Chapter 1We'd planned it months ago. The five of us. One last pack run before graduation.
Shift at dawn, race to Highridge Point together, watch the sun break over the ridge.
I got there at 4 a.m. and waited on the packhouse steps.
By 7 a.m., the sun had fully risen and I was still sitting there alone.
I pulled out my phone. Torren had posted half an hour ago.
[The best Run!]
Four hands in the frame. Kyson, Thatcher, Torren, Ismeria.
I scrolled down. Another post—Ismeria wrapped in Torren's cloak, Kyson and Thatcher grinning behind her.
Caption: [Dawn crew!]
They didn't forget to invite me. They just forgot I existed.
I stood up, brushed the dirt off my jeans, and walked to the ferry terminal.
"Hi, what time's the next boat off the ridge?"
The woman at the counter flipped through her binder.
"6:40. Speedboat. Three seats left."
"One ticket."
---
My phone buzzed halfway down the mountain.
Group chat.
Kyson: [Sunrise is INSANE—Cassidy get up here!!]
Attached photo: Ismeria at the cliff edge, wind in her hair.
Thatcher: [Is Cassidy still asleep? Lmao classic.]
They noticed I was gone because they posted a photo and remembered I existed as an afterthought.
I tossed my phone in the cupholder.
Didn't reply.
Another buzz. DM from Torren this time.
[You okay? Why didn't you come up?]
They left at four. Took them over two hours to think of me.
I typed something. Deleted it.
[Already left.]
His response was instant.
[Left?? Why? Come back. We're getting breakfast. Grab tea for Ismeria on the way—her throat's raw.]
I stared at the screen.
Typed one word.
[OK.]
I've always been good at saying okay.
There was a gas station at the base of the mountain. I bought the tea. Stood outside holding it while the wind tried to rip it from my hands.
My car was packed. Engine still warm.
I set the tea on Torren's truck hood and walked back to my driver's seat.
Started the car. Pulled onto the highway.
My phone rang. Kyson.
"Where are you? Where's the tea?"
"On Torren's truck."
"You're not coming back?"
"No."
The engine roared as I merged lanes.
"Cassidy, what's that noise?"
"Bad signal."
I hung up. Airplane mode.
In the rearview mirror, Thornridge territory got smaller and smaller until it disappeared.
I couldn't tell where anyone was anymore.
Honestly, I'd stopped being able to tell a long time ago.
Forty minutes later, I was back at campus hauling out the suitcase I'd packed last night.
On the way up to the mountain, we'd loaded gear together. Torren carried two of Ismeria's bags. Kyson handled her cooler.
Thatcher glanced at my single duffel and said, "Traveling light, huh?"
Only time anyone noticed me the entire trip.
I had a flight booked for two o'clock.
Three days from now, I'd be in another country. New job. New pack.
I'd gotten the offer two weeks ago.
Never told anyone.
Not because I was hiding it. Because I knew nobody would listen.
The day the offer came through, I posted in the group chat: [I have good news to share.]
Kyson was posting photos of Ismeria's venison roast.
Thatcher was hyping up her cooking.
Torren sent emojis.
My message got buried.
Nobody asked.
I never brought it up again.
The shuttle to the airport wasn't crowded.
I took a window seat.
The second I turned off airplane mode, my phone exploded.
Torren: [Where did you go?]
Torren: [Why aren't you answering?]
Torren: [Cassidy what the hell, everyone's waiting on you.]
Kyson: [You left the tea on the truck but WHERE ARE YOU]
Thatcher: [Did you actually leave???]
Then a voice memo from Ismeria.
I tapped play.
"Is Cassidy upset? Is it because we didn't wake her?"
"It's my fault. I told Kyson I was nervous about shifting near the cliffs, so he stayed with me. And then everyone else did too. Cassidy, please don't be mad."
Freshman year, my first full moon. I panicked in the woods. Mind-linked Torren and told him I was scared.
He said, "You're a wolf. Scared of what?"
Then cut the link.
I never said I was scared again.
Back in the group chat, Kyson was already soothing her: [Cassidy's just grumpy before coffee, don't worry.]
Thatcher: [Yeah she's always like this.]
Torren hadn't said anything in the chat.
But he DM'd me.
[If you're upset just come back and talk. Don't do this disappearing thing. It's embarrassing for the pack.]
I closed the thread. Opened the airline app. Confirmed my flight.
My phone lit up again. Torren calling.
I watched his name flash.
Seven times.
Then I muted it.
Wind came through the shuttle window. Smelled like distance.
"How much longer to the airport?" I asked the driver.
"Forty minutes."
"Thanks."
Right before the screen went dark, I saw Torren's last message.
[Fine. Take your space. We'll talk tonight when you're back.]
He thought I'd come crawling back tonight.
Like every other time. Smile. Nod. Fall in line.
"Not coming back," I said.
Chapter 2
"One ticket. Two o'clock flight."
The agent scanned my ID.
