Chapter 3 The Secret Departure

The forest was deathly quiet, as if it, too, was holding its breath.

Aveline stood in the shadows just beyond the pack's main compound, every nerve on edge. The weight of her decision pressed down on her like a stone. The urgency of the escape buzzed in the back of her mind, urging her to move, but she forced herself to stay still, listening for any sign of danger. The moon was hidden behind a thick layer of clouds, providing just enough darkness to conceal her movement.

This is the only way, she reminded herself, clenching her fists to steady the trembling in her fingers. You have to keep them safe.

She heard the soft rustle of leaves, and Hazel emerged from the darkness, a small bundle of supplies clutched tightly in her hands. Her face was pale, eyes wide with worry as she approached Aveline.

"I couldn't find much," Hazel whispered, thrusting the bundle into Aveline's hands. "Some food, water, a few herbs... I tried to grab extra clothes, but-"

"It's enough," Aveline interrupted softly, squeezing Hazel's arm. "You've already done so much. I can't ask for more."

"You don't have to ask," Hazel replied, her voice fierce despite the fear in her eyes. "You're my friend. You're my Luna."

Aveline's heart ached at the words. She opened her mouth to respond, but the words wouldn't come. The reality of her departure felt surreal, almost impossible to grasp. She was walking away from everything she knew, everyone she cared about, and there was no coming back.

"Are you sure about this?" Hazel asked, her voice wavering slightly. "The Highlands... it's so far, so isolated. What if-"

"It's the only place where I'll be safe," Aveline cut in, her tone firmer than she felt. "No one from the pack goes that far north. It's my best chance."

Hazel bit her lip, clearly wanting to argue but knowing it would do no good. "I wish I could go with you," she murmured, tears glistening in her eyes. "I hate leaving you to face this alone."

"You can't," Aveline said gently. "They'll notice if you're gone. And I need someone here... someone who still believes in me."

Hazel took a shaky breath and nodded. "I'll be your eyes and ears," she promised. "And if anything changes, if you need anything-"

"I'll find a way to reach you," Aveline assured her, though she wasn't sure how. The distance between the Northern Highlands and Whispering Woods was vast, almost unreachable to most. But she couldn't think about that now. She had to focus on getting there first.

The faint sound of voices in the distance made both women tense. The pack guards were patrolling the compound, their torches flickering in the darkness. Aveline and Hazel crouched lower, pressing themselves against the cover of the thick trees.

"When will they change the patrol?" Aveline asked, her voice barely a breath.

"Soon," Hazel whispered. "The guards usually switch just after midnight. You should be able to slip through once they pass the southern gate."

Aveline nodded, her pulse racing as the minutes ticked by. The waiting felt endless, each second stretching into an eternity. She forced herself to focus on her breathing, calming the fear that threatened to consume her. The lives of her children depended on her getting away undetected. She couldn't afford to make a mistake.

At last, the guards passed by, their footsteps fading into the distance. Hazel gave Aveline a quick, urgent nod. "Go now."

Aveline pulled the hood of her cloak over her head and stepped out from the cover of the trees. She moved silently, slipping from shadow to shadow, her senses sharp and alert. She knew the compound's layout well; she had patrolled these grounds many times as Luna, ensuring her pack's safety. Now, she was using that knowledge to escape.

The southern gate loomed ahead, its iron bars faintly illuminated by a distant torchlight. Aveline held her breath as she approached, praying that no one would notice her. The guards were talking quietly, their attention focused on their conversation rather than their surroundings.

She moved quickly, slipping through a narrow gap in the fence that she had discovered years ago-a gap that no one had thought to repair. The moment she was through, she let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

The forest beyond the gate felt even darker, the silence oppressive. Aveline picked up her pace, not daring to look back. The path to the Northern Highlands was long and treacherous, but she had no choice. She would rather face the dangers of the wilderness than stay here and risk the safety of her children.

After what felt like hours of walking, she finally reached a small clearing where Hazel had hidden a pack of supplies and a sturdy, hooded cloak. Aveline took the cloak gratefully, wrapping it around herself to guard against the chill. She knew she couldn't rest, couldn't afford to let her guard down. Not yet.

Hazel emerged from the shadows once more, her face pale and drawn. She reached for Aveline's hand, squeezing it tightly. "Promise me you'll be careful," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Promise me you won't try to do this alone."

Aveline met her gaze, trying to convey a confidence she didn't fully feel. "I promise," she said softly, though they both knew it was a promise she couldn't truly keep.

Hazel pulled her into a fierce hug, and for a moment, Aveline allowed herself to take comfort in her friend's embrace. But the moment passed too quickly, and she knew it was time to go.

"I have to go," Aveline said, her voice barely audible.

"I know," Hazel replied, her tears spilling over at last. "Just... come back someday, okay?"

Aveline didn't trust herself to respond. She pulled away, turning toward the dark, uncharted path that lay before her. With one last look at Hazel, she steeled herself and stepped forward, vanishing into the night.

The wind whispered through the trees, carrying with it the faint scent of rain and the promise of an uncertain future. Aveline didn't look back. She couldn't. The only way now was forward, into the darkness, where her children's safety lay somewhere far beyond the reach of Whispering Woods and the man she had once called her mate.