Forbidden Hope: A Werewolf Wars Prequel Novella by Bethany Shaw

Marcus and Vincent know. We should have no problems getting out unnoticed. It’s you I’m worried about.”
    “I can do it,” she answered confidently. “Are you ready, though?”
    Emily knew Devon was tough, but he looked like he was hurting. She had no idea how bad the fight had been, but she smelled his blood on the air—a lot of blood.
    Devon ran a hand through his hair, grimacing slightly with the movement. “I would have liked to finalize things and leave tomorrow, but we have a window and we need to take it,” he said with certainty.
    “And you’re sure you’re alright?” she asked worriedly, appraising him. The last thing she wanted was for him to have permanent damage because he pushed himself too hard while severely injured.
    “I’ll be good as new next time you see me. Let’s keep this between ourselves, please. I don’t need Marcus or Vincent worrying over me too.”
    “I’m sorry,” she whispered, taking in the way his tattered and soiled clothes barely covered his body.
    “Don’t be. This isn’t your fault.” Devon placed his hands on her shoulders. “We are leaving tonight and starting a new life. The world out there is different than how it is here. We are going to do this my way, which means you need to follow my lead. We might have to play it safe for a while, but once things are safe, I promise you your freedom.”
    “I trust you.”
    “I need to go get ready. Be careful. I’ll see you in a few hours.” Devon patted her shoulder before gathering his medical supplies and seeing himself out.
    Emily glanced at the clock on her wall. A little less than two hours and they would be making a run for it. Everything is going to be okay. It has to be. If they got caught, Marcus and Dev were dead for sure, while she and Vincent would be punished severely. What am I getting into? Can I really put their lives in danger? She sat down on her bed and let out a long sigh. I don’t have any other choice.
    ***
    E mily stared absently into the mirror. The gashes were gone—she’d wiped away the blood and grime—but she would never forget.
    She balled her fists at her sides and inhaled deeply. You can do this, Em. Blinking at her reflection, she swallowed the lump in her throat. Emily padded out to her room and picked up her small messenger bag.
    Her eyes drifted around her room as she contemplated what she wanted to take with her. It wouldn’t be much. Absently, she picked up a picture of her and her three brothers. It was several years old, but one of the only pictures of all four of them together. She picked up another photo of her and Marcus. It was more recent —o nly a few months old. Clutching the pictures, she went to the dresser and pulled out two of her favorite tee shirts. Carefully, she wrapped each photo in a shirt and stuffed them into the bag. Next, she grabbed a few pairs of shorts and a few more tops. A wolf charm with her birthstone that her mother gave her went into the bag, and a few pieces of jewelry Marcus had given her over the past few years. She zipped up the bag and looked around the room.
    The thought of leaving the house behind was both terrifying and exhilarating. She hadn’t been outside the perimeter in years. Emily sat down on the bed and pulled her sneakers on. Her fingers shook as she tied the grey laces. This is going to work. No one is going to get hurt—please don’t let anyone get hurt.
    She stood up and tiptoed to the window, cautiously raising the glass. Emily peered out, relishing in the sweet, grassy air. She surveyed her surroundings before slowly stepping onto the ledge. The closest tree branch was a foot away, but she easily grasped it. Her fingers squeezed the rough bark as she jumped, letting her feet dangle. With a grunt, she swung forward so she could gain momentum. She reached out with her hand and, as if on monkey bars, she grasped onto the next branch and settled her foot onto a lower limb.
    The limb swayed beneath her weight as she guided