4. River

Everything is new to me. I’ve never seen this many non-wolves in one place before. The sights and scents of the town flood my senses, and my wolf is anxiously waiting to be free.

I don’t feel safe here. I’m exposed. Alone.

Pausing on the sidewalk near a small shop, I cautiously glance over my shoulder toward the parking lot behind me. Fear is pushing me to go back the way I came. At the very least, the three alphas I traveled with have proven their goodwill by delivering me safely to an actual town and letting me go my own way without a fuss. Maybe they’d be willing to let me hang out with them for a while.

No.

I need to do this on my own. I need...I need to save myself.

Clenching my jaw for strength, I grasp the strap of my pack a little more tightly and force my feet forward.

“So…” Devon’s voice is in my ear, so close I scream in surprise.

Tripping over my feet, I stagger backward and nearly fall, but his strong hand catches my arm and steadies me with ease. He might be the smallest of the three alphas, but he still has that alpha strength.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you,” he says with a light laugh.

I frown as I regain my balance. That playful grin on his lips tells me he absolutely did mean to scare me. “Why did you sneak up on me like that?” I throw in a little bit of an exaggerated huff to mask my relief that it’s him.

“You look like you could use some company.” He shrugs as he releases my arm and shoves his hands in the pockets of his hoodie. “You’re completely new to all this, aren’t you?”

All this? I’m not even sure what that means. I scuff the toe of my shoe against the pavement and sigh. “I guess.”

“So, what’s your plan exactly?” He’s smirking like he knows the answer. “It’s obvious you’re trying to get away from something. Don’t worry, I’m not gonna pry. Just saying, hitchhiking probably isn’t gonna get you as far as you want.”

I nod and look away. “Look, I appreciate your help, and if you want to walk together for a bit, I don’t mind. But I don’t need any more help. I can figure this out on my own.”

“Right, sorry.” Devon bobs his head in agreement. “I’m supposed to be scouting around for job opportunities and like...places to stay, stuff like that.” He pulls out his phone. “I’ve got a list of places from Frankie that I’m supposed to check out. Figured if you need money, some of these might work for you too.”

He turns his phone toward me and shows me a list of job advertisements. I barely glance at it before looking away again. I don’t want to admit that I’ve never had a job, and I have no money. I knew I was gonna need some eventually, but I was kinda hoping I’d be able to get farther away from my pack before I stopped to figure that out.

“That’s probably a good idea,” I admit with a slight sigh. “So, where’s the first stop?”

Devon’s face lights up, and he begins explaining the job ad for a grocery store. They just want people to stock shelves, collect shopping carts, and stuff like that.

I honestly don’t know if I can even do that, but I’m hoping Devon doesn’t realize just how hopeless I actually am. I hate to admit it, but...he’s kinda hot. Honestly, they all are, but I’ve spent the most time talking to Devon now.

But I’m not here to start a relationship. I don’t need another alpha fucking up my life. I’m independent now. Making my own way through life.

“Watch it!” Devon’s firm hand on my shoulder pulls me back onto the sidewalk as a car rounds the corner a few inches from the curb.

“What is with you and walking into oncoming traffic?” Devon chuckles, but I can see his expression is dire.

“Oh, I was distracted.”

“Look, when you said your pack was isolationist, I didn’t realize you meant completely cut off from modern society.” Devon says it as if it’s a joke, but he’s not far off.

“I know you’re kidding, but that’s not far from the truth.” I sigh and look forward again, embarrassed to admit this to anyone.

“Well, then, I guess we’re just gonna have to make sure you don’t get yourself killed trying to cross the street.” Devon seems surprisingly relaxed about this information. Either I wasn’t being as subtle as I thought or he’s just that chill about everything. I can’t really tell yet.

But I like being around him. There’s something about him that makes me feel at ease. He’s not as imposing as most alphas, but he still exudes a strength that tells me I can rely on him.

Even though I know I shouldn’t.

As much as I want to, I can’t risk telling him the truth about my situation. My pack would be eternally grateful to them for my return. Devon and the others wouldn’t have to wander anymore. They’d be able to put down roots, they’d have security with a strong pack.

That’s what every wolf craves, right?

Home, community, stability…

“Here we are.” Devon stops, nodding to the large glass storefront not far from where we’re standing. “And they’ve got a help wanted sign up. That makes this easier. We can just tell them we saw the sign and would like to apply. I usually say my family is on vacation in the area, and I’m looking for part-time work while we’re here. You could also say that you’re traveling, got stranded, and need to earn some money to get back home. It really doesn’t matter what you tell them as long as it sounds believable.”

“Oh, okay.” I nod, not feeling very confident in my ability to come up with a believable lie on the spot.

“How about this...and you don’t have if you’re not comfortable with it…” He looks at me carefully as if weighing his words. “Let’s just say you’re my boyfriend, and we’re on vacation with my family.”

I bite the inside of my lip, instantly suspicious of his motivations. But he seems sincere, and it saves me from having to say anything that might give me away. I have no idea who I can trust or not in this scary outside world.

At least, no one other than Devon and his family.