ECHO

A loud ping startled me awake, but not enough for me to get out of bed. I groaned as I flopped on my back and opened my eyes. It took me a moment to adjust to the darkness of my small room; the only light streaming in from the windows was of the bright red neon sign of the bar from across the street.

I stretched my arm out towards the nightstand in an attempt to find my phone. Once I found it, I immediately hit the home button to check the time. It was almost three in the morning.

Sighing, I placed my phone on the bed besides me and tried to get some sleep in before I had to get up again for work. There was no point in checking my messages because I knew who it was. Only a handful of people had my number and it was better that way. It kept me and them safe. Safe – yeah, right, mocked a voice in my head.

Shaking away that thought, I closed my eyes, but there was this nagging feeling that took over my body. I couldn't quite place it, but I knew it was there, as if something bad was about to happen.

And with that, my phone instantly started to blow up with a series of angry pings. This time, again, I didn't have to check it to know who it was.

As if on auto-pilot, I hurriedly flung my legs over the edge of the bed, reached under and grabbed my duffel bag which was already packed for emergencies - like this one - with some cash and clothes.

Fear gripped me because my nightmares had at last caught up with me and this could be the time when I finally got caught. But I couldn't let that happen. I'd rather die first than go back to the pack where I spent almost nineteen years of my life.

My body shook and I let out a shaky breath, but willed myself to get dressed by pulling a hoodie over my head and a pair of jeans. Slipping into the boots that lay besides the window, I looked at my phone.

Unknown: RUN! THEY KNOW WHERE YOU ARE! YOU DON'T HAVE TIME!

"Fucking hell!"

I threw my phone on the ground, smashed it, and leaned out the window that faced the alley way. It was only two stories up and I had no chance of making out alive if I used the door. So I did the only thing I could.

I jumped.

My body landed with a thud, but the fall wasn't hard to break. I only seemed to have a few scrapes on my palms and knees.

The alley was dark and filthy and a putrid smell hit my nostril. It was quite distinctive – almost as if I had come across it before.

Suddenly, a growl erupted from behind me and that's when it struck me.

Werewolves – rather one in particular.

It had been almost six years since I left my pack, my family and him. I could never stand his scent even when I was a part of the pack. No wonder I had almost forgotten it.

But if he was here, now, it could mean only one thing – to put me in my grave. Otherwise he wouldn't have come. My family must've decided that it was time to put an end to me.

I shook my head in disbelief and made a dash forthe street and turned round the corner. They wouldn't harm me if I wassurrounded by humans. Harming them or exposing our kind would be the end of ourPeace Treaty with the humans.
Shame took over me as I made that turn because I couldn't even run to save myown life. I bumped into him and thatsame putrid smell engulfed me.

This couldn't be happening. I was soclose. If only I could overpower him.

"Hello, Princess."

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If you've reached the end of this chapter, I thank you for reading it.

I also look forward to reading your views. Who do you think Echo bumped into?
Who this is this mystery man? ;)

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Love,
Grace Clarke xo