Anastasia

"It is vital that you rest and focus on recovering completely," Robert says, as he goes over the paperwork on his clipboard.

Nodding his head as he reads it, seeing if he has gone over everything.

"I understand and thank you so much doctor, for taking care of me," I say, my hands itching to throw back the blanket, change and make my way home.

The exercise as I walk home will help my aching muscles and hopefully help me recover completely. The thought of finally being able to return home and use my switchblade makes me want to rush and get out of here.

Robert leaves the room, not even paying attention to me anymore since they have discharged me. I jump out of bed as quickly as my body will allow once he has left.

I picked up the bag of clothes Jacob went and fetched for me yesterday. I put on the blue jeans and green sweatshirt he had packed. The feeling of being in my own clothes causes me to close my eyes, enjoying the feeling of being more comfortable. I slip my feet into my boots, sliding my switchblade into my left one. The feeling of it being pressed against my ankle relaxes me and reminds me of the privacy I will have once at home.

I glance around the room, ensuring I have everything. Once I am sure I have packed my few belongings, I leave. I thank the few nurses that helped me as I passed them in the hallway, rushing to get outside and feel the fresh air on my face.

I close my eyes as I take a deep breath. Tilting my head towards the sun and I relish its warmth, kiss my skin as I stand there for a few minutes, embracing the feeling of freedom.

My steps are small and tentative as I walk towards my cottage. My muscles ache with every step I take. The pain seems to grow the more I walk, forcing me to walk slower. I glance around as I walk towards my cottage. Noticing it is extremely quiet and relieved that the majority of the pack is at school or busy with their tasks for the day.

My mouth goes dry as I slowly make my way home. My tongue feels heavy in my mouth as I swallow. My body sweats excessively, and I feel extremely hot. I roll the sleeves of my sweatshirt up, trying to cool down. A sickly-sweet smell graces my nose as I move my hands towards my hair, tying it up.

The smell causes my eyes to widen as the realization of my body entering heat hits me. My mind swirls as I wildly glance around me, making sure none of the unmated males are around to pick up on it.

The trees swirl as I spin around, the forest blurring into a never-ending mix of green. Making me whimper as I remember Derek's eyes and the way he was staring at me as he was leaning towards me. The heat pooling in my legs from the memory is uncomfortable.

"Focus, Ana," I say to myself, needing to think about the best way to deal with this and not attract unwanted attention.

I can't go home. My scent will be too potent there and will be a beacon, attracting the males like moths to a flame. But I can't stay here either. It is too close to the pack and my scent will only continue to get stronger. I need to get further away from both of them.

Without thinking, I just start running. My muscles are burning from the sensation as I pushed them to the extreme after not being used. My body is on autopilot as I let my instincts take over, ensuring that I will not be near any males. My heart clenches at the thought of being away from Derek, but my brain knows he doesn't want to be with me. I focus on that feeling as I let my legs carry me further into the forest, focusing on getting away.

My right foot hooks on something, my ankle twisting me and causing me to scream out from the pain. My hands quickly come up to break my fall as my muscles burn. I focus on the feeling and connect the dots of the feeling being a symptom of my approaching heat. If my body needs a release and I can't find one, I may have a problem.

I sit there cradling my ankle. I think about the hallucinations and nightmares I had in Healer's clinic, connecting the dots to our biology books and how the symptoms are all the same.

I stay there, catching my breath and thinking of all the signs I missed. The way it drew Derek and I into a trance is an effect my heat had on both of us.

A blur at the edge of my eyeline catches my attention as I turn towards it. A familiar wolf stands there, its fur light. I stare at it as it looks at me. Waiting for me to do something. I slowly get up as it continues to stare at me. Turning around, before looking back at me to make sure I follow it.

Limping after the wolf, my instincts still drive my actions at this point. I let it lead me through the forest, away from the pack and any unmated male's attention. The wolf is patient with me, stopping every few minutes, ensuring I am still following it and allowing me to catch up.

My ankle burns as I put weight on it, making every step excruciating as I push through the pain, ignoring my burning muscles. I focus on the end destination wherever that is.

"Hey, wait up." I say, seeing the wolf sprint off faster than before.

I try to keep up, but I lose sight of it. I sigh and just walk in the direction it went in before disappearing. The sound of the gushing water below makes me stop. The trees look familiar as I turn around, understanding my bearing and where I am.

I breathe softly, taking small steps as I walk forward, the trees thinning as the forest's edge becomes clear. An eerie silence accompanies this area. Whether it is sacred or scarred is yet to be determined.

I don't make a sound as I walk over the edge. The sight of the ravine breaks me. The familiar wolf makes sense now, as I remember how her hair color was exactly the same as the wolf's fur, her blue eyes looking at me in the same manner, no matter what form she is in.

I let the tears stream down my face as I walk towards the edge, towards the place that my world ended all those years ago. I stop a foot away from the edge. Thinking about that day, the day I should have fallen instead of Gisele. I look across to the other side, remembering being there as I just watched.

I look over the edge, my mind providing the image of Gisele's body on the bank, her body bent at unnatural angles as I scream for her, hoping she will move. I do it the same way I did all those years ago.

I take a step forward, standing on the edge as I think about Gisele and how it was her wolf that led me to this cliff. I decided it was fitting, that fate decided it was only right for me to die in the same place Gisele did.

I take a deep breath, my mind finally at peace at the idea of finally accomplishing the only thing I've ever wanted since that fateful day. I open my eyes and look at the ledge. The purple nightshade flower catches my eye.

Dread fills me, coursing through my veins as I think of how my dying will affect Derek. Even though he doesn't love me and he doesn't want to be my mate, I can't put him through all that pain.

I sigh, taking a step back as I lose my resolve, knowing that I can't do it while I am still bonded with Derek.

A shrill, unexpected ring fills the air and causes me to jump. My hand flies to my back pocket, hoping that it is Derek phoning to see if I am okay. But as I bring the screen up, my body crumbles as I stare at the name flashing across the screen. My knees give out as I fall to the floor.

I hold the phone in both of my hands, Garett's name flashing across the screen, haunting me at the notion of my mate not even caring about my heat.

I throw my head back, a deafening howl leaving my mouth as the despair fuels me. My hands let my phone fall as they grab the dirt next to me, the sobs following afterwards as I sit there, staring into the ravine and letting my heartbreak out into the world.

My sobs are the only sound filling the air as the ringing stops, even the river seems to have stopped, letting me know how truly alone I am, reminding me of the only person who was there for me, died at the bottom of this ravine.

I sigh, reaching into my boots to pull my blade out, but the shrill ring stops me as I see Garett's name flashing across the screen again. I stand up, the phone in my hand as I throw my phone over the edge. The movement causes my sprained ankle to give it as I put all my weight on it.

My body falls forward, my hands coming up to stop my fall, but it's too late. I fall over the edge of the cliff, the air whistling past me as I fall. The river slowly approaches me as I feel like the world moves slowly around me.

My mind is blank as I fall. Even my thoughts have left me at this point.

My body hits the water, the coldness rushing over me, the force pulling me under as the darkness explodes through my body. One thought runs through my mind before I embrace the darkness.

I'm alone.