Chapter 3 3

_Selene's POV_

Morning light streamed through the window as I sat on my bed and stared at the packed bag in front of me. My chest felt heavy, but I couldn't cry anymore. I had shed all my tears last night. Now, there was only emptiness and the faintest flicker of resolve.

I couldn't stay here. Not in the Shadowclaw Pack. Not where every corner, every face, every whispered word reminded me of my rejection.

"They'll keep talking," I whispered aloud, though no one was there to hear me. "They'll keep looking at me like I am broken."

Lyra stirred in my mind. Let them talk. They don't know our strength.

"I don't feel strong," I admitted. "I feel... defeated."

"Then leaving is the right choice", Lyra said softly. "We can't heal here. We need to find somewhere we can breathe again."

I took a deep breath and nodded. Lyra was right. Staying here would only suffocate me. It was time to leave, to find a new path, far away from Kade, Aria, and the pitying stares of the pack.

A soft knock at the door startled me. I didn't answer, but the door creaked open anyway. Rachel stepped inside, her eyes immediately falling on the bag by my feet.

Her face fell. "Selene... no."

I couldn't meet her gaze. "Rachel, I can't do this anymore. I can't stay here."

She crossed the room in a few quick strides and grabbed my hands. "You can't leave, Selene. This is your home."

I pulled my hands away, standing up. "It doesn't feel like home anymore, Rachel. Not after what happened."

She shook her head, her curls bouncing wildly. "So what? You're just going to let Kade win? Let him drive you out of your own pack?"

"This isn't about Kade," I said firmly. "It's about me. I can't heal if I stay here. Everywhere I go, I'll see him. I'll see Aria. And I'll see the way people look at me-like I am some tragic, pitiful story."

Rachel's eyes glistened with unshed tears. "Who cares what they think? You're stronger than that, Selene. You have faced worse than this."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Worse? I thought losing my parents was the worst thing that could happen to me. But this... this feels like I lost a piece of myself. The one thing that was supposed to be mine was ripped away from me in front of everyone."

Her voice softened. "You didn't lose yourself, Selene. Kade might have rejected the bond, but you're still you. You're still the strongest, most determined person I know."

"I don't feel like her anymore," I whispered.

Rachel grabbed my shoulders, shaking me gently. "Then let me help you find her again. Don't leave, Selene. Please."

I felt like I was going to cry once again but I blinked my tears back. "I love you, Rachel. You've always been there for me. But this is something I have to do on my own."

She stepped back, her arms falling to her sides. "And where will you go? Do you even have a plan?"

I shook my head. "Not yet. But anywhere is better than here."

"Running away won't fix this," she said, her voice trembling. "It won't make the pain go away."

"I'm not running away," I said firmly. "I'm choosing myself for once. I need to find out who I am without Kade, without this pack. I need to be somewhere I can breathe again."

Rachel's tears finally fell, and she wiped them away angrily. "Fine. If you're so determined to leave, I won't stop you. But I won't pretend this doesn't hurt, Selene."

"It hurts me too," I said softly. "But staying here would hurt even more."

She nodded, swallowing hard. "Promise me one thing."

"Anything."

"Promise me you'll come back someday," she said, her voice breaking. "When you're ready."

I hesitated, then nodded. "I promise."

Rachel threw her arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug. "I'm going to miss you so much," she whispered.

"I'll miss you too," I said, my voice cracking.

After a long moment, she stepped back, wiping her eyes. "Be safe, okay? And if you need me, you know how to reach me."

"I'll be okay," I said, though I wasn't sure if I believed it.

She nodded, gave me one last look, and left the room.

I slung my bag over my shoulder and took one last look around the room. It had been my sanctuary for years, but now it felt like a cage.

"It's time," I said aloud, more to myself than to Lyra.

Yes, Lyra agreed. It's time to find our freedom.

I stepped outside, the crisp morning air biting at my skin. The pack grounds were quiet. Most of the wolves were still asleep. I kept my head down as I walked toward the border, hoping to avoid any questions or confrontations.

As I approached the edge of the pack's territory, a strange sensation prickled at the back of my neck. I stopped and glanced around. The forest was still, but something felt off.

"Lyra," I whispered. "Do you feel that?"

Yes, she replied, her voice low. We're being watched.

I scanned the trees. My senses were on high alert. The faint scent of a rogue drifted through the air, but it was faint-too faint to pinpoint.

"Should we run?" I asked.

No. Not yet. Stay calm. If they attack, we'll be ready.

I took a deep breath and continued forward. My steps were careful and deliberate. The feeling of being watched didn't fade but whoever was out there didn't make a move.

When I finally crossed the border, the sensation eased slightly. But I didn't relax.

Keep going, Lyra urged. We need to put distance between us and the pack.

I nodded and picked up my pace, the forest closing in around me.

The further I walked, the lighter my chest felt. Each step away from the Shadowclaw Pack was a step toward something new-something unknown.

"We'll be okay," I whispered to Lyra.

"Yes. We will."