The Runt novel Chapter 36

Watching my best friend's relationship implode is both upsetting and oddly satisfying – because it isn't surprising, as awful as that is to say. He brought this on himself and it has been a long time coming – Luna and I were able to help him the day of the fight but when it comes to standing on his own two feet, he fumbles. He couldn't even keep it in his damn pants for one night away! He has now doomed this pack to a life without a true Luna and there is nothing more to be done about it – there is no 'saving' him this time.

"Now that the formalities are out of the way, we have a bit of business to take care of," Luna Penelope says calmly. Business? I can see that Kace is just as confused. "When you originally gave me my options, you said you'd help me start over somewhere else if I wanted, including the money to do so," she pointlessly reminds him. He nods, remembering his words well because we celebrated that night that she chose to stay instead.

Looks like we were premature.

"I'm taking you up on that offer now – in fact, I'm not giving you a choice. This is how much I figure I'll need," she states as she hands him a piece of paper. Kace takes it, reads the sheet then pulls out his phone. "As you can see, that's my email at the bottom there," she points out as Kace types away on his mobile device. I can't see what he's doing but my guess is online banking, based on their conversation and the time it is taking. When he's finished, Kace crumples the paper and Luna Penelope steps back with a satisfied smirk on her face.

"I'm going to need some cash to pay for the cab – whatever it'll take to get me the nearest airport," she says as she turns to me, leaving Kace to sort things out with her driver. She takes the few steps to where I am, and her face is sad when she looks up at me.

"Goodbye Beta AJ – I wish you the best life has to offer but I don't think you're going to find it here." She kisses me lightly on the cheek then turns around again and walks away as quickly as she came. She approaches the cab, opens the backdoor and crawls in, closing the door behind her without a second look in Kace's direction. A few words to her driver and she's soon pulling away to her new life and freedoms, away from this place and all the nightmares she's known since she arrived. I walk to my best friend and Alpha's side who is standing and watching her leave silently. I have four simple words for him before I leave him to his thoughts.

"Time to start over."

PENNY, EPILOGUE

When I left Alpha Kace's territory I had no idea where I was going, all I knew was 'away' and that was good enough for me. When I arrived at the airport, I approached the first empty counter and purchased a ticket on the first domestic flight available, which brought me to British Columbia. Once I landed, I took a cab to an outlying pack where I arrived unexpectedly and made a plea for sanctuary. Once I explained most of my situation to the Alpha and Luna – I didn't give them all the embarrassing details – they allowed me to stay. After a trial period, I was permitted to pledge allegiance to the pack and became a family member of the Night Sky Pack later that year.

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