"Ms. Brineheart, no checked bags?"
"No."
One duffel. One backpack. That was all I was taking from Thornridge Pack.
Past security, I found an empty corner near the gate.
My phone was already on Do Not Disturb. Only favorites could get through.
Torren wasn't a favorite. Neither were Kyson or Thatcher.
They used to be.
I'd cleared them out a month ago.
That night I'd asked Torren if he wanted to grab food over the weekend.
He said he was helping Ismeria settle into the packhouse.
I said I could help too.
He said, "We've got it covered. You don't need to come."
I stared at his name still sitting in my contacts and thought—what's the point of keeping someone who never calls first?
Gate announcements looped overhead. AC blasting.
I tugged my jacket tighter.
Packing for this trip, I'd realized something.
Two years together. He'd never once draped his cloak over my shoulders.
But Ismeria had been around three months, and his cloak, his jacket, his flannel—they were all hers now.
Kyson said Ismeria ran cold. Needed protection.
Thatcher said she couldn't handle mountain air without help.
Torren never said anything. Just handed over whatever she needed.
And me?
Sophomore year. Blizzard. The four of us went out for late-night food.
I wore a thin hoodie. Froze the entire walk.
Kyson glanced over. "Why didn't you layer up?"
Thatcher laughed. "Cassidy doesn't get cold. Wolf thing, right?"
Torren walked ahead. Hands in pockets. Didn't turn around.
I caught up. Tugged his sleeve. "Can I borrow your jacket?"
He frowned. "Should've brought your own."
Kyson smoothed it over. "Come on, let's just get inside."
I sat by the door that whole dinner. Every time someone walked in, cold air slammed into my back.
Nobody offered to switch seats.
After that, I learned. Always bring extra layers.
Not because I felt the cold more than anyone else.
Because nobody was going to shield me from it.
My phone buzzed. Unknown number.
[Cassidy, it's Ismeria. Kyson gave me your number. Are you upset about this morning? I'm really sorry.]
[I told them to wake you, but Torren said you were a heavy sleeper and didn't want to disturb you. Please don't be mad, okay?]
Two years together—he'd shift positions in bed and I'd wake up.
He didn't think I slept deeply. He just didn't want to wake me.
Because when Ismeria was around, I was extra.
Leave me behind and the group evens out at four. Better photos. Easier dynamics. No dead weight.
I didn't reply.
Ten minutes later, Kyson texted.
[Cassidy, Ismeria already apologized. Why are you dragging this out? She's new to the pack, she's sensitive.]
[If you're still mad, we'll take you out for a nice dinner when we're back. Sound good?]
Like every other time they screwed up.
Forgot to save me a seat—dinner.
Forgot to invite me somewhere—dinner.
Forgot my birthday—
Actually, that time there wasn't even dinner.
Junior year. My birthday. I posted in the group chat a week ahead.
Kyson said he'd remember. Thatcher said, "We got you." Torren sent a cake emoji.
Day of, I booked a table. Five seats.
Turned out Ismeria had plans with them that same night. She'd placed in some photography contest. Wanted to celebrate.
Kyson asked me, "You don't mind if we celebrate Ismeria too, right?"
I said I didn't mind.
Entire dinner was about her photos.
Torren helped her edit. Kyson picked which ones to submit. Thatcher kept toasting her.
Halfway through, I went to the bathroom.
Came back and heard Ismeria say, "Thanks for coming out specially to celebrate with me, you guys."
My table. My reservation. My birthday.
But in their eyes, it was Ismeria's night.
I sat down. Smiled. Raised my glass.
"To Ismeria."
Torren looked at me once. Clinked his glass.
That was the only time he looked at me all night.
Next day, Kyson posted photos. Nine-pic grid. Ismeria in every single one.
Caption: [Congrats to our girl.]
Thatcher commented: [She killed it!!]
Torren liked it.
Nobody remembered it was my birthday.
Gate announcement crackled.
"Flight boarding in ten minutes."
I stood. Grabbed my bag.
Phone lit up. Thatcher.
[Cassidy, where the hell are you? Torren's freaking out. Are you seriously ignoring us? Stop being dramatic. We're just looking out for you.]
I'd heard that for four years.
They called me giving in "chill." They called my silence "low-maintenance." They called it "drama" the second I pushed back.
Never once did it occur to them that someone could be hurt enough to actually leave.
Boarding line was short. I got in at the back.
Scanned my pass. Walked down the jet bridge.
Cabin door thudded shut behind me.
My phone buzzed one more time. Torren.
[Cassidy Brineheart, if you don't answer soon I'm actually going to lose it.]
I stared at the message.
Laughed bitter.
He wasn't worried.
He was pissed I wasn't listening.
Plane started moving. Runway lights blurred past the window.
I turned off my phone.
Chapter 3
"Cassidy, what do you mean your phone's off?"
First thing I heard after landing—a voice memo from Kyson.
