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“Where can I find an enchantress?”
Elder Agnes squeezed her hand. “I must warn you, what the alpha said was correct. You’ll never have another moon-fated mate. All will be stripped away from you, including the opportunity for pups and true love.”
“I don’t care because I could never love Vadin. I couldn’t even like him.” Brinnah took a deep breath and lifted her chin. “If that’s the price I must pay to be free, so be it. There are far worse things than being alone.”
Elder Agnes nodded, as if she expected that response. “I agree. But you will never be able to return to this pack.”
Her breath hitched in her chest. Never see Kadie and Maggie again? She’d be completely alone. What would she do for money? For shelter? Nomadic wolves never lasted long. Then she thought about being around Vadin for the rest of her life. Of having to touch his clothes to wash them. Of his cruelty that he showed in front of the pack.
“You have to go,” Maggie said softly and they looked at her. Her roommate gave her a supportive smile. “You deserve a chance at happiness. Don’t be afraid of what’s out there.”
Brinnah swallowed down her sadness. “You could both come with me.”
“They were not given permission by the alpha,” Elder Agnes reminded her. “Only you were. Granted, I don’t think that’s what he meant, but the words could be interpreted with other meanings. That’s why I hurried here, in case he says something different to you.”
“So, I have to leave tonight?”
“Yes.”
“But where do I find an enchantress?”
“In the town of Sheridan, Colorado, there is a woman by the name of Esmeralda. She knows where an enchantress resides. Find her, and you’ll be free.”
The thought of leaving everything she knew scared her, but she realized the truth behind Elder Agnes’s word, and nodded.
“All right.” A weight slid off her shoulders as she made the decision.
“Run as your wolf. It’ll be easier and faster.”
“You can carry your backpack in your mouth,” Kadie said. “Let me go pack something for you. Some clothes. A brush. Deodorant. And I have money I can give you.”
“Oh, no, please, I can’t ask—”
“We’re not asking,” Maggie said. “We’re giving.”
Kadie nodded. “We love you, Brinnah. We’ll miss you, but we understand you have to leave.”
Brinnah walked over to them and hugged them both. The three stood with their arms around each other, tears coursing down their cheeks.
“Maybe”—she sniffed—”you can ask the alpha to leave so you can join me.”
“Maybe one day,” Maggie whispered.
“Enough tears,” Elder Agnes said gruffly. “You must leave tonight. I give you permission to shift because running as a wolf will get you there far more quickly. Stick with your form, and stay away from human populated areas.”
Brinnah wiped her face and turned to bow to the old woman. “I don’t know how to thank you for this.”
“My sister would have wanted me to do this. We women must look out for one another.” She moved to the door. “Good luck, Brinnah Ashford.”
As soon as she left, Kadie and Maggie hurried to get her ready to leave. She couldn’t take much, but she didn’t need much. The one precious accessory she placed in her bag was a small book where she had a few pictures of her, Kadie, and Maggie laughing together as they took selfies.
When it was time for her to leave, they all traipsed into the forest. Brinnah gave one last, sad smile to her friends then stripped off her clothes. A moment later, she shifted into her wolf. Kadie held out the backpack and Brinnah grabbed it between her jaws.
Then she took off, not looking back.
She had an enchantress to find.
Chapter One
