THE CHOSEN WHITE WOLF

3. Doubts

It's been exactly fifteen minutes since I started walking through these woods, and I'm already panting. My lungs burn, and my legs feel like they're weighed down with lead. I pause, leaning against a tree to catch my breath, my heart pounding loud enough to echo in my ears.

How long until I get to the car? I wonder, glancing around at the endless stretch of dark trees. Every rustle makes me tense, half-expecting shadows of my old pack to appear.

Shaking the thought away, I force my legs to move again, quickening my strides. The crunch of dried leaves beneath my boots is the only sound accompanying me.

Finally, after what feels like hours, the shape of a car comes into sight. My relief is short-lived when I notice someone pacing near it. My stomach twists nervously.

The man stops suddenly, his head lifting as if catching something in the wind. Sniffing. My body tenses. Of course he's a werewolf, you dumbwit, my mind retorts.

Shut up, I snap back internally, my fear prickling under my skin.

He spots me, and his eyes lock onto mine. Slowly, cautiously, he walks toward me. My pulse spikes. Is he worried about me? Or is this a trap?

Before I can decide, I'm pulled into a crushing hug. My arms are stuck at my sides, my duffel digging into me. Practically, I'm being squished by a giant wall of muscle.

"I... can't breathe," I whisper, struggling against his hold.

He instantly loosens, his voice breaking with relief. "I'm sorry, Catherine. I'm just... I'm so relieved you're here, safe and sound. Chase told me everything about you. I'm sorry for what happened to you."

His words sound genuine, but trust doesn't come easily anymore. Not after what I've endured. My guard stays up. I won't repeat the same mistake twice.

"You don't have to be sorry. It wasn't your mistake that I was born into that pack," I mutter, tears brimming despite myself.

He notices, wrapping his arms around me again, softer this time. My duffel slips to the ground as I cling to him. I needed this. I didn't realize how badly until now.

Then I feel him stiffen. His eyes glaze — mind-linking. My body freezes. Old panic rushes in.

But a moment later, his shoulders relax. "It was Chase," he explains. "He was checking if you'd reached. I told him I've got you and we're about to leave."

A breath of happiness escapes me. Someone worrying about me... it's new. It feels foreign. And it feels good. For once, I'm not entirely unwanted.

"Let's get you out of this hellhole, shall we?" he says with a grin, baring his teeth in excitement.

His boyish eagerness makes me smile faintly. We walk to where his car is parked — cleverly hidden behind a road sign. No one would notice it unless they were looking carefully. Smart.

He tosses my duffel into the trunk and opens the passenger door with a gentlemanly bow. I slip inside silently. He circles to the driver's seat, starts the ignition, and the engine growls to life. The car eases onto the road, carrying me further away from everything I've known.

I lean my head against the window, the cool breeze rushing against my face. A shaky thought crosses my mind: I'm finally free.

A warm hand settles gently on my knee. I startle and turn my head. He's watching me with a sad smile.

"Don't worry. You'll love it where we're going. Black Stone Pack will love you. In fact, they already do. Everyone was excited when I told them I'd be picking you up." His voice is bright with certainty.

His words calm me, but shock flickers across my face.

"Don't look so surprised," he chuckles. "Everyone knows about you since Chase informed the Alpha. The Alpha announced your arrival to the whole pack."

Panic churns in my gut. "They'll hate me when they see my face," I mumble.

His hand squeezes mine, making me meet his gaze. "Trust me, they won't. They'll judge you for your character, not your scars. And from what we know, you're an angel. You're innocent, Catherine. Rejected by your own pack, abandoned by blood... that's their loss, not yours."

His reassurance settles into me like warmth on frozen skin. For the first time, I dare to hope the Black Stone Pack might accept me.

But then I realize something and frown. "You never told me your name," I accuse.

"You never asked," he teases with a smirk.

I glare. "Fine. Tell me your name."

"Since you asked so nicely..." He winks. "I'm Ethan Lewis, Gamma of the Black Stone Pack, at your service, m'lady." He bows dramatically, still steering with one hand.

I laugh despite myself, the sound bubbling up unexpectedly. But it falters quickly. A Gamma. A high-ranking wolf. My chest tightens with unease. What if he's like him?

Sweat prickles down my back.

"Hey," Ethan whispers, voice soft and steady. "Relax. I'm not going to hurt you."

I swallow hard. "I'm sorry. I just... had a rough past."

"It's okay," he says firmly. "Don't think about the past. Think about your future."

His words linger, filling me with doubt and wonder all at once. Yesterday, I was beaten for serving dinner late. Today, I've left that pack behind for a chance at a new life. Who would've thought?

"To tell you the truth," I confess, my voice trembling, "I'm terrified. What if they find me? Will they drag me back? Hurt me again? Do they even know I'm missing? Is my brother... is he missing me?"

Ethan shakes his head, confidence unwavering. "They won't. The Alpha and Luna made sure of that. You're safe now."

I exhale slowly, silently thanking them.

"You should rest," he adds gently. "It'll be a while before we reach pack grounds."

I hum in response, leaning my head back against the window. My eyes drift shut, but my mind doesn't quiet. Memories and questions swirl. My past was a nightmare, but maybe — just maybe — my future could be different.

~~~~~~~~~~~

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