After days of traveling, Liana finally emerged from the forest and found herself at the edge of a human town. The sight of civilization was both a relief and a source of anxiety. She had lived among wolves her entire life; the world of mortals was foreign and intimidating. But she had no choice. She had to find a way to survive.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the town, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar surroundings. The humans moved about their daily lives, oblivious to the supernatural world that existed alongside their own. Liana felt a pang of loneliness, knowing she was an outsider here as well. But she also felt a spark of hope. This was a new beginning, a chance to start over.
As she wandered through the town, she kept an eye out for potential opportunities. She needed a place to stay, a way to earn money, and most importantly, a chance to prove herself. She was determined to find a place where she could belong, where she could be accepted for who she was.
Liana spent her first night in the town sleeping in a small, secluded park. It was uncomfortable, and she felt vulnerable, but it was better than the attic filled with painful memories. The next day, she set out to find work. She visited shops, cafes, and small businesses, asking if they needed help. Most turned her away, but she refused to give up.
Finally, she found a diner that was willing to take a chance on her. The owner, a kind woman named Sarah, offered her a job as a waitress. It was hard work, but Liana was grateful for the opportunity. She worked long hours, learning quickly and proving herself to be reliable and hardworking.
Sarah offered her a small room above the diner, a place where she could stay until she found something more permanent. It wasn’t much, but it was a start. Liana threw herself into her work, determined to make a life for herself in this new world.
As the days turned into weeks, Liana began to find her footing. The work kept her busy, giving her little time to dwell on the past. She made a few friends among the diner staff, people who accepted her without judgment. It wasn’t the same as having a family or a pack, but it was something.
Liana continued to train in secret, pushing herself to grow stronger. She knew that one day she might need to defend herself, whether from humans who didn’t understand her or from wolves who saw her as a rogue. She was determined to be ready.
Despite the hardships, Liana felt a glimmer of hope. She was building a new life, one step at a time. She had left behind the pain and rejection of her past, and now she had the chance to shape her own future. It wouldn’t be easy, but she was stronger than she had ever realized. And with that strength, she would find a place where she could truly belong.
Just like that, four months had passed since Liana had left the Silver Star pack. The small town had become her haven, a place where she could start anew without the constant reminder of her painful past. She had created a story for herself, telling the townspeople that she was an orphan who got lost during a school expedition and didn’t want to return to her abusive foster parents. The townsfolk sympathized with her and welcomed her with open arms.
Liana had made many friends and was well-known for her kindness and hard work. She worked part-time at Sarah’s diner, where she had become somewhat of a local favorite. Young men frequently visited the diner just to catch a glimpse of her and perhaps exchange a few words. Her red hair and jade green eyes had always drawn attention, but now, with her healthier and stronger appearance, she was radiant.
Despite her contentment, Liana always remained vigilant. Occasionally, she could smell the scent of other werewolves passing through the mortal territories. Whenever this happened, she would hide, unwilling to risk catching the attention of her former pack. However, the town itself was free of shifters, giving her a sense of peace and security.
Life in the small town had settled into a comfortable routine for Liana. Her days were filled with laughter, hard work, and camaraderie. Sarah, the diner owner who had become a mentor and friend, was always a source of support and warmth.
One bright morning, as Liana was wiping down the counter, Sarah came up to her with a mischievous grin.
“Hey, Liana,” Sarah said, leaning on the counter. “I think you’ve got a secret admirer.”
Liana looked up, raising an eyebrow. “Oh really? And who might that be?”
Sarah smirked and pointed to a young man sitting in a booth, his eyes constantly glancing towards the counter. “That guy over there. He’s been coming in every day just to see you.”
Liana chuckled, shaking her head. “You’re making things up.”
Sarah’s grin widened. “I’m serious! He even asked me if you were working today. I told him you’re the best waitress in town, and he practically melted.”
Liana blushed slightly, trying to ignore the flutter of embarrassment. “Well, if he’s that keen, I hope he tips well!”
Sarah laughed. “Oh, he does. And he’s not the only one. You’ve become quite the sensation around here.”
Liana rolled her eyes playfully. “I’m just doing my job.”
“Right,” Sarah teased. “And I suppose you’re not secretly a magical creature with the power to make everyone fall in love with you?”
“Only if my magic involves extra shifts and cleaning up after messy customers,” Liana replied with a laugh.
Suddenly, a group of rowdy young men entered the diner. They were clearly travelers, their presence immediately disrupting the calm atmosphere. Liana was behind the counter, wiping it down when she noticed them. She tensed up, sensing something different about them. As they approached the counter, she caught their scent. Werewolves.
The leader of the group was a regal man in his early twenties. He had curly ginger hair and striking green eyes that mirrored her own. He looked at her with a mixture of curiosity and recognition.
“Hey there,” he said with a charming smile. “What’s your name?”
Liana hesitated, her mind racing. She had to be careful. “Liana,” she replied softly.
The man’s smile widened. “Liana, huh? I’m Ethan. Why don’t you come over to our table? We’d love to have a chat.”
Her instincts screamed at her to refuse, but she couldn’t risk drawing attention by being rude. They wouldn't be able to detect her scent easily anyway, since she was way weaker than an average shifter. She nodded reluctantly. “Alright, just give me a moment.”
As she made her way to their table, she felt the eyes of the other patrons on her. The diner had grown quiet, everyone curious about the newcomers. She sat down across from Ethan, her posture tense.
“So, Liana,” Ethan began, leaning forward slightly. “What brings you to this town?”
“I... I live here now,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “I work at the diner.”
Ethan’s eyes narrowed slightly, but his smile remained. “Interesting. You’re not from around here, though, are you?”
Liana shook her head. “No, I’m not. I moved here a few months ago.”
One of the other men, a tall, muscular guy with dark hair and piercing blue eyes, spoke up. “You look familiar. Do you have any family nearby?”
Liana’s heart pounded in her chest. She forced a smile. “No, I’m an orphan. I don’t have any family.”
Ethan’s gaze was intense, as if he was trying to see through her. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Liana. We’re just passing through, but we like to get to know the people in the places we visit.”
Liana nodded, her mind racing. “That’s nice of you. Where are you from?”
Ethan’s smile widened. “Oh, here and there. We travel a lot. Keeps life
interesting.”
"Does it, now?" Liana laughed nervously.
"Yes. Yes, it does."