Page 21 of A Chance at Redemption for the Alpha
“He does?” I ask, surprised. I only told him the basics, and that was before the battle even happened.
“Of course, you are his best friend. He instantly knew and was pissed that no one had told him anything. You should have seen the way he talked to Eugene yesterday.”
“I really don’t know if I can contact you any time soon,” I say once more.
Flo just nods sadly. “I know, take your time.”
I peek into the backpack. Flo was right, it’s packed to the brim with everything I need and some more. “Thank you, Flo.”
“I hate to see you go,” she states. “Marc, remember, this is your home. You can always return.”
I hug her once more. “Thank you,” I say. I can’t give any promises. I don’t know where my path will lead me, or how long it will take to pick myself up again. Maybe one day I will have moved on in a way that I can pick up the pieces of the past again. For now, just thinking of my family makes me sad, disappointed, hurt and angry.
Flo diffuses her scent with something I assume Floyd gave her, then climbs out of the window first. I wait for her to disappear, placing the letters neatly on the table, before I quietly make it out of the window. My wounds still hurt, and I probably shouldn’t put my body through this, but it feels right.
I know the schedules of the guards by heart, and Floyd obviously made sure no one is guarding me right now. I easily find my way through the pack grounds without being spotted. Only when I have passed the border do I finally take a break to catch my breath. I made it. Turning around, I gaze one last time at the pack that now lies behind me. This was my home andsafe haven for so long. There is a sad, nostalgic feeling attached to it now, but no matter how hard I try, I can’t imagine myself stepping foot onto the pack grounds again.
I, Marcellus Wagner, reject Blue River as my pack.
For the following couple of months, I lay low, making sure to stay off-road. My parents certainly sent warriors looking for me, and I don’t want to take the risk of being spotted. As an alpha’s son, I was used to luxury and to being treated as if I were special. Now, however, I’m just a simple lone wolf, with a past but no real present.
It would have been so much easier if Mom had just let me leave Blue River on my terms. I could have traveled safely then, but it doesn’t help holding a grudge about the past.
“What’s the plan for today, boss?” Micah asks me. He is a seventeen-year-old omega boy who was cast out of his pack for something he didn’t do. I saved him when he was attacked by a bear. Micah is an orphan who took the blame for some fucked up shit his alpha’s son did.
Poor guy was completely lost and in shock.
“Could you stop calling me boss?” I ask while studying my map. My phone is still working, but in this area, we barely have a signal.
“But you are the boss,” Sheila says with a smile. “And you throw a fit when we call you alpha, so boss it is.”
She is another stray wolf I picked up on the way, shortly after Micah joined me. Her alpha assaulted her, and her luna, instead of protecting her, blamed her and cast her out of the pack.
“We should make sure to find a place for the night,” I say. “It’s going to be dark in an hour or so.”
They both nod, following me to find a safe place where we’ll be protected from the weather and other dangers. Dad loved camping and spending time in nature, so I picked up some of his tricks. However, I know I can’t continue like this for long. The only reason I stayed away from other packs for this long is because I didn’t want my parents to find me. It was a mere tactical decision.
But now it’s probably time to reach out to the contact Floyd had provided me with.
“Marcellus,” Micah calls out to me. “I found a cave. Do you think it will do for the night?”
“Let me see,” I say, following his voice until I bump into him and Sheila. The cave Micah found is surprisingly big, dry and has soft ground. “That’s actually perfect. Well done, Micah!”
Micah beams at me. “I will collect some wood for a small fire,” he says.
Sheila chuckles while she watches him dash off. “He looks up to you so much,” she says.
“I don’t know what for,” I say.
“You saved his life,” she says. “And treat him with respect. And we both know you are an alpha by blood. It’s obvious.”
“Maybe I am a criminal,” I suggest.
“You have too many protective instincts to be a shady person,” she says bluntly. “Why did you run?”
“Because I had to or I would have turned bitter and crazy,” I say. “Let’s leave it at that.”
“Alright,” she agrees.
