would have been able to inform you of this, and we could have saved ourselves both some time."

I could hear a louder tone from the phone, and I winced for him. If I could hear the unknown speaker from the hall, I could only imagine how loud it was with the phone held against your ear.

He voice carried as I walked away, but I couldn't waste any more time. He was unpredictable with how much time he could spend locked away in his office, but if the phone call was the only thing stopping him from going to bed, I did not want to waste my only chance.