"Sure you were," she said, winking at me. "But seriously, what's with the attack? You know if you want action, you can always come to kickboxing class with me."

A lightning bolt of guilt streaked through me as I rubbed the back of my neck. "Sorry. I think I was sleep-walking or something."

"So, you attack people in your sleep? Good to know."

"What are you doing here anyway?" I asked, rapping my foot impatiently against the hardwood floor. Irritation rose like a high tide, threatening to consume every ounce of my restraint as I glared at the remnants of a sandwich in her hand.

Her face scrunched as she glanced from her sandwich back at me.

"What?"

"Why are you here?" I snapped. Pulling information out of Ella was like pulling teeth--ever a slow and drawn-out process that irritated me to no end.

"Oh, right," she said, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. I watched as little crumbs fell from the corner of her lips and onto the cushions. "I was in the neighborhood."

"At--" I glanced to the clock on the wall and let out a heavy sigh. "--five in the morning?"

"Well, your place was closer to the bar than mine. I figured I'd stop by, water your plants, check on a few things."

"Like what I have in my fridge?" I chimed in.

"Do you want a bite?" She waved the leftover sandwich at me.

"No," I huffed, letting my arms drop to my sides.

"So, when are you leaving? Or have you changed your mind about going?" she asked in a sing-song voice.

I plopped down on the couch and threw my head back. "No. I'm still going."

"Well, you probably should leave soon. I mean, not to be rude or anything, but I caught your scent two blocks away. And let me tell you, I forgot how rancid you smell. Yeah, each pack has a different scent to them and all, but yours is--" She pinched her wrinkled nose and shook her head disgust riddled her face.

The shock woke me up. "What?"

"Yep. And if I could pick you up, I'm sure others can, too."

My chest tightened. The whole purpose of the pills was to suppress my other half and allow me to live under the radar. The last thing I wanted was for the Las Vegas alpha to plow through my front door, demanding my allegiance or kill me when I denied him.

"You know you don't have to go," Ella said as I fixed my nose. Pain shot through the bridge of my nose as everything sorted itself out.

I wish it were that easy. But the truth was, I did have to go. If I missed the funeral, my family would find some elaborate way to curse me. With time running out for me, I rose to my feet and made my way to the hall, only to pause. I shifted my gaze to Ella as I watched her shove the last morsel of her sandwich into her mouth.

"I'll see you in a few weeks," I mumbled. "And while I'm gone, don't get any more food on the couch."

Ella flashed me an impish smirk as she put two fingers to her forehead in a mock salute. I rolled my eyes and walked into my room. The travel bag was ready and waiting near the closet. I stared at it as the front door opened and closed. The place was quieter, peaceful even. But in the depths of my soul, I felt a stirring I couldn't explain.

There was no way to know if the jitters I felt came from having to go back to Moon Valley, or the fact that the longer I stayed here, the more dangerous it became for me. All I knew was that without my vitamins suppressing my wolf, I was on borrowed time. I curled my fingers around the strap of my bag and hoisted it to the bed. I double-checked the contents as panic set in. My pills werent in the bag. Immediately, I scanned the room and exhaled as I spot the small orange, plastic pill bottle on the nightstand.

"I can't forget these," I said to the empty room as I shoved the pill bottle into the bag. After all, the pills were the only protection I had against other wolves. Without them, every day was a game of Russian Roulette.

It's bad enough that I left my family and my pack. But to be labeled as a rogue or lone wolf was a death sentence. With the last things I need shoved into various pockets of my duffel bag, I walked to the chair where I draped clothes over the back. Once I dressed, I grabbed the bag and glanced at my room.

It's only a few weeks. What's the worst that could happen?

      

The engine purred as I glanced in the rearview mirror, adjusting it till I saw my face. A blonde wig disguised my luxurious raven locks. I tilted my head, wondering why I hadnt chopped my hair to shoulder-length and dye it.

There's only one more accessory that would complete my ensemble: thin, wired glasses. I slipped the glasses on and studied the reflection in the mirror. The ruby red lip gloss was a nice touch that added a bit of color to my otherwise pale and plain face. It's no wonder Batman and Clark Kent had secret identities. I nodded at my reflection and reached for my phone, placing it in the phone holder for easy access before settling into the driver's seat. When I clicked the seatbelt into place, my chest tightened.

"Here I go," I mumbled as I clicked the garage door button on my keys and pulled out of my driveway. I stole one last look at my home. The freshly trimmed box-hedge under the windows popped against the bland beige of the house. A frown tugged at the corners of my lips as I stared at the red lava rocks that made up my front yard. My phone's ringtone reverberated through the car's speakers, pulling my attention away from my home.

"Sia Quince," I answered as I clicked the power button. Holden's withered face filled the screen of my phone. His goatee shifted and stretched as he flashed me a smile before returning to his typical scowl.

"Holden, what is it that I can do for you?" I asked the bald man on my phone.

"Have you left yet?" he asked in his ragged voice.

"On my way out as we speak," I answered as I made the turn and headed for the highway. "What's up?"

"We've gotten some intel on The Raze's movements."