But family that makes you sleep outside in the cold when they know how sick you are?
A friend who leaves you for a stranger with a pretty face?
They got what they deserved.
It feels great to finally be living for myself.
Let the pack talk. This she-wolf is done acting.
I don’t want to please anyone else anymore; I just want to live for myself.
As I drive towards the Southern territories, the weight of years of duty lifts off my shoulders. The road ahead of me is long and full of possibilities.
My warrior friend Lucy sent me a message that said, “The rumours are spreading fast.” Your old family is telling everyone you left them.
I type back, “Let them talk.” The truth always comes out in the end.
Another message comes in, this time from Robert: “Please, sis. We messed up. Diane tricked all of us. Can we have a talk?”
Then George said, “I know I don’t deserve it, but I’m still here if you need anything.”
I don’t answer either of them. There’s nothing more to say.
My new home is a modern cabin on the edge of prime hunting grounds. It’s smaller than my last house, but it’s all mine. There are no ungrateful dependents, no parasitic relatives, and no disloyal partner.
The Alpha of the Southern territory has already offered me a job as a combat trainer for their best troops. The pay is good, and they really respect me.
As I cross the line between territories, I can feel my wolf getting excited. She knows what I know to be true: this is our new beginning, our fresh start.
I stop at a scenic overlook and get out of my car. The valley below is wild and untamed, and it goes on for miles. I raise my head and let out a howl that echoes across the mountains.
Not a howl of loss or sadness, but of freedom. Of being born again.
For the first time in my life, I am only responsible to myself.
Both the woman and the wolf in me are very happy.
