I swallowed , my nails digging into the handle of my suitcase . The sound of the door slamming shut in my face echoed through me . The plan I had hoped I wouldn't have to use was looking increasingly more attractive . I turned on my heel and walked away from the door . I had nowhere to go . No way to get there other than my own feet , but I'd figure it out . By the time I got to the end of the driveway , the aches that hadn't presented from the night before were starting to surface . A dully pounding started at the base of my skull . My stomach growled , and while part of me regretted leaving Brightclaw so quickly , there was no way I could regret escaping Tyler and Vivian . The road before me stretched on for miles . It would take at least an hour at my pace to even reach the highway where I could maybe hope to hitchhike to the city . A pair of guards for Frostborne rode past me in a golf cart my mother's money paid for . They didn't even stop to ask if they could help . I had figured that no one in the pack would drive me back to the city . Philip was the type to announce his decree loudly within his own pack and watch everyone closely to ensure compliance . He got a lot of practice compelling people into obedience . I pulled out my phone , my fingers cold as I tried to call Dominic . He couldn't have gotten too far , but I had no service . Considering that I definitely had service last night and Frostborne is nowhere near as remote as Brightclaw , I could only guess this was Philip's doing . I let out a slow breath , pushing down the frustration clawing at my chest . I wasn't going to panic . If I had to walk all the way to town myself , then I would . The first mile wasn't so bad . The second , I could still convince myself this was fine . By the third , my flats had started to rub uncomfortably against my heels , and my legs ached with every step . Then the rain started . Somewhere between the fourth and fifth mile , my feet felt like raw blisters , my soaked clothes clinging to me like a second skin . This sucked , but I was grateful that at least this time I could feel the rain as I could have still been just a ghost watching my murderers benefit from their betrayal . My throat tightened . I shoved the thought away . Now was not the time to think about them . Eventually , I reached the highway . It was already slick with rain , and based on what I knew , the city still more than ten miles away . My legs ached , and every step sent a dull throb through my feet . But I kept walking . If my wolf had awakened already , I could have shifted , but in my past life , I hadn't awakened even after I got married , though it was pretty standard that I should have awakened around my 25th birthday . Thinking back , I should have known there was something wrong when , even at my happiest with Tyler , my wolf did not come to me . I slipped in the mud , barely catching my balance when a low hum of an approaching car broke through the steady patter of rain . Before I could turn my head , the sleek black car pulled up beside me , rolling smoothly to a stop . The back window lowered , and I didn't need to see who it was to know . Dominic . His eyes burned with fury as he took me in . He didn't say anything as he opened the car door and stepped out , extending an umbrella over me . The warm air of the car , filled with his scent rushed out and swirled around me . The driver was already out , retrieving my suitcase . " Get in . " Gratefully , I slid into the warm interior , only to freeze . Vivian was there . She looked me up and down , her lips curling . " Wow . Someone's having a rough day . " I clenched my jaw , willing myself not to react . Dominic slid in beside me , his displeasure still thick in the air . I hoped it was all directed at Philip , but I wasn't about to ask . As the car pulled back onto the road , Dominic finally spoke . " You should have called . " " No service . " His expression darkened and turned to the driver . " We still have time . Take us back to Brightclaw . " " No , wait , " I said . I couldn't go back to Brightclaw , not to deal with Tyler or his father , let alone Vivian . " I have plans to study . " I smiled sweetly , not looking at Vivian though I knew what I'd say next would infuriate her . " Neil and the others already said they were running a bit late . " Dominic's eyes narrowed briefly . Was that jealous ? Anger ? I had no idea , but when I glanced at Vivian when he looked away her whole demeanor had tightened into something vicious , her nails tapping sharply against the leather seat . " Very well . To the city then . " The driver rolled to a stop in front of the Apex one of the nicer hotels in the city . 11/3 +15 Chapter 8 " You should call . The internet here is stable . " " Thank you for the ride , " I said as the driver stepped out to get my bag . Vivian forced a smile . " You should let me know where you'll be . Maybe I'll join your little study group . " " You won't have time . We have pack business . " Her lips pressed together in irritation , but she didn't argue . I nodded , forcing an easy smile . " Thanks again for the ride , Dominic . " I stepped out of the car and dragged my suitcase toward the doors . The hotel lobby was warm , a stark contrast to the rain still clinging to my clothes . I stepped up to the reception desk to set up a reservation for a few days , but when I swiped my card , she frowned . " I'm sorry , ma'am . It's been declined . " That uneasy feeling I'd been ignoring twisted into something sharper . I tried again , and it didn't work . I tried all my other cards with the same result , and then my personal debit card , too . It didn't work either . The credit cards were one thing , but my debit card ? Heart hammering , I checked my banking app . The money was there , sitting untouched in my account . But next to it was a small , infuriating message : ACCESS LOCKED . CONTACT ADMINISTRATOR . Philip . Of course he wouldn't just kick me out - he'd make sure I had nowhere to go . No money . No way to survive . I turned away from the desk , gripping the handle of my suitcase so tightly my knuckles ached . Outside , the rain had slowed to a drizzle , the streets shining under streetlights . I needed a plan . I found a coffee shop nearby and took the nearest seat to the window. My mind raced , running through every possible option , each one worse than the last . Then , a familiar voice cut through my spiral . " Renee ? " I looked up to see Maya , one of my classmates from my master's program . Her dark eyes widened as she took in my state - damp hair , tired eyes , suitcase at my side . " I heard about the engagement , " she said carefully as she slid into the chair across from me . " Didn't expect to see you out here , though . " I exhaled , debating how much to say . But when my throat tightened , when the weight of it all threatened to choke me , the words spilled out . " Philip cut me off , " I admitted . " Turned off my phone , froze my accounts - everything . " Maya's expression darkened . " That's insane … " I let out a dry laugh . " That's Philip . " For a moment , she was quiet . Then , with a decisive nod , she said , " You're coming with me . " 1 blinked . " What ? " " You need a place to stay , right ? It's not the Apex , but I've got a couch , a kitchen , a bathroom , and I don't need you to pay me . " Relief surged so fast it made my head spin . " Are you sure ? " She rolled her eyes . Of course , I'm sure . Let's go before you catch a cold or something When we got to her place - a small but cozy apartment - Maya handed me a towel and some spare clothes . As I dried off , she sat on the armrest of the couch , arms crossed . " Okay , " she said . " What really happened with your engagement ? You're not the type to make a scene … " I hesitated , then told her the truth about Tyler and Vivian . Her eyes widened in disbelief . " That … You know , when they say who needs enemies when you have friends ? " She shook her head . " I'm so sorry ." Not as sorry as I was , looking back . Maya had been at my wedding with this thin , pasted on smile , then I never saw her again , not even at my anniversary party . I guess , I'd be around to figure out why . " Thank you for letting me stay , " I said , my voice heavy with exhaustion . I lay down on her couch and sleep took me before I'd even heard her leave the room . The sound of my phone ringing yanked me from sleep not quite long enough later . It was my VoIP number , my backup number for all of my records . I answered it and frowned at the automated voice . Please contact the financial aid office immediately regarding your tuition balance .