Undauntable

Alone

“I can’t believe you’re making me do this right now,” Calix slammed the car door, yawning.

“Did you not hear anything I just said?”

He turned towards me, rubbing the tiredness out of his eyes before sighing, “We could have happily cuddled and went back to sleep, but no,” he scrunched his nose, “You had to drag me out of bed at the ass crack of dawn. And you're making me drive. I'm a passenger princess, for Goddess sake."

“Calix, be serious right now,” I groaned, “You’re my ride or die, remember?”

He finally turned the keys in the ignition and the car roared to life. The sky was still dark enough to be dotted with stars. Rolling the window down, I leaned my head out, staring at the sky.

The stars always brought me peace. No matter what was going on, I could stare up at them, or close my eyes beneath them, and imagine touching them. We are such tiny beings in such a massive universe. A tiny blip in the timeline. As wolves, we get eightyish years max, but stars have seen the world for so much longer. They've seen the beauty and the horrors before they just, get tired, and explode whenever they're done. It's envious.

“Did I imagine you saying you slapped your sister?” Calix muttered.

“Nope. I did do that.”

“Damn, B. Never thought it would happen,” he slapped my knee, chuckling, "Did it feel good to finally do it?"

“I’m not really proud of it... But she deserved it.”

The night air felt amazing against my burning skin. I’d ran the entire two hours it takes to get from Blue Ridge to Crimson River. My hair was stuck to my forehead and neck, and I probably smelled like s**t. I could have shifted, but I needed to feel the wind against my skin. I needed the burn in my muscles.

By the time I arrived at Calix and Cade’s, my legs shook from pure exhaustion.

Now they’re shaking with anxiety. My knee hasn’t stopped bouncing since I sat down. And the car moving at a high rate of speed is creating a toxic combination in my stomach.

“What’d she do?” Calix questioned, glancing over at me out of the corner of his eye.

“She told me I was selfish for leaving Wes.”

Saying it out loud made the pain and anger reignite. How dare she say such a thing? And even if there was a tiny sliver of truth to that statement; I think I deserve to be selfish and put myself first for the first time in my entire life.

“You do know that’s not true, right?” Calix offered me a sympathetic look.

I shrugged, “I shouldn’t care what she thinks. Honestly, I’m not sure why I let her get to me.”

“Family is tough. Look at Cade and me... We’re literally twins. Born the same day, a few minutes apart. Life has always been a competition in our household, but at the end of the day, no matter what, he’s my brother,” he paused, taking a deep breath before continuing, “My dad always liked Cade more. Remember the story I told you about the nerdy, acne ridden teenager that was definitely not me?”

“I’d never forget it. I’ve pictured you without perfect skin ever since,” I reached over, pinching his cheek before he slapped my hand away.

“My dad was never proud of that kid. Cade was in sports. He was a ‘real’ man. I was good at school and liked to read. It wasn’t until I started training, taking better care of myself, and putting in the work to become a warrior, that he even acknowledged me,” he shrugged like it didn’t bother him, but I’ve known Calix since coming back to Crimson River. He struggled in silence.

“Why didn’t you do what made you happy?”

He turned towards me quickly, pointing at his face, “I learned to love training. It was an outlet for me. I still like to read in my spare time and keep up with the smarty pants stuff. The face must stay flawless though.”

“All hail the perfect skin,” I fake bowed, causing the both of us to fall into a fit of laughter.

“Are you ready for whatever is waiting for you when you arrive at this mysterious location?” he questioned, and what a damn good question. Was I ready?

Probably not. But if we don’t jump headfirst into the things that scare us; we allow our fear to hold us back. And I’m f*****g terrified.

I think it scares me more still not knowing if this entire thing is some elaborate prank.

I could show up at this location and Brielle could be standing there with a sign that reads ‘GOT YOU’ in big bold letters. Or there could be absolutely nothing.

Either way, it would feel like s**t.

“Would you think I was stupid if I said I wasn’t?”

“Horn-Dog, the only time I’ve ever thought you were stupid was when you forced me to run seventeen miles for whining at training. That was the stupidest,” he scrunched his nose, shuddering from the memory, “But in all seriousness, I’m really f*****g proud of you. The fact that you are willing to consider this thing is amazing. My best friend is going to change the world.”

Heat flooded my cheeks at his praise, “We will see.”

Calix punched my arm hard, “Nah. You don’t get to do that. I’ve heard about the Elite. They’re some badass bitches. You are a badass bitch.”

I wanted to cry. Emotions were never my strong suit, but right now, I was struggling to breathe from focusing so hard on not crying.

“Give me a tear, baby girl. Let em’ out,” Calix gripped my hand, squeezing gently, before returning it to the wheel.

That was all it took. Goosebumps spread over my body as I allowed the tears to flow freely. It felt cathartic as my face fell into my hands. Hot tears spilled down my cheeks, and with each one, a weight lifted from my chest.

After what felt like a lifetime, I reeled them in, and pulled myself together. Using the back of my hand, I rubbed away the evidence that I’d fallen apart, pulling down the little mirror to see the damage, but Calix smacked it back up.

“You look beautiful. You do not need that mirror,” he growled.

I narrowed my eyes at him, “Who are you and what have you done with my friend?”

Calix grabbed his chest in mock shock, “You wound me.”

“I’m going to miss you so much.”

“Think they’d let you take me with you as an emotional support animal?” he quirked a brow.

My hands folded and unfolded in my lap as I realized how absolutely alone I was about to be. I no longer had Wes. I was walking away from my closest friend. I wouldn’t be there to train my warriors. Brielle, Brody, and the kids are my only family left and even if they are a pain in the ass, they’re still my family.

And I’m leaving all of that behind.

“Probably not,” I frowned, feeling those damned tears form again.

Calix slammed on the brakes, staring ahead with wide eyes, “B....”

I followed his line of sight, seeing two wolves staring us down with their teeth bared.