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~Faye

 Perfect.

 My fingers dig under the window pane, sliding it up until the cool night air drifted through. It's not snowing tonight, but the air bites at my bare arms. There's no point in dressing up if I'm going to shift anyway. So instead, I sling my leg over the ledge, looking down at the ground below. Here's hoping the grass catches my fall. Taking a deep breath, I fall until my feet touch the ground, my ankles jarring in response.

 No one should be out this way tonight. As far as I'm aware, the Guards are working different rounds until midnight. The night buzzes around me. No one here agrees with me when the forest that backs my residence comes to life at night. It does, but in their opinion, in another way. My Pack, the Independence Pack has kept away from the rest of the twelve Packs; especially the Discipline Pack.

Their disagreement with the way my Pack leads their lives - without any rules - has meant the Alpha, Kael, and I, do not get along. In fact, he's sent some of his entourage to kill me many times. It should worry me, but it doesn't. I live in a Pack where people are allowed to commit to their actions with little consequences. Of course, there are restrictions, but my people are independent. They live the life they want to, as long as they respect my wishes when it's deemed necessary. There are people, though, who's opinions like to overrule mine. My mother. After a near death experience a few years ago, I've invited her to live back in my residence, so I can look after her. This has proven, however, to be a right pain, as with each day, she has been testing the edges of my patience, piping at it with her suggestions.

I flaunt the term suggestions mildly. I try listen. I try understand. But keeping me in at night when exploring the forest outdoors appeals to me more. I don't think so… So to keep the peace, I sneak around. Something a female Alpha who seeks respect from all Pack’s should never be caught doing. When I find it in my heart to kick my mother out, then I won't have to. I won't have to worry about disappointing her. My bare feet crunch over fallen leaves, my left hand brushing the wall as I walk, ready to press myself into the shadows of it's deemed necessary.

 The forest is surrounded with a large dark fence. Because my Pack is situated at the top of a mountain, the forest is the only possible way to get in and out. That's how Alpha Kael’s assassins get in, which is why it's suggested I don't go in there. I see it, and I understand, it's just hard to fight the natural urge. It doesn't take very long to find the gate that keeps people out.

My eyes are trained, even to the darkness. This isn't the first time I've ventured out, and if I can keep inconspicuous, then it won't be the last either. Climbing over the gate is the hardest part of this. My hands clamp down on iron as I clamber up, my feet nearly slipping on the ice slick bars. The more I climb, the harder it gets. My hands freeze and cramp up, but I fight through it, swinging my arms over the top before I fall to the ground on the other side. Everything will be fine once I shift, then no one will find me, unless of course, they smell me. Then I'm done for. To avoid that, I wander further in the forest, letting its darkness consume me with every step. Just as I decided I felt comfortable enough to shift, I hear a strange sound. Rustling. And talking.

Dammit. I press myself up against the base of a tree, concealing myself from the torches belong to Guards. I can hear their voices, picking out the ones I knew. There are only two of them, but I know both. Preston and James. Pricks.

“Thought so,” I hear Preston mutter, and a murmur of agreement comes out afterwards from James.

“Come on out Faye,” I hear James call. I cringe. Of course they would find me, they are the best Guards in the Pack Quarter. That's exactly why I had them hired to protect my place. Now I'm starting to regret that decision.

“We know why you're out here, so you don't have to worry about explaining yourself to us.” I know they are just saying that to get me to come out. They know I don't have to explain myself to them, as the Alpha. They also know that in saying that, I'll want to pop out to confirm.