Monster

Farewell

Even the weather that morning was gloomy. I woke up still curled up in my little corner. As I straightened up, knocks came on my door.

"Fury? Ivana requires your presence, the strangers are about to leave. They are in front of the house."

I couldn't help but feel my heart sink at the thought of them leaving... of him leaving. I needed to be reasonable, it was the right thing to do. With heavy steps, I dragged myself outside. Ivana was already there, beaming, on the arm of her companion. Alpha Gareth, on the other hand, seemed eager to get it over with so he could lock himself in his office again. Our visitors were facing them, ready to leave. Duncan and Clyde were already in their wolf form, and Alpha Isaac, who hadn't changed yet, was chatting politely with the couple. Meanwhile, I stood back from the scene, trying not to look directly at the wolf who, in just a few days, had burst into my life and sunk his claws deep into it. I could not help but observe him from the corner of my eye. This was the first time I had seen him in his wolf form. His beautiful coat showed every possible color. He was unique, he was perfect. My wolf sighed with delight and pride.

"He's gorgeous! I would love to go running with him in the woods. We would play and hunt and then fall asleep together by the river.

- You know that's not possible..."

Even my mental voice sounded completely heartbroken. Although she didn't say anything, I felt that my she-wolf was also in terrible pain. Suddenly, an unpleasant voice brought me back to reality.

"Fury, accompany our guests to the border! Since you're here, they won't need an escort."

Swearing inwardly, I bowed to my Alpha and Luna before approaching the small group with my eyes locked on Clyde. I couldn't look at Duncan, and Alpha Isaac might have taken my stare as a provocation. When I reached their level, I waited for the signal to leave, which soon came, and we set off, the Alpha and I in front and the other two in our tracks. At least in this body, we would not have the opportunity to chat. When we reached the edge of the forest, I stopped for a moment for Isaac to mutate into his wolf form out of sight, but he didn't do it.

"Let's move on a little more, I'll change later."

Intrigued, I nevertheless continued on my way. The minutes passed in silence, but I could feel Duncan's sad gaze on me and the Alpha's, which seemed full of regret. Perhaps his Omega had made him aware of the situation? Clyde, as usual, was totally oblivious to the tension in our group and went about his business, sniffing the fresh tracks of small animals. After a long, silent walk, Isaac stopped at the edge of a large clearing that marked the northern border of our territory.

"Thank you for coming with us, Fury. I..."

He hesitated for a moment, unsure. I sincerely hoped that he wasn't going to try to make me reconsider my decision. He didn't know what my leaving would unleash on both of our packs, he didn't know that I was just a heartless monster who would only take a bite out of his tender Omega. Then he pulled an envelope from his pocket and tied it tightly around one of my front paws.

"Listen, if you ever need anything, know that you have friends among the Yukon pack. Read this when you're alone and definitely don't show it to anyone."

I gave a weak nod of assent. It's not like I have friends to share my secrets with anyway. I took a few steps back to let them pass. Clyde playfully poked me on the shoulder with his muzzle, to which I responded with a half-playful, half-threatening growl. Issac had disappeared behind the bushes long enough to change into his wolf skin. When he returned, he looked into my eyes in a silent goodbye and walked quietly into the clearing followed by his Gamma. A subtle move in order to give us some privacy. "Us", a word that I won't have to use anymore. This fear that was consuming me will disappear and he will be able to carry on with his life as if I had never existed. His eyes full of pain, he whimpered softly as if begging me to follow him. As he took a step toward me, I snarled a warning. Then I turned around and ran straight ahead, trying to put as much distance as possible between him and me. His howl of pain almost made me lose control and turn back. His suffering was torture. I thought I had known hell, but that day I really discovered it. I had abandoned him to protect him and what was left of my soul was going with him to the wilderness of the North.

I was running aimlessly. The anger and pain made me lose track of time and blinded me. Eventually I caught my paw in a root sticking out of the ground and fell. I didn't even try to get up. I looked up at the canopy with short breath. Everything was gray and sad. With a sigh, I headed back to the pack's village. When I got there, I ran to my room and mutated. Then, I detached Isaac's letter which had mysteriously resisted my crazy race. I looked at it for a moment, unable to decide whether I wanted to read it or not and, lacking courage, finally decided to hide it in a small hidden place I had found when I was a child before collapsing on my bed. Exhausted, I hugged my knees. Despite the emotions that ravaged me, not a tear escaped my eye. I hated my cold heart at that moment and a few whispered words escaped me as I drifted off to a restless sleep.

"I am a monster."