Chapter 80
Lisa’s POV
Alexandra zipped up the last of the suitcase and let out a breath. “We need another bag,” she said while glancing at the half-open closet. “There is still a lot left. You have more clothes than I thought.”
I let out a weak laugh, though it didn’t reach my eyes. “I didn’t even bring most of these. You and Rylan
bought them for me.”
Her expression softened. “Then it’s only fair I help you pack them to take with you. Wait here. I’ll get
another bag from the storage room.”
As she walked out, I sat down on the edge of the bed….the bed where Rylan had broken my heart. The memory rushed back like a wave, but I forced myself to breathe through it. I had cried enough.
Sierra stirred gently. You’re doing the right thing, Lisa. We can’t heal if we stay in the place where we were
shattered.
I know, I whispered back. I just wish it didn’t hurt so much.
Alexandra returned with a big duffel bag in her arms. “This should be enough,” she said and set it down. “Help me fill it.”
Together, we folded and packed the rest of my belongings. The room slowly emptied. Every drawer, every shelf, every corner we cleared felt like peeling away another layer of my time here; a time I had once
thought was full of hope.
When we finally zipped the second bag shut, Alexandra pulled out her phone.
“I need to call my friend now and let her know we’re coming.”
I hesitated. “Are you sure? I mean… won’t that disturb her? It’s late.”
Alexandra gave me a warm smile. “Lisa, you’re going through something huge right now. My friend will
understand. She is one of the kindest people I know.”
She stepped into the hallway, and I heard her quiet voice explaining the situation. When she came back, her face was brighter. “She said yes. We can go. The Alpha of Shadowrune will help. You’ll be safe there.”
I closed my eyes for a second. Relief flooded through me. “Thank you.”
She grabbed one of the bags and slung it over her shoulder. “Let’s get moving before anyone notices.”
We tiptoed downstairs. We were moving like shadows. Alexandra put on her long gray coat and grabbed her car keys. I followed her out the back door. The night was cool, and the breeze carried the scent of pine
and earth.
She opened the car’s back door and placed the suitcases in the back seat. I climbed into the passenger side while she slipped into the driver’s seat.
“Luckily,” she said as she turned the ignition, “I filled my tank earlier. Shadowrune is far, but we’ll make it
without stopping”
I looked at her. The dashboard lights reflected on her face. She looked tired but determined.
“You should be asleep,” I murmured. “You didn’t have to do this.”
“Yes, I did,” she replied firmly. “You’re my friend. And I won’t let you go through this alone.”
The car pulled away from the mansion. My heart ached as I watched it disappear behind us.
“This secret stays between us,” she said quietly. “Rylan won’t know. Not unless you want him to.”
“I never want to see him again,” I whispered.
She was silent for a moment. Then she sighed. “I still can’t believe it. My own brother. I really thought that he loved you, Lisa. I thought he was serious about you. Honestly… I pictured you as my sister-in-law.”
I pressed my forehead against the window. “He fooled both of us.”
Alexandra reached over and squeezed my hand. “He doesn’t deserve you.”
I didn’t respond. My chest was too tight.
Sensing my mood, she cleared her throat. “Alright. No more sadness. Let’s talk about something else. Something silly. Like… do you remember that awful dress I tried to get you to wear that one time? The one
with all the sequins?”
Despite myself, I smiled faintly. “The one that looked like a disco ball?”
“Yes! Goddess, what was I thinking? You would’ve blinded half the pack.”
“You nearly blinded me just by holding it up.”
We both chuckled. The tension in my shoulders eased just a little.
“You have a good laugh,” she said, glancing at me. “I hope I get to hear it more. You deserve to be happy, Lisa. With someone who would never hurt you.”
“If such a man exists,” I murmured.
“He does. Somewhere out there. And he’ll fall head over heels for you, I promise.”
I raised an eyebrow. “And how do you know that, oh wise one?”
“Because you’re kind, strong and gorgeous. And you have this fire inside you, Lisa. Any man would be lucky to have you.”
I blinked away tears. “You’re going to make me cry again.”
“Then I’ll just have to keep distracting you. Did I ever tell you about the time Jared tried to impress a girl by shifting mid-air during training and landed in a fountain butt-first?”
That made me burst out laughing. “No, you did not!”
“It was legendary. We still tease him about it. His tail was soaked for hours.”
“Serves him right.”
She grinned. “Exactly. That boy has done a lot of stupid things, but this tops it all.”
We kept talking. About small things….dumb things. It helped.
Outside the window, the forest began to change. The dense trees slowly gave way to open plains. The road twisted, winding up into the hills. The sky was lightening.
“Are we close?” I asked.
“Yes,” she said. “Shadowrune isn’t far now. Just a few more turns.”
The air felt different. It was crisper and filled with promise.
The horizon began to glow. The sun was rising. It was painting the sky in soft pink and golden hues.
I watched it. I liked the calm atmosphere.
We made it through the night, Sierra whispered. You were strong.
I don’t feel strong, I replied.
But you are. You didn’t let heartbreak destroy you. That’s strength.
We came around a bend, and then I saw it.
The Shadowrune Pack.
The land stretched wide, with rolling hills and tall trees lining the edge. In the center was a large mansion-like structure built from pale stone and wood. Smaller houses and buildings surrounded it. Smoke curled from chimneys. The whole pack sat nestled in a valley. It was protected by natural hills.
It was beautiful.
It felt warm and safe.
I swallowed hard. Maybe this was the fresh start I needed.
Alexandra slowed the car as we neared the gates. “Welcome to the Shadowrune pack,” she said softly.
“Let’s get you a new beginning.”
And as we drove closer, I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, this would be the place where I could finally heal.
