Milcah’s p.o.v. I grab the bag from under my bed and walk back into our living room to see Mom writing something in her decoy sketchbook. “Just to let that Bitch know that she can have the Asshole.” Mom says when she sees me looking at her. I keep quiet as I shake my head. This is Mom’s decision and I am not going to stop her. I follow Mom to the door and after the Renegade makes sure that no one is out there, she opens the door to walk out quickly to another door down the hall. It opens to a stairwell, but it is clear to see that someone has pried it open. Another Renegade is waiting for us a floor lower and follows us down the stairs. It remains silent as we reach the bottom of the stairs and we walk out into a small hallway. “That is the Omega stairwell. They use it to move around without being seen by Higher-ranking Pack-members.” Mom explains. Alpha Ferdinand must have sealed it off after he moved Mom into the Alpha floor. He wouldn’t want anyone to know what he was hiding up there or risk any rescue or escape attempts. When we reach the end of the hallway, the woman gestures for us to stop. It takes only seconds for the door to open and a third Renegade comes into view. We continue walking and I have to close my eyes the moment I am standing in full daylight. Mom is swaying on her feet and the woman supports Mom until she is steady again. They give a few seconds to get our bearings before they guide us to a small building to my left. We walk around it to find two more Renegades, but neither of them acknowledges us because they are looking around the area. Once they have determined that it is safe for us to continue, they lead us away from the Pack-house. I glance over my shoulder, curious what my prison of twenty years looks like. It is a five-story building, but it doesn’t look that big to me and I feel a bit disappointed. It has seen better days and could use a new layer of paint. My studies have taught me that a large Pack, like Frozen Star Pack, has a huge Pack-house for its leadership, the Omegas and unmated Pack-members. It doesn’t look big enough to house that many Shifters, in my opinion. “I believe Ferdinand banned all Pack-members from the Pack-house, except for the Beta and Gamma family.” Mom answers my unspoken question. We move slowly across the territory, hiding behind buildings to avoid anyone who might be out here for some reason. However, we don’t run into anyone and make it to the border without any problems. I see a group of men to my left, but they are too far away to hear what they are talking about. It also gives us the opportunity to pass the border without being detected by any of the Warrioirs and we quickly make our way over to some SUVs a few feet away, hidden from sight. “You need to denounce your connection to the Pack and Alpha Ferdinand.” One of the Renegades whispers. “No need for that. Milcah was never initiated into the Pack and I denounced the Pack and Ferdinand on the day I rejected him.” Mom responds as she gets into an SUV. “That will actually work in our favor. If you don’t have to denounce them, Alpha Ferdinand will not feel the Pack bond snap and will be oblivious to your disappearance a little longer.” The driver says, before the doors close and he takes off down the small dirt road. It only takes minutes to hit the main road and as the SUV speeds away from the territory, I close my eyes to feel the wind caress my face. “I informed Elder Chelsea of the slight change in plans. We had expected Alpha Ferdinand to feel the bond break and that would be her cue to charge him with the crimes against the two of you.” The Renegade in the front passenger seat says. “How much did you tell them, Milcah?” Mom asks and I slowly open my eyes to look at her. “All of it. The Elders know everything that they put us through and about Alpha Ferdinand’s plan to hand the Pack over to Landis.” I answer. Mom remains silent as she looks at me. I can almost hear the gears turning in her head to process what I just told her. “I am his firstborn and therefore the heir to Frozen Star Pack.” I tell her before I explain our Pack-law on succession.I close my eyes again to enjoy the wind on my face and I doze off from time to time. I don’t open my eyes to take in my surroundings. I don’t need to know where I am going; all I need to know is that I am finally free to do what I want in life. “Milcah, we will arrive at Gold Moon Pack in about ten minutes.” I hear someone say from somewhere behind me. I slowly open my eyes and am met with the gorgeous sight of grass, trees and bushes. The sound of birds chirping in the background and sounds of other animals buzzing around the area. “Does Alpha Hank know that we are coming?” Mom asks and I turn to her to see a worried look in her eyes. “Don’t worry, Zaphara. The territory belongs to Alpha Lincoln and Luna Leona is expecting both of you. Alpha Lincoln is with Elder Chelsea at the moment and he is more than happy to inform Alpha Ferdinand that you are under his protection.” Is the answer Mom gets. I can see the relief that washes over Mom and I grab her hand as we approach the gate to Gold Moon territory. “Can we expect visitors?” One of the Guards asks and in that moment, I realize that there are many Warriors near the gate. “No, we made a clean break. He won’t find out what happened until someone tells him.” The driver responds and I hear a few chuckles coming from the Warriors. We drive down the road to the Pack-house and this one resembles the Pack-houses that I have learned about. Shifters are bustling around and three women are waiting on the front porch. “Welcome to Gold Moon Pack, your new home for as long as you want.” One of them says and I assume that she is Luna Leona.