His tone was sharp. Pissed.
"Torren's about to lose it. Are you okay in the head?"
"We didn't wake you for one sunrise. Is it really worth all this?"
I didn't reply.
Caught a cab straight to campus. Headed to my dorm to pack.
My roommate Hollis was doing a face mask when I walked in.
She froze when she saw my duffel.
"Weren't you at Highridge? Why are you back?"
"Left early."
"Fight with Torren?"
"No."
"Then—"
"I'm moving. Flying out in three days."
She sat up straight.
"Wait, what?"
"Got a job offer overseas. Design position. Signed last week."
"You're leaving the pack? Does Torren know?"
"No."
"You're bailing before you even break the bond?"
I crouched down. Started packing books. Didn't look up.
"Haven't told him yet."
"Cassidy Brineheart, have you lost your mind?"
"I've never been more clear-headed."
Hollis had known me four years. She knew I wasn't impulsive.
She watched me pack in silence.
Finally spoke. "Need help?"
"Grab those frames off my desk, thanks."
She walked over. Picked them up.
One was Torren and me. Taken last year outside the campus den.
The other was all five of us. Pack run from sophomore year.
Hollis flipped it over. Stared.
"Ismeria's dead center in this one."
I didn't answer.
"You know," she said slowly, "last time Ismeria came by when you weren't here, she was going through your stuff."
"Through what?"
"Your desk. I walked in and she was elbow-deep in your drawer. Said she was looking for tape."
"I don't have tape."
"I know."
Hollis looked at me.
"That frame—wasn't it on the shelf before?"
The five-person photo used to sit on my bookshelf. At some point it got moved to the most visible spot on the desk.
I thought I'd bumped it.
"She moved it?"
"Saw her setting it up when I walked in. Asked why she was touching your stuff. She said she was worried it was dusty. Wanted to clean it for you."
By rifling through my drawers?
I set both frames face-down. Didn't pack them.
"These aren't coming."
Hollis nodded. Said nothing else.
There wasn't much to pack. One duffel. Two boxes.
Boxes would ship. Duffel would fly with me.
Halfway through, my phone rang.
Torren.
I hesitated. Then picked up.
"Where the hell did you go?"
His voice wasn't worried. It was accusing.
"Back to campus."
"You left early? Why?"
"Something came up."
"What something? We're not leaving Highridge till tomorrow. You just bailed, and now Ismeria's too scared to even talk. Happy now?"
I made her uncomfortable. Ruined the vibe. Couldn't handle myself like an adult.
"Yeah. Sorry."
"You're always just sorry. Can you not do this? Every time something happens you go cold and shut everyone out. How's that supposed to make us feel?"
"You guys keep enjoying the trip. Don't worry about me."
"Cassidy, what is that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. Just had to handle something."
He paused. Voice softened slightly.
"Fine. Glad you're safe. I'll call you tonight."
"Okay."
"Oh, and—swing by Ismeria's room and grab my phone charger. Black one. She says I left it there."
I held the phone. Stared at the ceiling.
"Which room?"
"West hall, third floor. Her roommate should be there. Just say you're picking it up for me."
Use his name.
His charger. In Ismeria's room.
He thought this was normal. Normal enough to send me to get it.
"Sure."
I hung up.
Hollis was watching me.
"You're not actually going, are you?"
"No."
"Then why'd you say sure?"
I didn't answer.
That was the habit. Saying okay. Saying sure. Saying I don't mind.
I'd said it so many times I couldn't tell if I was calming him down or lying to myself.
My phone buzzed. Group chat.
Ismeria posted a photo. Sunset over the ridge. Her sitting alone on a rock wrapped in Torren's cloak. Sad-face emoji.
Kyson: [Don't be upset, Cassidy's just like this. She'll be fine in a few days.]
Thatcher: [Yeah, it's not about you.]
I put the phone down. Kept packing.
At the back of my drawer was a small box. I opened it.
Bracelet inside.
Gift from Torren. One-year anniversary.
Thin chain. Tiny crescent moon charm.
"It suits you," he'd said. "Really beautiful."
I'd been happy about it for days.
Later I found out Ismeria helped him pick it.
Once, Ismeria saw me wearing it. Smiled.
"Isn't it pretty, Cassidy? Torren and I went to three stores to find it."
He went to three stores with her to pick out a gift for me.
But he'd never gone shopping with me. Not once. Just the two of us.
I put the bracelet back in the box. Set it on the desk.
Next to the frames. Left behind together.
Hollis stood in the doorway. Arms crossed. Watching me.
"Cassidy. You're sure—not even telling him before you go?"
"I'll tell him once I'm on the plane."
"Why?"
"Because if I tell him now, he'll think I'm throwing a tantrum. He'll show up. Talk me down. And I'll cave. Everything goes right back to normal."
"You really think you won't cave anymore?"
I zipped the duffel shut. Stood up. Looked at the half-empty desk.
"There's nothing left to cave with."
